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3 PCB's for $48 — Parallax Forums

3 PCB's for $48

ercoerco Posts: 20,261
edited 2011-03-11 07:56 in General Discussion
http://www.a-wit.com/PCB/3_48.htm from New Jersey with 10-day service. 9.5 sq. inch max.

Is that a decent price for the offering?

Comments

  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2011-03-10 13:54
    I usually pay less than $60 for my prototype boards from Advanced Circuits in Colorado. The differences are in the quantity, speed and country of origin. Maybe quality too. If the boards are small I may get ten for that price but if they are large, only a couple. Turnaround is about a day versus ten business days (about two weeks) and it is important to me to support businesses in my own country whenever possible.

    I am guessing that A-Wit is actually using a Chinese board house. If they really are made in the U.S. and you don't mind waiting half a month, then I say go for it.

    Rich H
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-03-10 14:05
    @erco That seems to be in line with the prices at Express PCB for their MiniBoard (2.5" x 3.8"):

    http://www.expresspcb.com/expresspcbhtm/costs.htm

    Express PCB only has One or Two day shipping on that offer.
    W9GFO wrote: »
    I usually pay less than $60 for my prototype boards from Advanced Circuits in Colorado. The differences are in the quantity, speed and country of origin. Maybe quality too. If the boards are small I may get ten for that price but if they are large, only a couple. Turnaround is about a day versus ten business days (about two weeks) and it is important to me to support businesses in my own country whenever possible.

    I am guessing that A-Wit is actually using a Chinese board house. If they really are made in the U.S. and you don't mind waiting half a month, then I say go for it.

    Rich H
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2011-03-10 14:10
    Looks likes 10-day with no shipping charge, and 5-Day optional with extra charge. May undercut Express PCB by a few dollars.
    W9GFO wrote: »
    Turnaround is about a day versus ten business days (about two weeks) and it is important to me to support businesses in my own country whenever possible.

    I am guessing that A-Wit is actually using a Chinese board house. If they really are made in the U.S. and you don't mind waiting half a month, then I say go for it.

    Rich H
  • schillschill Posts: 741
    edited 2011-03-10 14:11
    W9GFO wrote: »
    ... it is important to me to support businesses in my own country whenever possible.

    I am guessing that A-Wit is actually using a Chinese board house. If they really are made in the U.S. and you don't mind waiting half a month, then I say go for it.

    The home page (http://www.c-stamp.com/) says they are made by a company in New Jersey - but it doesn't say that's where the fabrication is done.

    The turnaround time means they are probably either running a small fabrication shop or outsourcing it, I guess.

    I also like to have things made in the US (expresspcb, etc.). Partly to keep the business in the US, partly because I expect that the waste materials will be handled better and not just dumped in the water supply.
  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,452
    edited 2011-03-10 15:59
    Between the quick turnaround and the default shipping, it's hard to beat ExpressPCB if you don't mind using their proprietary software and your project fits the MiniBoard form factor. I use them frequently and am very satisfied with them (but I rarely do anything fancy).
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,726
    edited 2011-03-10 16:40
    On the surface, looks like a worthy alternative to ExpressPCB, except their minimums are not as good (8 mil track/space and 20mil hole) cf ExpressPCB (6mil/14mil). Plus, solder mask and silkscreen are an option on the ExpressPCB.

    DorkBotPDX still wins - 3 boards 9.5 square inches for $47.50, including shipping. Similar timeframe, but better minimums (6 mil track & space, 14 mil holes), and these include silkscreen and solder masks. Plus they are made in the USA.
  • vaclav_salvaclav_sal Posts: 451
    edited 2011-03-11 07:27
    I just started to use PCB houses service.

    $5 per square inch and getting three copies seems to be an average price.

    For my prototyping I decided to stay away from non US shops and shops using proprietary software.
    Sorry to say this , but for production runs , including “stuffing”, foreign made is still more economical. Maybe some day US companies will wake up and quit being so greedy bottom line quarterly financial report oriented!(Off the soapbox now)
  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2011-03-11 07:56
    That "...greedy bottom line quarterly financial report oriented" aspect of "US companies" is what has given me and thousands others somethinig called a "job" - and I'm d@mn thankful for it.

    DJ
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