Homebrew PCBs

--- 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