Looking for cheaper custom PBC boards

eagletalontim

I am currently using ExpressPCB, but $120+ for 10ea 2 sided boards without solder mask is pretty expensive compared to what I have read, but I just can't seem to find the right company. My current board size is only 1.3" X 3.6". Does anyone know of a reliable, cheaper, custom PCB company I should give a try? I am hoping for a PCB editor kind of like ExpressPCB's since it is easy to use. Thanks for any help or feedback!

Leon

ITead Studio is much cheaper:

http://iteadstudio.com/store/index.php?cPath=19_20

I've used them for three sets of boards.

eagletalontim

I take it the only way to order a board through them is to email them the gerber files. Only problem is, I don't have any software to create gerber files. Do you have any recommendations for that?

PJAllen

Here's an option -- http://dorkbotpdx.org/wiki/pcb_order

Leon

I use Pulsonix, but it's rather expensive. DesignSpark from RS is free:

http://www.designspark.com/pcb?utm_source=dscaro&utm_medium=dscaro&utm_campaign=dscaro

Microcontrolled

Diptrace is excellent software. Compared to other popular options like EAGLE there is a very small learning curve and it is very powerful software. A non-commercial version is free.

If you need mass amounts of PCB's made, I recommend Golden Phoenix PCB.