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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Where online to buy PCB material.

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11/8/1999 8:12 AM
Brian	Where online to buy PCB material. Hi, I was wondering where most people here get their pcb material from. I'm searching for some 1/8" thick PCB material (G10, glass epoxy). Are there any online resources? Thanks Brian

11/8/1999 5:21 PM
Bruce	While I personally use G10 in .062" thickness, there are others who do use the thicker .125" G10. Charles does and he also sells precut boards for DIYr's http://www.swampamp.com/moparts.html#moparts1 Bruce

11/8/1999 6:47 PM

Bruce, I believe you're referring to the G10 board with no copper clad on it, right? I believe that Brian meant PCB, meaning a "printed circuit board" type, such that it has a copper sheet.

If that is what you want, Biran, I can't say that I have ever found a source for 1/8" PCB. But I have used, very successfully too, something thinner (probably on the order of 1/16") which I bought locally at Fry's Electronics -- I am not sure whether that is a national thing or just here in California. Nevertheless, Fry's is mostly a computer store, with some components as well. The PCB stuff shou;d be easy to find at any similar store in your area.

While the PCB is thinner than the G10 board (www.swampamp.com) that I use for the rest of the amps, it is really strong and I would say 1/8" would be an overkill.

If I am mistaken and Charlie Barcellona (SwAmp) is now carrying some 1/8" board with the copper clad and all, please someone confirm online. I would like to get me some of that.

11/9/1999 7:25 AM

Hi Guys....

Here's what I have in G10 board...

Precut strips 3.125 wide UNCLAD in .125 and .062 material.
Price is .40 and .20 per running inch in that width.

We get little waste when cutting to that width, however...

Other sizes can be made up, but it requires a whole sheet
(30x40) to be purchased.

Brians 12x12 sections came out a little on the expensive side, because of the scrap involved (could be used for other stuff I suppose).

The special cuts take about 2 weeks to get done, as I have to get it table sawed from a fellow with a diamond blade. The glass will just ruin even a carbide blade. For cross cutting the strips, I use a metal cutting hacksaw blade in the jig saw, but they dull out after just a few cuts.

I never realized this stuff was so tuff until I started cutting it!

11/9/1999 5:27 PM

WEll, I am one of Charles' satisfied customers. I have gotten the 3.25" wide board, and wgile you have to lean on it a bit to cut it (I use a jigsaw), it can definitely be done with ease. Perhaps a little sanding of the edges to make it as smooth as a baby's butt cheeks.

This stuff, the G10 board, is about as rugged as I have ever seen. The stainless steel bolts in my amps will sheer in half before the board breaks, it really it tough. I set it on aluminum standoffs and you can torque the screws down hard, and the board won't even twitch.

Not only it is far superior to the Fender style boards, the price is very good as well.

Just thought I'd share my satisfaction with you guys.

Gil

11/9/1999 10:45 PM

Copper clad....Ground plane

Thanks for the info about SwAmp. I'll probably place my order today.

I was wondering if a copper clad board might provide some enhancement (less noise introduced) to the typical turret board layout. Etch out the copper around the turrets and use the rest as some sort of analog ground plane, soldering grounds directly to the board or board connection.

Has anyone tried this before? Is it worth trying?

Most of the copper clad stuff I've seen has looked kind of whimpy underneath..thin.

Thanks again.

11/10/1999 2:26 AM
Don Symes	It sure can't hurt. Think about using some of that copper shielding tape on a nice, thick turret board - no nasty chemicals, easy to deal with, a bit expensive, though. It does make an unbeatable star ground for all the low-level circuits.

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