Are diodes the same?

[Zben3129]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering, are all 1n34a diodes the same??

Cause i snagged a few sets of the ones over at futurlec (.05 a pop!)  but there kinda really small with really thin leadsand tough to work with on the breadboards. I was wondering if all 1n34a's were like this, or if the ones at the store here would be more robust, shall we say

[MartyMart]

There are differences  and the forward voltage drop will also be slightly different amongst the same batch,
that's why for "diode octave use" you have to match a pair with your DMM.
I have some 1N34A's that are quite big but have VERY thin leads on them, also bending them too aggresively
has broken a few !!  ..... don't get diode glass splinters in your eyes !!

[Zben3129]

Glass splinters + eyes = owwie


Anyways, I don't mind the small diodes, its the flimsy useless leads that bother me. Any clue where to get germ diodes with a little thicker leads?

[PerroGrande]

I bought a few hundred 1N34A's from this place:

http://www.web-tronics.com/1n34.html

Their diodes have always provided good results for me (when I want that germanium mojo).  The size and lead thickness is comparable to most 1N4148's that I've worked with. 

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

The way to bend a lead on a delicate item, is to use flat pliers to grip the wire near the component, and then bend the wire on the other side of the pliers.
In fact you should bend all leads like this, but the only fragile ones seem to be glass diodes and those hideous old mustard coloured axial caps from the 1960s (makes anti-vampire sign)