Homebrew PCBs

The Tssop28 is not a problem to work with,
you will need fine Tweeser, fine solder, a very fine tip.
and especialy "Magnifying glasses" and steady hands

It is easy to work with lead pitches of 0.5mm(0.020") or wider
i dont recomend the very fine 0.27 (0.012) lead pitches 

the main problemn with tssop28 is if your etching boards and do not 
have solder mask that you can easily short between the leads.
also if your using Toner transfer method the toner lines often will 
short durring the Heat transfer process.

BoonS

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Kim Lux <lux@d...> wrote:
> Good question: I've got a similar challenge facing me.  A bunch of
> components I need to use are only available as SM and I've never 
used
> them on hand built boards. 
> 
> I'll extend the question: do I need special tools to work with SM
> components for prototype boards ?  I'm used to using a chip clip to 
get
> signals off DIPs.  Should I put test headers on SM boards ?    
> 
> -- 
> Kim Lux,  Diesel Research Inc.