Kim-1 gold fingers

[dfnr2]

I'm ordering some Kim-1 replica PCBs (by Eduardo Casino). All the KIM-1 versions I've seen have gold fingers and HASL finish elsewhere. Unfortunately, JLCPCB cannot produce a HASL-finished PCB with gold-plated fingers.

Has anyone seen a version of the kim-1 with HASL over the fingers? If not, the options are 1) get ENIG + gold fingers and add a solder mask to the front, since I've seen KIM-1 specimens with front solder mask, and 2) get ENIG + gold fingers, and use a solder-wick to emulate HASL by dragging a thin layer of solder+flux over the traces.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[djg]

2) get ENIG + gold fingers, and use a solder-wick to emulate HASL by dragging a thin layer of solder+flux over the traces

In case you don't know some PCB places offer HASL with hard gold edge fingers. I use https://www.pcbcart.com/

 

[dfnr2]

Yes, but unfortunately, PCB Cart and PCBWay are 3 times the price. They do use a higher temp-rated FR4, so it makes sense to use them for production, but for hobby use, I have found JLCPCB to be hassle-free, quick, and excellent quality, in addition to being very affordable. I think JLC now also offers high quality PCB materials in addition to their basic offering.

 

[Selectric]

Yes, but unfortunately, PCB Cart and PCBWay are 3 times the price. They do use a higher temp-rated FR4, so it makes sense to use them for production, but for hobby use, I have found JLCPCB to be hassle-free, quick, and excellent quality, in addition to being very affordable. I think JLC now also offers high quality PCB materials in addition to their basic offering.

Have you considered taking the HASL board to a jewelry maker/repairer and getting a quote for them to gold plate the fingers? I'm restoring some old computers and the original gold-plated edge connectors are sometimes worn or otherwise damaged. You can also get gold plating solution and do it yourself, which is what I do. If you're not comfortable dealing with noxious fumes, a jewelry repair shop may work out. Sure, it's not their day job but it could be worth a shot.

 

[dfnr2]

Have you considered taking the HASL board to a jewelry maker/repairer and getting a quote for them to gold plate the fingers? I'm restoring some old computers and the original gold-plated edge connectors are sometimes worn or otherwise damaged. You can also get gold plating solution and do it yourself, which is what I do. If you're not comfortable dealing with noxious fumes, a jewelry repair shop may work out. Sure, it's not their day job but it could be worth a shot.

That's a very good point. I just looked at a video, and I think I have everything on hand to do the gold plating, except the actual solutions.