Pcb with a regular vcarve bit?

How To Machining
1

I have a small pcb project i would like to undertake. I have used vinyl mask cut with my silhouette curio and pcb etching fluid but transfering thin lines is such a pain.
Im trying to avoid buying bits specifically for pcb as it is something I rarely do. Is a regular vcarve bit ok to use? What is the difference between an engraving bit versus a vcarve bit?

I guess i could also adhere vinyl directly to the pcb and then cut it on the curio but i would prefer to use my newfangled machine.

The bit i own

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6DZYF4B

EDIT: Affiliate link removed.

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The engraving bits are narrower than the vee bits. As the name implies the engraving bits are good for etching things vs the vee bits which can make a wider path and deeper. As far as operation they work the same.

Here is the profile of the 60 degree C3D bit.

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image864×864 51.9 KB

Here is the profile of the engraving bit.

image
image864×864 23.1 KB

I do not make pcb boards but you might look at the 1/16" or 1/32" flat end mills to make the traces. C3D used to make a pcb specific software, I think Carbide Copper or something close to that. I dont think they still support it but you can proably find it.

Edit: I found the software on C3D website: Carbide Copper - PCB Machining App | Carbide 3D

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Thank you, i might actually own 1/16 bits. I do actually own a bit like the one you posted as an engraving bit. I used it for v carving.as well

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I think your success with a 1/16” will depend entirely on the features you intend to make.

Isolation routing can get really finicky when you get into very small component sizes. Making sure that substrate is FLAT is a huge part of the solution.

If it turns out you really enjoy the process and want to explore more tooling, Precise Bits has a catalog of pcb specific tooling that is very complete. I can highly recommend their isolation routing and drills.

That said, the C3D pcb tooling is decent as well and I would happily recommend it for occasional use.

Regardless, let us know how it works out for you, I’d love to see more examples of pcb work in this community :slightly_smiling_face:

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I might have 1/16" endmills and can give that a try and attempt to finish off any finer details via rest machining and the vcarve bit. I saw a pack of tiny endmills kicking around when i boughtcthe machine used. I didnt think id have use for anything that small.
It is not a very complex board
Regarding flatness I do intend on surfacing a small piece of mdf on top of the wasteboard to ensure it is mounted flat. I’ll hold it with masking tape and glue being sure not to overlap and cause the part to have a high spot.

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