SMD component manufacturer recommendation needed - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2016, 05:56:12 am
content: Hi,I want to start building up my smd component stock. So I'm planing to buy needed passives by reals, so I would have lifetime supply for prototype build. What SMD passive component manufacturer would you advise, witch should I avoid?

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2016, 05:59:49 am
content: Have you considered buying one of the kits of assorted SMD caps / resistors that are available cheaply?You get say 50 of each and just buy another 100 or so few a few dollars when the original supply runs out.

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2016, 06:03:05 am
content: I have a small stock of all the common SMD and through hole parts, but for commonly used values I would prefer to have a larger amount (pull up resistor, bypass caps, other commonly used values).EDIT: Kit is around 5-10$, and you can get a 5000 component real for that cost.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 06:12:54 am
content: One that is a must buy is 0 ohm resistor

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 06:26:17 am
content: Would not suggest getting lifetime supply of parts. There is such thing as shelf life. After 5-10 years parts won't be as solderable as when they were new, and after 20 years you might have a trouble to solder them at all. If you are not using a lot of parts, then get those SMD resistor/capacitor kits from china, they are completely fine for any non critical job.QuoteThey all are good enough unless you have some special requirements. Proper PCB design and production process for avoiding mechanical stress on SMD parts is more important for their reliability.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 06:32:09 am
content: Quote from: sainter on October 07, 2016, 06:03:05 am"reel" BTW. If you count how many components are in that kit, then your 5000 one type component saving won't look such a great deal anymore.http://www.ebay.com/itm/232096106048I buy reels myself, but because I'm pretty sure I will run through them in a few years maximum.

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 11:27:58 am
content: ok, lets say I do as you suggest, If in period of one year I need 100 or so, 10k R, i would buy 5 kits. At the end of the year, I still would have a single 10K and a bunch of values I don't need at all.My train of thought- Buy a kit of assorted passives, and then buy reels of the stuff I use the most. And about shelf life, the same as with all supplies (batteries, food ...) you buy in bulk and you rotate, that is if you make some project, then you can use up your 2-3 year old component and buy new ones.I'm taking my first baby steps ir EE, so all advice is welcomed, but the main question I had was about difference in quality of manufacturers, because, there is a price difference.Btw, English is my second language so thanks for grammar lessons (no sarcasm).

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 03:14:40 pm
content: Just buy reels of popular values from a reputable supplier like RS or Element14 and you'll have no issues. Grab some eBay kits for the rest.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 04:58:24 pm
content: reputable supplier like RS or Element14

author: sainter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 05:39:17 pm
content: Quote from: evb149 on October 09, 2016, 05:13:13 pmReel of 5000 1% tolerance resistors (VISHAY) cost around 6 $, 200 no name resistors supposedly 1% is around 1,5 $. That's why I see sense of buying a reel of few most used components. And when you have more of those, you can use them more often. And even if you use 1/5 of them and they get oxidized and unusable, you still win.Thank you for the list of recommended manufacturers.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2016, 06:03:38 pm
content: I usually buy parts for the project and extras for stock. I don't know that I would extend that idea to reel quantities but I do have a reel of 0.1 ufd ceramics (0805). Actually, storing the excess on a reel probably makes more sense than the endless baggies I have laying around that I can never find. Reels are a little harder to misplace.I would still use the approach of buying for the project rather than ordering values I may never use. I do have a capacitor and resistor kit from Jameco and they are quite handy. I refill the drawers from parts I over-order.