ilovefuzz.com

Hey guys I'm a noob and I want to try building a DAM Meathead clone using the vero layout at freestomboxes.org.

I've never used vero before and I don't really know how it works. Can anyone help me with the basics of working on vero?

I don't really know how you attatch the components.. Do you solder them into a pad like on a pcb? Also I see on the layouts they say you make "cuts". How do you do that?

If anyone could help me with those questions and whatever else you think I should know about vero it would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Hi.
A vero layout isn't really different from any other layout.. the thing is that you still have the PCB and you still have your copper pads you solder your components on, but rather than just making connections via worms out of solder, you have the copper "pads" in connected rows.. so you basically just have to cut the copper-row at certain points with a sharp knife or something so you don't shorten everything out...
I hope that helped...

Officer Bukowski wrote:Also I see on the layouts they say you make "cuts". How do you do that?
Thanks!

Use a drill bit, just by hand. Don't put it in an actual drill or you'll go straight through lol. The thing with vero is to just constantly check you're putting things in the right place. Always keep an eye on how many holes y should be away from x etc. To avoid a lot of this

Thanks guys. Where's a good place to buy some?

In depth explanation:

Veroboard (a brand of stripboard) is arranged in rows of copper strips with holes every .1" apart. When you arrange components you place them through the board like you would on something like perf, but the layouts are based around the strips of copper for the circuit path, much like the traces on a PCB. A cut is a break in the copper strip to halt the flow and to allow use of the rest of the copper strip for other parts of the circuit with no electrical interaction. Like mysteriousj said, the easy way is to just get a drill but and drill the copper away (but not through the board). Really, though, you can get more compact layouts if you use an X-acto or something to make cuts in the tracks between the holes. It's a great way to get the hang of layout design before you graduate to PCB design, if you're into that sort of thing.

Any other questions?

**EDIT** Just search around for stripboard instead of Vero. It's a bit more broad and if you include both you'll get even more hits. I seem to find the best deals on eBay.

Idk if you have a local electronics store? If yes, you might get your stuff there... it would probably be cheaper than ordering online... except if you get free shipping... but i like to support my local stores because they have the stuff I need and they are small very personal stores. Not like radioshack or something.

Thanks bubstance. You're the man.

Schlatte - I have a frys but that's all I've been to. I checked last time I was there and it was like $10 a sheet.

I live in orange county, California so I'm sure there are some good stores nearby. I've heard of a good one that's pretty close so I'll check it out

tayda has some but only small boards, good for small designs though. http://www.taydaelectronics.com/servlet/the-Hardware-cln-Prototyping-Boards/Categories

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-st ... rds/1.html

It's the "line pattern" stuff.

Personally, I prefer standard perfboard. BUT, everyone like different things. My brain just works better for perf, and the layouts are smaller.

Schlatte wrote:Idk if you have a local electronics store? If yes, you might get your stuff there... it would probably be cheaper than ordering online... except if you get free shipping... but i like to support my local stores because they have the stuff I need and they are small very personal stores. Not like radioshack or something.

i agree, although small stores are usually more expensive than ordering online, even including the shipping. but if i need something right away without having to wait, i go there.