31-03-2017, 10:33 AM
(31-03-2017, 09:21 AM)Stevie342000 Wrote: One of the reasons in the past I stayed with tube/valve equipment is that it was ... not so easy to make PCBs ...
It wasn't exactly difficult, though.
Take a pad of 0.1" graph paper to suit components with a mounting pitch of 2.54 mm and multiples thereof.
Work out the component locations and mark on the sheet then add the track layout in pencil, in case changes are needed.
Secure the finished work to a sheet of copper laminate and transfer the mounting hole position to the copper by pressing hard with a very sharp tool - I used to use a bradawl.
When the paper is removed, the pad layout should now be clearly visible.
Take a bottle of nail varnish - as dark a colour as possible - mix thoroughly then use the applicator brush to place a dot of the varnish on each pad then add the track layout.
Etch as normal and remove the varnish with acetone. The previously transferred hole pattern should now help to guide the point of the drill to get the holes in the right positions.
I used this method successfully for a wide variety of boards and modified it slightly to allow me to make multiples of the same board - some quite complex - without having to redraw the layout.
