Bantam Tools PCB Mill
v0.1 by Ger Walsh - April 2022
Formerly OtherMill, Bantam Tools is well-known for this desktop milling machine. It is a small but very capable machine that will do PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), soft metals and a number of other materials.
Specs
| WORKING VOLUME | 177.8mm × 228.6mm × 89mm (WxLxH) |
| OVERALL DIMENSIONS | 19.8” × 20.9” × 19.4” (machine fully enclosed) |
| ENCLOSURE | Pre-assembled |
| MAX TRAVERSE | 250 in/min / 5.2m/min |
| SPINDLE SPEED | 10,000-28,000 RPM |
| LEAD SCREW ACCURACY | <0.0054 / 9” |
| REPEATABILITY | ± .001” |
| TOOL HOLDING | ER-11 collet |
| LARGEST RECOMMENDED SHANK SIZE | 1/8” / 3.175mm |
| POWER REQUIREMENTS | 100-240 V AC 50/60Hz 350W |
| SPINDLE MOTOR POWER | 250W, 1/4 HP at the motor output shaft |
Guides from Bantam
For now, you don't need it as the PCB Mill is connected to one of the computers in the lab. For your interest:
Note: The Legacy Software download is at the bottom of the page. This software is available for Windows 7 and above and Mac OSX 10.9 and above. If the firmware on the milling machine asks to be updated, please skip the process for now and/or let someone know!
With the safety windows in place, turn on the milling machine by twisting the red Emergency Stop button clockwise and pushing the power button on the back of the machine. The interior lights will turn on and the milling machine will beep.
When prompted, home (calibrate) the milling machine by clicking the Start Homing button.
Next, insert the end mill of your choice. Follow the Insert and Locate a Tool guide for a full how-to. Refer to the Materials Overview section for your choice of tool.
Before milling
** Continue the rest of the BT guide from section 5.
Sample Projects to get you started.
Bantam Tools' Getting Started Projects will guide you through using the milling machine for the first time. There are three projects that cover the three most popular methods of using the milling machine: engrave a dog tag using an SVG file, mill a ring using a G-code file made in Fusion 360, and make a PCB badge using a BRD file made in EAGLE.