Circuit board repairer
Discussion
droopsnoot said:
A "hard" circuit board, or one of the plastic ones that fits on the back of some dashboards? I'm currently making a new one of the latter, having done one a year or two back for another car. Progress is halted at the moment because I slipped with the scalpel.
This little thing. Controls the lights 
droopsnoot said:
A "hard" circuit board, or one of the plastic ones that fits on the back of some dashboards? I'm currently making a new one of the latter, having done one a year or two back for another car. Progress is halted at the moment because I slipped with the scalpel.
"the plastic ones" Technically called Flexible Printed Circuits 
How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
john2443 said:
"the plastic ones" Technically called Flexible Printed Circuits How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.
If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
As an electronics hobbyist I moved from making my own PCB's to just having them made professionally. How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
$2 for 5 boards and I don't have to mess with ferric chloride anymore.
.https://www.hackster.io/electroboy001/jlcpcb-smt-a...
NMNeil said:
john2443 said:
"the plastic ones" Technically called Flexible Printed Circuits How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.
If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
As an electronics hobbyist I moved from making my own PCB's to just having them made professionally. How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
$2 for 5 boards and I don't have to mess with ferric chloride anymore.
.https://www.hackster.io/electroboy001/jlcpcb-smt-a...
I agree, the only reason to DIY nowadays is if you have too much time on your hands, want a challenge and don't mind pretty poor results....
john2443 said:
droopsnoot said:
A "hard" circuit board, or one of the plastic ones that fits on the back of some dashboards? I'm currently making a new one of the latter, having done one a year or two back for another car. Progress is halted at the moment because I slipped with the scalpel.
"the plastic ones" Technically called Flexible Printed Circuits How are you making them? I used to work for one of the companies that made them for Smiths/Lucas/BL, Ford, Vauxhall/Opel etc, but we had tools to make a few thousand a day, we never made even prototypes by hand, they were etched.If you're cutting the tracks with a scalpel and stripping off the spare copper in the gaps, that must be hard work!
The problem is that the little "tags" where the dash light holders clip into place break off, and they're tricky to repair. The new copper is slightly thicker than the original, which ought to be good. It's not quite as "smooth" as the original, but it does the job.
brman said:
Or pcbway. They also do flexi and flexi-rigid, albeit at higher costs.
I agree, the only reason to DIY nowadays is if you have too much time on your hands, want a challenge and don't mind pretty poor results....
I hadn't thought of trying to get someone to make one for me, as I only wanted one (which turned out to be two). I do have more spare time than spare money most of the time, and don't mind having a go. I just had a quick look at pcbway, "albeit at higher costs" is the key phrase - rough price around $350 for 5.I agree, the only reason to DIY nowadays is if you have too much time on your hands, want a challenge and don't mind pretty poor results....
Edited by droopsnoot on Tuesday 3rd January 18:43
vpr said:
droopsnoot said:
A "hard" circuit board, or one of the plastic ones that fits on the back of some dashboards? I'm currently making a new one of the latter, having done one a year or two back for another car. Progress is halted at the moment because I slipped with the scalpel.
This little thing. Controls the lights Edited by gifdy on Tuesday 3rd January 21:51
droopsnoot said:
I hadn't thought of trying to get someone to make one for me, as I only wanted one (which turned out to be two). I do have more spare time than spare money most of the time, and don't mind having a go. I just had a quick look at pcbway, "albeit at higher costs" is the key phrase - rough price around $350 for 5.
True, I have to admit I was thinking something a few inches square when I suggested pcbway. Size does make it expensive Edited by droopsnoot on Tuesday 3rd January 18:43
I also have to admit I admire you patience doing something like that!
You need to go through the trade but these guys have done work on abs controllers for me in the past.
https://www.actronics.co.uk/
There do seem to be some proper cowboys out there so tread carefully.
https://www.actronics.co.uk/
There do seem to be some proper cowboys out there so tread carefully.
brman said:
Or pcbway. They also do flexi and flexi-rigid, albeit at higher costs.
I agree, the only reason to DIY nowadays is if you have too much time on your hands, want a challenge and don't mind pretty poor results....
My DIY PCB days ended when I 'borrowed' the wife's iron to do a toner ink transfer and it didn't go as planned I agree, the only reason to DIY nowadays is if you have too much time on your hands, want a challenge and don't mind pretty poor results....
vpr said:
Can anyone recommend a reliable vehicle circuit board repairer?
Many thx in advance
Paramount Electronics - really good!Many thx in advance
https://www.paramountelectronics.co.uk/about_repai...
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