[sdiy] PTH vias

[Michael Buchstaller]

>Maybe ok to just close the hole on one side then?  I'm still trying to 
>get an answer about this from my PCB house.  While they have been quite 
>prompt at answering some other questions I had, they seem to be taking a 
>long time to answer this one.

There are different opinions about the "doability" of that. Even just covering
one side of the PCB will create pits that allow accumulation of moist - maybe
the silver plating makes this not bettet, if i think at my grandparents silver
knifes that always got black just from sitting at the shelf.
But the most of that knowledge will surely come from the PCB makers; they
have done way more different boards and have experience what will work
well and what should better be avoided (at least i hope so).

I am currently using a PCB manufacturer in bulgaria, who cannot do
lead-free HAL, but will gold-coat the complete PCBs for the same price :-)
(not that thick couating as used for card connectors, but should be enough
to make for a nice shiny look): http://www.bilex-lp.com
sadly the page is only available in german, french and italian...

-Michael