[sdiy] did anybody use PCBcart.com manufacturing service?

[John Loffink]

I had no problem getting a prototype run PCB from Advanced Circuits with 
rectangular cutouts - a T shaped board  used in my sequencer design.

For small boards such as Pot Chiclets I've used Futurelec or PCBCart.  
I've found that the domestic suppliers charge much higher cost for the 
very small boards, 4-10X.  I might try panelization to solve this, but 
at the time I didn't have the tools to do that.

Tony Clark wrote:
>    I tried to get a quote from Advanced Circuits once.  Like you, I use
> Sunstone (PCBExpress).  Their (AC's) prices seemed to be much better
> for less-than-panel sized runs, but I found out that what seemed like a
> good deal, really wasn't.  But this is mostly due to my unique way of
> running circuit boards.
>    I prefer to do panelized job runs to maximize effective use of area. 
> Most board houses charge more for smaller boards, less for larger
> boards.  So I usually try to make a larger board out of smaller ones to
> get a better rate.  This is extremely cost effective as I routinely fit
> upwards of 30 different circuit boards on a full sized 12x14 panel!  A
> few times I have run small adapter boards, I can fit literally
> hundreds.
>    Unfortunately the last time I checked (sometime last year, I think),
> Advanced Circuits refuses to do multi-image panelized jobs on their
> quick-turn prototype level service.  Sunstone, however, has no problem
> with this.  Not only that, but you can also use board perforation
> schemes to do complex contours and cutouts which normally can't be done
> on a prototype or quick-turn service (usually you can't get board
> routing on proto runs).
>    For those reasons, I will be sticking with Sunstone.  Their quality has
> been top notch, they save me a ton of money, and I get my boards in 3
> days.
> Not much else I could ask for, except maybe SN100CL HASL and 5/16" drill
> size...
>    
>   
-- 
John Loffink
The Microtonal Synthesis Web Site
http://www.microtonal-synthesis.com
The Wavemakers Synthesizer Web Site
http://www.wavemakers-synth.com