madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => Tech Help - Etcher's Paradise => Topic started by: playpunk on March 22, 2016, 02:13:05 PM

Title: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: playpunk on March 22, 2016, 02:13:05 PM
How do you guys cut this evil crap? I've destroyed one sheet trying to figure it out.... Need help!
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: matmosphere on March 22, 2016, 02:18:16 PM
If it is similar to the material the vero board i've used then I would suggest scoring it on both sides with a very sharp knife then breaking it. I also cut it with a hack saw, but once again it takes a sharp blade.
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: flanagan0718 on March 22, 2016, 02:29:49 PM
Quote from: Matmosphere on March 22, 2016, 02:18:16 PM
If it is similar to the material the vero board i've used then I would suggest scoring it on both sides with a very sharp knife then breaking it. I also cut it with a hack saw, but once again it takes a sharp blade.

Yuo. Score BOTH sides. This is very important.
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: pryde on March 22, 2016, 04:14:07 PM
Dremel carbon cutoff wheel. Then a little light sanding to clean up the edge

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: galaxiex on March 22, 2016, 04:16:58 PM
I use a table saw. Fine tooth carbide blade.
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: matmosphere on March 22, 2016, 04:23:25 PM
The nice thing about scoring is that there is no dust, the fist from that stuff is really bad for your lungs. Only works four straight cuts though.
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: blearyeyes on March 22, 2016, 07:36:50 PM
Do you need to wear a particular breathing protection if your using a power tool to cut the FR4?
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: flanagan0718 on March 22, 2016, 07:46:39 PM
I would say a dust mask and eye protection would be ideal. I remember cutting vero in my early days in the dust was awful.
Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: rmfroyd on March 22, 2016, 08:01:03 PM
Try a tin snips, I have had good luck with those.  No dust.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Ye Olde fr4 Cuttin' Blues
Post by: galaxiex on March 22, 2016, 11:43:29 PM
Quote from: blearyeyes on March 22, 2016, 07:36:50 PM
Do you need to wear a particular breathing protection if your using a power tool to cut the FR4?

Yeah, sorry, I should have mentioned that I have a vacuum dust collection system. Tho I still wear a mask and eye protection.

A particulate mask at very least, or better yet, a respirator type mask N95 or better.