Prototyping for surface mount parts?

[Del]

Does anybody know if there is anything like the following for surface mount parts:





I know that one can use something like the following to convert surface mount parts to DIP size:



But I'm wondering if one can take advantage of the space-saving aspect of surface mount
parts when doing prototyping.  (Also, some parts don't come in DIP sizes.)

Thanks

[Steve Joblin]

check out http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products

[paulstreats]

So a local electronic musical/sound instrument equipment manufacturer that i freelance for when they have a new product idea doesnt. All we do is design the circuits etc... in through hole development boards and do the programming and such to get the new product working - its usually about 4 or 5 times bigger(at least) than the final product. Once it is deemed satisfactory, it then goes to the prototyping stage where more than 1 board type and size is produced (by sending the component list and schematic to an outside company and receiving working boards back) Also more than 1 case size and shape and colour is produced. The boards and cases are all put together and programmed etc... to produce maybe 8 or 9 different working designs, these are then evaluated by the powers that be and the chosen model (if any) goes into full production.

The moral is that unless you have the ability to create your own boards and reflow them, you cant realistcally prototype smc's. You need to send your schematic away and pay for it to be made. A lot of it is due to the fact that industry doesnt surface mount onto development boards unless necessarry since it is a lot more prone to error, and in this type of field most things are geared towards creating things that industry wants (thats where the money is)

[Del]

check out http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=products

Hi Steve,

I had already looked at SchmartBoard, but I felt that $10 for
one small board seemed a little too expensive.
(Considering that a DIP protoboard of similar size is about $1-$2.)

Maybe I should rephrase the question:

Does anyone have any "cheap tricks" for using surface mount parts?

Thanks again

[Del]

The moral is that unless you have the ability to create your own boards and reflow them, you cant realistcally prototype smc's.

That's too bad

What will amateurs and hobbyists do when DIP's have been phased out?
(Already some parts are hard to find in DIP size, or don't even exist as DIP's.)

[airman00]

"cheap trick "

solder on wires and hotlgue the sides of the surface mounted part   

well it depends on the size of the surface mount part , like the L293D I bend and solder the legs down to a DIP socket.