Homebrew PCBs

On Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:31:47 -0000, you wrote:

>Out of curiosity, has anybody used the old-fashioned eyelet approach?
>Definitely not worthwhile for production, but it would be very handy
>for DIY.

Yes.

I find it useful for vias, but I don't use the eyelets (too big, need
about 0.051 hole) for parts leads, although I could for RL07 size (1/4
watt) parts.  

I take care to solder and make sure that the solder covers the entire
top (flared) part of the eyelet as well as bridges to the pad, and the
lower (swaged) part of the eyelet is also soldered as well.  So far, I
have not had problems with thermal stress and breaking of bonds.

I have tried pins, and find them less satisfactory.

Harvey