Component Kits - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2016, 10:49:01 pm
content: Just putting together my shop/lab and have nearly finished storing away my old stuff from 16+ years ago but my supply is pretty limited and only cover through hole so I'm looking at perhaps buying some kits of passives and latter some actives. Now, the big question is SMD or through hole and to be honest I'm not sure I can or should focus solely on one or the other. So, I've started looking around at Digikey etc and there are many MANY choices and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at the range of choices and minimum buy requirements.In the past the standard for resistors was 5% or 10%, but would limiting my selection to, say 1%, though somewhat more expensive, actually make more sense with a smaller inventory offsetting the higher unit cost. For resistors it's good to have a supply from near zero to over 1M or about 6 or 7 decades. I see Digikey has kits covering a decade (eg. (10K - 97.6K), (199K - 976K), etc) but of course these come in various power ratings so what kinds of power ratings are most people buying and using? For general use, back in the day, we'd use either 1/4W as they were the most commonly available versions and generally usable except when power requirements were greater than that. Given the lower power usage of modern electronics I wonder if 1/8W wouldn't be more practical these days.So, other that Digikiy, Newark and Mouser where else can one go as a one-stop shopping for such supplies and particularly kits?Brian

author: whalphen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 03:40:36 am
content: Go to Amazon.com and look for 'Joe Knows Electronics' assortments of thru hole resistors, capacitors, and semiconductors. They provide a wide range of values neatly organized and packaged. For SMD, you can go to one of the Chinese online marketplaces such as AliExpress.com or BangGood.com and order a set of surface mount resistors or capacitors. (When using these, check the values first -- I've found some to be out of tolerance.) You can get them in a binder to store on a shelf (next to the Joe Knows kits.) Common SMD component sizes are 0805 and 0603. These sets can get you started. Then, when you order additional parts, you can get them in lots of 50 or 100 at a reasonable price from DigiKey or Mouser. I usually order tight tolerance and the highest power rating in the package size I need. That makes the leftovers more useable for future projects. Most of the resistors I use are 1/8 watt or 1/4 watt.

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 14, 2016, 08:44:31 pm
content: Thanks,Brian

author: boffin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 14, 2016, 09:39:33 pm
content: I bought much the same thing off eBay and/or AliExpress for about 1/3 of the price on Amazon. Totally worth having the resistor and electrolytic assortment, and split a semi assortment with a buddy

author: raptor1956
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2016, 02:56:58 am
content: Now I have to decide if I want to go SMD/SMT versus through hole. My experience is with through hole but the industry is now SMD/SMT so choices and prices would seem to favor them over through hole. My biggest problem is my nearly 60 year old eyes and working with SMD/SMT means having to use magnification.Brian

author: whalphen
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 05:25:15 pm
content: Brian,I also have eyes nearly 60 years old. But I started using SMT and now prefer it! I bought a magnifier lamp on an articulated arm and I do all my work under that magnifier -- even the big through hole stuff. I can see the work much better that way. I really like doing SMT work and am still trying to convince my buddies to try it. Once you learn a few simple techniques, it's much easier and faster than through hole work. A magnifier, tweezers, and a reflow oven are all you need in addition to the conventional tools. I've since added a USB magnifier to check the results. And, recently, a solder paste dispenser to help apply the paste -- the most tedious part of the work.Best of all, my extensive SMT parts inventory can fit in a single small box.Will

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 01:53:37 am
content: Another vote for SMT these days, particularly as a lot of the newer IC's aren't being produced in DIP.I still use .100" PTH boards with 0805 packages as they fit nicely between two holes for when I want something working quickly, combined with adapter boards (and 30AWG wire wrapping wire of course). And all of these items can be had inexpensively from eBay or Aliexpress.For disclosure, I do use Schmart Boards for the smaller pitch stuff as they're really well made (I get less bridging). Normally you do pay for it of course, but I got lucky and snagged every one they had from a Radio Shack that was being closed.

author: trophosphere
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 03:00:09 am
content: I purchased my resistor kits fromSMT Zonea couple years ago and the kits have continued to last me save for a couple values that I use very often but for that I just order a pack of 100 from Mouser and refill it. This saves me from having to order general purpose resistors for any of my projects.If I happen to need a through hole resistor then I'll use adiscrete adapter.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2016, 07:57:22 am
content: I use both SMT and through hole.Quote from: nanofrog on October 26, 2016, 01:53:37 amI do that too and often, for SOICs with 16 of fewer pins with a 0.05" pitch, I cut the tracks on some stripboard in half and they fit perfectly.