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G8UWM-MildMartin · 14th Dec 2011, 1:42 am

I'd go for all the additions and options if possible, on the grounds that it's a lot easier to omit them when building than to add them.

Then there's the huge difference in tooling costs between a top-quality double-sided PCB, drilled, with PTH (plated through holes), solder resist and silk-screening, let alone production cost, compared with a no-frills, etch-only undrilled (or drilled) run to consider, even if the constructor does have to mess around with wire links all over the place for single-sided and even if it needs to be bigger.
And it's much harder to etch at home and poke an iron under components to solder the top side if no PTH.
I suppose it could be laid out to allow those wretched old track pins that always seemed to have dry joints to avoid PTH.
But on balance I'd suggest trying to make them single-sided.

Best regards,
Martin.

14th Dec 2011, 1:42 am	#630
G8UWM-MildMartin Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 827	Re: The "Sussex" Homebrew Valve Tester. I'd go for all the additions and options if possible, on the grounds that it's a lot easier to omit them when building than to add them. Then there's the huge difference in tooling costs between a top-quality double-sided PCB, drilled, with PTH (plated through holes), solder resist and silk-screening, let alone production cost, compared with a no-frills, etch-only undrilled (or drilled) run to consider, even if the constructor does have to mess around with wire links all over the place for single-sided and even if it needs to be bigger. And it's much harder to etch at home and poke an iron under components to solder the top side if no PTH. I suppose it could be laid out to allow those wretched old track pins that always seemed to have dry joints to avoid PTH. But on balance I'd suggest trying to make them single-sided. Best regards, Martin.