On 21/01/11 18:47, Olin Lathrop wrote:
> I use the 2N4401/4403 for jellybean
> transistors.  They are also readily available and cheap, but a bit more
> robust and better for most cases.

The 4401 looks like a nice part. Shame the SOT23 version (MMBT4401) is=20
currently out of stock at my main supplier with no quoted leadtime :(

> Get a bunch of at least every 5% value of resistor and a good assortments=
 of
> caps,

I've got a Dannell Electronics through-hole quarter-watt E12 1%=20
metal-film kit, and a couple of Fastcomponents ceramic-disc kits.=20
Everything else is pretty much "buy when needed". I really should get an=20
E6 0805 capacitor kit; NP0 for the low-value stuff, X7R for everything else=
..

 > I'd wait until you
> need something.  When you do and it looks at all generally useful, get a
> bunch and keep the extras around.

Sounds like my general buying procedure :)

If price_for_ten < price_for_however_many_i_need then buy ten.

Means I've got rails of stepper motor driver chips and other such things=20
left over from when I repaired a scanner, a bunch of LM358 opamps (25=20
each SO8 and DIP8 at last count, mfg by ONSemiconductor if memory serves).

> Having basic stuff in stock is useful, but technology moves on too.  For
> example, we have a handful of PIC 16F876 that probably won't get used
> anymore.

Aye, I've got loads of PICs I don't plan on using anymore. I found some=20
of my original 16C84s -- the first PICs I bought -- in an old toolbox=20
the other day.

> I just looked at our wall of small parts cabinets.  There are a total of
> 1354 small drawers, which look to be 80% used.  With parts also in other
> places, it looks like we have 1100 different part types around.

About 900 different part types here, counting different values. When I=20
need something, I usually just pick something that 'looks about right'.=20
ICs are the main things I have to buy in. Heck, I just bought a rail of=20
ten Texas Instruments CDC925 fractional-N PLL clock generators because=20
they're great for generating weird clock frequencies from a jellybean 10=20
or 20MHz crystal... When they're only a few quid each, it's really not=20
worth crying over...

Oh, and it cost less to buy ten than it would have cost to buy the five=20
I needed :)

--=20
Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/
--=20
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