Why make your own printed circuit boards when you can get them commercially made for low cost? For one, it can take one to four weeks to receive the boards. For prototyping, this can be a major hurdle. Each design iteration will then take a month or more, and a project may need many months to get done. The DIYer can fab the board and assemble everything in one evening. That advantage is really hard to beat.
Besides time, there are other reasons to make your own board. Commercial services charge by board size, not complexity. Larger boards will cost more even if they are completely blank. I once had to make an oversized PCB because the parts had to be spaced far apart. It was a very sparse board, but getting it made from even the cheapest commercial source would have been expensive.
Having said that, this is not really about saving time or money. If the phrase “building your own” does not excite you, then read no more. Building a board may not take two whole weeks, but it will take many hours. Like in everything, there is a learning curve. It’s not going to work the first time. Remember, we are talking about building a near-professional quality board, not something that is thrown together to check the functionality of a circuit. If the process itself is an unpleasant experience then it will not be worth any amount of time or money saved. The reason people build instead of buy is because they enjoy learning and perfecting new skills. If you are detail-oriented, have lots of patience, and take pride in craftsmanship, then this might be for you.
For more detail: Make high-quality double-sided PCBs – at home
About The Author
Ibrar Ayyub
I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.
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