Alternatives to ExpressPCB

[djsfantasi]

I have my board laid out in ExpressPCB (trying to use DipTrace, but I've just started to learn it). It is exactly their miniboard size - 3.8" x 2.5". I need one, but using their miniboard service is the cheapest. But its still $90! Is there another way I can get a board of that size for less? I've always used ExpressPCB, but lost my job and the new one doesn't pay as much.

 

[Inquisitive]

Look at Oshpark. No I don't work for them.

 

[Overclocked]

Ditto for OSH. Dirty PCB if you need a lot of boards at a cheap price (or bigger boards where it would be too expensive through OSH park).

 

[KMoffett]

$99? ExpressPCB Miniboard's cost for three is $51+shipping...usually $60 total.

Ken

 

[djsfantasi]

$99? ExpressPCB Miniboard's cost for three is $51+shipping...usually $60 total.

Ken

Pro service is $75 plus S&h

 

[KMoffett]

Pro service is $75 plus S&h

The OP referred to "miniboard" in the first post.

Ken

 

[djsfantasi]

The OP referred to "miniboard" in the first post.

Ken

Exactly what I said. Pro is an option in their mini board service. It adds silkscreen and solder mask.

Three boards from what I've looked at Oshpark, looks like $45 minimum, sans shipping.
Dirty PCBs looks like $28 (and free shipping) for 10 boards (I need one for a prototype)
Three Boards from ExpressPCB basic (no soldermask or silk screen) is $51, but add about $15 shipping.

Does that sound about right. The other factor is the learning curve for DipTrace, which I'm finding large.

 

[KMoffett]

Where are you? In looking back at my total for miniboards was $59. Shipping can be a big factor if you are outside the States.

Ken

 

[Inquisitive]

Shipping from Oshpark is free if you don't need it in a rush

 

[djsfantasi]

Where are you? In looking back at my total for miniboards was $59. Shipping can be a big factor if you are outside the States.

Ken

I'm in Boston. My basic min board total with shipping is (rounded) $66. The mini board pro (add silkscreen and solder mask) is $90.

The current issue with Osh and Dirty PCB is creating the schematic in a format they understand. I am still trying to do that with DipTrace.

 

[Inquisitive]

Oshpark will take gerbers from eagleCAD or Kicad. Kicad is my preference.

 

[djsfantasi]

Apparently, KiCad won't run unders Windows 10. And EagleCad is a major paradigm shift for me.

 

[Inquisitive]

Kicad will run under Ubuntu if you have that.

 

[djsfantasi]

Completed PCB design in DipTrace and successfully ran auto-route. Found an article on Oshpark's site on preparing files from DipTrace for submittal. Then, successfully created a project on Oshpark!
Thanks for your guidance thus far...

dj

 

[Inquisitive]

Awesome. Wish you success in your project.

Please share some photos of your completed project we would love to see it.

Inq

 

[djsfantasi]

 

[Mike - K8LH]

How about getting ten single digit PCBs for $10 using Seeed's deal for boards up to 5x5cm in size? A little more work mounting the boards side by side but you can't beat the price.

You would need to design the board for all seven/eight diodes and simply install the diodes necessary to display the '1', '2', '3', or '4'...

Actually, your design would be simple enough to hand wire on a proto-board. Spiff it up by gluing a plastic laminated paper silkscreen layer printed from DipTrace onto the prototype board.

 

[djsfantasi]

Nice idea, one that I will keep in mind. But the whole point was to have a single board.

I'm not sure what you mean by "simply install the diodes necessary". Did you mean resistors? My design started that way, but when I only included the holes for the needed resistors, it simplified the board.

It also allows me to include the one connector to the logic board, which has a matching 6 position on it. Less wires; one ribbon cable.

But the price is attractive... I feel a redesign is possible.

 

[Mike - K8LH]

... the whole point was to have a single board.

Are you talking about combining both boards into a "single board"?

 

[djsfantasi]

What a great idea. No, like the original Lockout, I envisioned one board for the logic with a separate display board.