Inexpensive PCB proto houses?

Chris Smolinski

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Jul 27, 2005, 1:59:36 PM7/27/05

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So what PCB proto houses are folks using? I've used barebonespcb.com
(part of the Advanced Circuits empire it seems) in the past, although
they've raised prices a bit since I last used them. I really don't need
soldermasks or silkscreens. I'm looking into Myro, but I'd really rather
not send more mfg dollars over to China. Any other cheap board houses in
the USA?

--
---
Chris Smolinski
Black Cat Systems
http://www.blackcatsystems.com

la...@larwe.com

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Jul 27, 2005, 2:40:25 PM7/27/05

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> soldermasks or silkscreens. I'm looking into Myro, but I'd really rather
> not send more mfg dollars over to China. Any other cheap board houses in
> the USA?

Be aware that many of the cheap houses here in the US just send your
gerbers over the seas to their Chinese supplier de jour...

Richard H.

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Jul 27, 2005, 3:21:34 PM7/27/05

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Chris Smolinski wrote:
> So what PCB proto houses are folks using?

Here's a list from the last time I checked prices, in order of
increasing minimum lot cost for a 4"x6" 2-layer. Lot size varies from 2
to 5 pcs, with the magic price being $90-$100/lot.

http://www.barebonespcb.com/
http://www.pcbnet.com/
http://www.apcircuits.com/
http://www.eprotos.com
http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/SpecsStandard.htm
http://www.protoexpress.com/
http://www.pcbfabexpress.com/
http://www.pcbexpress.com/products/express1.php
http://www.e-fabpcb.com/
http://www.e-teknet.com/
http://www.33each.com/

Europe:
http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html
http://www.pcbpool.com/uk_index.htm

Advanced Circuits (33each.com) does nice work, with good specs. At $100
for 3x, their 2-layer proto deal is pretty good (though there are
cheaper). For 4-layer, Sierra Proto (protoexpress.com) has the best
deal, and their work gets high marks from others here.

HTH,
Richard

John - KD5YI

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Jul 27, 2005, 3:38:39 PM7/27/05

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Chris Smolinski wrote:
> So what PCB proto houses are folks using? I've used barebonespcb.com
> (part of the Advanced Circuits empire it seems) in the past, although
> they've raised prices a bit since I last used them. I really don't need
> soldermasks or silkscreens. I'm looking into Myro, but I'd really rather
> not send more mfg dollars over to China. Any other cheap board houses in
> the USA?
>

I like this one (I'm not employed by them in any way).

http://www.1pcb.com/

John

Tim Shoppa

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Jul 27, 2005, 3:45:47 PM7/27/05

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I have been very satisfied with www.expresspcb.com. They don't take
Gerber files but they do have their own free layout software. Best
price deal is their miniboard service (qty 3 2.5"x3.8" boards for $51)
but I've used some of their other options too.Top quality and you know
exactly what day your boards will arrive.

Tim.

bungalo...@yahoo.com

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Jul 27, 2005, 4:17:04 PM7/27/05

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Advanced Circuits is great for those special deals(each deal seems to
have different website), but watch out if you order using their generic
www.4pcb.com website (http://www.4pcb.com/commerce/quote_frame.asp), a
plain jane 2 layer FR-4 5x5 board is $366!

Chris Carlen

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Jul 27, 2005, 4:08:42 PM7/27/05

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Chris Smolinski wrote:
> So what PCB proto houses are folks using? I've used barebonespcb.com
> (part of the Advanced Circuits empire it seems) in the past, although
> they've raised prices a bit since I last used them. I really don't need
> soldermasks or silkscreens. I'm looking into Myro, but I'd really rather
> not send more mfg dollars over to China. Any other cheap board houses in
> the USA?
>

I'm getting fed up with Advanced Circuits. They overetched my last
board, so I have smaller pad diameters than I want.

The board before that had some shorted traces (didn't get electrical
test on that one, though.)

I just got a flex PCB with some strange features done by Pentaplex.
They did it very well. They are quoting me about 1/2 the price for the
same capabilities as AC on 4-layer rigid boards, so I will be sending
them my next design. They do quick-turn too.

http://users.foxvalley.net/~pentaplex/

Good day!

--
_______________________________________________________________________
Christopher R. Carlen
Principal Laser/Optical Technologist
Sandia National Laboratories CA USA
crcarleR...@BOGUSsandia.gov
NOTE, delete texts: "RemoveThis" and "BOGUS" from email address to reply.

bungalo...@yahoo.com

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Jul 27, 2005, 4:40:14 PM7/27/05

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For small boards these guys have the lowest prices, had a great
$2.50/square inch deal for silkscreen/ soldermask, no minimum, that
means it costs you $25 for a 5x2 inch board, period, no stupid you have
to buy 3 boards crap, no shipping cost

http://www.sparkfun.com/shop/index.php?shop=1&cart=344615&cat=1&

it appears they raised the price to $5/square inch as part of their
website still has the $2.50 price other parts have $5, I suspect they
send it off to China, but don't know. They merge everyone's board into
a single large PCB and cut it.

James Morrison

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Jul 27, 2005, 5:14:27 PM7/27/05

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Chris, I use Imagineering in Illinois. Their prototype pricing is
great. I haven't found any better. The only thing they've ever done
wrong for me on about 10 orders is they shipped me 9 boards once when I
paid for 10. They shipped me the 10th on their own dime so that made me
happy.

www.pcbnet.com

Cheers,

James.

John Larkin

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Jul 27, 2005, 6:43:21 PM7/27/05

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On Wed, 27 Jul 2005 13:59:36 -0400, Chris Smolinski
<c...@blackcatsystems.com> wrote:

>So what PCB proto houses are folks using? I've used barebonespcb.com
>(part of the Advanced Circuits empire it seems) in the past, although
>they've raised prices a bit since I last used them. I really don't need
>soldermasks or silkscreens. I'm looking into Myro, but I'd really rather
>not send more mfg dollars over to China. Any other cheap board houses in
>the USA?

APcircuits has always done good stuff for us; at least 40 lots so far,
with zero quality problems.

John

dlharmon

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Jul 27, 2005, 7:26:45 PM7/27/05

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I have been happy with the no touch service from ProtoExpress. They
get $88 for two 2 layers and $122 for 2 4 layers. Maximum size is 8x10
inches. It is 6 mil track and space with a 15 mil minimum drill.
Silksreen and soldermask are included in the prices. It is 4 day
turnaround which leads me to believe it is not outsourced. Their web
address is http://protoexpress.com There are (bad) scans of a board I
had done by them at http://dlharmon.com/dspcard/index.html

Darrell Harmon

Spehro Pefhany

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Jul 27, 2005, 10:04:35 PM7/27/05

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On 27 Jul 2005 13:40:14 -0700, the renowned bungalo...@yahoo.com
wrote:

I believe this one sends it to a manufacturer in Hubei province,
China.

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany
--
"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward"
sp...@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com
Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com

Tom (at tomsweb.net)

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Jul 28, 2005, 5:56:12 AM7/28/05

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Richard,

> Europe:
> http://www.olimex.com/pcb/index.html
> http://www.pcbpool.com/uk_index.htm

You can add:
http://www.eurocircuits.com
to that. Upto 6 layers prototype service.

greetings,
Tom

Tilmann Reh

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Jul 28, 2005, 12:08:29 PM7/28/05

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Tom (at tomsweb.net) schrieb:

> You can add:
> http://www.eurocircuits.com
> to that. Upto 6 layers prototype service.

I used to make really good experience with them, but lately they
switched from HAL to immersion silver finish which can arise some
problems. They don't offer HAL for the prototypes (or small series)
anymore...

Other companies (like http://www.top-tec-pcb.co.uk) offer leadfree HAL
meanwhile.

--
Dipl.-Ing. Tilmann Reh
http://www.autometer.de - Elektronik nach Maß.