> Marechiare wrote:
>>> Why is plating even necessary, for a one-off type of
>>> application?
>>>
>>> Am I missing something?

What you're missing is that regardless of "rules", it is frequently  
not possible to solder the component-side of the PCB for MANY  
components.  The easiest examples are IC sockets, LED displays, and  
header pins/sockets.  But if you start making some PCBs without PTH,  
you quickly find many more :-(

BillW

-- 
http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist