last modified: October 23, 2025
Posted on 2020-07-01— Common
I often reach for TE's Micro‑MaTch connectors when I need compact, hand‑solderable board-to-board connections. They saved me routing space and allowed SMD pads on tiny sensor boards. I share my requirements, examples, and practical tips — please read on if you're choosing connectors for small projects.
Posted on 2019-02-23— Projects
I guide you through building a compact particle sensor node using a Raspberry Pi Zero W and a minimal custom shield, with published Gerbers, STL files and example code. I keep the design simple and extendable—if you'd like to build your own networked air-quality node, read the full post for parts, assembly and setup.
Posted on 2018-03-17— Projects
I built a small test board for the TPS61092 to evaluate thermal performance, hand‑solderability, and layout before using it in my project. The chip stayed cool under 0.5A and the OSH Park PCB looked great. Read on for measurements, the BOM, and practical soldering tips if you want to try it.
Posted on 2018-02-11— Review
I tested SeeedStudio's Fusion PCB service for a new prototype and ordered five blue, 2-layer FR‑4 boards with lead‑free HASL. Delivery took about 10 days and the boards showed good quality for the price. Read on for details about ordering, solder mask, and tolerances.
Posted on 2017-10-02— Projects
I received prototype boards from Eurocircuits and was impressed by their outstanding build quality—sharp solder-mask edges, precise alignment, and a subtle shine on the traces. I share close-up photos and brief thoughts about vias and finishes; read on if you appreciate careful PCB craftsmanship.
Posted on 2017-03-28— Projects
I received the foot parts for my plant watering sensor from Eurocircuits and I’m pleased with their consistent quality. They removed the PCB bridges cleanly so the boards match my design, saving finishing work and improving the look. Read on to see photos and my impressions.
Posted on 2017-03-20— Common
I ordered a single test panel for my plant-watering sensor and was pleasantly surprised to receive three gold, perfectly made panels from Eurocircuits. Their registration holes make stencil alignment easy. I share photos and brief notes here—please read the full post to see the details and next parts of the series.
Posted on 2017-03-09— How and Why
I walk you through designing the final PCB for a low-cost plant watering sensor: choosing tools, shaping the board, iterative layouts, BOM decisions, assembly planning and unit-cost calculations. If you want practical steps and cost details, please read the full post to follow the next parts.
Posted on 2017-02-25— Projects
I built a compact ATtiny programming adapter to pre-program ATtiny13A chips before soldering, with a 50mil JTAG header, USB power, LED, and jumper options for other packages. I share EAGLE files, PCB ordering info and usage notes — read the post for photos, GitHub links and details.