It would be a Major PITA to build one one without the boards.
It wouldn't be so bad if the fiber board sections (or decks if you will) were not so big but they are right right in the way if you want to jumper across the solder rings.
Pin spacing is:
.203" for the bottom board (7 pins)
.093" on the top board (17 pins)
Spacing between the decks is .640" .859" .640"
I should note that pin spacing on the boards I have is all over the place so the accuracy of those measurements is marginal at best.
It would be a very good idea if someone rechecked the measurements.
A small (75k) picture of the "old" boards is
here
I sent Ned @ triode an Email and asked for his input and also inquired about the history of the little boards....I think it is a good idea to make sure we can progress with this idea without stepping on someones toes (a simple board layout for personal use is one thing but a batch of "professionally manufactured boards" puts the whole idea in another category).
I will let you know what he has to say... unless of course he pops in and adds his 2 cents.
Next question that comes to mind is what you like to "fix" on the old boards?
I think they need a jumper so the two grounds can be tied together and the hole size for the resistors and the pins on the switches could be a little bigger.
Through hole plating is also a good idea but that is a luxury I can live without if I have to.