Do you ever want a small circuit board for a home project but don't want to deal with either the chemical disposal or learning a drafting package? ExpressPCB may be for you. I just used it and I was impressed.

I have a purchased PBA drafting package and it is not fun to use. I had a simple project I had to make 8 copies of fast. The drafting package did not have a easy step and repeat function that went from the schematic to the circuit card.

Express PCB comes with a simple layout program that allows drawing circuit traces the same way you would by taping a piece of polyester. There is no circuit checking in Express PCB. What you hook up gets hooked up correct or not.

On my simple circuit, I could fit 3 copies per quick turn board and you get 3 of them in 3 days. Armed with a metal ruler, gloves and a knife, I scored the cards on top and bottom so I could gently break them apart and had 9 PWBs to work with. ( I needed 8.)

Hints

• Use a .250 round pad and .125 hole for most #4 screws.
• Use a .060 trace for routing when possible. Thin traces break easy and are hard to remove solder from with out damage.
• Don't use inside angles less than 90 degrees.
• The program allow metal to .020 of edge. Try to keep parts and copper 0.1 from edge to make it easier to build.