PCB fab strangeness.

[mobyd]

Amongst the odds and ends I make is a media distribution amplifier. This consists of a driver board (amp, vu meter, PSU etc) and 4 (or more) output connector boards (each containing 7 xlr connectors and transformers, pad switches etc). I used to get my pcbs made by Custom PCB (aka Silver Circuits in Malaysia), who had a deal where you could get a bunch of A4 panels made up for not a lot of money and they didn't care what was on the panel, so I'd lay up the boards in the correct ratio (1:4) and guillotine them up myself when they showed up. Shock horror probe!!!! Custom have cancelled this service completely and upped the cost dramatically for what they do still make. OK, time to find a new supplier - 1 driver board and 4 output boards are around 65sq", so I thought I'd get 3 lots for the 200sq" deal Gold Phoenix offer on EBAY (user id "Hannovercat") so I bought the deal and sent off my 65sq" panel files.
Wu Wu Wuwu (can you believe that name!) : Sorry, cannot make this, there are multiple designs on the board.
Me : They are all part of the same design.
Wu : Sorry , they are multiple designs.
Me : If I hook them all together, will you make them
(Resubmit file with a track connecting all the bits)
Wu : Sorry, board too big for our machine
Me : Board is 65sq", you say max size for any board is 15"x15", I think 65sq" is less than 225sq"
Wu : Sorry, multiple designs not allowed.
Me : Please refund money
(They refund money with the comment "Customer changed his mind")
Two questions :
1 : Why do they give a flying **** what is on the board?.
2 : Anyone out there doing a service like Custom used to provide?.
Aaaaaarrrrgggh!!!!!
M
(Time for a PCB fab version of Monty Python's "Cheese Shop" skit)

[astouffer]

I've used Futurlec - PCB Manufacturing Service and PCB Production once and was pleased with the results. The prices were very good and they accept all the major file formats. I believe the service is located in Asia.

[richie00boy]

Try these guys. PCB Manufacture, PCB Manufacture from Circuit Technology

[nigelwright7557]

I no longer bother with local expensive manufacturers.

I use a Chinese manufacturer off ebay.
Datang is his ebay name.

I get my pcb's for a third of the money they want locally.
I also sometimes get a few extra thrown in for free !

[mobyd]

Originally Posted by nigelwright7557

I no longer bother with local expensive manufacturers.

I use a Chinese manufacturer off ebay.
Datang is his ebay name.

I get my pcb's for a third of the money they want locally.
I also sometimes get a few extra thrown in for free !

"Datang" comes up as a US bloke selling T-shirts
when I do a seller search on fleabay.
Cheers
M

[nigelwright7557]

Originally Posted by mobyd

"Datang" comes up as a US bloke selling T-shirts
when I do a seller search on fleabay.
Cheers
M

Sorry datang811

Multilayer PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD (PCB) Manufacture on eBay (end time 21-Nov-09 00:02:30 GMT)

Regards Nigel