Buying parts

[greigoroth]

Radamus I pretty much just asked Aron this same question as your first one. I don't know about qualitative differences in perf, my logic was if Aron sells it it must be good, and of the two different sizes he sold the larger (3.3x2.5) was the one I was recommended - the logic being that you can get at least one project per board and probably be able to use the left overs to do other stuff. So yeah, get a bigger piece and then break it off.

You may also take my build count into consideration with this answer... (count: 0) but this was the advice I got and it seemed pretty solid!

I'm interested in the mounting question as well!

[frank_p]

Don't remember who, but one of the "cheapie" guys threw all my parts into one box or one bag (and it was bunch of mixed stuff- 16mm pots, jacks, etc). I don't like that. It's worth it to me to pay Steve or Mouser to individually bag the stuff. I don't mind paying a little more for good service. It's kind of like the difference between buying clothes at a store where the clerk folds them neatly and puts them in a box- vs. buying them at Wal-mart where they toss them in a bag with your toilet paper and garden hose while shouting, "Next!"...

Pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

500 resistors value pack bought this week.
All sort of colors, tons of codes, all values, number of color bands, all materials, all sort of powers, all sort of tolerances...
none are attached together to give me a break.
Everything is mixed.
I practice my color code reading abilities, knowledge of components, etc...   But after ALL:  PATIENCE.

Will never do that again!
I tought it was a deal...  well...
I wonder if classifying will end...

[Radamus]

Here's another one: Favorite op-amp? I know a lot of schematics specify, but it also seems that a lot don't. Does it make a difference which one I use? What's your favorite?

[frank_p]

Have you read what I replied ...  I hope I will have some insight !  Geuess alll thingns are reseved,,,,,,,,,, to.............alll..........................
forgethit..............................................................I ...................should .................... ha...
.......................................................ve.   
Tz.   Tzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Keeps All going!!!
(that is no joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
F.H.P..
...

[Radamus]

I want to add a bit of an update here: I ordered from Futurlec and I found that they have great prices and a lot of the things that I need. That being said, I placed my order about six weeks ago and have not received it. I emailed them last night. They have been having a hard time locating certain parts of my order.

Advice: if you use futurlec.com, which I do recommend (I'll update when I receive the parts), you must contact them to make sure all of your parts are available, or they will hold the entire order up.

Hope that helps.

[spud]

Well, back to the original post: 

You asked about allelectronics I believe - I've ordered from them and they are alright.  Their selection is somewhat off and on in that they have items that seem to be random = they show up, then whoosh their gone.  If you catch them when they have it, good stuff for good prices.  A few things that do have consistently are:

1)  Sockets - I like the cliff type and the enclosed type (Neutrik?) - like these:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SPHJ-1/STEREO-1/4-JACK-W/-NC-SWITCH/-/1.html

or these:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PHJ-8/1/4-PHONE-JACK-SPECIAL/-/1.html


2)  Perf boards - several diff kinds:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/455/Perf-Boards/1.html

3)  PCB stuff:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/category/445/PC-Materials/1.html

4)  misc stuff:

I bought this for powering pedal projects on my bench until they get boxed up - regulated and adjustable:

http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/PS-10/1-AMP-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-w/-SELECTABLE-OUTPUT/-/1.html

They are more like an electronics surplus place but they do carry regular, non-salvage items.  Some of stuff appears to be parts taken out of something else.  Well, they cater to all kinds of DIY folks - Robot builders seem to frequent them. 

Also, WRT Futurlec - they have a pretty bad shipping record with me.  As little as 1 week up to 1 month. 

Also, check out:

electronix express:  http://www.elexp.com/index.htm

ocean state electronics:  http://www.oselectronics.com/

This is for pedal/effects type stuff.  If you want info on Tube Amp vendors, well that's the subject of another thread....

spud

[Radamus]

I did get my order from futurlec. They have good prices, but they won't tell you when a part is out of stock, so after about a week or so, it's a good idea to email them and see how things are going. in my case, it was just a couple of LED colors they were out of, so I decided to swap them out. Now I have green orange LEDs and don't know what the hell to do with them, but that's another story.

[eleanor296]

I second the question about common transistors and ICs that should be stocked at all times!!
Could we get a small list of the most popular stuff?


Andy

[rnfr]

for the record: mouser WILL send you whatever part of the order they have in stock, and then ship you the rest when it comes in.  i ordered a bunch of caps from them recently, and they were out of one value.  it came in the mail a few weeks later.

[greigoroth]

Banzai don't tell you either about if a part is in stock... I got some pretty common IC's about 6 weeks after they shipped the first part of my order - and Banzai is a pretty "respected" company. I've bought 2 big orders from Futurlec and not had a problem (knock on wood). But I ended up getting the right parts from both Banzai and Futurlec, so I'm a happy camper. There are some great tips in this thread by the way.

[frank_p]

I second the question about common transistors and ICs that should be stocked at all times!!
Could we get a small list of the most popular stuff?


Andy

Forget about a transistor list, it would be much too long.
For chips (except op-amps), you should post this question in its own topic.
you will have a better response this way.