-
-> From: "W. Lee Vick, Jr." <wlvick@micro.ti.com>
->
-> PIC.gurus,
->
->         I also have a little LED project and was looking for some help with
-> it. I'd like to build a box which determines the order of finish of a pine
-> box derby (small wooden cars about 7" by 3" which run down a slotted track)
-> race. [Details edited for brevity. ]
->
-Forget wire wrapping!  Making a PCB is so easy these days.  But first,
-prototype the circuit on a breadboard.

Well this is a religious argument. Each has their advantages and disadvantages:

Breadbording: Quick to throw together. Easy to change. Entirely too easy to
change.

Wirewrapping: Quick to throw together presuming you have the equipment. Sockets
cost more than PCB sockets. Too much extension from the bottom of the board.
Fairly stable and generally easy to modify.

PCB: Please tell me how to make an inexpensive, consistent PCB. While it
may be easy to do, many of us have not set up the design tools and equipment
to put it together. I'll gladly take a lesson in easy PCB making.

Pre-etched PCBs: Been experimenting with these lately. Shows promise. I'm
talking about the Rat Shack boards that are etched to look like breadboards.
Simply solder in the sockets, components, and wire.

Each has advantages and disadvantages. Generally while I'm designing and
testing I wire wrap. Easy to put together a semi-permanent board that can
be changed if necessary. I'm willing to examine PCBs but all I read in the
sci.electronics newsgroups is how difficult it is to get good boards....