There is a surface mount solder stencil service related to OSHPARK as well:
oshstencils.com

For cheap PCBs, I've used itead studio.  Pricing is similar to the others
that have been mentioned and I can't see anything wrong with the boards
I've had made.  Though from comments on EEVBlog, you don't want to push the
limits on track width and spacing with any of these services.  If they say
6mil, I'd use 8.

Personally, I'd use one of the pcb suppliers mentioned over ExpressPCB.
You aren't tied to their software, you will get 10 boards and it will be
cheaper even with DHL shipping (airmail isn't bad, but adds a week or two,
more at this time of year).

On Wed, Dec 3, 2014 at 8:46 AM, Mark Sims holrum@hotmail.com wrote:

Mark wrote:

For me, the problem with Eagle is the board size limit that you
mention.  Even the full ("Standard") edition (currently $315-$820 for
one user, depending on whether you get the schematic and autorouter
modules) is limited to boards sized 16x10 cm (about 4"x6").  The
least expensive version ("Light," currently $69 or free) only does
8x10 cm.  To design boards larger than 16x10 cm, you need the
"Professional" edition (currently $635-$1640).

For many of us, the "Hobbyist" edition (currently $169 for all three
modules -- 6 layers, 16x10 cm) is the "sweet spot," but it is limited
to "non-commercial" uses.  I presume this means that you may not
design a board and sell completed gizmos that have the boards in
them, or kits that include fabbed boards or the board files.

Anyway, I often need boards larger than 16x10 cm, so Eagle doesn't
seem to fit my needs -- it's a tool with a steep leaning curve that
would only do about half of my boards.  And $1640 for the "Pro"
version (or even $820 for the "Standard" version) is (IMO) way too
expensive for the capability I need.

Why did they settle on 16x10 cm for the less expensive
versions??  That seems pretty arbitrary, given that the
"Professional" version supports boards 400x400 cm.  I gather 16x10 cm
is a common Eurocard size, but I don't see why that would guide the limit.

To interest me, the "Hobbyist" version would need to be capable of
doing boards at least 8"x10" (about 40x50 cm).  But with the recent
improvements in KiCAD, and its growing popularity (and, thus, support
community), it may be the winner.

I'd be interested to hear from users, whether partisan or neutral,
who have recent experience with both packages (Eagle 6 or 7 and
KiCAD 2013.07.07).

Best regards,

Charles

I've used both and settled on KiCAD.  I have customers that use Eagle,
so I have the most recent versions installed and use it on a regular
basis as well.

Both Eagle and KiCAD have their quirks.  There are a lot of library
components for both.  This isn't much of a factor for me because I
always seem to build my own for projects.  I find building KiCAD parts
easier than Eagle, though I've heard others claim exactly the opposite.

Eagle has a larger user base and therefore support community. KiCAD has
a smaller, but very effective support community.

My recommendation is give KiCAD a try.  The real cost for either package
is the learning curve, and I think KiCAD is easier to get productive in.

Oz (In DFW)

On 12/3/2014 4:46 PM, Charles Steinmetz wrote:

--
mailto:oz@ozindfw.net
Oz
POB 93167
Southlake, TX 76092 (Near DFW Airport)

On 12/03/2014 05:46 PM, Charles Steinmetz wrote:

Somewhere they say that it's half an Eurocard.

We have the Professional licenses.  As you say, the learning curve is
steep but once learned, I find myself surprisingly productive.  But the
autorouter is junk.  We bought one license but I never could get it
configured to do anything useful.

We have a LOT of IP tied up in Eagle's proprietary version 5 format.  We
upgraded to 6 and 7 but the conversion to the new XML splattered every
layout we threw at it so we demanded a refund and are still using V5.

The real catalyst for our move to KiCad was that after they'd collected
a bunch of upgrade fees, they announced that the new version would come
with copy protection.  The user base revolted and they backed down in a
little less than 6 weeks.  But lesson learned.

I'll keep a current unlicensed version installed so I can view what
others are doing but our involvement with Eagle is over.

I'm starting a new induction heater design next week using KiCAD.  I'll
occasionally report on how it's going.

John

--
John DeArmond
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
http://www.fluxeon.com      <-- THE source for induction heaters
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http://www.johndearmond.com <-- Best damned Blog on the net
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