prototyping methods

[Tony Clark]

> Ok guys, what prototyping methods do you use on your boards?
> I'm used to digital, either solder-less breadboards or wire  wrap.
> And these days I'm spoiled, we can get 2-5 pieces of PCB with
> turn around times of a couple of days, so the first prototype
> I deal with tends to be etched in copper.
>
> Of course the $500+ cost of those PCBs is a bit more acceptable
> to my clients than it is to me personally.

   Actually you can get prototype boards made much cheaper than the $500 
that you're showing.  Take a look at www.apcircuits.com for details on a 
great prototyping service.
   I usually always start out with breadboards to check various parts of 
(or a whole) design.  Afterwards, I will either move to to a non-bussed 
type prototyping board or go to an etched board.
   With the non-bussed prototyping boards, you have total freedom for 
component placement.  Instead of wiring all of the connections together 
(this is really messy), I use component-lead clippings to solder points 
together in a etched-style manner.  So when I'm done, most of the 
components are connected via "traces" on the bottom, and wires on the 
top.
   Hope this helps.

   Tony

-----------------------------------
I can't drive (my Moog) 55!
-----------------------------------
Tony Clark -- clark at andrews.edu 
http://aupe.phys.andrews.edu/~clark
-----------------------------------