PCBs

Boards

• Some Eagle BoardFiles.

Places we've tried (please add comments)

• [Custom PCB] - based in Malaysia. Accepts Eagle .brd files. Accepts multiple designs in a single order and will depanelize (for a fee, of course). Fast, cheap, good! Did an order with 3 designs, double-sided, solder mask both sides. Total of 24 boards (1"x1.25" each) for about $4 each delivered. With close traces, they might bleed into each other. Go as big and widely spaced as you can.
• [AP Circuits] - based in Alberta. I've used them before. Not so cheap but fast and good. (mang)

Other places

• [Olimex] - single side 6.3" x 3.9" for $21. Based in Bulgaria.
• [Advanced Circuits]
• [PCBexpress]
• More info: http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/egr326/PCBManufacturing

Design software

• [Eagle CAD] - freeware version
• [gEDA] - a GPLed electronic design package. Under active development.
• [Osmond PCB] - for macintosh, free
• Lots of free software listed here: http://www.opencollector.org/collector.php3

DIY

• [PCB FAQ] - nice tutorial on making your own PCBs
• $40 tank w/heater and agitator [here]

Stripboard

• Nice example of how to use EagleCAD to design for stripboard [here]

Soldering

• SMT soldering tutorial using an AVR dev board [here]

mang's notes to his own bad self

• putting a square pad on pin 1 of headers is good, but a larger rectangle would be better (single row headers only)
• some text (e.g. ADC, Vin) on top side next to headers would be good
• should mark pin 1 on ICs
• with AVR no need to make LEDs negative logic
• 1"x1.25" seems to be a good size for CustomPCB (24 boards in their standard size order)
• surface mount coin cell holders could be a good thing
• SOT-223 voltage regulators look interesting
• make your traces as large and widely spaced as possible
• remember to leave space for mounting holes, if that's your thing

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