Homebrew PCBs

On Tue, May 14, 2013 at 2:11 PM, Paul <paul@...> wrote:
>
> More power to you, it's a really great idea to have someone on the
> ground as an "interface" between Europe/USA and the Chinese PCB makers
> although

That's what I do.  I speak Chinese so you don't have to.  I check
boards thoroughly and give a report on each one.  This saves you a lot
of time and money.  And I'm there to make sure the fabs do a great job
every time.

>I do have a great Chinese friend in HK who is into specialist
> electronics manufacturing and who helps me out.

I'd be interested in talking to him, as I don't have good contacts for assembly.

> How about a sideline in supplying some PCB materials for us homebrew
> hackers? Pre-sensitised board is expensive here and solder resist
> laminate film is expensive and very difficult to find in small quantities.

I'd really love to.  One issue is freight.  Fibreglass is extremely
heavy.  Freight for a few boards can often end up more than for the
boards.  For another issue, see below.

> What kind of costs for a solder paste mask? (I saw somewhere you can
> supply them)

I was selling laser-cut stainless frameless solderpaste stencils of up
to A4 in size for USD25.  I have stopped doing that for the moment
though, as I really really have to concentrate on getting web ordering
of PCBs going.  (And 90% of that is the back-end processing, not the
customer-facing stuff).

If you'd like to make your own solderpaste stencils, it's not hard:

  http://lowpowerlab.com/blog/2013/02/11/diy-smd-metal-stencils-the-definitive-tutorial/

I think everyone should try that.  (Felix is another customer of mine :-) )

> Do you miss the Fosters?

LOL, Fosters is megaswill, I never drink it.  I brew my own beer :-)
That's what this group is for eh, making your own?

Mitch.