[sdiy] Boycott Mouser and ROHS

[R. D. Davis]

Quothe Tim Ressel, from writings of Mon, Aug 14, 2006 at 11:54:49AM -0700:
> I can tell you here where I work our components have
> been switching over for a year now, and I have not
> noticed it one bit. The stuff solders just like the
> old components. 

Hi Tim, my biggest concern was with the spare components that I was
going to purchase to bring the price down by about half, which I'd be
storing to use for possibly years to come (being realistic, I know
that electrolytics tend to go bad, leak gunk, etc. after so many
years--and worse yet when not used or "rejuvinated" (when possible),
but parts like some other capacitors, semiconductors, resistors,
etc. with the leaded leads can be stored for decades and decades, and
then used without problems.  It's been my understanding that special
storage is needed for RoHS components to prevent oxidation/tarnishing.
I've also read about crystilization problems of some sort (but is that
just a problem with lead-free solder as some indicate?)  

My preference is to just dump non-static-sensitive components into
appropriate plastic storage-cabinet drawers, but who knows, some may
end up left lying on a desk, on top of some equipment, falling on the
floor, and who knows where else for who knows how many decades... but
I want parts that I can still use, however they were stored and
wherever I find them, just like the old components that I have
already.

Sure, I can go ahead and use the caps that I get and hopefully have a
properly working synth again with bass that doesn't suck, but, the
spares that I purchase, how long can I expect them to last if not
stored in a certain way?  Also, the material used for the leads isn't
always specified, and what assurance do I have that there won't be
problems with the connection in several years or so?  In all fairness,
perhaps the problems might not be as bad as the problems that some of
us have already had with equipment using leaded components where the
manufacturing process was shoddy (like the seemingly zillions of bad
solder joints in my Tascam 34B), or might they?

Robert

p.s. - should we start an SDIY geezers society? :-)  

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