pcb sites

[mhartington]

Is there any other sites out there besides guitarpcb that will make custom boards? Ive tried my own and tried theirs but have had problems with tracts breaking and just sub-par quality work. So i need to find any other site that can help me out. Anyone know of any?

[jkokura]

There are some individuals here who will do custom work if you're willing to pay them for it. I'm curious about your bad boards from GuitarPCB, because I've heard nothing but good things. Have you tried contacting them (I think his name's Barry) about your experience? I have a feeling he wouldn't let sub-par work go out his door.

Jacob

[mhartington]

Probably not Barry's fault, but just problems with tracts breaking is probably a down fall for not silk screening a solder mask.  I can say how many times ive had to start a pedal over just cus the tract has come off the board. Maybe sub-par is not how i should describe barry's service but i need something that can do better so i can avoid this problem.

[jkokura]

You can get manufactured boards in many places, depending on what project you want to build. I have bought from Tonepad, BYOC and Madbean. There are also projects available from General Guitar Gadgets, AMZ, and even some of the guys around here like the Tap Tempo Trem, Gristleizer, Echo Base, and Bad Stone Phaser where are forum based PCB projects with solder mask and silk screen.

Take a look at those sites, and then let me know if I've put you on the right track.

jacob

[tiges_ tendres]

Probably not Barry's fault, but just problems with tracts breaking is probably a down fall for not silk screening a solder mask.  I can say how many times ive had to start a pedal over just cus the tract has come off the board. Maybe sub-par is not how i should describe barry's service but i need something that can do better so i can avoid this problem.

If tracks are breaking or lifting, you are using too much heat.    Solder mask really wont help that issue.

[Processaurus]

For projects that aren't complex like delays or flangers, or phasers, doing perfboard or stripboard is worthwhile.  Then there's no waiting, subpar construction of etched boards (no offense to those skilled in the art, just I don't think it is possible to make one that the pads don't start lifting second time around), and you learn about the circuit.  Plus modifications are much easier than on a PCB. 

Otherwise learning a PCB program that can output Gerber 274x files makes the entire industry of professional PCB houses available.  There are a couple co-op situations that people have reported back here on where groups go in on a big sheet, and divide it up. 

[my7of9]

Probably not Barry's fault, but just problems with tracts breaking is probably a down fall for not silk screening a solder mask.  I can say how many times ive had to start a pedal over just cus the tract has come off the board. Maybe sub-par is not how i should describe barry's service but i need something that can do better so i can avoid this problem.

If tracks are breaking or lifting, you are using too much heat.    Solder mask really wont help that issue.

I also agree that too much heat is probably the issue!

However since I went back through my emails to see what you ordered I instantly realized what also the problem was.
The image you provided me was for a Custom job was a very bad quality and I did fully warn you about that.
The Image needs redone professionally and I am sure you will have much better success with it.
Here is a quote of the warning I sent you about the file you sent me. "I hope you have a better art file for it as that one is very blurry and will not etch well"
You sent me another file and I even tried to make it a bit better to help you out but the traces were extremely thin and very low resolution, Blurry and jaggedy all over the place.

Lesson learned for both of us I guess. I will simply not do unacceptable custom images anymore. Period.

I have never had a single complaint with the quality of my work and I personally have never had a delamination problem with the excellent quality material I use.
I pay strict attention to the quality of every single board I sell and I would never send anyone a board that did not look 100% to me.

Still you replied that you built the board and wanted more so it must have worked out the first time?
I cannot be responsible for a Custom Job when I warned you that it was a bad quality image. Add to that a little too much heat and there is your problem.

I just did not want a misunderstanding hurting my Reputation as I believe every board I sell I am 100% Proud of!
Please feel free to read the 3 pages of Testimonials from all over the world here: http://www.guitarpcb.com/apps/testimonials/

A different etching service won't help your problem however I have professionals designers at my site that would do a proper image for you for a reasonable fee if you wish.
Thanks and I do hope you get it figured out.

[therecordingart]

The only times I've lifted traces were on a really old piece of perf, and after overheating the pads of a PCB when doing re-work. Too much heat is most likely the issue. All of the soldermask and silkscreening in the world won't keep that from happening.

[Steve Mavronis]

Is there any other sites out there besides guitarpcb that will make custom boards?

ExpressPCB has a good mini-board service and their PCB and schematic software is free, and you don't have to use their board making service to use the software if you etch your own! That's what I do.

http://www.expresspcb.com/

ExpressPCB manufactures very high quality two and four layer printed circuit boards.

Use the MiniBoard service and in just a few business days get three top quality boards 2.5" x 3.8" for just $51 (plus shipping).

Most DIY common pedal layout sizes means you can fit on several per miniboard and cut them out after you get the set of three MiniBoards:

> 2 or 4 layer boards
> Tin/lead plating
> Board size must be 3.8 x 2.5 inches  
> Fast manufacturing  
> $51 for three 2-layer boards, $98 for three 4-layer boards