question about strip board layouts

[freak scene]

what is the little red square with the red dot in the middle?

[alteredsounds]

Hi mate, they're trace cuts.  Where you see them, make a break in the track with somethink like a braddle or a knife etc.

Cheers,
Nick,

[freak scene]

thanks!

thats sort of what i though but i wasnt sure.

[wampcat1]

Hi mate, they're trace cuts.  Where you see them, make a break in the track with somethink like a braddle or a knife etc.

Cheers,
Nick,

You can also use a small drill bit -- just big enough to cut the trace, 3/16" or so. Just drill slightly deep enough to cut the copper, like you would if you were 'countersinking' something.

Hope that helps!
Brian

[TheBigMan]

Yep, my stripboard cutter is a 3.5mm drill bit in a handle. 

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

Yeah, I do the drill thing.... then I get a big wire brush & scrub the bejasus out of the board, in the hope that I will get any bits of trace that I missed off. Then I check across every cut with a meter. (Either you check for shorts BEFORE you buid, or after. First is easier.)

[Izzy]

Hmm...What is the best way to cut stripboard with tools that are available in your home? (I dont have strip board cutter neither drill bit).
I dont want to buy them but still how much and where would I find these cutters? 

Can I cut with sharp knife?

[aron]

The ones that I have, simply score with an xacto and snap - just like the perfboard.

[dosmun]

Hmm...What is the best way to cut stripboard with tools that are available in your home? (I dont have strip board cutter neither drill bit).
I dont want to buy them but still how much and where would I find these cutters? 

Can I cut with sharp knife?

If you can't afford the buck for a drill bit then you might want to find another hobby..   A knife will work but a drill bit is sooooo much easier.  The thing about building FX is you can do it with real basic tools but if you spend just a few $$ and get the "right" tools for the job it makes it much more enjoyable.

[MartyMart]

I was using a plain 5mm drill bit for two years and no wonder that I had blisters on the ends of my fingers !!
Invested £2.99 in a "strip board tool" - a drill bit with a big plastic handle on it  ....
Happy now ..
MM

[343 Salty Beans]

I was fortunate enough to get a Dremel. Thing is damn handy, and can do most of what I need to do. Cutting traces, removing oxidation, cutting vero, drilling pilot holes...It's a GREAT tool and I highly recommend it.

[Ge_Whiz]

I used to use a sharp knife to cut the strips, but failed to miss my fingers too many times. I can't think of many household tools more common than a small drill bit. A blunt one will do - beg the neighbours.

[Barcode80]

you can cut traces with a small screwdriver, i've done it a hundred times. just use the perf hole as a pilot hole and turn the screwdriver in the hole with some pressure and you can usually get all the trace cut with minimal effort.