Homebrew PCBs

Well, thanks to all for helping me find the CCI article.  In it the 
author makes the statement that you need a PCB with a soldermask to 
use a reflow oven.  He then goes on to say that he doesn't know how 
to apply a soldermask to homemade boards (I'll give him credit for 
honesty but not for research).  

So my questions to this group:

- has anyone had reflow oven success on a
PCB without a soldermask?  If so, what size/type of 
components.

- has anyone had success applying a soldermask?  
I assume via lamination.  

- Unfortunately the stuff that T&T sells is like 
$150 for 40 ft of it.  Anyone have a source of 
smaller quantities?

Phil