I am looking into the possibility of having some of my board designs manufactured but I'm worried about getting caught in a fake Chinese factory scam. Can anyone tell me if it is possible or cost effective to have a 1 - 10 small boards made up? How do i find legitimate prototype houses etc. I know one member who says he has a factory in China but I have heard a lot of horror stories.
Thank You
I'm worried about getting caught in a fake Chinese factory scam
You're risking, what...? $10?
You need to get out more.
jarrod0987:
Can anyone tell me if it is possible or cost effective to have a 1 - 10 small boards made up?
Yes.
These people didn't steal my money last time I ordered some:
http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb/pcb-prototyping/im120418001.html
Just for clarification, are you talking about just having the pcbs made, or fully assembled boards?
dannable:
Just for clarification, are you talking about just having the pcbs made, or fully assembled boards?
Good question. I assumed nobody would want 1-10 small boards fully assembled. The setup cost would be ridiculous.
fungus:
Good question. I assumed nobody would want 1-10 small boards fully assembled. The setup cost would be ridiculous.
Me too, but the OP says 'made up' which did make me wonder.
I did a lot of PCB with ITEAD http://imall.iteadstudio.com/open-pcb.html. 10 pcs 2x2" double sided PCB for 10$. I'm always impressed by the quality of the PCB ... never got one that was not 100% working (for more then 20 projects now).
Only problem: you need a lot of time (up to 5 weeks) if you use default shipping method. If you want to have it faster you have to pay high shipping costs.
PCA or PCB would be fine but depends on cost. Sounds like having them populated is not worth it. PCB will do then 
Second vote for itead.
1 to 10 assembled,
There are places that will do them manually for reasonable cost.
Try asking spycatcher2.
Its common though to specify a minimum component size though.
0805 resistors for example.