I do a fair bit of soldering (lead-free). Is breathing in solder/flux/paste fumes actually going to harm me? Are cheap fume extractors worth buying?

I've been milling over the different options for sourcing professionally manufactured PCBs. I've just started a business and I'm looking to make a few electronic kits, for now were …

I'd like to make a single board computer capable of booting Linux, with my low-tech garage tools (2 sided PCBs, reflow skillet, no plating through holes). What's the simplest hard …

Hi everyone, I'm pretty new to all this, only having used an Arduino for a couple of weeks now. Having said that I'm preparing to build my first "proper" circuit from the ground …

Is there a common netlist format that is portable between different schematic/pcb/EDA/CAD tools, and if so where is the format or reference so I can implement it? If not, does eac …

I just spent about 20 minutes trying to cut through a PCB with a hacksaw. These things are really tough. What is the correct tool to cut PCB material, and get a nice straight line …

I've made a couple of PCBs which need the odd few 10 mil tracks, but are mostly 20/30 mil. Unfortunately the etching process isn't fantastic and there are numerous breaks in the tr …

Do you know of any freeware or low cost circuit / PCB design software? I know a few which I have listed below but I was wondering if there were more of its kind. Please mention th …

Hi all. Not entirely sure if this applies to ChipHacker, if it doesn't, I apologise for posting. But it definitely applies to the subject of electronics in general. Im currently wo …

I'm anxiously awaiting the delivery of my second set of custom designed PCBs from BatchPCB. The first board I designed was pretty darn simple and didn't have any problems. This s …

I'd like to design a PCB for an analog loop controller.. something with an A/D, D/A, and processor on board. (Either DSP or FPGA, I haven't decided.) Since this should modulate a …

After etching a PCB I discovered a big spot across some of the traces - proberly from a finger. I transferred the PCB layout from a transparent film. What would be the best way t …