The multiplexer ic's I need to use only come as surface mount (tssop I think), I can solder through pretty neatly but I don't particularly like surface mount, what options do I have? I'm only at the breadboard stage so far, but it would be great if I could avoid soldering as much as possible even when I'm beyond the breadboard. Would a female jumper cable make a decent contact on to a surface mount ic pin? Do they make tiny screw/spring terminal through connectors? Maybe something with crimping onto the ic?
I know of no permanent solution other than soldering. PLCCs can go into a socket, but the socket must be soldered, and small chips don't generally come in PLCC.
Soldering SMT isn't too bad, once you get the hang of it. I'd suggest you check out Dave Jones EEVBlog on Youtube for his tutorials on soldering surface mount.
I've done surface mount soldering at length, I can do it I'd just rather not , I think something like a female jumper cable will just need a bit of gentle persuasion and a lot of glue.
Sparkfun sells Z-axis conductive tape that is theoretically to prototype with. I've not used it, but it is for the purpose of not soldering down surface mount chips. However that is not a permanent solution.
The conductive tape is not meant for surface mount chips, it is more for things like those flexible substrate ribbon cables. You are meant to press them together, though, not just stick them on, and it is meant to be permanent.
Presumably, this could work for an SMT chip for a permanent solution, if you clamp the chip down. Watch the pin spacing, though. It is rated at 15 mil (400 micron) spacing, 32 mil (800 micron) pitch. Some surface mount chips violate that rule.
But, back to serious discussion.
Why don't you pick up some breakout boards with the pitch you will need and take some random (cheapest) SMD chips of that size and practice. It doesn't matter if you burn them or if the soldering is botchy. You will certainly learn something and it might just as well be how to solder those little buggers.
