Often there is a need to test an experimental prototype circuit, trying things quickly and cheaply, with predictable performance and reliable results. While it is now remarkably cheap and easy to create PCBs, the turnaround time is often too long. One alternative is solderless breadboards, but they have significant limitations. Fortunately there are better alternatives.
This post:
- discusses the ideal properties of “breadboarding” construction techniques
- illustrates and outlines the characteristics and applicability of various techniques, including cordwood, pegboard, stripboard, matrix board, rat’s nest, dead bug, live bug, manhattan, and some proprietary products
- shows some examples of their use
Obviously those techniques don’t replace PCBs, but they can be a useful complement during early experimentation and prototyping, and in some cases can be surprisingly permanent.
The TL;DR is to start with manhattan techniques and add other techniques as beneficial. That way you can speedily create predictable and reliable circuits.