Anyone knows where to get one tool (eg. drill) that can be used for PCB hand-milling? Any milling bit?
What is the difference between a milling bit and a drill bit?
What do you mean by "hand milling" ?
Do you mean drilling the holes for components, or do you actually contemplate to mill a PCB by hand ?
I honestly don't think that milling a PCB by hand is a good idea, the required precision is going to be almost impossible to achieve by hand.
Why not hand-mill? Can I use bits in the picture below to actually remove the copper? Or can I fix the drill tool to a stand and mill the PCB by moving the PCB?
Hi, Yes, some people do make and modify circuit boards that way. There are VERY many different tools like that.
http://www.foredom.net/
True "milling" cutters mostly cut sideways and need to be held very rigidly.
Grumpy_Mike has a video at his website showing an RF antenna being milled using tools like above on a CNC machine he built.
Kinda neat if you have the CNC to do it with.
Hand mill - I don't know, one mistake and your design is hosed.
Might be better off sticking down copper tape & donuts & laying it out that way.
I can't tell from the picture if those bits are milling bits or burrs. Burrs aren't suitable for removing the copper, they are only good enough for engraving (or possibly fixing up tracks after a bad chemical etch). I know because I tried this in a CNC machine to try and save on the expense of proper milling bits - the burr couldn't cut through copper without getting stuck, in fact it couldn't even cut through wood.
For copper removal you need an end mill. You can buy ones with a thin v-shape end specifically for PCB isolation routing. Given how expensive and fragile they are you probably won't want to use it by hand. It's an interesting idea about putting it in a stand and moving the PCB - you will need an accurate height adjustment for it to work.
The difference between milling bits and drill bits is the milling bit will cut when moved sideways, the drill bit will break.
I would be very surprised if you can do this with out being wildly inaccurate.
You will find the board will suddenly pull in one direction and then you will over compensate and break the milling bit.
Also a drill chuck is not designed for the sideways thrust of a milling bit and can result in serious injury, you are better of with a collect.
I would suggest you get a precision X-Y table for moving the PCB
http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=17469
Milling bits for PCBs are expensive and fragile.
Check these people out.
By the way my video is at:-
http://www.thebox.myzen.co.uk/Hardware/CNC_Conversion.html
How about this product? It can engrave through wood.
http://www.proskit.com.tw/en/product/product_detail.asp?catid=16&itemid=PT-5721F
Can these bits help to mill PCB's, especially the V-shaped bit ? (picture attached)
Great article on this PCB router in the Dec 2010 issue.
http://www.elektor.com/projects/pcb-prototyper-(100619).1599728.lynkx
Back issues are available free with a pololu.com order, or register at elektor.com for up to 10 free downloads.
I highly doubt you will be able to hand route a board tho. One little slip and hours of careful routing time are gone.