Homebrew PCBs

Some layout software allows you to import bitmaps.
Scan your boards as good as you can, and then draw over the imported bitmap.

I've reproduced a couple of boards that way, but it would be a lot of
work in any case.
A PCB will rarely be destroied to the point where you can't tell where
traces used to be.

ST

On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 10:27 AM, BrianS <brians@...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'm only a hobbyist too, but I have a number of old test equipment items that manuals are pure unobtainium for.  I'd like to do up a decent resource file for some of these to allow later repairs if necessary.
>
> What I'd like to do is do a reproduction of the PC Boards to make up "X-Ray" views like you find in good manuals.  That means somehow copying the PCB layout.  A copy of the PCB layout will also allow replacing a PCB if it cops too much of a catastrophy.
>
> I'm sure other members have done this.  What have you used & how can you do it without wasting too much time?  I recently picked up a Wacom Bamboo graphic tablet if that can be used.
>
> If someone is making up good quality PCBs, I also wouldn't mind obtaining a PCB with sample traces etc labelled or just a diagram to print off giving labelled trace widths, pad sizes, & spacings to use as a reference to decide what the existing size & spacings are.  I'm sure such a training aid would be handy for general construction use as well.
>
> Thanks,
> Brian.
>
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