How to Build a Circuit Stripboard

Place the stripboard copper side down on a soft cloth on your workspace.

Set the components for your circuitboard onto the stripboard according to the circuit diagram.

Insert the wires or pins on the ends of the components of the circuit board into the corresponding holes of the stripboard so that they stick out of the bottom and can be seen on the copper side of the board. Bend the wires out slightly so they stay in the board. If your components have pins connected by the copper tracks or strips, use a drill to remove a track by holding it lightly over the copper strip as you run it.

Place a piece of cardboard onto the stripboard and use it to hold the components in place as you flip it over and set it back down on your workspace.

Turn on the soldering iron. While it is heating up, apply an even layer of flux on the circuit component wires and the copper side of the circuit board.

Press the end of the soldering wire to the tip of the soldering iron and rub a layer of melted solder on it. This is called "tinning" the soldering iron. Touch the tip of the soldering iron onto the component wire where it is sticking out of the stripboard and the copper stripboard to heat it up. Hold the soldering iron in place for one second, then press the end of the soldering wire onto the other side of the component wire, against the copper of the stripboard. The solder should melt and move onto the component wire and board. Solder all of the other compenent wires to the circuit board in this manner.

Wait one hour to allow all the components to cool and the solder to harden. Gently clip off the excess wire with wire cutters. Take care not to twist the wire while you cut to avoid breaking the soldered part.