[sdiy] Cheap parts

[Jim Patchell]

    Yes, there are quite a few places like them:

    http://www.jameco.com
    http://www.jdr.com

    Are two others I have used.

    I have used Jameco a lot more, and you have to be careful.  The
parts they sell are sometimes not exactly what you would call the
highest quality.  I purchased a bunch of PC mounted toggle switches from
Jameco a couple of months ago (260 of them), and discovered that I had
to give them a good look before stuffing them in the board.  Several
were broken when I got them.  But still, they were about 1/4 the price I
found anywhere else, and that made the difference between doing the
project, and not doing the project.

    Over the years, however, I have learned not to fool around with
certain items.  POTs are a good example.  You can ocasionally get good
deals (recently, I got $5 pots for 35 cents), but you also have to be
ready to be disapointed.

SCOTT STITES wrote:

> Hi all,
> I'll put in my two cents, I'm new to the list, so these
> may be well known:
>
> Unicorn Electronics seems to have a pretty good
> selection of chips and transistors at not too bad of a
> price.  Not as speedy as Mouser or Newark, however. I
> placed an order with them last week and haven't
> received it yet.
>
> http://www.unicornelectronics.com/
>
> I also placed an order with Hosfelt this week.  Whilst
> on the phone, I was told that they have a new web site
> up:
>
> http://www.hosfelt.com/
>
> I checked it and it's there.  Good prices on cheap
> connectors.  Jim Patchell is right about future
> headaches, but if I don't get the cheapies now, my
> synth won't have a future.  Danged if you do and danged
> if you don't.
>
> Scott Bernardi's most excellent site has a section with
> some great links.  Some pretty cool circuits as well.
> I ran across his joystick controller design on the same
> day that I found the exact joystick he used in his
> design (from a link on his page).  I'm in joystick
> heaven.  Scott, I have never emailed you, but I think
> your site is great.  Godspeed to Ogee!
>
> Scott Stites
>
> (Followed by a blurb that PeoplePC tacks onto my web
> based email that I don't necessarily agree with)
>
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