Best way to run traces on PCB prototyping boards - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: LinkZ
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 10:13:31 am
content: Hi, I just want to make my projects look better. What if I use those "silver pens" like this one:http://www.amazon.com/CircuitWriter-Precision-Pen-silver-based-grams/dp/B00B88B9KIto run traces on pcb instead of regular and ugly wires? Are those pens good?

author: krivx
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 10:20:49 am
content: Sheet resistance of the pen is 0.017ohms/sq, 1oz copper is often 0.0005ohms/sq. If you need low resistance traces then keep in mind you will need much thicker traces than if you use copper.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 10:59:00 am
content: you cannot do that. have a look somewhere for pictures of where such pens have been used. It's ugly freehand yuk.What you want is a copper board that has been tinned. That is, dipped in molten solder.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 11:00:40 am
content: if the board has a green varnish mask or something to stop solder sticking to it, you can just pretty it up with solder and iron and possibly a little bit of wick on tiny holes.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 01:53:41 pm
content: Quote from: LinkZ on August 17, 2015, 10:13:31 amMake your own PCB (e.g. using toner transfer techniques), or lay it out and send the gerbers to a PCB house (5cm*5cm double sided, PTH, solder mask, silk screen, 10 off, 10 days, $15).I was very pleasantly surprised at how easy it is now, compared with "the bad old days". Seehttps://entertaininghacks.wordpress.com/category/homebrew-pcbs/for my experiences.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 17, 2015, 02:44:13 pm
content: Make your own PCBs is by far the best way to have a professional looking board. I use OSHPark in the US - free shipping and really top quality boards. Even with the minimum dimensions they never screw up. They are more expensive than the Chinese ones but in the US they turn it around fast and, again, much better quality. And their minimum buy is very low, if you want a few boards that are only 2-4 square inches (very easy to make them this small with SMT) you might end up paying only $10-$20 for three perfect boards.

author: Semonycal
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2016, 09:15:26 am
content: I agree with the upstairs. If you wanna a professional board by your own design, you'd better choose a professional factory. Due to low price and good quality, I prefer to suggesthttps://t.co/Ces6rkEyZU

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 12:54:36 am
content: Quote from: Semonycal on March 16, 2016, 09:15:26 amCan anyone vouch for PCBWay? For small orders and/or small boards in the US, OSHPark is still the best bet:PCBWay: 10 2 layer 1"x1" boards $16 + $25 shipping = $41OSHPark: 12 2 layer 1"x1" boards $20 + $0 shipping = $20OSH Park is ENIG. PCBWay is HASL. ENIG on these boards is $20 extra from PCBWay.However, for larger boards, PCBWay becomes very price competitive.

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 01:21:56 am
content: Quote from: JoeN on March 17, 2016, 12:54:36 amDon't know... Semonycal's intent seems to be advertising PCBWay. Only two posts so far, and both advertise PCBWay. In theother post, he compared PCBWay with a much, much more expensive US American PCB service (guess why...?). As a 'normal guy' he would probably have compared PCBWay with one of the other countless cheap Chinese PCB services. By the way, PCBWay is located in Hangzhou. And the location given in Semonycal's profile is Hangzhou, too. Coincidence?For 2- or 4-layer PCBs in low quantities (as typical for orders made by hobbyists), I would expect PCBWay to be neither better nor worse than most of the other popular cheap Chinese PCB services, both in price (approx.) as well in quality. (Anyway, it is better to do the fact check and compare the actual prices then to rely on my opinion)

author: that_guy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2016, 08:19:23 am
content: I've used PCBWay for 10x10 4 layer where they are competitive. They got the layer stack right each time and quality in terms of drill accuracy and keeping slim slivers of solder mask between 0.5mm ics was very good. Silkscreen was the same low res dot matrix style that you see on the other 2 layer proto boards.They are worth using. Shame you can't trust reviews because they offer money off for positive reviews on forums. Dumb idea.

author: JoeN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 01:13:34 am
content: Quote from: that_guy on March 17, 2016, 08:19:23 amStupid Q: 10x10 cm or inches? I assume 10cm, right?

author: ade
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2016, 06:12:51 am
content: QuoteI make a note never to deal with companies which employ shill tactics. PCBWay... in my ban list.