Stripboard question

[DJQUIRK]

I've never used a stripboard, but I'm about to and when look at diagrams of circuits on them(such as at Aaron Nelsons DIY stompbox site) I see these little white squares on the strips placed seemingly randomly. Anyone know what these are?

[Joel]

not seen the layouts you referred to, but little squares on the strips are normally where you cut the copper to break the connection. You mount all the components from the front (no strips side) then solder on the back and cut strips where necessary. Either use a craft knife or a special tool....

For more examples, Unkle Krunkus's stripboard layouts on this forum show cuts as "yellower" squares, which you can see better on the "behind" view. It's common to cut between the left and right sides of IC's for instance, so pins aren't connected together.

Hope that helps, Joel

[DJQUIRK]

check out this link http://aronnelson.com/gallery/album20/ATARI_PUNK_CONSOLE_VERO?full=1
I'm talking about the squares such as the ones under the IC

[Joel]

Yep, those white boxes with red surrounds are cuts in the copper tracks on the back of the board. If you didn't make the cuts, then (for example) pins 1 and 14 of the IC would be connected, which wouldn't be good....

[Wild Zebra]

But, remember in those layouts your looking at them as though they are "transparent" (top of board) So when you make the cuts its actually opposite. Catch my drift? Uncle K has taken the time to show the bottom also.