I have a bunch of double sided copper clad circuit board for making my own contact boards. I'd like to know if anyone can tell me about the installation of copper vias to join one side of the board to the other.
I found these vias on eBay, but they're copper plated brass.
Aliexpress has some also, they say copper, but the Chinese always refer to brass as copper.
Anyway, does it really matter in the long run?
I know I could just solder a piece of wire through the board, but I'd like to try my hand at a neat professional looking job using these Vias.
What is the technique for flaring out the other end? I assume some sort of punch, but is there a preferred type.
If anyone has some sort of experience, please chime in. I've seen Comfychair use some type of copper rivet as a thermal path on an MCPCB. Comfy. If your reading this thread, please tell what you know.
Old school trick from the days of Dynaco & Heathkits; anneal copper wire, flatten one end, insert through PCB, snip short, CAREFULLY use flat punch on hard surface to flatten snipped end, solder both sides, done.
Over here, you can buy hand-operated via-presses (click ) in electronics stores. They also carry the copper rivets (~18€ /1000pcs).
I bet there is a way to improvise such a press if one can get the fitting attachments for the desired via sizes.
I have ho clue about hobby electronic stores in Canada, though. Maybe you can get the rivets there.