no. I've done TQFP, TSSOP and the like (not DFN tho) with a bare bones board. I tend to do that for first proto...look ugly but easy to modify. Just have solder wick handy....and a scope or eye loop...and they are really not that hard to build. As far as the board house, its the same process...just stopped after etch and plate...no sm or ss process. peter green wrote: > >dreaded TQFP which means expensive proffesional PCB > >house use (in particular i've heared the facility needs to have very good > >soldermask resoloution for TQFP to be practical). > > > I have no problem knocking up prototypes for TQFP or even QFN w/0402 > using an inkjet & overhead transparencies. a little question, when i spoke to philpem (one of the active members on this list and the person who introduced me to it) he reckond soldermask was essential for doing TQFP and only high grade facilities (e.g. not the likes of olimex) could do soldemask fine enough. Is that not the case? -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist --------------------------------- Stay in the know. Pulse on the new Yahoo.com. Check it out. -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist