Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "donahn" <donahn@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
> 
> I was wondering if anyone makes copper covered perfboard for etching. 
> Basically, just a copper covered board that's been pre-drilled. 
> Searching on google I can find regular perfboard, perfboard with etched 
> pads, perfboard with etched strips, but no perfboard with an intact 
> copper coating.
> 
> It seems like this would be the ultimate rapid prototyping kit using 
> toner transfer, especially if you were only using through-hole 
> components.  Just etch and start soldering your components in!  No 
> drilling.  For SMD, just send all your vias to a pre-existing hole.
> 
> I can't be the only person to have thought of this, so are there some 
> drawbacks to this I'm not aware of?  Does anyone know of a supplier for 
> such a board?  Is there some problem using PCB software with a board 
> with predrilled holes?
> 
> Cheers,
> Don
>

This kind of thing is what we used to prototype on back when
I was an R&D tech. Take a look here:

http://www.vectorelect.com/Vectorbord.htm

There is a special tool you can buy from them that will
cut a circular gap around a hole to make a pad. The proto-
typing system worked great as I recall but the tool was
pricey and broke easily. I imagine it could be etched like
any other board if you could get your layout tools to
understand it.

-don