PCB Milling - beginner's advice? Hey, I'm interested in doing some PCB milling using my Reprap. I've read thru the PCB milling wiki - thanks Traumflug. My question is, I've read that PCB milling with a Prusa and a Dremel flex shaft isn't really doable because of various mechanical limitations. I'd like to mill small and simple boards occasionally, but am I wasting my time? Can someone point me to some other info on this? Also, what software can you recommend to convert images to gcode for plotting? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,129838#msg-129838 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:46:27 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,201476#msg-201476 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,201476#msg-201476
for those interested in raster image to gcode
[3roomlabs.blogspot.sg]

or direct, if using kicad
[3roomlabs.blogspot.sg]

direct, if using EAGLE
[3roomlabs.blogspot.sg]

and misc notes on scaling if you do screen grab method
[3roomlabs.blogspot.sg]

and the PCB mill making is works in progress :D, with some stuff arriving from China
[3roomlabs.blogspot.sg]

the mill motor is on order, an al cheapo 48v DC 12k rpm single spindle (abt USD35), i have never tried these before. it is going to be interesting.]]> redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Sat, 20 Apr 2013 20:17:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193850#msg-193850 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193850#msg-193850 Traumflug CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Fri, 22 Mar 2013 06:02:28 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193592#msg-193592 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193592#msg-193592
hmmmm]]> redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Thu, 21 Mar 2013 10:08:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193587#msg-193587 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193587#msg-193587 redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:51:43 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193584#msg-193584 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193584#msg-193584
n i dun think i am getting it to work anytime soon ... lol

i dun get it, its a MSDOS kind of a command line thingy? (:P)]]> redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:39:31 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193548#msg-193548 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193548#msg-193548
Quote

oh no ... visolate is no longer available?

What makes you think so? The most recent Visolate is Visolate 3 and is hosted on Github: [github.com]]]> Traumflug CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:12:12 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193463#msg-193463 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,193463#msg-193463 redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Wed, 20 Mar 2013 22:21:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,151956#msg-151956 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,151956#msg-151956
o my visolate looks really great ... [www.electronics-lab.com]
so this is the one that does the "reverse" of tracks and cuts up those little segments of copper patches ...]]> redreprap CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Sun, 02 Sep 2012 10:43:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,129953#msg-129953 Re: PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,129953#msg-129953
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My question is, I've read that PCB milling with a Prusa and a Dremel flex shaft isn't really doable because of various mechanical limitations. I'd like to mill small and simple boards occasionally, but am I wasting my time?

All the flexshafts I've seen so far have substantial axial play, but if you have one which is fine in this regard, it should work. Smaller Dremel-like tools like the Micromot 50 are better and a toolhead like that from the Mantis might be currently the best affordable solution.

Quote

Also, what software can you recommend to convert images to gcode for plotting?

You either produce the G-code directly out of the PCB layout application (Eagle, gEDA) or from Gerbers. For the later, see [forums.reprap.org] For myself I'm currently using gEDA for the drills and Visolate for the isolation paths.]]> Traumflug CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:31:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,129838#msg-129838 PCB Milling - beginner's advice? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?131,129838,129838#msg-129838
I'm interested in doing some PCB milling using my Reprap. I've read thru the PCB milling wiki - thanks Traumflug.

My question is, I've read that PCB milling with a Prusa and a Dremel flex shaft isn't really doable because of various mechanical limitations. I'd like to mill small and simple boards occasionally, but am I wasting my time?

Can someone point me to some other info on this? Also, what software can you recommend to convert images to gcode for plotting?]]> largecamel CNC Routers, Mills, and Hybrid RepRapping Mon, 23 Apr 2012 09:45:25 -0400