Stripboard. Are there any real disadvantages?

[Hal9000]

Hi there,

So far I have only used stripboard for my projects and it works, despite being a bit of a pain.

Is this 'Bit of a pain' the only reason why people etch their boards?  Stripboard circuits may also turn out to be larger, fair enough, but it's cheap and fun!

What do you guys think?

[ed1380]

Even though it's bleedin' obvious (or is it?)......  

[Admin]

looks like a pain . . .

[JesseWelling]

good for learning to think about everything, not good for fast prototyping when you know what you need to.

[Eco19R]

Homebrew PCB aren't that hard - I made one in my garage a day ago.

I use expressPCB, PCB board layout softwear - anyway here are the basic steps to PCB creation just encase anyone didn't know -

Desgin PCB layout - print with laser printer on glossy paper -

Iron on the PCB traces to the board. (literally - use a clothes iron) -

Peel the paper off and touch up with a sharpy any place the toner didn't transfer right.

Submerge in etchant - I use radio shacks Ferric chloride - its "fairly" harmless if you don't heat  up the etchant it'll take about 30  to an hour to etch the board.

Once its done just drill the holes.

I really am not sure how to dispose of the used etchant - radio shack says dilute heavily with water and pour down the drain.

I am gonna check for any chemical disposal places where I live - ( don't want to hurt the environment )

[JonHylands]

I generally buy the large Radio Shack perf-boards, the ones with just a zillion round pads on the bottom. I solder wires to run as traces.





Simple to make, simple to fix. Once I have a design cast in stone, and everything works, and I'm sure I'm not going to change anything, I will sometimes get a professionally printed version of it done.

- Jon

[JesseWelling]

I agree with John. The round solder pads are the way to go.
If you can get the kind with the solder pads on both sides, or through hole pads those are also good.

[Admin]

Interesting . . . I did not know RadioShack had an etchant kit . . . I think Ill try it out by the end of this year when I have more time . . .
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102870&cp

I agree with Jon too, the perf board method is the way to go . . . unless of course you want to mass manufacture your board . . . Its all about economies of scale . . .

[Hal9000]

Nice replies!

I don't know where I said

"Even though it's bleedin' obvious (or is it?)......  "

But, um, yeah. can't remember!

[ed1380]

http://www.societyofrobots.com/robotforum/index.php?topic=675.msg4121#msg4121
I didn't intend to hurt anyones feelings and if I did, I'm sorrry.

[Hal9000]

Nah it's all fun and games! No worries!

Just must have made a profound effect on your vocabulary!