[sdiy] Introduction and a question

[Jay Schwichtenberg]

I agree with Jim, all those nasty chemicals that I have to take to the free
once a year hazardous waste disposal are gone. For small boards I've been
using ExpressPCB (www.expresspcb.com) miniboard service where you get 3 -
2.5" x 3.8" boards delivered 3-4 days after sending off the file for $62.
They provide the software which for small boards is pretty nice. I usally
lay out 2-3 boards on a single 2.5x3.8 board with guide holes which I use to
score and break the boards apart. Did I mention that I do SMT which gives me
the 2-3 boards per plate. I think that for bigger boards I'd go with someone
else but that would require buying some real PCB software. One thing I like
about their software vs the bigger packages is that it's dumb. For smaller
projects IMO the big packages are more work than they are worth. Putting in
all the symbols and packages for the chips we use, looking at rubber banding
that gives me a headache, dealing with design rules which think differently
than I do, having to go back to the schematic editor to make changes and it
screwing up your boards. . . .

Toby Paddock has some pictures of the stuff from the PNW Synth-DIY meeting
up on the WEB at (also check out Jim P's & Jim J's sequence there).

http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/group/pronteon_annex/lst

Follow the path to: sdiy-pnw/july_2002

My stuff is: Dscn2263m & Dscn2265m
Jim's sequencer pics are: Dscn2259m, Dscn2261m, Dscn2272m.

Have fun.
Jay

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:owner-synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl]On Behalf Of patchell
> Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 8:24 AM
> To: Ethan Zer0
> Cc: synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl
> Subject: Re: [sdiy] Introduction and a question
>
>
>     Guess I need to get back to work on the Synth-DIY FAQ.... :-)
>
>     Making printed circuit boards is a much discussed topic...there are
> two schools of thought (and please be aware, these are my opinions, you
> will see others).
>
>     1. Making boards at home, while time consuming, is perhaps the
> "cheapest" way to go from a materials cost point of view.  However, you
> do have to spend a considerable amount of your time (and if that time is
> "free", no problem) doing the work of producing boards, plus the added
> frustration of having to toss out a run when something goes wrong.  You
> also have to be willing to deal with the chemicals needed to do this (I
> personally hate this part).
>
>     2. Getting boards made by a profesional Boards house.  There are
> many on the internet.  I use http://www.4pcb.com .  They have a deal
> where you can get 6 boards made for $33 each (comes to about $200).  For
> those who have used this service before, please note that 6 boards is
> now the minimum quantity (it used to be 2).  While this seems like a
> lot, you do get boards that are double sided, plated through holes, LPI
> solder mask, and a legend on one side.  Other people have used other
> similar services.
>
> Ethan Zer0 wrote:
>
> > Hello All,
> >
> > I have been lurking for a little while and thought I
> > would introduce my self.  I have been into analog
> > synthesis since the early 90's when I attend Evergreen
> > State College in Olympia, WA.  I was exposed to an Arp
> > 2600, Buchla 100 and 200 music boxes, Buchla Easel,
> > and a full blown 3 cabinet Emu Modular with keyboard.
> > I own an Arp 2600 and a Doepfer suitcase among other
> > goodies.  I want to expand my module compliment and am
> > just about to take the plunge into DIY.  I have a
> > 20Mhz scope and Digital Voltmeter Meter.  I can read
> > schematics and can solder.  The current hump I see to
> > overcome is PCB fabrication and panel artwork.
> >
> > My question is this:  Has anybody read and used the
> > information presented in either of these books and are
> > there better sources of information for the
> > fabrication of PCBs?
> >
> > Making Printed Circuit Boards
> > by Janet Louise Axelson
> > ISBN: 0070027994
> >
> > Fabricating Printed Circuit Boards
> > by Jon Varteresian
> > ISBN: 1878707507
> >
> > On a personal note, as an owner of Nord micro modular,
> > I see the worlds of analog and digital converging with
> > DSP and discrete components living together in the
> > same box.
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> >
> > Ethan
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Health - Feel better, live better
> > http://health.yahoo.com
>
> --
>  -Jim
> ------------------------------------------------
> * Visit:http://www.silcom.com/~patchell/
> *-----------------------------------------------
> *I'm sure glad Merry Christmas comes just once a year
> * -Yogi Yorgensen
> ------------------------------------------------
>
>
>