Pre-printed circuit boards for home projects - Where? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: GeoffyG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 06:53:42 pm
content: I'm an ex Electronics Engineer, who's job changed and I didn't have the time to keep up the hobby at home. I do something else for work now but after watching EEVblog on Youtube recently I realise how much I miss electronics! So I've been ordering myself some items so I have the tools I need to give things a go at home like I used to as a child, and I'm looking for some sort of kits I can make to give me some practise and help get me back into it.I've found kits around on the 'net, but they are all very basic things, and due to my past qualifications and experience I want something a bit more challenging. I don't want to mess around with printing my own PCB's for now, but I would like to buy some that are already designed and printed, with or without components, that I could build myself. I particularly want to build something that has at least some surface mount components in. I don't want to make kits that make noises or flash a few LED's, but something a little more involved.I haven't yet found what I'm looking for anywhere in the UK, but I would buy abroad if that was the only way. Surely someone must sell pre-made PCB's for some interesting projects?I'd appreciate any ideas please, or suggestions for shops worth taking a look at, in the UK if possible but if not then anywhere that sells to the UK.

author: Paul Price
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2013, 07:03:58 pm
content: http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=electronic+hobby+kithttp://www.eio.com/c-659-diy-project-kits.aspx?SectionIDs=&CreatedOn=&ManuID=&ViewType=&SortFilter=6&PageSize=9999999&gclid=COi6irbt-LkCFbN3cAod92IAZA

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2013, 12:35:51 am
content: There are tons of this sort of thing out there, but not all that much interesting in the traditional packaged kit form. Have a look at the likes ofwww.sparkfun.com, orwww.adafruit.comand the chinese sellers likehttp://imall.iteadstudio.com/andhttp://www.seeedstudio.com/They all sell some stuff as bare boards if you want to build it yourself. But most of the interest these days is either designing and having made your own PCB, or just taking pre-made modules, hacking them together and making it do what you want through code. The traditional idea of a kit isn't really economical these days.

author: Crazy Ape
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2013, 10:00:26 am
content: This one might be fun.http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-Ship-Mini-Quadcopter-Four-Shaft-Aircraft-Control-Board-Blank-PCB-For-AVR328P-MPU6050-MWC-Flight/874161189.htmlYou'd have to either hunt down a firmware, or tweak an existing projects firmware to work, and I doubt it would be cheaper than a pre-assembled one.I think I found the schematic for it (attached) so at least the components are known.Edit:Actually, the schematic is for a slightly newer version, but looks to be very very similar.

author: NEE8C
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 03, 2013, 01:31:01 pm
content: You also might want to try 'Far Circuits' at:http://www.farcircuits.net/They tend to be more focused on RF and computer circuits but are pretty far ranging.The Ham Radio hobby could possibly provide you with the challenge you're looking for and it is very 'hands-on' oriented.Regards....

author: GeoffyG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 03, 2013, 02:18:22 pm
content: Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I'll work my way through them shortly.NEE8C - I did once go for my HAM radio exam in my teens, and I stupidly passed the theory paper but failed the rules and regs! I will always regret not going for it again. I have considered it recently but the cost of equipment is one issue, plus the fascination I used to have with it isn't quite what it used to be. I will keep it in the back of my mind though.

author: mianchen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2013, 09:06:46 pm
content: Quote from: NEE8C on October 03, 2013, 01:31:01 pmThis website really hurt my eyes@GeoffyGElektor has some more advanced projects, but their kits are not cheaphttp://www.elektor.com/products/kits-modules.259.lynkx

author: GeoffyG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 04, 2013, 12:16:01 pm
content: mianchen - That site does look interesting, thank you, at least if I can find the items actually for sale on the site they link to. They don't seem to sell anything themselves (not what I've looked at anyway).Yesterday I dug out an old PC graphics card, ready to get into some practise with surface mount components. I have to be honest and say that I was unprepared for just how small some of the chips look, now I have in mind to solder such components. There are some memory chips on the board that are TSOP Type 2, and I almost collapsed when looking at the pins. Not quite so bad under a magnifier but I'm still not feeling as confident as I was! I have some things on order to help with soldering, such as a flux pen and solder wick, so I'm looking forward to giving those chips a go. I used to solder all the time at work, but in those days things were a lot bigger.

author: locoo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:41:22 pm
content: I oderd a bounch of kits from taobao.comYou find a seller that sells kits and then order via mistertao.comI order different kits and they cost from 1 usd up plus shipping read on mistertao site details.

author: GeoffyG
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:44:09 pm
content: Thanks Locoo, I'll take a look.