old-style PCB manufacturers?

theehman · Post by **theehman** » 04 Jan 2025, 19:36

Is there anywhere I can PCBs made that look old-style with brown phenolic and no solder masking?

plush · Post by **plush** » 04 Jan 2025, 20:59

Yes
https://www.pcbdirectory.com/manufactur ... erial=FR-1

But, ffs, why on earth would anyone want this...

tonyharker · Post by **tonyharker** » 05 Jan 2025, 09:57

You can always make your own using toner transfer - if you have a laser printer.

Dirk_Hendrik · Post by **Dirk_Hendrik** » 12 Jan 2025, 16:19

Funny.
Professionally fabbed boards have become much easier to obtain for DIY-ers in small quantities over the last 10-15 years thanks to jlc's and pcbways. However, this type (FR1) of board, low quality and even double sided already an issue, that is still used in stunning quanties in low-tech consumer electronics, is only obtainable if one is able to order in multi-k quantities.

Primary reason for using this type of board, as I understood from the EMS doing all the Philips "Avent" electronics production, is that the holes in the board can be punched instead of drilled. That means that all holes can be done in one cycle which brings production time and tooling cost down dramatically (for large quantities).

theehman · Post by **theehman** » 12 Jan 2025, 20:24

I'll probably just go with single sided black FR4

Cub · Post by **Cub** » 12 Jan 2025, 20:56

What are you cooking there, Ron ?
Perhaps you could ask our forum brother peps1 of Pigeon FX where he gets his boards done.
https://pigeonfx.com/

theehman · Post by **theehman** » 12 Jan 2025, 21:04

I think I did send him a message but never heard back from him.

theehman · Post by **theehman** » 12 Jan 2025, 21:08

This year is the 30th anniversary of my Hairpie pedal. I was thinking of doing a short run of it in a triangle knob-style Big Muff chassis with a vintage style circuit board.

Cub · Post by **Cub** » 13 Jan 2025, 07:43

That's a great way to celebrate ! I've done a little searching and found this little store on Reverb.
Not phenolic, but it's looking quite good and has nicely tinned traces as well.
https://reverb.com/item/85746450-triang ... eplica-pcb

theehman · Post by **theehman** » 13 Jan 2025, 10:17

Cub wrote: ↑13 Jan 2025, 07:43 That's a great way to celebrate ! I've done a little searching and found this little store on Reverb.
Not phenolic, but it's looking quite good and has nicely tinned traces as well.
https://reverb.com/item/85746450-triang ... eplica-pcb

I did order one of his pcbs but they're pretty pricey with shipping to the USA. That is the style I'm going for.