Easy PCBs

[Dave_D]

Found this on youtube... probably the easiest way of making PCBs I've seen so far.

 

[Gina]

Very interesting, Dave ?  Now if only I had a laser printer...  I've made my own PCBs in the past but can't remember how.  I know it was much more complicated though.

[Alien 13]

Thanks for the link Dave, I usually draw mine with an etch resist pen but this looks far better, just need to get a laser printer now....

Alan

[Dr_Ju_ju]

Nice idea, I'll give it a go...

Normally, I just ink-jet print onto litho film, UV expose, then etch. But for double sided I use a modified  Proxon MF70, with CNC software & very fine bits.

[Alien 13]

Just had a quick look around and laser printers are very cheap now, less than £60 in Argos for example...

Alan

[RayD]

8 minutes ago, Alien 13 said:

Just had a quick look around and laser printers are very cheap now, less than £60 in Argos for example...

Alan

They are, Alan.  Be warned though, do a little research on the cost of toners and, if using Brother, the drum units also.  This can make a huge difference.

I have a number of the smaller Samsung ones as local printers and they are pretty good.

[Spikey]

This method also works if you've got any old photograph paper lying around as well.

[adyj1]

I only mention this because it hasn't been discussed so far; for those that don't already know, the Ferric Chloride becomes chemical waste and cannot be disposed of by just flushing it away down the sink or toilet. ?

Public information broadcast ends.

Like the video link - tempted to give it a go. ? 

[Dave_D]

3 hours ago, adyj1 said:

I only mention this because it hasn't been discussed so far; for those that don't already know, the Ferric Chloride becomes chemical waste and cannot be disposed of by just flushing it away down the sink or toilet. ?

Public information broadcast ends.

Like the video link - tempted to give it a go. ? 

The garage concrete floor is still orange  at my mothers old house lol

[Alien 13]

A little bit off topic but any suggestions for a cheap (free) design package, I use "Express PCB" at the moment but find the parts library a bit limited?

Alan

[Dr_Ju_ju]

I use Autodesk's, Eagle (https://www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/overview), which they bought a few years ago...

They keep trying to push a paid version, but I just use the 'freeware' version, which means that the boards are size limited, but it does what I want & has a good library of components, with some manufacturers producing they own libraries,

[StuartJPP]

I have used Eagle before and found its user interface extremely infuriating, however for the price of the freeware version you can't complain too much.....

[Dave_D]

I found DesignSpark PCB quite good

[Dr_Ju_ju]

There is one thing about this method & that is the Laser printer.

I have an OLD (25 years) HP LaserJet 4L, which still produces some of the best prints, imho,  but 'test' only at the moment. 

Unfortunately it's data connection is a Parallel Centronix 36 way connector, now how many modern PC's have a parallel interface.... 

Well at least Amazon have a few USB\Centronix adapters to the rescue, and I suppose it will breath new life into a fully working peripheral.

[Chriske]

My pal Guy also uses Eagle to make his layouts. But instead of etching himself he does send his files and a company does make our PCB's for a very low price. And they’re really good.
Last set of 10 PCB's we've ordered (credit card size) costed 4.90$

[adyj1]

20 minutes ago, Chriske said:

My pal Guy also uses Eagle to make his layouts. But instead of etching himself he does send his files and a company does make our PCB's for a very low price. And they’re really good.
Last set of 10 PCB's we've ordered (credit card size) costed 4.90$

Excellent! Unless I'm being dumb - who are they? In Germany by the looks of things, so may actually be cheaper for us here in Europe... 

[Chriske]

https://www.smart-prototyping.com/

[skybadger]

I bought 10 pcbs from a site in the USB based on a gerber file. Cost $2. Postage was $10 and they came from china.

$2!

 

[adyj1]

11 hours ago, skybadger said:

I bought 10 pcbs from a site in the USB based on a gerber file. Cost $2. Postage was $10 and they came from china.

$2!

 

Do you have a link? I expect there are many to choose from, but it is always useful to know which ones have delivered the goods ? 

Thanks 

[hughgilhespie]

If you look at the video, the OP was using this https://easyeda.com/

It looks fairly straightforward. My problem is that I keep meaning to learn how to use a PCB layout package but when push comes to shove, I am in too much of a hurry so it's back to the good old strip board. One day...............

Regards, Hugh

[skybadger]

That was it, I used them to create the Maxi pcb  for the onstep controller and more lately the cam86 .