Workshop inventory advice needed

@codeslinger

Hi Mike

Thanks for starting this thread, I think putting together a list of essential components is a great idea.  I'm hoping that by bumping this thread up we can get the conversation started.

Ther are a lot of great collections of parts on Amazon and eBay, things like common transistors and diodes, standard resistor and capacitor values, assorted voltage regulators as well as assorted hardware like screw kits and standoffs.

I've purchased a few of these myself and used them to stock my parts drawers, the beauty of these kits is that they usually come in storage containers, so if you don't actually have parts drawers you won't need them!

I'll go through my workshop tomorrow and try and get together a list of some of the parts I have, and I'll report back.

Of course, it really depends upon what aspect of electronics you work with. I have a number of both analog and digital IC's, but if you never work with analog stuff you might not need these. And those who work with radio circuits would require some parts that people who focus on Arduino wouldn't need.

I'd like to know myself what digital IC's, such as common logic gates, people are stocking. I made a big order of IC's a couple of months ago from DigiKey, who are an excellent source for just about anything.

I do miss Radio Shack, but I don't miss the "two resistors in a blister-pack" part kits they had! But for some items they were indispensable, and it was handy having them in every mall.  Up here in Canada Radio Shack became "The Source" about 20 years ago, they still exist but now pretty well focus on mobile phones and computers. I predict they will be out of business soon, half of their stores have either been downgraded or don't exist anymore.

?

Bill