Electronics kit - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Menara
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 07, 2019, 01:40:03 pm
content: Hi,Can someone help me finding some rich kit like this on eBay or AliExpress that delivers to the United States ?https://www.ebay.com/itm/ELECTRONIC-COMPONENTS-2000-PCS-KIT-FOR-BEGINNERS-STUDENTS-GCSE-ESENTIALS/163722977587Thanks !

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 07:08:34 am
content: That particular ebay listing says it ships to the "Americas" which should include the US.

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 07:39:02 am
content: You'll be buying a lot of parts you'll probably never use and some you'll wish you had more of. I just can't tell you which ones are which.And since there will be some you don't have you haven't necessarily saved ordering more. It's a classic beginner mistake. I may have missed it but I didn't see 1N4148 diodes.Of the 2000 pieces 1000 are resistors. That's fair enough.This day and age it is impossible to have everything at home. But with the internet you no longer need to.

author: JackJones
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 07:52:44 am
content: 50£? That's seems a bit much, there's maybe 10£ worth of stuff in there honestly.. Sure, you're paying for the convenience but that doesn't sound like a good deal at all.

author: Menara
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 08:04:44 am
content: Quote from: ledtester on June 08, 2019, 07:08:34 amI'm looking for cheaper alternatives for the kitQuote from: wilfred on June 08, 2019, 07:39:02 amSo you think it's better to buy those resistors kit for a buck and get the ICs separately ?PS : I'm HS Junior interested by an introduction to electronics before getting into college

author: wilfred
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 09:45:34 am
content: Quote from: Menara on June 08, 2019, 08:04:44 amThe short answer is yes. The longer answer is everybody buys stuff that later experience shows to have been unnecessary. It's a chicken and egg situation so what can you do? Buying parts you'll never use IS THAT EXPERIENCE. There would be many thousands of people here on this forum that have accumulated more stuff than they can or will ever use.The best you can hope for is that the stuff is attached to some dream of a project you hope tofinishstart someday. Buying someone elses idea of the ideal starter kit is doomed to be less satisfying. And only possibly less useful. It depends on the type of projects you choose. Those parts are something someone 20 or 30 years ago before Arduino and microcontrollers might have found more useful.Everybodies parts box is a box of dreams, better they're your dreams.If you have to buy a kit, and that's OK, make sure it has 1n4148 diodes. You'll get 10 different opinions from 10 different people about what should be in a beginner kit but everyone will agree on that.

author: ciccio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:06:52 am
content: I'm sure that the proposed kit has a lot of missing items, but there are 25 pieces 1N4001 diodes. .A novice cannot know what components he'll need in some still undefined projects..Maybe we all shoud share our experiences and start writing a list of what we believe being an essential "must have" stock in a beginner lab..It could turn into an intertesting thread..Best regards

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:34:34 am
content: What sort of person is this aimed at? Brand Newbie? or some experience?The first kit I did with my daughter was the very cheap from China Christmas tree... it was a lot of fun

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2019, 10:42:43 am
content: Quote from: ciccio on June 08, 2019, 10:06:52 amIt did:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/from-no-parts-to-decent-stockpile-best-approach/IMHO kits like the O.P. found have their place for beginners as its very difficult for a beginner to anticipate what they need and order on an as required, just in time basis, and even if you find a supplier with free shipping and next day delivery, not having a basic parts stock is an immense barrier to experimental learning. It the difference between taking a couple of minutes to locate and try a different component, while the idea is still fresh in your mind, and having to drop what you are doing, put in an order for the part, wait N days for delivery, then have to dust off your circuit and review your lab notes before you can continue.Quote from: NivagSwerdna on June 08, 2019, 10:34:34 amNewbie but serious student. It claims to be suitable as a student kit for the BritishGCSE Electronicssyllabus.

author: Raj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 05:30:38 pm
content: that kit,kinda looks crap to me...motor, buttons,leds and transistor...What would you make? Flashing leds? variable speed motor? Na, you won't waist your time on such stuff

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 07:58:12 pm
content: better save this money on some good test gear than something that has no value at allfind something broken to repair, if you fail repair, then salvage parts or convert into something fancy...

author: Wimberleytech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 09:09:18 pm
content: Quote from: Raj on June 14, 2019, 05:30:38 pmYeah, you are probably right, I think the kid is planning to design and build a 5G base station and set up a network for his neighborhood...no antenna components, high-power RF transistors...so incomplete!

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2019, 11:36:43 pm
content: Here is a very good book for starting with electonics:https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Started-Electronics-Forrest-Mims/dp/0945053282You can get a PDF for free:http://www.wbrc.in/ham/getting-started-in-electronics-forrest-m-mims-iii.pdfHere is a parts kit for the book:https://www.jameco.com/z/KIT-GSE-BUNDLE-Component-Bundle-for-Getting-Started-with-Electronics-Book_2225115.htmlJAMECO has many other kits, search the site for 'component kits'. I have one of the resistor kits and a couple of capacitor kits,The parts kit doesn't have anywhere near as many parts as the eBay kit but I'm not sure how useful 2000 random parts are going to be.

author: Dabbot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 12:54:32 am
content: Quote from: rstofer on June 14, 2019, 11:36:43 pmThat parts kit is for a completely different (but very similarly titled) book, authored by Øyvind Nydal Dahl.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 01:01:25 am
content: Look on adafruit for kits. More modern kits for more modern projects.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 01:06:59 am
content: Quote from: Dabbot on June 15, 2019, 12:54:32 amOOPS! I didn't know that! I would still recommend the book and especially the PDF. I can get parts from any supplier.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 01:07:44 am
content: Quote from: tpowell1830 on June 15, 2019, 01:01:25 amSparkfun is also worth searching.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 03:39:49 am
content: My method is salvage. I have closets full of components, nearly anything you could want. If I need something, I almost always have it.Over the years I have torn apart lots of broken equipment. Stereos, test equipment, computers, printers, copiers, radios, you name it. I carefully store everything, although I admit sometimes I can't find what I want.Not only electronic components. Screws and nuts, connectors, wire, lugs, brackets, spacers.I have transistors, LEDs, capacitors, resistors, fuses, fuse holders, knobs, potentiometers, variable capacitors, transformers, meters, ICs, coaxial cable, lamps, sockets, binding posts, the list goes on.The comments about buying what you will never use are spot on. I didn't buy this stuff; I have torn apart anything that is too much trouble to repair or that has little value even if it worked. Look online for stuff people are giving away; you will be impressed at how much there is, and how quickly you amass an amazing store of parts.I chuckle when someone brings me something to repair; most of the time I have the exact part he needs. I had the right capacitor to repair a 1947 voltmeter and the right tube to repair a 1968 transmitter. I have a ton of 1N4148 and 1N4007 diodes. My zener stock isn't that good but if I need one they are usually cheap enough.So save your precious money until you find you just have to buy something.Add to that the generosity of old timers. I got a few sets of small drawers filled with components from someone who couldn't use them for health reasons. I bought on the cheap some stuff from widows and subsequently sold off some of it for my total cost. I get tools that way also.After a few years of experience you will learn what to keep and what to toss. I confess I haven't learned what to toss just yet. I can always toss it later. One friend said that if I keep something for more than a year without needing it, throw it out. I disagree.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2019, 04:28:17 am
content: Most of the good value kits you will find are just for 1 part type.etc, LED kit or Resistor kit.

author: Raj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2019, 06:17:28 am
content: I guess, selecting components individually on banggod is the best choice.Get these-resistor assorted boxceramic cap assorted boxelectrolytic cap assorted boxtransistor assorted boxLed assorted boxperforated boardsbread boardjumper wirebuck boost converter (adjustable)The more you make the choice for individual component, the cheaper it will be. a kit with same capability could cost you 25$But first, know what you're gonna make. The attached list will leave you with 20$ to spare on application specific components/ electronics booksQuote from: bob91343 on June 15, 2019, 03:39:49 amin4007 and m7 diodes, the staple of every electronics workshop.

author: bob91343
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2019, 04:36:19 pm
content: It just happened yesterday. I went to a swap meet and got a nice little power supply for $2 but he said it didn't work. I took it home and found a shorted diode. Of course I had the exact one in my stash and now I have a nice $50 power supply that looks and works like new.