First Project

[BarnabyHooge]

I will be starting my first build soon and was wondering which type of board would be easiest to use. I don't mind etching a PCB, but it looks like most people just use perfboards and solder the components together using the leads. Is one better than the other? It seems like an etched board would be esiest, but maybe I'm missing something.

Thanks

[Shepherd]

edit:

I'd recommend perf.

[Papa_lazerous]

Using an etched PCB is by far the easiest way to make a bug free build as long as the PCB is correct and of a good quality.

I never ever use Perf board EVER

I do use VeroBoard and have had some great results from it but you have to plan your layouts really well

[aron]

>I will be starting my first build soon and was wondering which type of board would be easiest to use.

Easiest is pre-drilled correct PCB.

However, for most one-off use, perboard is fun and fast. I've built most of my projects with it - including this one. It's easily modded as well. You also learn how to read the schematic and lay it out when you use perfboard since you are making the traces yourself.

[Hanglow]

as a relative noob myself, I would recommend getting a pre-drilled pcb from the likes of GGG or tonepad etc. I have yet to attempt to make one myself, as it is so cheap to get them. However, I do intend to try this at a later date.

I have done four or so on stripboard (vero), easy ones like a booster and three different fuzzes. They were easy after doing the PCB's as there were far less parts to get mixed up with.

[JimRayden]

PCB needs more preparation but there are not too many things that can go wrong once you have the etched and drilled board.

Statistics show that perf and vero need more debugging but hardly need any preparation.


It's like driving with automatic vs manual transmission. Except if you want to use automatic, you'll first have to build the car. Manual, once gotten hang of (needs a little practice), goes real smooth also.

---------
Jimbo

[oldrocker]

I only use perf.  I think you learn a lot more about schematics and the circuit you're working on when debugging using perf.  Many times I just layout the circuit just like the schematic.  Vero is nice but without a layout it is difficult to layout your own.  And when you can't find a PCB layout of a circuit you're looking to build or GGG and Tonepad etc..  doesn't have what you're trying to build then it's got to be vero or perf.  If you go to the layout section of this forum there are a lot more perf layouts becoming available.  If size isn't an issue then lay it out like the schematic.  Good luck and happy building.

[petemoore]

I will be starting my first build soon and was wondering which type of board would be easiest to use.
  The way this is worded, ...you're intending to build more than one, most who fire one up, fire up another, just so you know.
   I don't mind etching a PCB, but it looks like most people just use perfboards and solder the components together using the leads. Is one better than the other?
  Get a breadboard, then put the chosen circuits sampled on anything you choose. Or use perf and sockets for...Fuzz Face..then you'll have a perma-tweekable board for FF tweaking, a low dollar mistake only if you don't like FF's, a couple or few circuits built on perf., unless you're good an lucky, you'll probably pick up some 'debugging chops', and be able to go schematic>board, instead of detwisting layouts to where they can be read [a drag even if you're good at it].
  It seems like an etched board would be esiest, but maybe I'm missing something.
  Quickest, most sure fire way, all you have to do is color by number...maybe, I kind of like the idea that you tend to develop some circuit knowledge and debugging skills using perfboard..that's just me.
  There is copperless, re-usable perfboard, not often seen or mentioned, yet another choice, I haven't used any, probably should though.
  If you decide to go with perf, read up 'n stuff...count the # of connections at each node before assembling the exact same # of connections on your board, and soldering it [also any polarities of polarized parts]...starting with a booster, looking at booster schematics and different biasing techniques, you'll soon get ideas about...stuff you wouldn't have to mind if you take part # 2 and put it in position #2, repeat for part #3 and position #3, etc.

[RaceDriver205]

Using an etched PCB is by far the easiest way to make a bug free build as long as the PCB is correct and of a good quality.

I never ever use Perf board EVER

+1! +1!

[BarnabyHooge]

Thanks for the advice. I think for my first build (scrambler) I'll go with the PCB, then try my hand at a easiesr boost  on perf.