Homebrew PCBs

>I've just had some 4-layer proto boards made in 48 hours by PWT in Welwyn,
>UK. The price was reasonable - about 500 GBP for three boards and the
>quality was excellent. I even got the red solder resist my client wants for
>their production boards.
>
>Leon

I already noticed that it greatly depends on where one lives. For
those interested, 500GBP's are currently equal to ~$850.

However, If you consider that I built my through hole plating station
for roughly $1k (including PCB material to make 50 four layer 10x10cm
boards and chemicals that last for the next 3 years) I still think
that doing them on my own is a better deal (for me) in the mid to
longer run. I also have solder stop mask (ok, green not red one) that
I can laminate and chemicals for thin plating. So, if the need arises,
I can create boards that are looking like made in a board house. 

On the other hand I do understand that it's not everyones thing to go
that far. I just try to point out that to me this decision payed off
already multiple times. I have the station now since this summer and
it already payed off. Aapart from the finacial gain I agree with the
original poster that the biggest win is having the boards quickly. I
out myself as being a person that is making mistakes. In other words I
never manage to design a board that is perfect right from begining. So
I really apreciate the option of doing corrections to the design and
finally have a homebrew PCB that looks and operates like the one I
finally need. Of course, the series production is then made in a board
house. It's just a dam good feeling to be 100% sure that all parts
will fit into the housing, that plugs will fit well, that everything
works like it should etc. etc. Before this I always got very nervous
when I had to order say 1000 PCB's and the timely delay with (over
here) afordable prototype PCB's made in a boardhouse just became a
critical factor. I can't wait three weeks (where I probably would pay
as much as you did for your five days) just to discover that another
change is needed leading to another three weeks etc. etc. I figure
though that this is also all a matter of experinece and well,
abilities. I'm just able to do what I can.... Luky are are those able
to do everything right for the first time!

Markus