-----Original Message-----
From: Dave & Ann Scott <andscott@LOGANTELE.COM>
To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Date: Tuesday, March 23, 1999 10:23 PM
Subject: [OT] PCB Methods & SMD


>How feasible is it for the hobbyist/small business to do small runs or
>prototypes with SMD (including PICs

Very feasible.  I usually send a Gerber format file to a house to get it
photoplotted.  The photoplot is higher quality than a laser print or a
homemade pen plotter.  Lasers tend to shrink at different scales along x and
y axis, and have pinholes and other problems.

I make my own boards using a photoetch process.

Soldering can be done in a toaster oven with a little care, with some
syringes of surface mount solder paste and flux.  I;ve also done it just
with a fine soldering iron, but it is a pain in the rump.  Most of my
surface mount projects have just a chip or two, and none of these tiny tiny
resistors - all big fat 18 pin PICs.  I'd hate to try a 100% surface mount
project by these crude methods.