Thanks mneary.
Firstly I'd like to apologies. I read over my last post and it seamed to be a little on the hostile side toward you, witch was not my Intentions at all. You were only trying to help me out and for that I am great full. As a token of my appreciation I have added to your reputation.
My big board is phenolic. It's actually labeled in metric and 'subtitled' in imperial. All of my GC Chemical boards are dimensioned in metric.
Cool, I may get some if they still have any. You said you got it at frys electronics right? Is that local to Cali or do they have any branches in WA. If not I could always find another supplier through MG chemicals web site.
MG Chemicals is based in Canada according to their web site. Does Canada use metric? Practically every one except America uses metric so I guess it is to be expected. I actually like the metric system more than Imperial and wish America would give it up and join the crowd.
Problem with the world going lead-free is that it impacts what flows down to our hobby supply. If a certain cheap phenolic material can't withstand 260c it's as likely to be discontinued as to be upgraded.
Yeah, I know what you mean. They banned CFC inhalers in favor of HFA because of the ozone; Witch is cost effective for the pharmaceutical companies because they can charge more for their new inhalers. But it really screws over the small guy who now has to spend more for inhalers that are less effective (IMHO).
I slice my FR4 with a Dremel cut-off wheel. I tend to make pretty small surface-mount projects that have at least one dimension that's short enough to get away with. I used to use aluminum carbide wheels (messy, yes) but I just got some better wheels. I think they're carbide-tipped steel; miniature versions of my big blades.
My Dremel is a pile. It over heats fast and it's huge. Actually it's technically a "mini rotary hand grinder" as that’s the generic term. The reason it sucks is it is home made and uses a 12volt 300+watt CAN motor (all I had at the time) that needs a 12v supply of biblical proportions. Right now I’m running it off a travel trailer battery charger that’s max amperage is at 20 amps, and it can’t keep up with the motor for long. (60+watts shy according to Ohms law)
I really don't want to deal with fiberglass and all the trebles that come with it.
You said small surface-mount projects. So... PIC or AVR? I use PICs, code in assembly. I'm not partial I just used PICs first and never looked back.
But, yes, for the drills I cheat and use a drill press. There are some attachments for a Dremel that I'm told are worth trying.
One thing I heard bout carbide, is that to get the best life out of them you need to use them at high RPMs. Some thing like 30K but I can't confirm that as it was just gossip. (That seems really high)
Thanks again
-Oblivion