Creating circuit boards - Feedback wanted

[oyvdahl]

Hi everyone
I am in the process of creating a website where my aim is to teach hobbyists how to create circuit boards. It is at http://www.build-electronic-circuits.com

As it is hard to evaluate my own work, I would love it if any of you could spare a few minutes and give me some feedback. What information are you missing? Do you see any obvious mistakes on my part? What would you love to read about (within the context of creating circuit boards)?


All the best,
Oyvind
Norway

[thecoldfact]

Hi there,

It looks all good, however one thing is, it doesnt tell you, or not that I can see anyway,
how to make your own board at home.
I am a freelance electronic engineer and offer assembly through hole and surface mount, I also do wiring, cable assembly and some repair.
But a few of my customers have been asking me do I do PCB manufacture. If it were possible to know how to do this myself, then I could offer a complete turn key solution.
Although I am always looking to work with people, designers and board manufacturers who need my solution as I need theirs. It would help to have my own small system for prototyping

[oyvdahl]

That is true. I think it is so easy to just get my boards manufactured somewhere, so I always do it that way. If I need it really fast I can just pay a little bit more and get it within a day or two.

But if you want to create your own, you could always buy equipment for etching or a PCB mill. Is that what you have in mind? Or are you thinking how to create PCBs like the professional manufacturers do?
I will definitely consider writing about etching and milling. But as for how the manufacturers do it, I think you just need a really badass machine.

By the way, are you able to do BGA assembly as well?

[thecoldfact]

At the moment, no. My studio isnt that awesome yet.
If I had more monies commig in I would invest in
A decent oven and stuff. The pcb stuff at the moment
I would like.to know both ways, maybe in time.

[SamRodgers]

I would advocate the use of perforated copper stripboard, such as "Veroboard"®
I etched my first PCB around age 14. I used nitric acid and got into trouble when my father tripped over it (I left it outside on the doorstep) and the acid etched a hole in the concrete path! After that I used a mixture of Ferric Chloride with 10% hydrochloric acid. If you filter out the sludge, and add a little more acid, you can re-use it several times. Your web site really ought to describe the use of copper stripboard and etching PCBs using a suitable etching kit.

You can download a free "Beginners Guide to Electronics", which includes the use of stripboard:
http://www.The-Cool-Book-shop.co.uk/electronics.htm

[oyvdahl]

Thanks, I will check out the ebook to see if I can get some inspiration for writing about stripboards.