Hi... for that 'middle ground', I use pcbfabexpress.com.

I go barebonespcb.com for the rough protos, pcbfabexpress for a few to 
say 20 (they'll do all you want but it starts to not make sense after 20 
or so), and then either pcbnet.com or more recently just let my contract 
assembler handle the production ordering of boards.

You can choose 3,5,10 day turns, and there are some limits as to what 
they can do in those times with a basic online quote but it is fine for 
the majority of more "normal" boards.

They're in silicon valley.

J



Forrest W Christian wrote:
> Right now I have 3 PCB manufacturers I use:
> 
> AP circuits in Canada for the quickturn proto's where I just need a 
> board to validate a design that I'm not that certain of (and when I'm a 
> hurry)
> PCBgeek.com, for where I can wait 10 days or so for full-spec PCB's, 
> primarily for those initial "not quite production" runs - where I need a 
> few boards to to final production testing (and beta units) with.
> And PCBfabrication.com for my full-spec vscored, full-production boards.
> 
> Occasionally I find I need something like PCBgeek which will turn faster 
> than 10 days.   That is, full spec (1 side silkscreen + 2 side mask) 
> boards, around a dozen or so (depending on board size) boards, no vscore 
> or special things.   But I often need them in 2-3 days.  Usually due to 
> lack of planning on my part, or sometimes just the desire to have full 
> spec boards for something I'm working on.   PCBgeek is $90 shipped for 
> 200sq in of boards, but like I said takes around 10 days or so, and 
> often more if there are customs issues.
> 
> What I'd like is someone that I could (in the US) send gerbers to and 
> have a dozen or so full-spec boards (typically around 10sq inches each) 
> show up on my door in 3-4 days (I.E. order over one weekend (aka by 
> Monday AM), and have it in hand for the next weekend (by Thu or Fri PM)).
> 
> So far, everything I've found is prohibitively expensive.   So, really 
> what I'm asking for is all three:  Fast, Cheap and Good.   I know this 
> is likely unreasonable.  I *am* willing to pay more for this, but not 
> the few hundred dollars I am often quoted.   I'm envisioning $150 or so, 
> but I could live with $179 or so, for around 200 sq inches of boards, 
> delivered.   But am open to suggestions.
> 
> Ideas?
> 
> -forrest
> 
> 

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