--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <alienrelics@y...>
wrote:
> GPIB interface cards are -very- expensive, $300 ISA and $400 PCI,
same
> price new or used.
>
> However, a GPIB plotter may fetch a good price on eBay, as long as
you
> emphasize that it is GPIB. There are still a lot of places using it
on
> test equipment and plotters.
>
> I mistakenly picked up a GPIB plotter (HP 7475a) at Boeing Surplus
for
> $20, then after finding out the price of the interface cards I sold
it
> on eBay for $75. To a business less than 2 miles from Boeing
Surplus!
>
> Have you checked out the Scratch 'N Etch idea for making PCBs? There
> are some sample etches in the Files (or maybe photos) section.
>
> They are not strong enough to use for drilling. You'd have to
rebuild
> them entirely, only using the electronics/firmware to drive larger
> steppers and more robust mechanicals. Might as well build it from
scratch.
>
> Steve Greenfield
Darn,
I guess I may pull one apart for parts and see what the others bring
on e-bay.
I am surprised no one figured out some better way to work them.
Being a moving paper unit, I can see the limitations.
I'd like to make a simple pcb drilling unit out of one, but if the
gantry is not strong enough, which was only designed for a pen, I
need to do something else with them.
I gave one to a friend who made a cable and then used it for plotting
his cad drawings. he is happy with it. He said hte HP-IB and GPIB
were the same.
Dave