[sdiy] Easy CAD Program to design schematics & pcb layouts

[Jim Patchell]

Joachim Backhaus wrote:

> Hi,
>
> does anyone know a CAD program that has an easy
> handling to design schematics & pcb layouts for
> the operating systems Win32 or Linux?
>
> I ask that because I found many synth-diy schematics
> in the web that are drawn by hand and I want to re-draw
> them in a CAD program for a better overview.
>

    Sounds like a worthy exercise...

>
> Second questions: Does anyone know a manufacturer of
> chassis or do you all build your cabinets yourself?
>

    Chassis and cabinets are definately a very weak point in DIY.  Like
many people, I try to spend as little as posible on everything I do.
How much you have to pay depends a lot on what you want.

    If you don't have them, get the Mouser and Digikey catalogs.  You
might get lucky and find something you can use in these.  For myself, I
have not been that lucky.  I like to build my stuff as rack mount
units.  While there are lots of rack chassis out there, I have yet to
find one off the shelf that fits my particular needs.  I am only telling
you this just to let you know you are not alone on the quest for the
perfect box to put your projects into.

    My next project is going to be done like this.  I am going to
purchase a 14 inch rack panel (8 U) and an aluminum box that is 14" x
17" x 3".  Both of these items are availiable from Digikey and Mouser.
I will put pem nuts on the lip of the box so it can be screwed to the
panel easily.  This should make a nice, thin box to put my next synth
into.

    I have also considered purchasing the equipment to do my own sheet
metal work (shear, break, notcher, punch and press, I already have a
lathe and mill), but, those items new would add up to a much bigger sum
of cash than I willing to pay.  The only companies in town that are
liquidating at the moment are dot-coms and they do have such thing :-(.

    Still, look around.  There are a lot of nice options out there.

    -Jim

>
> Best Regards
> Joachim Backhaus