First of all, I have really enjoyed the great resource this site has been. I only just discovered it via one of the youtube videos, and it is a great reference for some of the work I am about to do.

I apologize if my question is already addressed on the site. You only need to point me in the right direction if it is.

I plan on building a circuit that uses a surface mounted chip. Radio Shack project boards (276-149, 276-150) have been fine for any work I have done so far – they have simple holes that make joining caps, resistors, and transistors just fine. But now that I have a surface mount chip…I find myself needing a surface to mount it on.

Total real estate of the project board isn’t too important. It doesn’t have to be very small. Ideally, I would like something I can properly secure the chip to that will also “expand” the leads to the legs by spacing them further apart and allow me to easily connect caps, resistors, etc.

Thanks!

Try a SchmartBoard, as mentioned in the SMD Soldering video.
http://www.schmartboard.com/

-CollinstheClown

Not to sure about posting a link to another store, so delete this if you like but the question went on a while unanswered. SparkFun might have exactly what you’re looking for a breakout board for a smd.

SparkFun

Some other resources besides the (good) options already listed…

http://www.beldynsys.com/

and

search digikey for surfboards

JadedMonk: about external links, we’ll get this posted to our policies soon, but if we don’t already sell it, links to other stores are OK. thanks for helping out.