Homebrew PCBs

That club is pretty big and meets EVERY day...

It is very easy to fall into that trap.  One way to make sure you get
it right is to put text on copper layers that tells you which way it
should go.  I used to put "stop" on the top layer and know that, if I
can read it on the transfer art, it's wrong.  "Bot" on the bottom
reads correctly.  If I can read it forward on the transfer art, its
wrong.  If my cad package allowed me to I'd put "stop" reversed on the
bottom layer.

if you try to use the other side, keep in mind that you don't have
plated through holes and will need to solder on the side where a trace
comes into a pad.  you can do it for most parts but sockets, relays,
many connectors and radial electrolyics are impossible.  You can even
pry up the plastic pads on pin headers and solder the top side.

By the way, watch out for relays when you make library parts.  All the
relay datasheets seem to have the pinouts shown from the bottom side.
 I had to chuck a board because of that - stupid me for not dry
testing it first.

Phil

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "lcdpublishing"
<lcdpublishing@y...> wrote:
> Well,
> 
> I just realized all this back patting I am giving myself for making 
> some really good boards and come to find out I screwed up big time.  I 
> mirrored the image for the solder side and I shouldn't have done that, 
> now everything is backwards.
> 
> I think I may still use them if it can put the components on the trace 
> side, that should "re-reverse" everything.
> 
> Live and learn right :-(