Circuitbuilding Do-It-Yourself For Dummies®

Chapter 6. Building from a Published Schematic

Tasks performed in this chapter

• Preparing to build from a schematic

• Building in the Manhattan-style

• Learning how to wire-wrap

You're reading the latest electronics magazine and there's an article exactly right for your latest project. The author describes a circuit that will do just what you need to finish the job! Schematics are a common feature of many articles, both on the Web and in magazines. But those are just articles — there's no kit available, not even a printed-circuit board! You can build that circuit anyway by using one of the three techniques in this chapter: dead-bug style, Manhattan style, or wire-wrap. These methods have been used for years, even decades! Ready to give it a try? Let's go!

Tip

Even if a printed-circuit board (PC board) is not available for the circuit, the author may offer a kit of parts, a programmed microprocessor, or hard-to-find special parts. Print magazines have also begun adding supplemental material on their companion Web sites.

What types of circuits are suitable for building with the techniques in this chapter? As a beginner, you should start out simple, limiting yourself to building circuits with a few ICs at most. If the circuit has digital signals, they shouldn't be faster than a few megahertz. For analog or linear circuits, avoid those that are complex, very sensitive, or for which layout is critical. Work your way up to the fancier and more difficult circuits. There is a built-in limit to this ...