Hand built boards are great for getting something done right now. It's also a fun sort of challenge sometimes.
Just drawing up a PCB can take as much time as building out the same circuit on perfboard. Manufacturing and shipping obviously adds even more time.
Take this next part with a mountain of salt. Things vary wildly based on circumstance, but in general it's easier to make mistakes on perfboard. They're less resistant to physical damage from handling, impact, vibration. They're harder to repair, especially if any time has passed between design and repair.
You should choose a PCB if your circuit:
- needs to last a long time
- must be repairable by another person
- will be produced more than once
- will be anywhere other than a box that never leaves the bench
- has physical or mechanical constraints from the enclosure
Personally, I find joy in building quick and dirty circuits on perfboard. But I get the same joy from a well-designed PCB.
Just drawing up a PCB can take as much time as building out the same circuit on perfboard. Manufacturing and shipping obviously adds even more time.
Take this next part with a mountain of salt. Things vary wildly based on circumstance, but in general it's easier to make mistakes on perfboard. They're less resistant to physical damage from handling, impact, vibration. They're harder to repair, especially if any time has passed between design and repair.
You should choose a PCB if your circuit:
- needs to last a long time
- must be repairable by another person
- will be produced more than once
- will be anywhere other than a box that never leaves the bench
- has physical or mechanical constraints from the enclosure
Personally, I find joy in building quick and dirty circuits on perfboard. But I get the same joy from a well-designed PCB.