I've been using perf boards and I have found it incredibly complicated to build large circuits. Are PCB's the way to go? Am I stupid for going with perfs? Also, what is a price estimate for PCB boards and other equipment need to use one. Also, are there a lot of PCB type schematics or will I have to manually convert them and how do I transfer the schem to the board?
I still really like perfboard for easy builds where space (in enclosures) is not a large concern. However, i've done a few PCB's, and they are really nice! As you look at different effects, you'll see that perfboard is just not really feasible for them. Look at tonepad and you'll see some effects designs that have PCB's drawed out for them. You can use this layout to make your own PCB, or you can purchase one from them. (Or you can make your own complete design!) I've used PCB's for some easy builds where space is at a premium, and have had good results.
Try etching some yourself - it's not as hard as it sounds.. I got it to work on my first try.
I used the photo-paper method outlined here:
http://www.5bears.com/pcb.htm
"-)
Here's some pricing for the extra cheap-o PCB kit:
Copper Clad - $2-$4
Sharpie Marker - $2
Etchant (Ferric Chloride) - $5 for a decent sized bottle at radio shack
Small Plastic Bowl - You should already have one of these!
Drill Bit - Prices may vary. $.90 at small bear. I use a 1/32" bit from a dremel bit set.
PCB drill - You can spend a TON of money getting a good drill, and still break a bunch of bits. OR...you can buy one of those little hand drills for wood (in the crafts section at Wal-Mart) and NEVER break a bit. However, this is time consuming. But hey, it's DIY ain't it? $4 - hundreds of dollars.
Total Price is roughly $16, depending on what you decide and where you get it. And with this "kit", you can make a lot of PCB's. MUCH better than that crappy kit that radio shack sells. And it's the same price! The Radio Shack kit has a sharpie marker, a small piece of scotch brite scrubbing pad, a SMALL bottle of ferric chloride, a drill bit and 2 little pieces of copper clad. It is a rip-off, so my advice is to not buy it.
You may also want to try the 4ms CBCB (for cardboard circuit board) method. It's kind of a cross between perfboarding and etching a board.
Go here: http://www.commonsound.com/kits.html and check out the General Building Instructions. I use plastic laminate (Formica) instead of cardboard because it's stronger but cardboard will also work. The method will work with any published layout, just make sure you mirror image layouts that have been designed for PNP transfer.
I've used this method successfully dozens of times on stuff as simple as a Fuzz Face up to complex projects like Craig Anderton's Quadra Fuzz.
While you're there check out the rest of the stuff too, there's lot's of good information.
Helpful link, I hope:
http://www.capable.on.ca/rcstuff/etching.htm