Homebrew PCBs

> Hmmmm ..  Prices including delivery to UK and likely customs charges (20%
plus
> about $18), aren't as comfortably low as that.


Ok, they're cheap to where I am (Australia).  We don't pay VAT (10% GST
here) or duties on personal imports (Gov't couldn't be bothered to collect
it - go figure) and with the $AU=$US it was $25 each.

So you're looking at $US50 for one which is a bit high, but probably still
cheaper than anything else you can find.  Industrial controllers are never
cheap.  

Making one isn't as simple as you might think, the stumbling block is
interfacing the thermocouple.  The 'usual chip' to do it runs at $15 (!),
and there doesn't seem to be much else for the DIYer.  (I didn't look at the
RepRap stuff that was suggested, maybe they've got a cheap way.)

Tony