In the case of PCB's in most cases it takes hours to make stuff, and you need to buy components for the boards and pay for shipping, etc.. so I guess I understand not wanting to pay for something because we all wish it was free, but making PCB's either costs you a bunch of your own time, or money if you buy the components to populate -- which then takes a bunch more time, etc.. so its confusing to me that you are a hobbyist that may be interested in making PCB's, but spending say $100 is is too much money? I mean even buying a laser cutter / etcher is not cheap nor is a reasonably good 3d printer.. I guess I'm just saying it seems like a lot of people never take the plunge making PCB's mostly because they are worried they will make a mistake and "waste" the money, but that's a different point than it being "too expensive".. anyway, I'd say just give it a shot on one of the services that cost $50...