Build Your Own Printed Circuit Board,   ISBN:9780071427838

Customer Rating: 

This is a well layed out book, but it is more of a tutorial on Eagle software than actually showing how to "make" your own boards. The title is a little misleading if you are looking for a "hands on" walk-through on how to produce a PCB.

Customer Rating: 

I have worked with schematics for a few years, they're fairly easy to understand once you get the basics of electronics; but PCB-building had always been a great mystery for me until I got this book and started experimenting with Eagle CAD software and some chemicals (not tranquilizers). First I learned how to extend the libraries, then to prepare the PCB layout - and autorouting, and finally, to develop the board using a laser printer and necessary chemicals. First trial was pathetic, but I got better with every new board, and my 5th board was perfect! Practice does pay off, and there is nothing like starting from scratch and succeeding.

So, if you want to learn about building PCB's from your schematics, get this book, read through, and do a LOT of google'ing to read any available sources, practice a lot, and don't give up if you fail at the beginning. You'll get better with practice.

Only weak point of this book is that there aren't enough pictures to illustrate the etching process. Otherwise, it is a perfect source of information.

Customer Rating: 

This book gives a pretty nice details and tutorials on how to use the different aspects of the Cadsoft Eagle drafting and layout tools. Probably not a book for those who intend to use Orcad or Pads, but for students and hobbyists that want use Cadsoft's freeware drafting tools to make circuit boards, it's invaluable. I especially like the references to things like appropriate drill sizes and trace widths that aren't in the Eagle manual.

Customer Rating: 

This is a great book for the price. Delivers what it promises, teach you how to make a PCB starting with the design software, intro to materials needed, and various methods for creating the boards. Great book for those interested.

Customer Rating: 

You can screw it up a few times with incomplete internet guides or you can read this detailed account of the most popular techniques for manufacturing your own pcb's. You will probably figure it out either way, but the wasted money on pcb's and other materials will pay for simply buying the book!

I used the "laser printer" process and it worked perfectly, exactly as described. I even have my name and the name of the year "professionally" printed into the copper!

If you want to send to a board house and don't know exactly what to do, buy this book! The author describes the file types and layers that are expected, along with everything you need to know about gerber files and other formats.

The book is also well-structured for use as a reference. I found myself cross-referencing many times and specific passages were always found within a few seconds. Read it once and keep it around as a reference!

Good luck, I hope that you are as happy with the results as I am.