Homebrew PCBs

On Thu, 2007-02-01 at 05:39 +0000, jcarlosmor wrote:
> Maybe for a very simple board it is true, but for a medium/advanced 
> PCB home maker it is faster to build a PCB than to cut traces and do 
> the veroboard layout. In fact you are stating the reverse of your 
> points, because mostly this days,
> 
> * component density requirements are becoming extreme

For complex circuits needing to fit into tight enclosures, yes. But
certainly not for my simple PIC12F675 programming/development board.

> * generally the best and fancy components only are SMD

Of course I'd go the PCB route if I was using SMD-only parts.

> * same reasons for the pitch

Ditto

> Regarding the lack of a CNC machine I am sure as said above that it 
> is more faster and less stressing to drill by hand dozens of holes 
> than to plan the veroboard layout and cutting the traces.

Believe me, it was faster and less stressing for me to cut 36 tracks
than to hand-drill 78 holes. I've done both. The cutting takes only one
second per track with a rotary hand tool with tapered diamond bit.

>  Maybe the 
> Eagle utility that you mention could be useful for using as a "do-and-
> forget-what-is-happening" in the board

Well, it's useful as a 'do and *know* what is happening' layout tool.

>  but most of the times the 
> simple implementation of parallel copper tracks with jumpers simply 
> does not work (RF, noise, ground loops, etc.)

Not a problem with simple circuits.

> I would encourage you to do some PCB experimenting.

I've been doing plenty.

>  I am sure that 
> when you gained some minimal experiencie you will enjoy it and maybe 
> you could say goodbye forever to your veroboards.

I've been doing PCBs on and off for 2 years - simple to intermediate
single-layer boards.

With the setup I'm using, I know how long it takes to create a PCB of a
given level of complexity. I made the original post because using the
info about Eagle and stripboard, I was able to get the same board built
and working on stripboard in less than half the time.

Cheers
David