[cyberdelica]

> [...] unless you still do everything with through-hole components, you have to plate the holes which takes you several days of futzing with nasty chemicals anyway.

There are copper press rivets you can buy at most PCB supply houses. No need for plating, although you do need the die set and press (although a drill press can be used). Furthermore, one can just do it the old fashioned way, with a soldered wire through connection. That's how I've done it for years.