My son, who's 12, has recently taken an interest in electronics. I bought him some kits from Jaycar and a book to help him learn, but now he's interested in specific projects that are currently out of stock. I can get most of the components, but I'm unsure about the PCB. Is it hard to get a custom PCB made? I'm completely new to electronics, so any help would be appreciated!
7 Answers
You might want to consider using a breadboard. They're super easy to work with, and you can rearrange your components whenever you like, plus you can reuse the bits for other projects later.
Definitely check out PCBway for production; they accept small batch orders. But keep in mind you'll need to provide the schematic in the right format they require. It's doable, just be ready to put in a bit of effort!
Could you share details about the kit? I might be able to create the files for the PCB for you!
You can also try to create your layout using a program like KiCad. If you have an image of the original board, you might be able to extract the traces and convert them into a vector format to make your own PCB. Just add the necessary holes for any components and export that design. Then, you can send it off to a PCB manufacturer like PCBway. Easy peasy!
Sometimes DIY kits are also featured in magazines like Silicon Chip. Check if they published a layout, as you might find the PCB designs there or even a place to order bare boards.
Honestly, PCBs can be inexpensive, and the tools to design them are pretty accessible. But keep in mind, designing them can get tricky. If you want to skip the hassle, a breadboard or perf board works well for prototyping without needing to solder everything right away.
Getting a PCB made isn't too tough, but you'll need to design it first, which can take some time. If you can, see if Jaycar can provide you with the necessary files, known as Gerber files, that are used to make the board. If they can't help, you might find similar projects online, sometimes posted in electronics magazines. Once you have those files, try a website like JPLPCB.com; they have affordable pricing. Just make sure to follow their upload guidelines closely! Good luck!
Totally agree! Breadboards are great for experimenting, and they'll last much longer than a single PCB.