Homebrew PCBs

Hi all.

I just want to throw in (again) the following:

If you make boards with no through hole plating YOU NEED BIGGER PADS.
The layout software standard pads are for plated holes, where the pad can't 
lift off
that easy.

I made that mistake in the past too, since i enlarged my pads
the quality of the pcbs is much better.

The photos of Pedro reminded me of that.
(Great quality of TT Pedro but it would look much better with larger pads 
that don't lift off.
My TT is still a bit less quality, i hope i get it up to your standards.)


The function of the pad is not only for electrical contact, but also 
mechanical mounting
of that component. Keep that in mind.
A big pad also allows for some offset with two layer boards.

I use mostly oblong pads. they still allow 1 or 2 tracks between DIL ic 
pins. But they are long enough to provide some support.

There is this saying amongst pilots, "nothin' more useless to a pilot than 
air above
you an' runway behind you" (or similar).
For a pcb designer nothing is more useless than free pcb space beside a 
lift-off pad rim.


As said, the larger pads were a great improvement for me - therefore i want 
to share the thought.
Please don't mistake it as an offence to any of your designs.

Stefan