Homebrew PCBs

> As you know i make all my own boards and quite a few that are not for  
> myself. I know the limitations for homebrew boards and can live with
them,  
> for most projects. Some things just aren't physically possible,
especially  
> some new components put high demands on layout, even if you are not  
> pressed by external size constraints.
> 
> I'm all for making your own boards, but i don't think the economics
of a  
> CNC machine work out quite as was suggested. 

I cannot argue with that.  As you know, you have tools that save you
way more than you paid, and some that you paid way more than they are
worth,  and a whole lot in between.

In the last year, I have made dozens of boards, stepper drivers, laser
power supply, 555 timer, AVR programmer, some speech voice thing... 

I really try to do one sided as much as possible. I do not do much
with SMD parts, but love them for some circuits.

And, I can truly say that mechanical etching has done everything I
have asked of it.

I cannot say, and would quickly say, that it is all you need, or that
it is perfect.

It is not for everyone.

But, I do like to be able to take a case and poke holes perfectly in
line and have the board line up to them.

To engrave letters on holes for LED's.

Another thing that I find very useful.  the mounting holes line up to
the case.  and 40 pin DIP's fall into the holes.  you can put tiny
holes in a row for those machined pin carriers, and have them just
slip in.  Nice.

If all you do is a board a month, I would actually suggest you do them
by hand.  I don't think you would argue with that.

But, like a power screw driver vs. a manual one. the power tools do
come in very handy.

Dave