Post by thread:[OT]: drilling holes with no bit

I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far too big or far too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an IDC header), and have already drilled small holes inside the pads, since I could find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small holes with stuff comonly lying around an electronics shop? --Brendan -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spam_OUTlistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

At 10:17 AM 8/28/02 -0700, you wrote: >I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far too big or far >too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an IDC >header), and have already drilled small holes inside the pads, since I could >find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small holes with stuff >comonly lying around an electronics shop? Argh. Buy a bit, they are not expensive. Where are you? In the US/Canada try KBC tools for micrograin solid carbide bits for a few dollars each. While you're at it, buy their assortment which is on page 2 of their current sale flyer. Forget about Home Despot and such places, they don't carry the right stuff. If you are an incurable cheapskate, buy high-speed steel, but they will dull after some dozens of holes in FR4 laminate. For headers you probably want around 0.9-1mm diameter. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany --"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" .....speffKILLspam@spam@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com 9/11 United we Stand -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> Argh. Buy a bit, they are not expensive. Where are you? Yeah, I would, but getting to one of the places that would would be difficult today. > In the US/Canada try KBC tools for micrograin solid carbide bits for > a few dollars each. While you're at it, buy their assortment which > is on page 2 of their current sale flyer. Forget about Home Despot and > such places, they don't carry the right stuff. If you are an incurable > cheapskate, buy high-speed steel, but they will dull after some dozens > of holes in FR4 laminate. I have experience with that one... Ever try to drill holes for a hobby PCB with a pinvice, because your drill is breaking bits? You can tell real fast when your bit is dulling ;) I definitely prefer carbide bits. But the issue for me is getting one today. > For headers you probably want around 0.9-1mm diameter. Thanx --Brendan -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email .....listservKILLspam.....mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

New small exacto blade > I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far too big or > far too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an > IDC header), and have already drilled small holes inside the pads, > since I could find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small > holes with stuff comonly lying around an electronics shop? > > --Brendan > > -- > http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! > email EraseMElistservspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listservspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

In a message dated 08/28/2002 13:19:34 Eastern Daylight Time, @spam@bmoranKILLspamMILLENNIUM.CA writes: > I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far too big or far > too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an IDC > header), and have already drilled small holes inside the pads, since I could > find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small holes with stuff > comonly lying around an electronics shop? > For bmoran Do you have a set of Swiss files - stick one in a drill press and ream out your hole. Also, True Value, Home Depot and ACE sell wire size steel drills. Sid Weaver - W4EKQ < < < < Remember - Fumpus tegit . -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email KILLspamlistservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

I have a really nice hand-reamer that goes from about 0.8 to 4mm - made by Hall in the UK "Micro drill-reamer", stocked by rshttp://www.com On Wed, 28 Aug 2002 13:36:54 EDT, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>In a message dated 08/28/2002 13:19:34 Eastern Daylight Time, >RemoveMEbmoranTakeThisOuTMILLENNIUM.CA writes: > > >> I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far too big or far >> too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an IDC >> header), and have already drilled small holes inside the pads, since I could >> find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small holes with stuff >> comonly lying around an electronics shop? >> > >For bmoran > >Do you have a set of Swiss files - stick one in a drill press and ream out >your hole. Also, True Value, Home Depot and ACE sell wire size steel drills. > > >Sid Weaver - W4EKQ > >< < < < >Remember - Fumpus tegit . -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spamBeGonelistservspamBeGonemitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Here - try one of these....what size do you need? But really, Depending upon the number of holes, one ot those push-pins (thumb tack) with the large plastic hat shaped grips even spreads PTH's. If they're not plated, just rough up the pin and it will work more like a rasp. If you can cut a single flute into the side of the pin you'll actually have a simple drill - a dremel with a thin cut-off wheel will accomplish this... If you have 100 holes to do, forget it, suggest losing a day and buying more drills.. Otherwise, you'll run out of fingers before pins. The small swiss files work well also, if you have them. Chris {Quote hidden}> > I can't find the drill bit I need. Everything I have is far > too big or far > too small. I need to drill standard size PCB holes (will fit an IDC > header), and have already drilled small holes inside the > pads, since I could > find that bit. Anyone know a way of widening those small > holes with stuff > comonly lying around an electronics shop? > > --Brendan > -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email TakeThisOuTlistservEraseMEspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

> Here - try one of these....what size do you need? > But really, > Depending upon the number of holes, one ot those push-pins (thumb tack) with > the large plastic hat shaped grips even spreads PTH's. If they're not > plated, just rough up the pin and it will work more like a rasp. If you can > cut a single flute into the side of the pin you'll actually have a simple > drill - a dremel with a thin cut-off wheel will accomplish this... > > If you have 100 holes to do, forget it, suggest losing a day and buying more > drills.. Otherwise, you'll run out of fingers before pins. > The small swiss files work well also, if you have them. > > Chris Thanks for all the suggestions, guys, I got em resized, and the circuit works :) --Brendan -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email RemoveMElistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body