🚀 go-pugleaf

> I am designing double sided boards that I am planning to etch myself.
> Now, I want to start using pin arrays and realized that I will now need 
> plated thru holes (where the copper lines the hole itself making a nice
> connection between top and bottom traces).  Is there a way I,
> a hobbyist with measly resources, can build a two-sided board
> with plated thru holes?  I would like to avoid the following:
>   
>   tremendous equipment expense
>   having to spend more than $10 per prototype board (outside the costs
>      of blank PC board)
> 
> Craig
---------
 
I worked in an electronics repair shop for the USMC a few years ago. We
did a lot of work on double sided boards and used a lot of products from
a company called PACE, Inc. They specialize in printed circuit rework and
repair. They have something called a CIR-KIT that has parts to repair runs
and plated through holes. If your boards will have a small number of plated
through holes you could use some of the eyelets they sell. 

To install an eyelet, you drill a hole through the run and the board, place
the eyelet through the hole, flare the ends of the eyelet, then tap them 
flat with a hammer and punch. After you solder them to the runs they make
a reliable plated through hole. Pace makes a variety of sizes to fit 
different thickness of boards and different diameter component leads.

I'll stick their address on here in case you want to contact them.
Good luck!

--- Otmar Borchard
    Hewlett-Packard
    Corvallis, Oregon


Pace Inc.                        Pace US-West
9893 Brewers Court       <or>    14451 Chambers Road, Suite 100
Laurel Maryland 20707            Tustin, California 92680-6913
(301)490-9860                    (714)838-8100