Using perfboard. Follow Layout or Schematic?

[TrentC]

Hey guys, Just prototyped my first working build. It's a green ringer from tonepad. I was going to put it on perfboard tomorrow, but I'm not sure If I should just try to follow the schematics like I did on the breadboard, or try to do it like the PCB layout. Any help would be great! Thanks.

http://www.tonepad.com/getFile.asp?id=90

[Ripthorn]

I find following the schematic is easier when using perf.  Rick (frequencycentral) might tell you different, but he is a perfboard cyborg, he's that good.  The old saying goes that schematics are for humans and layouts are for machines.  Of course, maybe try both ways and see what works best for you.

[petemoore]

  I used to put paper over the perf and rub the side of a pencil lead on it to make perfboard layouts, now Runoff Groove has perfboard templates, printing them out and drawing layouts on them allows experimentation.
  Circuits don't adhere to convention, each one has it's own needs. Unconventional layouts can save space, make circuits moddable, or make it easier to connect everything.
  The layouts gallery is of course an excellent resource to study layouts, I think there is Green Ringer art there.

[Kearns892]

The DIY layout creator is stickied on this page. You could use that to make a design and post it to ask someone to look over it for you. The "Hard Copy" way would be fine too, just go in with a plan.

[frequencycentral]

A PCB layout is just so easy to copy onto perf. Failing that, make your own layout in DIYLC.

yours,

Perfboard Cyborg

[shadowmaster]

I've built my Rat on perf using Tonepad's layout pattern. I've been a PCB and vero guy and was always successful with it so the Rat was my first perf attempt. It's working perfectly now but it was really a pain to debug knowing that I've built more complex ones. One of my toughest I believe. When it was not working, all fault was blamed to my noobness on perf. So because of this I already developed some kind of a phobia for perf although the problem on my Rat was really just a busted cap and a busted FET installed. After seeing Perfboard Cyborg's works maybe it's time to give it another shot. One Univibe clone on perf I've seen here using R.G.'s layout pattern also amazes me.

[TrentC]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I actually found a layout for perf in the gallery. But I started working on it today, and my soldering just isn't good enough to make a board that tight. So I guess I'm just going to spread this one out a little bit and make sure it works. Any tips on soldering components so close to one another?