almondcity
Well-known member
I admit it. As a "lib" I do feel quite "owned" by this
Jlcpcb and tariffs
- Thread starter Locrian99
- Start date
y-u-no-f800b
New member
I mean, I guess there's OSH Park if you don't mind purple solder mask and having to sand pointy spurs off the edges of every board. I've also used their "After Dark" (clear solder mask/black substrate) service for a project where looks were important. $25 and a few weeks wait gets you three average pedal size pcbs. Good enough solution for DIYers, maybe not practical for businesses. Still 10x more expensive than China, but at least you get ENIG. Probably going to use JLC for orders of 25+ boards, but I'm moving back to OSH Park for prototypes and one-offs.
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vigilante398
Authorized Vendor
The look of the after dark is literally the only reason I use OSH for anything, those boards look amazing and are worth the price.
I got an email last night that said something to the effect of "Tariffs got you down? Move your manufacturing to Malaysia!" I was intrigued enough to email them and ask for details on their process, and it turns out I had actually talked to them at a manufacturing trade show last year (I hang out at trade shows for the same reason I hang out on forums) then lost touch because I was happy with JLC at the time. I'm planning to send them one of my designs and see how their prices stack up.
Paul.Ruby
Well-known member
OSH is, at least, not ridiculous. They directly import kicad files (nice). $5/sq in for 3 boards is just under the ridiculous level and is not money sent directly to trump's grubby hands.
Malaysia might be an option. @vigilante398 what company in malaysia are you talking about?
Malaysia might be an option. @vigilante398 what company in malaysia are you talking about?
vigilante398
Authorized Vendor
The company is Pica Manufacturing, looks like they have an office in the states and factories overseas. They're not hobbyist-oriented like the places we're used to, you actually need to contact them to request a quote, there's no automated ordering process. I'll certainly report back when I get more information from them.
And frankly whether they work out or not, the Design-2-Part show where I met them last year is happening here next week, so I'll be sure to talk to them and some of the other dozen or so PCB fabrication shops that usually come to the show.
If anyone in the Chicago area wants to go to the show let me know and I can send you details. It's free to attend with free parking, which is a rarity around here.
