royalmp2001 said:
I need to make a small number of 2" square pcbs, each having a 8pin dip
ic and half a dozen small caps and 1/4W resistors. I am a beginner at
this.
What is better. I purchased the transfers from radio shack, and while
I am awaiting delivery of the components, I am wondering if I should
get a pen to try out too.
What are your opinions.
If I stick to the pen will I need a 1/32" or 1/64" tip?
Thanks
When I do a board using normal .01 spacing I draw out the whole board
on a piece of grid paper then tape the grid paper to my board and then
use a pin to mark out all the hole locations...this also aids in
keeping everything straight. I then take a small sharpie and mark all
hole locations...then I draw all the straight lines with a sharpie and
a beveled straightedge. After using the pen to do the board lines and
pads I occasionally will use dry transfers over the ic locations and
wherever I want a neat looking round pad. I normally dont drill out the
holes till the board is layed out and after drilling I will go back and
hit the holes with the sharpie again...just because.
Electronix Express has a template that you can use to lay out a board
with a pen. It has templates for ic pads, transistors, different sizes
of resistors capacitors etc....but like I say...I use this template to
mark it all out on grid paper...
http://www.elexp.com/ <<< electronix express web site
the template I use is part no. 03TPEDT.......5.50.....
my way isnt the best but it works for me and the occasional board I
turn out.
I also do surface mount using a pen and dry transfers....and a
magnifying lamp.
For your boards either tip pen would work but I'd probably go with the
1/32 possibly a tad bigger if you dont want real fine lines...it might
make it easier... you can buy those double ended sharpie markets at wal
mart/k mart etc..... go to an art store and look for stadtler drawing
pens...they make nice lines in many sizes though the "resist" is
somewhat harder to remove than an ordinary lacquer based sharpie.
)
