Crane

Another spool of fishing line arrived, this time it’s too elastic. It stretches so much it’s not possible to lift anything. Waiting for 0.4mm braided jewelry rope.

Details about this crane line journey can be read here.

BLE-RC

Good news, after some tech support emails the problem got solved (but, according to them, they didn’t do anything), and I was able to order production of 2 PCBs with estimated weight of 0.16 Kg. This enabled economic shipping options.

Cost breakdown:

  • 5x PCB: $2.43. PCB is 4 layer, still costs $2. I added production file confirmation option for $0.43 on top. Wasn’t anything useful.

  • 2x PCBA - PCB Assembly economy option. Only 1 side assembly. $28.06

    • Setup, stencil, assembly, etc: $9.83

    • Components: $6.31

    • Extended components setup fee: $11.49

    • Confirm placement: $0.43

  • Shipping:

    • Global Standard Direct Line (the cheapest IOSS option): $1.71

    • Customs duties and taxes: $6.77

Currently JLCPCB gives a $9 discount coupon on PCBA that brings total cost of $38.97 down to $28.58 (there is also PayPal $0.5 fee on JLCPCB site).

Interestingly, LCSC no longer offers discount when you have a PCB order (they did in April 2024). Also, their shipping options UI changed, now Global Standard Direct Line is listed as FCA (i.e. taxes are on buyer), it was IOSS before (VAT collected by LCSC). Some people on the Internet claim that this option still does not require interaction with customs. I’ve postponed ordering LCSC components at the moment, will try when I have another PCB order (maybe PCBA order does not count for LCSC discount).

Update 2024.07.30: LCSC clarified that shipping discount for orders with PCB order is only available for accounts created before May 2019. I made my next order from an old account and got a $15 discount on shipping, so this seems to be true.