It doesn't take much time to learn to hand solder SMD. We teach 200 students to do it every semester at UIUC in the EE senior design lab. Our rule of thumb is t

It doesn't take much time to learn to hand solder SMD. We teach 200 students to do it every semester at UIUC in the EE senior design lab. Our rule of thumb is that if it has pins that are not flush to the bottom of the package you can solder it with an iron. All but the smallest parts can be done with a cheap Weller. I soldered one project with paste, a toothpick to apply it, and an unmodified hot plate controlled by hand. No stencil needed. We have a proper oven but everyone hates using it.