Re:DIY Through Hole Plating of PCBs (2017)
by michaelt on Sunday March 14, 2021 @06:44PM
(#26460220)
> My biggest issue with DIY boards is drilling the holes and in particular getting the bit in the center of the pad.
Trick 1: If you align all your holes on a 2.54mm pitch grid (which will be easy enough if you're doing a through-hole design) you can tape or clamp some spare protoboard on top before drilling. That will then act as a jig, getting all your holes nicely lined up with one another.
Trick 2: Drill the holes before you mask the board. This is particularly easy if you're drawing out the board by hand, with etch-resist pen.
Trick 1: If you align all your holes on a 2.54mm pitch grid (which will be easy enough if you're doing a through-hole design) you can tape or clamp some spare protoboard on top before drilling. That will then act as a jig, getting all your holes nicely lined up with one another.
Trick 2: Drill the holes before you mask the board. This is particularly easy if you're drawing out the board by hand, with etch-resist pen.