Hello Orin, Like I mentioned before http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml will accept the ExpressPCB program file and their prices are very reasonable compared to having the work done through ExpressPCB themselves. Bill....WB6BNQ Orin Eman wrote: >On Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 7:25 PM, Brooke Clarke <brooke@pacific.net> wrote: > > > >>Hi Chris: >> >>ExpressPCB has very easy to use free software for schematic capture (later >>used to check the board wiring) and software for board layout including >>making custom components if their library of stock components does not have >>what you need. The output file format is proprietary, which makes it >>interesting that Far Circuits can read it. >> >>I just have not wanted to go through learning curve for Gerber files and >>all the associated stuff (maybe drilling, silk screen, solder mask) which >>is very easy to do with ExpressPCB. >> >> > > > >I did my first 'CAD' PCB with EasyTrax... a DOS program. Must have been >about 1998 as that's the copyright date I put on the board. > >Believe me, getting any of the current programs to produce gerber files is >trivial compared to using EasyTrax and making it produce gerber files. In >fact, I usually us itead.cc for small boards and they provide the script to >produce gerber files from Eagle, which is what I currently use. I've also >used OSH Park and you can simply send an Eagle board file to them; just as >easy as using ExpressPCB without the expensive tie-in. > >I must admit ExpressPCB leaves me with a sour taste - many published >projects seem to use them as I suppose the author liked the free >software. But then everyone that uses the ExpressPCB files that the author >supplies pays the ExpressPCB premium. $300 in one case and the boards >weren't even flat! > >Orin. >_______________________________________________ >time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com >To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >and follow the instructions there. > > >

I did not know Futurlec accepted ExpressPCB files, so I checked. The equivalent to ExpressPCB mini board pro service (2 sided, solder mask and silk screen, 3 pieces, same size) is $86 + shipping and one week to shipment. ExpressPCB is $75 in 3-4 days in your mailbox including FedEx (they do offer cheaper/slower delivery methods). I did not check other dimensions/quantities. On Sat, Aug 13, 2016 at 2:14 AM, wb6bnq <wb6bnq@cox.net> wrote: > Hello Orin, > > Like I mentioned before http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml will > accept the ExpressPCB program file and their prices are very reasonable > compared to having the work done through ExpressPCB themselves. > > Bill....WB6BNQ > > Orin Eman wrote: > > On Fri, Aug 12, 2016 at 7:25 PM, Brooke Clarke <brooke@pacific.net> wrote: >> >> >> >>> Hi Chris: >>> >>> ExpressPCB has very easy to use free software for schematic capture >>> (later >>> used to check the board wiring) and software for board layout including >>> making custom components if their library of stock components does not >>> have >>> what you need. The output file format is proprietary, which makes it >>> interesting that Far Circuits can read it. >>> >>> I just have not wanted to go through learning curve for Gerber files and >>> all the associated stuff (maybe drilling, silk screen, solder mask) which >>> is very easy to do with ExpressPCB. >>> >>> >> >> >> >> I did my first 'CAD' PCB with EasyTrax... a DOS program. Must have been >> about 1998 as that's the copyright date I put on the board. >> >> Believe me, getting any of the current programs to produce gerber files is >> trivial compared to using EasyTrax and making it produce gerber files. In >> fact, I usually us itead.cc for small boards and they provide the script >> to >> produce gerber files from Eagle, which is what I currently use. I've also >> used OSH Park and you can simply send an Eagle board file to them; just as >> easy as using ExpressPCB without the expensive tie-in. >> >> I must admit ExpressPCB leaves me with a sour taste - many published >> projects seem to use them as I suppose the author liked the free >> software. But then everyone that uses the ExpressPCB files that the >> author >> supplies pays the ExpressPCB premium. $300 in one case and the boards >> weren't even flat! >> >> Orin. >> _______________________________________________ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/m >> ailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. >> >> >> > > _______________________________________________ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/m > ailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. >