Index The index to this thread is found in post number 903 Go to INDEX. [IMG_3826] How about sharing some tips you use? Here is one I use often when I need my third hand to give a constant pull. [2017-01-04_0-01-26.jpg] .

While doing some lapidary work, it became obvious the bits I was using could be repurposed into the electronics area. Wet/dry ‘Diamond Core Bits’ are used in making jewelry and in cutting holes in glass; for example making a hole in a bottle for a power cord to go through. These bits come in many diameters and are relatively inexpensive. Core bits are hollow and nicely make solder pad shapes in PCB FR4 material. The following discussion shows how these bits can be used to manufacture a point to point wiring circuit board. The process is easy and produces a very nice finished product. Equipment: Diamond core bits, I use mostly .110” and .070” inside diameter. Foredom/Dremel drill press. Other tools and parts as see in the following images. A drill press is highly recommended for this process as you have full control over positioning and drill depth. Since a core bit has diamonds in its surface, the bit last a very long time. Using a .070" core bit, you can easily place pads at .1" centers (you may have to wear a head/eye magnifier). Not shown in the images is the pad interconnections using 30AWG Kynar wire wrap wire. [1.jpg] [2.jpg] [a.jpg] [b.jpg]

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I have not done this yet, you could chuck the bit in the cutting head of a CNC machine and have it do all your pad placements! Now on my 'Things To Do' list. Edit see also post #697. [15.jpg] [17.jpg] [18.jpg] [19.jpg] [14.jpg] [20.jpg] [16.jpg]

Not a tip per se. Found this via AVR Freaks. Lots of specialty tools, mostly for working with wire/cable. Jonard

Referring back to post #692? Example of using the diamond core bur method. [1.jpg] [0.jpg] [1.jpg] [2.jpg] [3.jpg] [4.jpg]

If you have experience at assembling and gluing plastic structures, you can make your own cases/boxes for your Arduino projects. Below describes a method that produces a reasonable product. [1.jpg] [2.jpg] [3.jpg] [4.jpg] [5.jpg]

[6.jpg] [7.jpg] [7.5.jpg] [8.jpg] [A.jpg] [A.jpg]

@larryd I love your post #692. Brilliant! And when I saw your photo of the capacitor going to the ground plane I thought this would be a great EMI barrier for projects in an noisy environment. One could drill a hole in the center of the isolated pad, bring a wire through and bypass it with a cap.

I am not a super fan of using ‘hollow desoldering needles’, but they have their place. You do have to be careful not to damage the plated through hole when using these. A set of needles can be found on eBay at reasonable prices. [1.jpg] However, I find an assortment of stainless steel ‘Blunt Dispensing Needles” are reasonably priced, come in a variety of diameters, are easy to manipulate and they do a good job. Of course, the solder wick 'with' solder flux technique is also useful but your pads can be lifted if you are not careful. An SC-7000 desoldering gun is always nice to have, but it is expensive. [1.jpg] [2.jpg] [3.jpg] [4.jpg]

Share tips you have come across

Other Hardware General Electronics

LarryD December 4, 2019, 12:39am 698

Referring back to post #692?

Example of using the diamond core bur method.

Max current/voltage on solderable breadboard?

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Share tips you have come across

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