To PCB or not to PCB...

[Engineer1138]

Bigglez:
I think that's a bit unfair. When we work on our pet projects we aren't comparing the time spent to what we could go out and sell it for, we're comparing it to watching TV or reading, or going for a walk, etc.

In that case the time has little monetary value, but it's comparable to other forms of entertainment.

-lyndon

[MrAl]

Hello again,


rolerbe:
The way i have done via's in the past is to layout a small pad on both
sides of the board and drill a narrow hole there. Stick a thin wire
in the hole and bend the ends over so it doesnt slide out of the hole,
then solder on both sides of the board.

If i factored in my time for my own personal projects i could not afford to build anything, small or large,
using ANY pc board making technology.

What is the state mandated min wages in your locale?
Did you factor in your time (even at min wages)?

While that may be true, I asked a different question
for a different reason. For comparison purposes,
what is your time worth? Min wages by state seems to be
a fair measure, agreed?

Well, if i was doing this for someone else i would think about comparing dollars, but this is more
on the hobby level as Engineer was pointing out so it's comparable to other things besides
dollars and cents. I find the layout takes the longest of all anyway.
Still, i am open to suggestion if you know a better way to make somewhat small one piece
boards.

[rolerbe]

Thanks Al. I'll try that with wire-wrap wire.

As for Bigglez's value of time, etc., the big dividing line is if it is a for-profit or for-hobby enterprise. My goals for hobby projects are to keep me out of the couch-potato chair, and to produce working versions of my toys for less than 3X what I could buy them for. Depending on how many bone-headed mistakes I make in the process, I don't always meet the 3X threshold

[Bigglez]

Bigglez:
I think that's a bit unfair.

Has nothing to do with "fairness".

When we work on our pet projects we aren't comparing the time spent to what we could go out and sell it for, we're comparing it to watching TV or reading, or going for a walk, etc.

Agreed. However, money and time are both limited for
everyone. They are also interchangeable to a certain
extent.

This discussion is about hobby activity as a past time,
not to lower the purchase price of a good that can be
purchased commercially, or a good that can be sold for
money when finished.

Given the choice of a fast path to a result compared to
a slow path to the same result, which would you choose?
The answer is governed by how much free time you have.
As a student I could spend half a day futzing with PCB
etching, etc. As a home owner I have to juggle hobbies
with family obligations and other responsibilities.

Now factor in that the fast path was more costly in money.

Consider the time spent on a multi-step process. One with
increasing risk of failure as the work progresses (i.e. homebrew
PCB fab).

Now compared that to the effort to outspource the same
work to a sub-contractor that has gauranteed performance
and delivery, but costs more money.

If the goal is import, take the more costly short cut. If the
journey is more important, take the road less traveled and
revel in the process.

I prefer to complete more projects with the help of others
than to labour on every step. YMMV.

[rolerbe]

I prefer to complete more projects with the help of others
than to labour on every step. YMMV.

Fair enough. Everyone has slightly different reasons for their hobby activities. In my case, I like to go as close to scratch built as I can, to make sure my 'book knowledge' is close to 'real' knowledge. Slow as all get out, but that's just me. So, cutting my own boards, etc. is all part of the (slightly masochistic) 'fun'. Being recently back into electronics design and construction after many years away, I've been (re)learning many, many circuit design lessons from the school of hard knocks. None of which have been in the books.

"In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, theory and practice are practically unrelated."

[psycho]

Good views all the way around. I would like to think that I have a whole lot more time than money. Because if I don't, I will be dead before you finish reading this

[MrAl]

Hi again,


Yes, sometimes i have the time so i figure why not do it.

Also, we have not yet talked about security. A design of a board you do yourself is not as likely to leak out
whereas a board design sent out for processing could possibly be copied. I guess hobbyists dont worry
about this as much as professionals though.