Homebrew PCBs

Solder pins (the ones for which you can buy plugs (1mm and 1.3mm)
make nice vias. use them instead of "wire soldered to the board" connectors
and have a easy-to-solder free via. the advantage over small pieces of  
wire is that
you press in the pins with a tool (homebrew, metal piece with hole in it).  
Then
they sit snugly in the hole and won't fall out. Bot sides easily  
solderable.
Price: 1eur/100pins. If you want no off-board connector there snip off the  
pin after placing.

Downside: rather large, 1mm dia.


I use them for board connections because screw terminals are too expensive.
Also you can put solder pins anywhere on the board, not only the edges,  
which makes
layout easy. They are silver plated which ensures long-lasting.

ST