TECHNET Archives

May 2010

TechNet@IPC.ORG

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Kenneth Wood <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
TechNet E-Mail Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Kenneth Wood <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 13 May 2010 16:01:51 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (205 lines)
If you want ULTRA cheap, no mask, no silk, very thin plating and copper
weight...but works, try AP Circuits.
http://apcircuits.com/

I used to use them mid 90's, were great to work with. Used to upload files
to them via their BB using the "Hillbilly" language selection.

Ken

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lenny Carter
Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2010 3:51 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Hobbyist PCB Fab Equipment

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
-----------------------------------------------------


______________________________________________________________________
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
-----------------------------------------------------

ATOM RSS1 RSS2