try www.4pcb.com very cheap minimums on prototypes, and good quality.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Nutting" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 3:49 PM
Subject: Re: [TN] Hobbyist PCB Fab Equipment
At the cost and trouble of setting up a "garage fab shop" and the associated
safety issues with chemicals wouldn't it be easier to use PCBExpress? They
have the layout software, their prices are reasonable and our experience has
been very favorable. Leaves more room for toys in the garage.
Phil
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Thayer, Wayne - IIW
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 3:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Hobbyist PCB Fab Equipment
MG chemicals sells pre-sensitized circuit board material. Artwork can be
generated by transparency on laser printers, but you usually get better
results with ink jets. You can also use the "toner transfer" technique on
non-pre-sensitized laminate (google that and you should get some nice pix).
Resolution will be limited to approximately 10mil line and space.
Aligning one side of the artwork with the other can be challenging too.
You'd like to drill the holes first so you can align the artwork to the
holes, but then you can't use pre-sensitized material. When I used boards
made this way, I etched a tiny hole in each of the vias which gave me a
visual drill target for use on a small drill press(like a dremel tool drill
press).
Ferric Chloride is the preferred etchant for hobbyist use. Stains
everything in the area!
Forget about plated vias. You can use eyelets. Hand setting them is a
pain, though, and you should solder them in anyway for the best performance,
so replacing them with a small piece of wire works too, and can be done on
tighter geometries. You can get away with almost anything for soldermask.
I've used spraycans of Rustoleum.
Don't bother with "liquid tin". It makes the results look a bit nicer, but
the consensus is that it doesn't solder significantly better than corroded
copper.
The results will be very crude but useable. Note that getting a simple
board like this done at a pcb house set up for prototypes will only be a
couple of hundred dollars and about 2 days, so if your time is worth much
you won't be saving anything by rolling your own!
Wayne Thayer
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Toby Carrier
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 1:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Hobbyist PCB Fab Equipment
Hello all,
I want to start making PCB's at home for prototyping small to medium
projects, but I have a few questions about materials, kits and equipment:
1. What is the best kit to buy?
2. What equipment do I need?
3. Where is the best place to get the equipment and/or kits?
4. What safety hazards do I need to worry about?
I will be dealing with through-hole and surface mount parts.
Thanks for the help.
Toby Carrier
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16
for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
This e-mail and any files transmitted with it may be proprietary and are
intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the
sender.
Please note that any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of ITT
Corporation. The recipient should check this e-mail and any attachments for
the presence of viruses. ITT accepts no liability for any damage caused by
any virus transmitted by this e-mail.
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16
for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
Note: All the information contained in this e-mail and its attachments is
proprietary to Kaiser Systems, Inc. and it may not be reproduced without the
prior written permission of sender. If you have received this email in
error, please immediately return it to sender and delete the copy you
received.
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to
[log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16
for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or
847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
______________________________________________________________________
This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System.
For more information please contact helpdesk at x2960 or [log in to unmask]
______________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------
Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 15.0
To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in
the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet
To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL)
To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest
Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives
Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815
-----------------------------------------------------
|
