workshops

[Tim Ressel]

Bud -- Instead of listing every part in my lab, let me slide some hard-earned
wisdom concerning labs your way. 

Focus on developing your resources. I have several bookmarks for online surplus
supplies. Also I make irregular road trips to Silicon Valley where I scout for
junk stores. 

For parts, check out the parts kits in the Mouser and Digi-key catalogs. You can
usually get good selections at okay prices. However for the ultimate in cheap
you cannot beat surplus. I am lucky enough to live near HSC, which is a decent
surplus store. They stock almost everything I need.

Don't ignore organization (like I did, to my lasting aggravation). Decide early
what your storage methods are going to be and budget money for acquiring the
stuff needed to make it happen. For me its those bin boxes with the pull out
drawers. I have about 400 bins worth of stuff stored in them. For larger items I
use plastic boxes I found on sale. They are about 5x7x12" and stack nicely. They
hold my motors, wall-warts, etc. 

www.wco.com/~hsc
www.digikey.com
www.mouser.com

--Timster

Tim Ressel -- Hardware DQ
Hewlett-Packard
Verifone Division
916-630-2541
tim_r1 at verifone.com