[sdiy] Boycott Mouser and ROHS

[harry bissell]

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?)  
>   
Electrolytics seldom leak anymore, and have a pretty good shelf life. 
Almost all leaded components
could be scraped off and soldered with no trouble. I have to do this to 
some 30yr old parts now...

Pure tin may grow whiskers. They are not as good looking as ~my~ 
whiskers, and they are a HELL
of a lot more conductive.  This is prlly not trouble for old-school 
leaded components (spacings are
big enough it is usually not a problem.
> 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? 
(axial / radial) leaded devices... go ahead and use them. Solder will be 
no problem.
>  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?
>   
New equipment designed for our throw-away society is not intended to be 
repaired (for the most
part). Early no-Pb PCBs will have poor reliability compared to Sn-Pb 
ones.  Thats why the
MILITARY does not have to use them. Apparantly killing people is more 
important to do reliably
than making music... but I digress :^P   Medical and Aerospace are 
exempt as well, and most
fixed Industrial gear is (but not for long).

I think reliability will go up as people get on the bandwagon...

Bandwagon ??? Hey there's that 'music' thing again...
> p.s. - should we start an SDIY geezers society? :-)  
>   
You are our KING !!!

H^) harry