Homebrew PCBs

This guy, machinistmaterials,  has some in eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
ViewItem&category=36327&item=7530687770

It looks kind of thick at .093", but I wonder if it could be used for 
power supplies and other heavy duty boards.  I guess that would make it 
easy to cut with a mill.  Any opinions ? Thanks !

I have bought from this guy in the past, and he is very reliable. No 
affiliation.  

Vic

I have a ton (ok, probably just 500 hundred pounds) of PCB material
that I bought from a PCB house that went out of business. Its mostly 1
oz, double sided .064 but there is a fair amount of 032 and a couple
large panels of 096. Some single sided as well.  I'm sort of getting
around to selling it but life kind of gets in the way...  

What are people interested in?  large boards? pre-cut to specific
sizes?  I have a feeling that cut to a smaller size might be more
popular and am willing to do it.  are there any specific sizes people
are interested in?  Obviously, a small number of "standard" sizes
would be a lot easier to do.  Eurocard and half-ec are somewhat
obvious but are there other specific sizes people make?  I personally
target 1/2" increments (2.5x2 is a nice size for many of my projects).

One thing that I am toying with is an offer of a set of boards that
weigh under one pound so they can be shipped first class mail.  This
would get them delivered quickly and at a reasonable cost.  Thoughts?

Phil

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

> This guy, machinistmaterials,  has some in eBay:
> 
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> ViewItem&category=36327&item=7530687770
> 
> It looks kind of thick at .093", but I wonder if it could be used for 
> power supplies and other heavy duty boards.  I guess that would make it 
> easy to cut with a mill.  Any opinions ? Thanks !
> 
> I have bought from this guy in the past, and he is very reliable. No 
> affiliation.  
> 
> Vic

I like th eidea of 1lb packages. How many square inches does that
equate to in .064" ?

Also, do you happen to have any bare FR4?

Mike



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> I have a ton (ok, probably just 500 hundred pounds) of PCB material
> that I bought from a PCB house that went out of business. Its mostly 1
> oz, double sided .064 but there is a fair amount of 032 and a couple
> large panels of 096. Some single sided as well.  I'm sort of getting
> around to selling it but life kind of gets in the way...  
> 
> What are people interested in?  large boards? pre-cut to specific
> sizes?  I have a feeling that cut to a smaller size might be more
> popular and am willing to do it.  are there any specific sizes people
> are interested in?  Obviously, a small number of "standard" sizes
> would be a lot easier to do.  Eurocard and half-ec are somewhat
> obvious but are there other specific sizes people make?  I personally
> target 1/2" increments (2.5x2 is a nice size for many of my projects).
> 
> One thing that I am toying with is an offer of a set of boards that
> weigh under one pound so they can be shipped first class mail.  This
> would get them delivered quickly and at a reasonable cost.  Thoughts?
> 
> Phil
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "pensinnc" <victorlorenzo@y...>
> wrote:
> > This guy, machinistmaterials,  has some in eBay:
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > ViewItem&category=36327&item=7530687770
> > 
> > It looks kind of thick at .093", but I wonder if it could be used for 
> > power supplies and other heavy duty boards.  I guess that would
make it 

> > easy to cut with a mill.  Any opinions ? Thanks !
> > 
> > I have bought from this guy in the past, and he is very reliable. No 
> > affiliation.  
> > 
> > Vic

Hi Phil,

I personally like larger boards for blanks. I then cut them to the 
size I need - keep in mind I have only made a few things so far. My 
reasoning is that it is easier to layout a bigger board rather than 
trying to crowd everything on a tiny board - I simply don't know how 
yet :-)

I would be interested in 8" X 10" sized boards.  You may want to 
check into mailing via Priority mail on packages that weigh over 14 
ounces - it's cheaper and faster than first class mail. I use that 
service all the time with my business.

If you get into some rather physically large orders, the post office 
can also provide you with priority mail shipping boxes. The boxes 
are free and the flat rate for shipping ANYTHING that will fit in 
the box is $7.00.  This would be a VERY econimical way to ship a 
large number of boards to one customer.  

Chris







--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:
> I have a ton (ok, probably just 500 hundred pounds) of PCB material
> that I bought from a PCB house that went out of business. Its 
mostly 1
> oz, double sided .064 but there is a fair amount of 032 and a 
couple
> large panels of 096. Some single sided as well.  I'm sort of 
getting
> around to selling it but life kind of gets in the way...  
> 
> What are people interested in?  large boards? pre-cut to specific
> sizes?  I have a feeling that cut to a smaller size might be more
> popular and am willing to do it.  are there any specific sizes 
people
> are interested in?  Obviously, a small number of "standard" sizes
> would be a lot easier to do.  Eurocard and half-ec are somewhat
> obvious but are there other specific sizes people make?  I 
personally
> target 1/2" increments (2.5x2 is a nice size for many of my 
projects).
> 
> One thing that I am toying with is an offer of a set of boards that
> weigh under one pound so they can be shipped first class mail.  
This
> would get them delivered quickly and at a reasonable cost.  
Thoughts?
> 
> Phil
> 
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "pensinnc" 
<victorlorenzo@y...>
> wrote:
> > This guy, machinistmaterials,  has some in eBay:
> > 
> > http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?
> > ViewItem&category=36327&item=7530687770
> > 
> > It looks kind of thick at .093", but I wonder if it could be 
used for 
> > power supplies and other heavy duty boards.  I guess that would 
make it 
> > easy to cut with a mill.  Any opinions ? Thanks !
> > 
> > I have bought from this guy in the past, and he is very 
reliable. No 

> > affiliation.  
> > 
> > Vic

For those of us freeEAGLE cad users, a 3" x 4" board
is the max size. so Even a 4" x 6" board would be
great. I'd buy them by the dozens.

Myc



		
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One point I have never seen touched-on in this group:   Much copper-clad 
(all?) seems to be manufactured with 1/2 oz. copper, as MOST  boards are "plated 
through" after drilling but before resist is applied, and  tin-plated.  Then, 
the copper is "1 oz."  
 
I picked up some ca. 4" wide x 3' waste, double-sided copper,  from a local 
PCB house (they explained anything narrower than 4" just won't work  in their 
plating- and etching machines, so once stock gets that narrow, they  scrap it). 
 It etched MUCH faster than I THOUGHT I had used before, and I  did some 
forensics.  That prompted a call to the PCB house folks, and they  confirmed, they 
buy-in 1/2 oz. stock, as it is less expensive than 1  oz., so saves money, 
etchant, and time.  What about this,  Gang???            Jan  Rowland


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Fri, 15 Jul 2005 22:56:05 +0200, <JanRwl@...> wrote:

> One point I have never seen touched-on in this group:   Much copper-clad
> (all?) seems to be manufactured with 1/2 oz. copper, as MOST  boards are  
> "plated
> through" after drilling but before resist is applied, and  tin-plated.   
> Then,
> the copper is "1 oz."
> I picked up some ca. 4" wide x 3' waste, double-sided copper,  from a  
> local
> PCB house (they explained anything narrower than 4" just won't work  in  
> their
> plating- and etching machines, so once stock gets that narrow, they   
> scrap it).
>  It etched MUCH faster than I THOUGHT I had used before, and I  did some
> forensics.  That prompted a call to the PCB house folks, and they   
> confirmed, they
> buy-in 1/2 oz. stock, as it is less expensive than 1  oz., so saves  
> money,
> etchant, and time.  What about this,  Gang???            Jan  Rowland


fact, not fiction ;-)

I too have loads of 18u board that is intended to be plated.
No problem with using it, just use wider traces accordingly.
Etches faster etc, as you say.

Cutoffs from board houses are really cheap, even at ebay, and many are  
wide enough for all boards i want to make.


I would not prefer to buy board cut to a specific size, as i need a few mm  
spare on one side for the clamp in the etcher.
Also, if i want a finished board of a certain size, i cut it bigger first  
and only trim it to dimension after etching, i wouldn't like having to  
align precisely. Starting out with bigger pieces gives me less  
cutoff/waste as i can divide it like i want. The small strips that i cut  
off after etching (from 5mm to 2cm or so) are great for loads of stuff,  
 from mixing two component glue to becoming a part in someting else i build  
etc..)
I inspect boards carefully before drilling, if it is unuseable for some  
reason i prefer getting bare FR4 without holes, as it is useful for many  
things.


ST

Thanks for the feedback.  Lots of points and questions:

- I've looked into the various usps options and there are several that
are quite reasonable.  especially if it can be in an envelope form
factor - $3.85 for a pound anywhere in the usa.

- no unclad FR4

- I'll need to determine if it really is 1 oz or .5 oz.  the stuff I
got has a number of stacks of boards labeled "FR04 1 oz/1 oz".  Since
I bought it in a lot at auction, I don't think anyone was trying con
me - the guys running the auction had no clue.  I guess I need to do
some googling and weigh the stuff.

- eagle compatible size - really great idea!

By the way, I also got, as part of the lot, a bunch of aluminum clad
particle board.  It makes a fantastic drill backer.  Tke drill exit
holes on the bottom are quite clean.  Better than any other backing I
used.  

Phil

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Phillips"
<mikep_95133@y...> wrote:
> I like th eidea of 1lb packages. How many square inches does that
> equate to in .064" ?

sorry, I forgot to answer this one.  Based on the boards I have, it
works out to a little over 9 sq in.  per ounce or about 145 in sq per
pound.  Of course, there is packaging weight so actual size will be
smaller.

Phil

When ever you figure out the cost/size let us know.

Mike



--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Phil" <phil1960us@y...> wrote:

> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Phillips"
> <mikep_95133@y...> wrote:
> > I like th eidea of 1lb packages. How many square inches does that
> > equate to in .064" ?
> 
> sorry, I forgot to answer this one.  Based on the boards I have, it
> works out to a little over 9 sq in.  per ounce or about 145 in sq per
> pound.  Of course, there is packaging weight so actual size will be
> smaller.
> 
> Phil

Phil,

You should start a list of interested parties like we did on the
Electronics_101 group.

I'm interested in a cheap source of PCB as well, keep me interested please.

Robert
:)


-----Message d'origine-----
De : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com] De
la part de Phil
Envoyé : juillet 15 2005 12:43
À : Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Objet : [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: PCB copper clad board


I have a ton (ok, probably just 500 hundred pounds) of PCB material that I
bought from a PCB house that went out of business. Its mostly 1 oz, double
sided .064 but there is a fair amount of 032 and a couple large panels of
096. Some single sided as well.  I'm sort of getting around to selling it
but life kind of gets in the way...  

What are people interested in?  large boards? pre-cut to specific sizes?  I
have a feeling that cut to a smaller size might be more popular and am
willing to do it.  are there any specific sizes people are interested in?
Obviously, a small number of "standard" sizes would be a lot easier to do.
Eurocard and half-ec are somewhat obvious but are there other specific sizes
people make?  I personally target 1/2" increments (2.5x2 is a nice size for
many of my projects).

One thing that I am toying with is an offer of a set of boards that weigh
under one pound so they can be shipped first class mail.  This would get
them delivered quickly and at a reasonable cost.  Thoughts?

Phil



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