Best PC Board manufacturers for small runs?

[MG]

Are there any recommendations for printed circuit board manufacturers for small (prototype) quantity, 2-layer, with 2 oz copper?

It would be great to find someone who could also mount components, but I suppose that would involve sourcing and shipping the components anyway.  So the main thing is to save the time required to do perf-boards.

Also, what do most of the manufacturers accept as layout artwork file format?  Still mostly Eagle, or are there other major players?

[niektb]

Why do you want 2oz copper? You plan to do high current?
I would recommend something like JLCPCB if you want the cheapest (and assuming you don't need the highest accuracy and smallest sizes)
You need to supply your designs in Gerber format, most companies don't support Eagle anymore

[Invertiguy]

I'll second JLCPCB, I've had really good luck with them in the past. Their turnaround is really fast, their prices are low, and their quality is great especially for the price. Like most other fab houses they only accept Gerber files (not that generating them is an issue really), afaik only OSHPark accepts .brd files straight from Eagle and while their boards are really nice they're also significantly more expensive and have a slower turnaround.

[mdcmdcmdc]

I just ordered boards from Elecrow and it was a pain-free process. They seem to be of comparable quality to every other pedal PCB that I've picked up in the past, they were very inexpensive, and I think I had them in my hands in less than a week.

[MG]

I'll second JLCPCB, I've had really good luck with them in the past. Their turnaround is really fast, their prices are low, and their quality is great especially for the price. Like most other fab houses they only accept Gerber files (not that generating them is an issue really), afaik only OSHPark accepts .brd files straight from Eagle and while their boards are really nice they're also significantly more expensive and have a slower turnaround.

Thanks to all for the replies.  Before posting, I had searched the forum, and found elecrow, OSHPark and Seedstudio, but did not run across JLCPCB.  I'm glad that I asked.

Re 2oz copper: Just a matter of habit. :-)  It usually doesn't cost much more.  I don't worry much about cost in proto quantities of anything.  Time is more expensive.

I haven't had occasion to use any pc board software for ages.  I guess it's good to have Gerber as a standard and not have to worry about file formats.  I'll probably have to do some research on what's new in software too, but I'm not as worried about that.  This particular design shouldn't be much more than a couple opamps.

Thanks again.  Please let me know if anything else occurs to you.  Probably good to have an occasional refresh in the archives anyway.

[imJonWain]

I used to use PCBway and had good experiences with them every time, even on multilayer PCBA stuff.  I've mostly shifted to OSHpark now though since they have all their fab work done in the US.  It isn't that much more expensive when you factor in all their boards are 175 Tg FR4 and ENIG.

[MG]

I used to use PCBway and had good experiences with them every time, even on multilayer PCBA stuff.  I've mostly shifted to OSHpark now though since they have all their fab work done in the US.  It isn't that much more expensive when you factor in all their boards are 175 Tg FR4 and ENIG.

Helpful, thanks.  I didn't realize that OSHpark made their boards in the US.  That's a plus.

[GGBB]

I've used Elecrow and Seeed. Both are fine and cheap. Elecrow has less expensive options for lead-free and shipping, and most colours of boards are no extra charge. The quality of the boards is decent but not perfect. In my last batch of ~60 boards, there were a couple of boards which had spots of slight rippling of the solder mask or exposed bare copper because of nicks in the silkscreen. Nothing that would prevent using them. But maybe to make up for that, Elecrow is generous - I ordered 5 units each for 5 boards, and was shipped between 10 and 15 of each board. Their price is the same for either 5 or 10, but the shipping calculation will be lower for 5.

PCBWay is no charge for lead-free, but really expensive for colours other than green.

JLPCB looks to have great prices and right now $2 for 5 boards on special - although anything but blue or green is pricey - I may check them out next time I order something.

OSHPark is a high-end outlet - fair pricing if you want only 3 deluxe boards, but not really a good option for "prototyping" IMO.