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...)