PCB making

[obblitt]

I have ExpressPCB, and I just designed a super simple little board for use in my guitar. I'm a super neat-freak and made this board to make the wiring in my guitar super simple and organized.

So, I made it, then I remade it, then I remade it, making it smaller every time without going to two layers. Then I went to "compute board cost" and that's why I'm here. For a 1.5x2" PCB it would cost me $70 - and that's without solder mask and silkscreen! I had no idea it was that expensive!

So I'm here because it doesn't make sense. That's SO expensive seeming to me. I literally cannot believe the cost. Does anyone know of an alternative to making this PCB? Should I just do strip board?

[mnordbye]

You could always ask John Lyons here at the board. He's been making good PCBs for members for some time. Look up his name in the "For Sale/Trade" part of the forum.

Just out of curiosity, what are you making? 

[obblitt]

It's just a board to get rid of the spaghetti inside my guitar  , mountable via one of those sticky pads. My biggest reason to do this was to centralize all my ground connections. I don't like soldering to the back of pots at all, so I have all ground connections going to the board and all coming to one pad that connects to the output jack.

[Ice-9]

Hi, the reason it is so expensive is your pcb will be made at a pro manufacturing site and they will have to set up the equipment to make a 1 off board, I've used a place called pcbcart and its a similar price. I know its no consolation but it would cost the same price give or take a pound/dollar if you wanted 40 pcb's or 1 pcb. You could buy a piece of fibreglass board and make your own one off board by printing the image onto glossy inkjet paper then iron it onto the copper board. Do a search on here for maybe "laser print pcb making" or similar i think there are a few tutorials around. Its very easy to do and you also get a the benefit of knowing you can make your own pcb's.

[theehman]

I almost always use the Mini-board service they offer.  You get 3 boards that are 3.8" x 2.5" for $51 and shipping.  I can get 3 or 4 separate boards on each board then I just cut them apart.  So, I'm really getting 9-12 boards for $51.  Layout some other boards and put them on the default board size with your guitar board.  Make some extra boards and sell them to help cover your cost.