Step 1. Prepare the Stripboard

The first step is to cut the stripboard to the correct size. The best way to do this is to use a craft knife to heavily score a line through the holes on the line below the last strip or column you need, and then break the board over the edge of your work desk. Be careful doing this, as it can leave sharp edges.

You then need to break the track in the positions indicated by an X in Figure 4-3. I find it useful to mark rows and columns 10, 20, 30, etc., on the top of the board to find the right position for the break and then push a wire through to find the position on the track side of the board. I use a drill bit, twisted between my fingers to remove the copper.

Figure 4-4 shows the copper side of the board, with all the breaks drilled.

You may find it easier to work from Figure 4-4 than Figure 4-3. When you have made all the breaks, go back and inspect every one carefully to make sure that there is no trace of copper remaining, as this could cause a short and potentially destroy your IOIO. If in doubt, you can also use your multimeter on continuity mode, to make sure the break is clean.