Introduction: Stripboard Track Cutter
This is a homemade stripboard cutter. I already have a commercial stripboard cutter, so why make another? My commercial cutter is really horrible to use, the handle is tiny, uncomfortable, and the cutter isn't nearly sharp enough. This makes it frustrating to use. My homemade version is bigger and sharper, it's now a pleasure to use! The larger handle and sharp blade mean it takes no effort to cut the tracks in the right places. What is a stipboard cutter ? It's a tool for cutting the tracks on a prototybe board to disconnect parts of the circuit that shouldn't be connected.
This tool won't take more than 15 minutes to make.
You'll need :
Steps to make this:
This tool won't take more than 15 minutes to make.
You'll need :
- A wooden handle or a stick to carve your own from (I used a branch out of the garden)
- 4mm drill bit (new and sharp is best). This will form the cutter.
- 3.2mm drill bit.
- Sandpaper if you're carving your own handle.
Steps to make this:
- Find or carve a suitable handle.
- Drill a 3.2 mm hole in the handle for the 4mm drill bit.
- Push the 4mm drill bit into the handle, this will take a little force, it should be a tight fit.
- Apply a finish to the handle such as linseed oil or varnish.
- Test it out!

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21 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Very clever solution!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks!
9 years ago on Introduction
Great idea! Now you've got me thinking of a way to make one that doesn't eliminate a hole.. that would be cool!
Reply 1 year ago
I like this solution: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/a/214778/256346
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It's possible to make 2 cuts with a sharp blade between adjacent holes and then carefully remove a narrow strip of copper. Not quick or easy though.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, I've done that before, but I'm trying to figure out a way of doing it with one swift movement.. hmm...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Try a cuticle cutter...
http://newyorklady.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/cuticle_cutter_big.jpg
6 years ago
A simple and elegant solution. Stripboard is a cheap and efficient way of putting together densely populated circuits, and this project is a useful addition to the toolbox.
Thanks.
7 years ago on Introduction
Some of us are in the USA and have fractional Imperial measurements for our drills. A 5/32 in drill is about 0.03% smaller than 4mm, so we won't need to make a trip to the hardware store to get the exact bit specified.
Thanks for the instructable.
7 years ago on Introduction
Simply splendid.
8 years ago on Introduction
Nicely done, I've used this idea for years without the handle, mainly because I'm a cheapskate and don't want to pay for a stripboard cutter.
8 years ago on Introduction
Useful, good
9 years ago on Introduction
Mo bigger, mo betterer! I would think a little chisel the right width might work well too.
9 years ago on Introduction
I made one and I love it. Great idea.
9 years ago on Introduction
I use a drill chuck from an old drill for this and I can chainge the bit if I want to enlarge the holes to fit components or screws.
9 years ago on Introduction
Add comment to comment. After you finished using the tool (which is excellent) look at the tracks you just finished cutting, using a magnifying glass. You are bound to see some copper "curlies" still hanging on. With a little bad luck you get a short and ruin a valuable project. Solution: deburr with a medium or hard old toothbrush. Do not use tweezers because you risk ungluing and removing more copper foil than what you need. And now a question. If you cut a wooden cylinder with a band or circular saw you get a perfect circle perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder (think of perfectly round and evenly thick salami slices).
Who can suggest a guide to achieve the same with a hand saw on a bench?
Thank you,
floxin
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for your helpful tips!
9 years ago on Introduction
Don't tell your wife. Chop off a few top inches of one the house broomsticks. Already smooth wood and rounded end for your palm.
9 years ago on Introduction
I have that Farnell one - it is terrible, this is definitely something I'll be making today. Incidentally if you want some Stripboard Projects head over HERE
9 years ago on Introduction
Nice. I also made my own by taking an old small (but comfortable) flat blade screwdriver and filing it to a suitable sharpened point. It looked a lot like the one you didn't get on with, but I liked it.