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I was faced with the same dilemma, I have etched a lot of boards over the years in my work shop but now I just can't justify it any more. The processing lead time is the only down side, I guess I have developed more patients in my old age. I usually get boards from Accutrace in less then 10 days and for smaller boards from OSH park in less then 15 days. If you keep the size down the cost is amazingly low, Accutrace has a 20 sqin 2 layer special for $3 each with a 10pc minimum. You can pack a lot of SMT stuff on 20sqin. I use OSH park for very small boards, usually less than 4 or 5 sq inches, you get 3 copies for $5/sqin. I currently have three designs in the pipe line with them. Last week I sent them a very small one, the cost as $3.95 and that includes shipping.

I have fully transitioned over to SMT but still hand solder the parts down, some day I will get a reflow oven, but by eyes, with the assistance of Mr. Bausch and Lomb can still do 0603 but I stick with 0805 unless I really really need to use the smaller part. The 0805's are just so much easier to do. The solder mask, PTH, and silk art more than offset the wait. Hell you have to order the parts and write the code anyway. And don't for get you can put parts on both sides. Then there is always a piece of vector board if you just can't wait.

A different Craig

Homebrew PCBs

Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Finished boards

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