Manhattan-Style Circuit in a Copper Cladding Chassis

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By Gareth Branwyn
Posted 2011/09/01 @ 9:30 pm
Category Electronics

Yesterday, we posted about a technique used in ham radio to solder together project boxes/radio chassis using PCB copper cladding. Some folks, in comments and on the twitters, were wondering how well this works. Take a look. Here’s a lovely Wheatstone Bridge Regenerative (WBR) Receiver built inside of such a chassis using the Manhattan-style circuit construction technique (using small pads as connecting points on a conductive surface).

As somebody said in the comments to the chassis piece, imagine some lovely copper etching on the faceplate.

BTW: Here are some MeSquares and MePads you can get for easy Manhattan circuit building. We’ve mentioned them here before. [Thanks, Roy Roberts!]

The WBR – A Simple High Performance Regen Receiver

More:
Skill Builder: Fabricating Project Boxes from PCB Cladding

BY Gareth Branwyn

Gareth Branwyn is a freelancer writer and the former Editorial Director of Maker Media. He is the author or editor of a dozen books on technology, DIY, and geek culture, including the first book about the web (Mosaic Quick Tour) and the Absolute Beginner's Guide to Building Robots. He is currently working on a best-of collection of his writing, called Borg Like Me.

In the Maker Shed

6 Responses to Manhattan-Style Circuit in a Copper Cladding Chassis

Jake Spurlock on September 2nd, 2011 at 5:12 am said:

That’s purdy…

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Kevin Filteau on September 2nd, 2011 at 5:44 am said:

I hope you will post again when it will start to have “vert de gris”

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- Paul Michael Jett on September 2nd, 2011 at 11:31 am said:
  
  It was lacquered. Should slow down that green, particularly if he was judicious in cleaning up flux after soldering.
  
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Anonymous on September 2nd, 2011 at 6:34 am said:

I think this station is very good! Can recommend here! http://duan.ca/84874a

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Anonymous on September 2nd, 2011 at 1:29 pm said:

Absolutely beautiful – you do excellent work.
I do wonder a bit about microphonics from that suspended toroid, however.
…or does the thick tap provide enough stability that it isn’t an issue?

I also really like the idea of etching the front panel with labels that will never rub off and/or decorative patterns, while still maintaining the shielding afforded by the inner layer of the board. In conjunction with dying the underlying board in a contrasting color, that could really have some fun possibilities.

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Dhananjay Gadre on September 3rd, 2011 at 2:21 am said:

Gorgeous I say, simply gorgeous! Thank you for sharing.

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