Suggestions for temporary mounting board for projects during development? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: leo938
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2025, 09:31:07 am
content: Hello all,At times I've a few development projects ongoing. These projects have development PCB's, JTAGs/programmers etc which need to be kept organised by mounting using small screws, glue etc. Can anyone suggest a suitable material & supplier? Ideally lightweight, non-toxic.Thanks!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2025, 10:18:04 am
content: Perhaps mount everything for each project to low profile food trays, maybe 50mm total height including pcbs/programmer etc..Then create a storage location where you can slide many of these trays into on tracks. Like draws but lower profile so you can fit many of them in a small space.When you want to work on a project you pull out that tray, take it over to the workbench, connect power and usb to it and you are ready to go.

author: leo938
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2025, 07:10:48 pm
content: Thanks for the response. Someone else has suggested A4 sheets of plywood that can be purchased on line for hobby use. I'm going to give them a try as occasionally it useful to be to temporary tack components down (using wire cable clips or similar).

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2025, 07:34:16 pm
content: I don't think plywood is the best choice since it will keep generating splinters. Instead, try Masonite AKA tempered hardboard.It doesn't hold wood screws very well, so use M3 nylon standoffs to mount your boards.

author: leo938
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2025, 07:38:35 pm
content: Thanks for the suggestion.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2025, 08:00:03 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on October 06, 2025, 10:18:04 amA similar option with some nice extra benefits is dental setup trays: they're cheap to get on ebay, come is a few different standard sizes, and you can get covers, racks/organizers, and other accessories specifically designed for them. (plus you can autoclave them if you happen to want to sterilize your project)

author: David Hess
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 14, 2025, 09:55:42 pm
content: Quote from: edavid on October 14, 2025, 07:34:16 pmHobby plywood is usually birch plywood so not much risk of splinters. It is much stronger than pine/fir plywood and has a fine grain.For big stuff I have used regular plywood and never had a problem with splinters, but that is more for permanent installations.For prototyping I like to use doubled sided copper clad board. It can be directly soldered to for mounting things.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2025 08:08:54 pm
content: I have glued a lego build plate to a piece of plywood.And then I glue the thin lego strips to the underside of breadboards, programmers, USB hub, connector blocks, etc. I use hot glue, as it fills the space between the lego strips and the equipment on top of it.I also use a good quality hot glue (From Steinel) for this. About 8 years ago I bought 1kg for EUR20 Never regretted that. When using a thick layer of hot glue on plastic, you must be a bit careful your plastic does not get too hot and deform. It can help to first apply a thin layer (just enough to fill in the gaps between the notches on the lego bricks) and then let that cool down a few minutes first.