Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 07 Dec 2006 12:10:24 +0100, bobysgotguns <bdt@...> wrote:

> Using pieces of wire, resistor legs, or header pins for hidden vias
> (under surface mount parts; something I need to do often) is not
> really workable.  Even for exposed vias, I find the method a pain and
> the results ugly.  Is it possible to actually buy real vias and some
> cheap tool to insert them?  For me, vias are the main reason on some
> boards to not bother DIYing and outsourcing it.


vias are chemically plated, you can not buy them as components. There are  
a few ways to make fake ones though, none that great IMO.

ST