Parts Bin

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I'm looking for some advice on stocking a parts bin. I'm just getting started with DIY electronics, so I have no inventory to speak of.

Right now, I have some extra parts I picked up a while back (a few LM78/79 and LM317 voltage regulators), plus a stash of power inlets, fuse holders, switches, toroidals, electrolytic caps, and chip amp ICs for my first amp project.

To start out, I've come up with the following Digikey shopping list:

Code:
Transformers
        TE2234-ND       5VA, 18VAC @ 278mA, 9VAC @ 556mA
        TE2245-ND       10VA, 18VAC @ 556mA, 9VAC @ 1.11A
        TE2252-ND       15VA, 24VAC @ 625mA, 12VAC @ 1.25A
        237-1330-ND     50VA, 18VAC @ 2.78A, 9VAC @ 5.56A

ICs
        497-1963-5-ND   ST Micro NE555N Timer (8p DIP)
        497-1350-5-ND   ST Micro 4017 Counter (16p DIP)
        OPA2134PA-ND    TI Dual OpAmp (8p DIP)

Relays
        PB894-ND        Tyco, coil 12VDC @ 16.7mA, contacts 240VAC @ 5A (SPST, NO)

Diodes
        1N4001FSCT-ND   Fairchild 1N4001 power (50V @ 1A, 1.1V drop)
        1N4148TACT-ND   Fairchild 1N4148 signal (100V @ 200mA, 1V drop)

Resistors (Panasonic, +/-5%, 1/4W, Carbon Film)
        P100BACT-ND     100
        P150BACT-ND     150
        P220BACT-ND     220
        P330BACT-ND     330
        P470BACT-ND     470
        P680BACT-ND     680
        P1.0KBACT-ND    1.0K
        P1.5KBACT-ND    1.5K
        P2.2KBACT-ND    2.2K
        P3.3KBACT-ND    3.3K
        P4.7KBACT-ND    4.7K
        P6.8KBACT-ND    6.8K
        P10KBACT-ND      10K
        P15KBACT-ND      15K
        P22KBACT-ND      22K
        P33KBACT-ND      33K
        P47KBACT-ND      47K
        P68KBACT-ND      68K
        P100KBACT-ND    100K
        P150KBACT-ND    150K
        P220KBACT-ND    220K
        P330KBACT-ND    330K
        P470KBACT-ND    470K
        P680KBACT-ND    680K
        P1.0MBACT-ND      1M

Capacitors (Nichicon, Electrolytic Radial, +/-20%, 50V)
        493-1095-ND     0.1 uF
        493-1096-ND     0.22uF
        493-1098-ND     0.47uF
        493-1099-ND     1.0 uF
        493-1100-ND     2.2 uF
        493-1102-ND     4.7 uF
        493-1103-ND       10uF
        493-1104-ND       22uF
        493-1106-ND       47uF
        493-1107-ND      100uF
        493-1108-ND      220uF
        493-1110-ND      470uF
        493-1111-ND     1000uF
        493-1112-ND     2200uF
        493-1115-ND     4700uF

Capacitors (Vishay/BC, Ceramic Axial, X1Y2-rated, +/-20%, 300VAC)
        BC2354-ND        1.0nF ( 1000pF)
        BC2356-ND        2.2nF ( 2200pF)
        BC2359-ND        4.7nF ( 4700pF)
        BC2361-ND       10.0nF (10000pF)

Capacitors (Vishay/BC, Metallized Polypropylene Radial, Y2-rated, +/-20%, 300VAC)
        BC2603-ND        0.1uF (100nF)

Capacitors (Vishay/BC, Ceramic Radial, +/-10%, 50V)
        BC1078CT-ND     0.010 uF
        BC1080CT-ND     0.022 uF
        BC1082CT-ND     0.047 uF
        BC1084CT-ND     0.100 uF
        BC1103CT-ND     0.220 uF
        BC2689CT-ND     0.470 uF
        BC2668CT-ND     1.000 uF

Capacitors (Vishay/BC, Metallized Polyester Radial, +/-10%, 63VAC, 100VDC)
        BC1646-ND       0.022 uF
        BC1654-ND       0.047 uF
        BC1639-ND       0.100 uF
        BC1647-ND       0.220 uF
        BC1655-ND       0.470 uF
        BC1763-ND       1.000 uF
        BC1767-ND       2.200 uF

I will also need a selection of LEDs, switches, pin headers (for disconnect-able cabling), and pots. But I'll get to that later. :D

I'm mainly interested in audio projects (a chipamp or three, electronic crossovers, 2-4 channel mixers, mid/side codecs, etc.), but would like some versatility. (Another planned project is animating an antique traffic light I've had for a few years.)

So... suggestions? Anything I'm missing? Picking the wrong parts? I'm not having a ton of luck finding polypro caps. What's the deal with that?
 
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Don't use carbon film resistors, they're the worst. In fact, they're the worst of two worlds: As film resistors, they are inductive due to their helical structure (like a ribbon wound on an cylinder). This also gives them a lower voltage rating than carbon composite resistors (these are useful, non inductive, high voltage rating due to continuous voltage drop across). The carbon has a high TC (which means high temp coeff, their value drifts with temp) and is noisier than metal film.
So either carbon composite (CC) or metal film. Most people prefer metal film: low TC, low noise, tight tolerances (1%) and much higher mechanical strength. People like Vishay Dale RN55D, CMF55...I once stocked up on the MRS25 series. There are also resistor kits where people sell you 1000 resistors for like 10$ on ebay or here in the swap meet section.

LEDs...get 20mA type, any color you like. Again, check ebay for kits (US or Hong Kong).
Diodes...get some beefy diodes too, like the 1N5407.
Caps...For audio use ceramic types are not too popular. Electrolytic caps below say 4u7 can can be replaced by film caps. Again, look for kits. Panasonic ECQP series caps (polypropylene and foil) are nice, so are Wima MKP10, MKP4 or FKP1. With electrolytic caps look for low ESR (effective series resistance) and 105° temp rating, like motherboard capacitors (no kidding, computer parts are awesome).
silicone...Get some BC550C and BC560C, these are generic low noise npn/pnp transistors that are quite common and cheap.

Regularly check the Swap Meet section, people are often selling batches of stuff.

Good luck!
 
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That's great info -- thanks! I neglected to mention I have a dozen MUR860 diodes as well. I added the 5407s to my list since they're cheaper but will do nicely for less critical projects.

So, in between swap meets, where's a good place to find polypro caps? The Panasonic ECQ's are listed on Digikey, but are all non-stock items. There wasn't much else to choose from either. No Panasonics at Mouser either, but at least they have Wimas.

Polypros aren't THAT rare, are they? I don't understand why they're not as abundant as electrolytics and ceramics.
 
You might consider 9.1v Zeners, 1N4007 (no disadvantage for higher voltage rating compared to 1N4001) MPSA42 and MPSA92 (higher voltage rating but lower hfe than BC's that Dave suggested), MJE340, MJE350, MJE15030, MJE15031 are all frequently used or substitutes.

Unless you are going to work with tubes, there isn't too much need for resistors over 200K.

Also take a look at surplus shops like Apex Jr.Home Page and All Electronics | Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices for transformers, heat sinks, electrolytic caps, high power bridges and other parts.

A bunch of MKT type 100 nf caps will come in handy for bypassing ICs.
 
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