Where do you guys get your board material

[gnugear]

I picked up some dark brown stuff that I used for my Marshall builds, but it isn't wide enough for the power supply. It's also kind of thick. Is there a resource for a variety of different materials?

[HeeBGB]

Try http://www.mcmaster.com do a search for garrolite. A lot of guys like the G10.

You can get it in different widths and lengths.

Oh yea...the .125" is the 1/8th of an inch thich stuff

Greg

[Bear]

How much of a pain is it to cut bigger sheets?

Bear

[Omar]

I also use McMaster. They are quick and have a couple of different colors. I would avoid the black that I used for my T-wreck since it is glossy and shows every little scratch and flux spot.

I have cut the garolite with a compound miter saw and with a jig saw without any issues.

Omar

[gnugear]

I noticed these different types;

High-Strength | Precision | Precision-Grade | Reinforced | Wear Resistant

Does it matter which you get? Are any easier than others to work with?

[mobisimo]

I get my board from hoffmanamps.com. He stocks 1/8" thick stuff, and you can get eyelet holes from either him or mouser. He also has turret supplies. You buy the board per linear inch. It's easy stuff to work with.

Aaron

[Moose]

Does it matter which you get? Are any easier than others to work with?

They're pretty much equal to work with. One may be slightly more hairy than another, or something like that, but I seriously doubt you'll notice a difference. I tend to just crank a board out, and I've been known to drill and stake turrets for modification well after the board was made, so I choose a slightly more scratch resistant version. But to use a less scratch resistant material would mean I'd only have to be *slightly* more careful.

Look for elecrical properties first and foremost. Oh, and color. Gotta have the right color for good mojo. I find the black G10/FR4 to have adequate mojo and also superior electrical properties, but my favorite is the BLUE G10 -- since everyone knows blue sounds best. XX is also ok as an insulator and comes with black mojo, though it does scratch easier than G10, and everyone knows a turret board needs to be pretty or it won't sound right.

Seriously, G7, G9, G11, G30 are all adequate, but are significantly more expensive than the G10. So I get my blue G10 (or black) based largely on the fact that it's the best insulator that's easy for me to work without scratching it while running it through my table saw. XX grade is regularly used by some homebrewers I know and, if you're not color picky, you can get it for half the price of G10. I suggest you choose one of these two.

[Dai H.]

and don't breathe the dust when you cut the material

[69SG]

Would It help tp put some lard on your table saw?
For scratches...that is.
I'm not talking about boning a Hog.
But big Gasper Goos are really greazy to?

[loverocker]

I still like proper phenolic boards for all of my builds - modern and vintage. But the paper-based ones (as used in old Brit amps) are harder to machine than many newer materials. You've got to alter your drill skills to suit the material so that you don't melt the material as you work it, and so that you don't get splintering as the bit breaks through the underside. When you do a couple of hundred holes per board, you learn fast, although the 'Swear Box' by the side of the bench fills up quick




For a similar look, phenolic fabric is quite a bit easier to machine. But it costs more. I'm sort of old-fashioned though the semi-clear, black and blue stuff all looks great, but they don't float my boat.

PS: Dai's right - fibre and phenolic are both pretty nasty materials to have flaoting into your lungs.

[69SG]

You know I cut a radio shack boards every no and then.
I soak off the copper wash the board.
I use a dremel with a cut of disc.
And I absolutly can not stand the way that stuff smells.
I have to put fan on it bowing the dust the other way
PEE-YEW

[Dai H.]

maybe the smell of formaldehyde

[Mark S]

Hmm...I actually like the smell of burning phenolic resin. Guess it reminds me of the core binder in a mold in the foundry. Got to love the smell of your livelihood! If you find that the black looks bad from scratches, etc., you can use a scotchbrite pad to scuff a flat finish on the board. That looks pretty cool.

[EL34]

You can get pre cut 3 1/8" wide strips up to 36" long here.
Circuit board

I have a nice tech section on my web site on how to install turret lugs in 1/8th inch board.
Here's the link.
Turret Board making instructions

[doctord02]

Hey Doug, welcome aboard!

Glad to see you around here. Guys, Doug is one of the nicest amp part vendors in the business. I've bought several items from him over the years, and highly recommend him.