Template drawing software recommendations?

[RobB]

I like to print out templates (with fold down sides) which I glue onto a box before drilling.  This method ensures consistent and accurate results.  These files come in handy when a friend requests a stomp box which I’ve already built or when a new effect requires the same box layout.  

Up until now I’ve been using the free windows paint program, which comes with the operating system.  For a grid, I use a scanned image if 1mm graph paper and draw over the top of that.  There are a couple of disadvantages to this.  My grid is inaccurate by about 5%, so 100mm prints out as 105mm.  The other problem is that I’m limited to a size of about an A4 sheet of paper (too small for an amp chassis).  

Can anybody recommend software which has a scalable grid down to 0.5mm, unlimited image size, doesn’t take up too much disk space and is either free or very cheap?  I don’t need a fully blown CAD package like AutoCAD.  I’ve found EAGLE to be quite accurate for PCBs but the free version limits the size of the layout.  

Any recommendations?

[brett]

Hi fellow aussie Rob.

I used to do the same thing as you, but drawn in MS Excel.  From memory, Exel didn't scale things, so I drew the template outline, printed it then re-scaled the height and width of the drawing to a known size.  It worked ok.

Because I settled on two basic box designs, I've since made a physical template (of aluminium) with appropriate groups of holes, etc.  With this, I get holes with less than 2mm variation from box to box (on a bad day).  Also, there's no glueing, printing, etc.  Just a very careful measure-up on the template the first time.

cheers

[RobB]

Thanks Brett.  

I prefer disposable templates.  Gluing with paper glue is quick enough for one or two offs.  Editing for a slightly different layout is easy too.  This is why I’m looking for a drawing/cad program, which is easy to use and has an accurate grid.  

I’ve downloaded Serif DrawPlus4 and am checking it out at the moment.  The grid facility seems a bit buggy.  At some levels of zoom it divides centimetres into quarters(like inches).  I haven’t been able to get it to print out a solid fine line yet but that will most likely be in the set up somewhere.  

Does anyone else use paper templates for drilling?

[Gringo]

I have used expresspcb (yes, that one) to draw and then print box templates. Worked quite well.

[jplaudio]

try this to start:
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/boxtemplate.htm

[RobB]

Ok, so this is how I went.  The Serif DrawPlus4 freeware program was a bit buggy and the registration process didn’t work.  It stopped working after 30 days so I’ve uninstalled it completely.  

While I was waiting to see if the registration would work I downloaded a freeware version of  AllyCAD 3.4.  Having never used a CAD type program before, it took quite a bit of getting used to before I could do anything with this thing.  It took about 2 hours to set up the scales and learn how to draw lines, circles and rectangles of exact proportions.  I really like this program now that I’m past the steepest part of the learning curve.  

If you ever need/want to produce accurate drawings/templates then give this one a try.  

Thanks to those who responded to my initial question.