Homebrew_PCBs

Any update on this machine?

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "ballendo" <ballendo@y...>
wrote:

> Thomas,
>
> I understand. <G> (And it's not just the first time you do it<G>)
>
> I've had to "slip" the 500buck pcb drill/mill a few weeks for just
> the reasons you've mentioned here... Stuff IS trickling in; This

week

> I'll get the 210 stepper motors for the first batch...
>
> Still 500 bucks to those in THIS group, who express interest

before

> month's end. And you WILL "see it" before month's end.
>
> Re that "Kilobuck" inthe subject heading: The "list" price is

going

> to be 995USD. (I'm lining up a distributor who will likely knock

that

> back to the 800 I'd mentioned awhile back)
>
> Ballendo
>
> P.S. BTW, what you've read about the crimped connectors is EXACTLY
> right. Do NOT solder a crimped connector, thinking

you'll "improve"

> the connection. All you'll really do is increase the chance, and
> decrease the time, to failure. (this assumes you have proper

crimping

> tools. You "may" get better results from soldering than from POOR
> crimping. But you're still most likely better off with crimped

only,

> UNLESS the connector is designed FOR soldering.)
>
> >"Thomas P. Gootee" <tomg@f...> wrote:
> >Thanks for the thoughtful reply.
> <snip> where they were saying/claiming that crimp-type connectors

for

> >discrete wires are one of the most-reliable types (which includes
> >wires with crimped-on pins that are then inserted/mounted into

multi-

> >connection sockets or plugs). They also claimed that soldering,

in

> >addition to crimping, is not necessary, and should probably even

be

> >avoided, since it might do some harm to the connector, or the
> >wire/insulation, if not done perfectly.<snip>
>
> >So, *eventually*, I thought to myself, "Hey! OTHER people might

like

> >to have one of these, TOO!". Of course, when a hobbyist designs

and

> >builds a piece of electronic equipment, especially if it's
> >essentially the first time they've done a large self-designed
> >project, then when it's all "finished", and works "perfectly",
> >they've still maybe done only about **5%** of the work that's

needed

> >to make it into an actual "commercial product".
> >
> >Mine's also available in KIT form, which makes it even MORE work,

in

> >some ways, since I have to produce (AND keep *updated*) all of

the

> >construction diagrams, for component placement, wiring,

mechanical

> >stuff, etc, and assembly and alignment instructions, plus

complete

> >schematics, detailed parts lists, instrument-panels' artwork, etc
> >etc. (all in "presentable" forms). And I have to do all of the
> >sourcing and supplier stuff, keep a large parts and supplies
> >inventory, make circuit boards, make apply-able instrument panel
> >artwork, count parts and supplies into nice little multi-
> >compartmented plastic kit-boxes, market and sell them, pack and

ship

> >them, support them, etc etc etc. I'm also working on a "real"
> >ops/service manual, which, eventually, is intended to be as good

as

> >the legendary older Tektronix manuals. (Hmmm... Maybe I *AM*
> >crazy... Hehe...)
> >
> >And I still have MANY, many things that I'd like to add, and

change,

> >in the Curve Tracer product. But, first, I want to "clean up" the
> >current version, especially since I may eventually have it (or

parts

> >of it) mass-produced, maybe by a third party. I've also got some
> >other great electronic products "in the pipeline". But I think

that

> >I need to "get to the next level", first, so I can hire some

people,

> >to hopefully allow ME to spend my time on things where I can
> >contribute the most, i.e. where any specialized abilities that I
> >have might make the most difference, instead of on things that
> >almost anyone could be doing. I've been trying to "bootstrap"

this

> >business, starting with not much capital. But I may end up having

to

> >take on some investors, to be able to get where I want to be
> >(quickly-enough, anyway).
> <snip>
> >And I am sorry that I blathered-on, for so long, *AGAIN*. (This
> >business has basically "taken over my life", as you can probably
> >tell, hehe. But it IS *quite* enjoyable...)