Homebrew PCBs

Stefan Trethan wrote:
>>Even though I'm using a good drill press, the drilling played havoc with
>>the fine pads, and left me with having to either:

> If that is the case you definitely have too small pads.

Right you are, as I discovered the hard way when drilling my first board.

I do need traces to pass between pins on DIP chips, which rules out
setting larger pad sizes in Eagle.

What's worked as a compromise is to simply drop huge diameter vias on
top of the pads wherever possible, preferring oblong shape, and
resorting to octagonal wherever space is an issue.

If I got desperate enough, I'd touch up the artwork in The Gimp before
transferring to the board.

So far, so good.

-- 
Cheers
David