From: jory@athena.mit.edu (Jory Bell)
Subject: Circuit Board Fabricators: Summary
Followup-To: jory@mit.edu
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 14 Sep 1992 04:15:32 GMT

A couple of weeks ago, I posted looking for PC-board 
fabricators. I got a few good leads, and here they are 
(sorry for the delay). They are in no particular order 
(just me going through my folder) and they include 
pricey places to get multilyer flexible boards, as well 
as dirt cheap places with no plated through holes. I got  
feeling that this was a representative sampling (there 
were about 10 other places I called, and didn't record 
their info) since I like to call aroud and get a sense of 
the market... but I could be wrong. Anyway...
 
PSI Inc in Oregon:
(503-397-5682)
-------------------
I eventually went with PSI Inc in Oregon, they were very 
flexible and got us quick turn around, of a low number of 
boads, cut to our specs. They were also responsive when 
we told them what type of service other fabricators had 
offered in a particular area. They do 3 day turnaround.
 
Metro Circuits of Rochester, NY:
(716)254-2980
-------------------
They were a bit pricey, but they have one day turnarond, 
and expressed a willingness to stay nights and weekends 
to do the work. They said they would take something on 
a friday early morning, and do it over the weekend (by 
monday am) and that would be considered 3 day. If I 
could have afforded them, I might have gone with them 
just for their professional zeal. They also called back 
with a quote right away, which was not always the case. 
Also, their normal turnaround time was 5 days (although 
this was obviously still moe expensive that slow 
places).
 
Beaver Brook Circuits of Bethel, CT
(203)744-2966
-------------------
They were pretty reasonable, and pretty fast, but not 
the fastest or cheapest. However, they do have a neat 
business card which is a circuit board. Their prices did 
seem very competetive is you were getting a really 
small number of boards (we eventually got several 
dozen, but got quotes for less as well)
 
Trend of Dedham, MA
(617)326-8700
-------------------
Trend was expensive... like really expensive. However, 
tey did call back and ask about why we didn't choose 
them after the quote, and they told us that the 
specialize in multilayer (we had 2 layer) boards, and 
"buried capicipance", which eliminates the need for 
bypass capacitors. They sent us some cute literature.
 
SM Company
(704) 254-0877
-------------------
A lot of setup charges, but pretty cheap. They did 7-10 
days as their usual "fast" turn around. They will accept 
4X laserprinted layout (although they don't like it).
 
Atlas Circuits of Lincoln, NC
(704)735-3943
-------------------
They do REALLY CHEAP stuff, with no plated through 
holes.
 
PCB Prototypes of Sandy, UT
Ronald Baker
8195 South 2660 East
Sandy, UT   84093
-------------------
they don't have a phone number, and they seemed a bit 
nervous when we tracked them down and gave them a 
call...but, they promised to send us stuff and claimed 
that they still do pcb fabrication REALLY CHEAP, WITH 
PLATED-THROUGH HOLES...
 
PCBOARDS Inc of Chanute, KS
(316)431-2031
-------------------
The had a really low quote for small numbers, but their 
turnaround time was not that fast (10-20 working days). 
But, if I had time, I would have gone with them to save 
money.
 
Volunteer Circuits of Bells, TN
-------------------
They were in direct competition with PSI, and they lost 
out by just a bit. I would recommend them for at least a 
quote on any fast job...
 
 
That's it. Some of these came from other people on the 
net (thanks!) and some came from looking through the 
electronics yelow pages, etc.... If you are getting a 
quote, it pays to call around, and forget about geography, 
since everythng is done my modem and UPS anyway.
 
later,
jory bell
 

Newsgroups: sci.electronics