Practice PCBs

[bassmannate]

I usually build with strip board. I'm looking at some more complex builds (some of my own creation) that don't have PCB layout already. However, I've never made a PCB so I'm starting with some very simple circuits and working my way up to more complex builds. I'll present them here for critique and then post the finalized PCB and layout/silkscreen layer for anyone to use.

As I've said, I've not used Eagle very extensively so I don't know if I'm really doing anything "wrong" or if there are just better ways to do it.

For starters, I'll present a simple Bazz Fuss. This is the first circuit I ever got to work without problems so I figured it would be a good one to do a PCB layout for.

The whole idea I have with this is that the volume pot is pcb mounted and mount the board in the enclosure with the pot.

[mth5044]

You could probably move C2 to the right and bring in the right side boundary to make it a little thinner. It might also be helpful to have the ground and +9V close together for running power from the jack. A second ground would also be useful for the switch, etc, if you don't want to run all around with wire

Finally, if you're going to send it out for fab, the drill holes are way to small. Looks like you're using the GM library. Fell over that one myself. You might be fine if you're making them at home. I don't do that, so I can't comment there!

[bassmannate]

You could probably move C2 to the right and bring in the right side boundary to make it a little thinner. It might also be helpful to have the ground and +9V close together for running power from the jack. A second ground would also be useful for the switch, etc, if you don't want to run all around with wire

Finally, if you're going to send it out for fab, the drill holes are way to small. Looks like you're using the GM library. Fell over that one myself. You might be fine if you're making them at home. I don't do that, so I can't comment there!

Yeah, i thought about moving the ground. I usually use a trs jack as an on off switch but i don't even use battery clips and intend on putting all my pedals on a board permanently connected so there's no point in having the ground near a jack.

Thanks for the tip about the drilling holes. I intend on making my own boards. Are there fabricators that will do one offs cheap? I was always under the impression that you had to buy in quantity to get decent prices.