[sdiy] Should I use REAL PCBS or ETCHED

[Justin Owen]

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Snazelle [subjectivity at hotmail.com]

<snip>

>for a pretty large project (basically a one vco modular synth without patch cables) is it feasable to just use HOME ETCHING or even perfboard?

Dan,

I'm going to put in a vote for etching your own board. I found the first few strip/proto/veroboard/etc layouts I did to be kind of... challenging (there's definitely a knack to it and those things Harry B pointed out look very cool). The first PCB I etched myself took a little longer - but was a much easier project to manage overall.

Once you've done one - you have the board ready to change, update, adapt, duplicate - or send to a PCB house if you want to get more done.

There's loads of info on the web about etching your own boards (please dispose of your chemicals thoughtfully) - and if you're charging someone for your work - it'll look much better if they happen to open the box to take a peek inside.

You will of course also have to suss a schematic/layout program to learn/use.

Having said all that though - there's peeps on this list with decades more experience than me - and most of them swear by prototype boards of one type or another.

HTH - Justin