PCB or hand wire?

[Vozella]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

[Steezus]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

If you can source a PCB then I would personally go with that. However, if you have an obscure layout or form factor then hand wiring would be your only option unless you get a custom PCB made. What build are you looking at doing?

[Vozella]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

If you can source a PCB then I would personally go with that. However, if you have an obscure layout or form factor then hand wiring would be your only option unless you get a custom PCB made. What build are you looking at doing?

Well, my layout keeps changing. I've had many revisions.
I'm currently deciding between these two.

Is getting a custom PCB a good idea?

[Steezus]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

If you can source a PCB then I would personally go with that. However, if you have an obscure layout or form factor then hand wiring would be your only option unless you get a custom PCB made. What build are you looking at doing?

Well, my layout keeps changing. I've had many revisions.
I'm currently deciding between these two.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
Is getting a custom PCB a good idea?

Oh ok that is not a normal layout. Getting a custom PCB makes the build much easier imo but it can be more costly, something like that you'd probably be better off handwiring to a Teensy to save cost.

[Vozella]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

If you can source a PCB then I would personally go with that. However, if you have an obscure layout or form factor then hand wiring would be your only option unless you get a custom PCB made. What build are you looking at doing?

Well, my layout keeps changing. I've had many revisions.
I'm currently deciding between these two.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
Is getting a custom PCB a good idea?

Oh ok that is not a normal layout. Getting a custom PCB makes the build much easier imo but it can be more costly, something like that you'd probably be better off handwiring to a Teensy to save cost.

How much does it cost? $50? $100? $200!?

[Steezus]

I've had people tell me I should use a PCB for my custom build and I've had others tell me I should hand wire instead. Which one should I do? (I don't really know what else to say.)

If you can source a PCB then I would personally go with that. However, if you have an obscure layout or form factor then hand wiring would be your only option unless you get a custom PCB made. What build are you looking at doing?

Well, my layout keeps changing. I've had many revisions.
I'm currently deciding between these two.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
Is getting a custom PCB a good idea?

Oh ok that is not a normal layout. Getting a custom PCB makes the build much easier imo but it can be more costly, something like that you'd probably be better off handwiring to a Teensy to save cost.

How much does it cost? $50? $100? $200!?

I'm honestly not quite sure, I personally have never had a custom PCB made. That isn't my expertise but you'd need somebody to design it for you then have somebody manufacture as well. It may also be difficult just having one made, you may need to buy a couple but then you could always sell them to others to enjoy the same layout as yourself.

[VinnyCordeiro]

How much does it cost? $50? $100? $200!?

That depends on the size of the PCB and where you live. As an example: buying 5 Poker-sized PCBs from PCBway.com with DHL shipping to the USA will cost you $74 minimum.

EDIT: I've made the math converting your layout to millimeters: the PCB for the board at the left will cost you $94, the one at the right will cost $100. Both including shipping to USA via DHL, 5 PCBs included.

[user 18]

Nothing wrong with hand-wiring, you just need to be aware of the limitations that puts on your plate design.

[Vozella]

So what I'm getting is that PCB is the better option but people recommend hand wiring because it's cheaper.
Who would I go to for a PCB? Maybe I can get a quote to see how much it would be.

[VinnyCordeiro]

So what I'm getting is that PCB is the better option but people recommend hand wiring because it's cheaper.
Who would I go to for a PCB? Maybe I can get a quote to see how much it would be.

The biggest "problem" with a PCB is that you must design it first if you are going to make an exotic layout. Then we have fabrication, as the fab house will give you just the bare PCB, you will have to solder the components yourself. And after all that you have to make a case for all of this.

If this is your first custom keyboard and you don't have prior PCB design experience, it is faster to go the hand wire way.

[Vozella]

So what I'm getting is that PCB is the better option but people recommend hand wiring because it's cheaper.
Who would I go to for a PCB? Maybe I can get a quote to see how much it would be.

The biggest "problem" with a PCB is that you must design it first if you are going to make an exotic layout. Then we have fabrication, as the fab house will give you just the bare PCB, you will have to solder the components yourself. And after all that you have to make a case for all of this.

If this is your first custom keyboard and you don't have prior PCB design experience, it is faster to go the hand wire way.

Okay then. Hand wire it is.

[Zustiur]

So what I'm getting is that PCB is the better option but people recommend hand wiring because it's cheaper.
Who would I go to for a PCB? Maybe I can get a quote to see how much it would be.

The biggest "problem" with a PCB is that you must design it first if you are going to make an exotic layout. Then we have fabrication, as the fab house will give you just the bare PCB, you will have to solder the components yourself. And after all that you have to make a case for all of this.

If this is your first custom keyboard and you don't have prior PCB design experience, it is faster to go the hand wire way.

Agreed. Hand wire for prototypes and one off designs. PCB for final designs and bulk manufacturing.