Chris Norwood wrote: > I just want to buy something that comes with some general LEDs, resistors, > capacitors, etc all in like a package including multiple items of each, just > so I have some spare parts lying around if I need them. Does anyone know of > a site I can order something like that? Thanks! > Over the past year or so I've been re-building my parts supply after a few years of not really doing electronics, so I can think I can help you specifically. Lots of places have "grab bags" or "assortments" or "gold packs" (electronic goldmine) of stuff. Some specific ones that I've found helpful: 1) Jameco. http://www.jameco.com Search for "Grab Bags" and/or "assorted" (remember, click on keyword - don't just press enter). Page 209 in their current catalog (see http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c271/P209.pdf ) is a good place to start as well. There is a bundle as well for like $40 with several of the most popular grab bags. These grab bags are generally a random assortment of the type of components. Good for things like LEDs or the like where you all you care is that it's got two pins and it lights. The LED might be red it might be green it might be bi-color, it might be round it might be square, but it works. A lot of times you don't get all of the values in the range when you get one of these. For instance, I got the 1LB IC sockets since I was running low on most sizes and didn't get a single 16PIN dip socket and only a few narrow 28 pin sockets. I did get a LOT of medium width 24 pin sockets which aren't all that useful. But it WAS a good value because it did fill up most of my DIP socket drawers without costing me an arm and a leg. Also at jameco search for "assortment kit" and/or "component cabinet kit". Some are shown at http://www.jameco.com/Jameco/catalogs/c253/P89.pdf . These are different than the grab bags. You'll pay more, but the purpose of the assortment kits is to get you a good range of a specific type of part. For instance, I purchased a "transistor assortment kit" ($82.95 w/component cabinent) a few months ago when I got irritated that I was spending all my time waiting for samples of different types to arrive. I would probably recommend getting this type of kit (not necessarily for jameco) for at least resistors of the size you like (I find 1/4W just right for prototyping) - although see radio shack below for resistors specifically. 2) Electronic Goldmine. http://www.goldmine-elec.com/ The goldmine has "gold packs" which is their name for a grab bag. If you search for "GP" you'll probably get all of them, plus a few other hits. You can also clock on gold packs on the left hand side of the page. I've bought quite a few of these over the past year, and I can't say for sure whether or not they are a good value always. Some of the packs are great and some of the packs are not so great. ALSO - search for "assortment" which are similar, but more specific to the type of device. Right now if you search for "resistor kit" on the goldmine site, you will find that they have a great deal on some resistor assortments from what was tech America. Might want one of these. I have these mainly for repair purposes. There are two additional products you should be aware of which could be a good buy if you are a gambler. They have a "box of capacitors" which for $20 sounds like a good value. The box I got was ok. Definately exactly as described, but not exactly what I was expecting. Lots of capacitors with a fairly wide spread of types, but didn't do that good of job of filling in the holes. They also have the "electronic surprise box" and the "super electronic surprise box". I've bought two of the "supers" and one of the "non-super". One of the supers I was disappointed with and one I liked. Are they worth the price? probably. Be prepared for a lot of repetition in the box you get. I would prefer a wider mix of components in each box, but on the other hand they aren't that bad. The super seems to have a fair bit of what I would call filler... I.E. larger mystery populated circuit boards and other pieces of electronic "debris" such as panels and the like which just won't fit in the smaller box. If you're on a tight budget, I might be really picky on the goldmine-elec site. If you're not so tight and are a gambler, this is a fun site to order from since you never know what you'll get and won't know whether you're a small or a big winner until you open the packages. 3) Radio Shack. I have bought quite a few resistor assortments from radio shack over the years. They are a good value and I like that they come on tape. I have a drawer for each multiplier color (I.E) "brown resistors" "red resistors" "orange resistors" and so on. and with them on tape it's pretty easy to find the tape with the value you're looking for. They also have similar assortments for caps and a few other components (NPN general purpose transistors, etc), but they aren't quite as good of assortment. 4) Electronix Express http://www.elexp.com . Similar to electronic goldmine, but seems to be higher quality - at least for the one order I made. Some of their assortments are really nice sine they try to make them more like a kit than a grab bag. I bought their inductor kit and a few other things. Again, search for "grab bag" and "assortment". I was happy and would re-order from them but haven't had the chance to. 5) Futurlec (yes the PCB people) also have some component assortments at http://www.futurlec.com/ValuePacks.shtml . Just ordered a couple packs which haven't arrived yet so I can't vouch for their quality. The *picutres* on their web site are really nice though. 6) All Electronics (www.allelectronics.com), Circuit specialists (www.web-tronics.com), and the like - I use all electronics for things like LCD display modules, web-tronics mainly for tools, and the like. Both have really good prices - all electronics due to the fact the stuff is surplus, and circuit specialists - well their prices are just good. It would do you good to know what each of these companies provide to help you fill in the holes in your qwest. I'm pretty certain I missed some. -forrest -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist