Soldering to plated through holes is easier. Several companies are selling prototype boards with plated through holes. I have been using SparkFun's boards, which are available in different sizes. I like the strip and bus connections they have.Can't wait for this prototype to work so I can order some 1st rev PCBs. I feel like it will be way easier to solder through hole parts on a properly manufactured PCB.
Another 2 hours in and I've just got the sockets positioned and soldered in. Getting better at soldering pins though.
what is this white stuff you have over the resistor leads? brilliant.Soldering to plated through holes is easier. Several companies are selling prototype boards with plated through holes. I have been using SparkFun's boards, which are available in different sizes. I like the strip and bus connections they have.
Here's a portion of one I did using their medium board
John
So I'm just winging my layout, not because I don't know I shouldn't, but because I can't find(or haven't looked) a proper prototype layout tool. I have actually designed my finished product on Cad but what I'm doing first cannot look like my finished product. How should I be laying out the prototype phase?I use either thin Teflon tubing or Kynar spaghetti tubing. The latter is readily available from electronic distributors. The former from places like McMaster-Carr. I have quite an assortment from various non-electronic projects. In the example, I think it is Teflon. I actually prefer the Kynar as it is thinner. You can get in colors too. Teflon had a higher temperature rating.
The wire is 24 awg with Kynar insulation. I much prefer that type over PVC for its temperature rating and the fact that it doesn't melt back so badly. I have found vendor prices to vary greatly for it, so shop around.
John
I use Eagle for laying out my breadboards. It may not be as tarted up as Fritzing and others, but it allows schematic capture. Just make an "overlay" for whatever prototype board you have, put it on a 0.1" grid with grid visible, and route away. I use dimension layer for the overlay, but almost any layer will work.So I'm just winging my layout, not because I don't know I shouldn't, but because I can't find(or haven't looked) a proper prototype layout tool.
And not enough heat.A common error in soldering is to use too much solder.
And not enough wetting compound (flux).And not enough heat.
You reminded me that I'm not using flux, I do have a bottle of lead free solder flux that I use for plumbing... I assume i could just use that until i buy something better. That explains why my tip stopped wetting out really well.And not enough wetting compound (flux).
Your board doesn't look bad at all. The only suggestion I would have is to minimize the "tails" that show up on your board on the soldered side.
Do NOT use that flux for soldering electronic circuits. That is an ACID flux and will slowly eat away at your circuit. Your best bet would be to purchase some 60/40 (tin/lead) solder with an integrated flux core for your soldering of electronics.You reminded me that I'm not using flux, I do have a bottle of lead free solder flux that I use for plumbing... I assume i could just use that until i buy something better. That explains why my tip stopped wetting out really well.
Nooooooooooooooooooooo!I do have a bottle of lead free solder flux that I use for plumbing...
by Aaron Carman
by Jake Hertz
by Aaron Carman
by Jake Hertz