Nice, so you create board layout on computer and etch copper board. Do you use ferric chloride or use home made etchant?

I ask, because the latter sounds a lot safer for the environment. The con, of course, is the dangers of the hydrogen peroxide solution.

No since I do mostly multi layered boards.. When I finish designing, I just send the file to one of the many PCB makers to get it done. It is much cheaper to rely on the economy of scale. When it comes back I will SMT the components on my own converted toaster oven.

OK, multilayered and surface mount. You're seriously into the stuff - not just a hobby.

Not really, SMT is really easy, you just have to stick the component on traces on the board.. then into the oven (I customize my oven with a controller). The glue / solder on the legs will melt and Bob is your uncle.

Besides I am cheap. PCB printer charges by the area, so the smaller the component, the cheaper it will be.. there are a few other tricks I use.

Arduino is supposed to be for prototyping and learning about ATMega. It is primarily for you to wire up and test ideas. In all honesty.. if you use a Arduino board for everything you build, it gets expensive really quick. Do iterative Test on Arduino until you get the result you want, Layout on a PCB software and Build. Typically I use only a small portion of the controller board.

If you are interested in getting started use Eagle.. it is free for most hobbyist uses, you can do 2 layers to start. Free EAGLE PCB Design Software, Layout Software - CadSoft Freeware Most PCB printers (you find them at the back of magazines like Make, Circuit Cellar etc).. accept their files.

Yeah, Arduino for testing/experimenting. So cool, these new toys for enthusiasts. OSEPP and others on the market - johnny come lately's. Perhaps get more youngsters into electronics.

So, how old are you? Bob is your uncle, kind of makes me wonder. OK, British, right?

Nmotion Auto

Older than most RSers but not that old. ;)

I think the tools like arduino are more "democratic" ie cheaper and more robust; but the skills and perseverance required are still the same as building circuits. With ATMega, it saves you a lot of money and time to be able to screw up, fix things then try again without having to go out to buy a new component every time. I like SMT because it saves time, it is less messy and you really need less skills. I mean if a strung out, chain smoking teenager at your neighbourhood cell phone "service" centre can redo a board.. it is not that hard.

I think if people look past the need to upgrade OSes and all the related headaches and concentrate on say Arduino at one particular time. The tasks like building PCB, embedded stuff are actually quite simple.

Saying that phrase makes one old and British? Guess I'll move back to Belfast. :okay:

Search parts by keyword - NAPA Auto Parts

found the headlight butyl sealant thing if anyone else is wondering where to get it

can't search for it? :/

oh, search butyl and there will be 2 options
glass butyl tape, part #08622

anyone know where to buy adhesive black tape that dealers use for attaching window visors? the tape looks like electrical tape but much stickier and the top side is shiny black which allows you apply other tapes. Sorta like those colored tape that some members on here use to line their rims?

Any 3M dealer can bring that in.

where do i get a nice soft robe? mines too old to use anymore :(

speaker box carpet?? reasonably priced, burnaby/coquitlam/new west area

Lost my Ray Ban New Wayfarer case, anyone know where I can get a new one?

Try sunglass hut

the bay or sears

Where can I find universal black diamond mesh grille locally? Like this

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvKttX7eez8g7X_NLm5Xw3c56xbRvDl Od7JWTm9gQ7aK3p2QWHI7cAYihF


Posted via RS Mobile

anyone know where to buy good and cheap AA/AAA batteries? Thanks!~

Online or local doesn't matter...

Have you tried dollar store. I've seen Panasonic batteries there. They have differnt levels of cheapness
Posted via RS Mobile

most glasses stores

Dollar store, XS Cargo, or if you want something a little higher-grade, Costco has good prices on large packs of Duracells.

XS Cargo and Princess Auto also have lots of options in rechargeable batteries and chargers.

XSCargo

Where to buy a business card holder in Richmond?

Other than daiso?