What's worth buying from the big A?

[jessenator]

I'm personally a fan of getting things from the little guy (so to speak), but I've got some Amazon beezosbucks I need to spend and wondered if anyone's had good luck/experience with the kinds of things we buy: be it wire, pots, other passives, etc. I'm inspired by a site where they evaluate stuff from like Harbor Freight and tell you what is good and what isn't to get from them.

E.g., I'm usually wary of buying things like "capacitor assortment" (especially for electrolytic cans), but are MLCCs a decent buy?

Anyhow that's just one example, but if anyone's got some things they've bought and were happy with, I'd appreciate it.

Or if it's better to just spend those funds on something else, that's also good to know!

[BricksnBeatles]

I have an MLCC assortment that I got from amazon when I was missing some key values in a pinch, and they all test in spec.
as far as parts go, I like the Chanzon LED assortments and Daier Bezels. I avoid most of the other parts on amazon tbh.
If you've got enough amazon bucks, you could get a DCA75 if you don't already have one.

[blackhatboojum]

I had good luck with a RexQualis branded electrolytic cap assortment.  There were a few caps that I tested that weren't within spec so, they went in the garbage but, overall no issues.  I've used those electrolytics in a lot of my builds.  Chanzon brand resistor and LED assortments have worked for me as well.  I would avoid the box cap assortments.  I ordered one of those sets from the 3pdt store and they were crap.  A lot of those caps weren't even close to spec so, I returned it.

[harryklippton]

I just received a little hot plate and some low temp solder paste as an alternative to hand soldering surface mount stuff. The plate was $13. I also buy lead-removal cleaning wipes that I use for my hands after soldering. So not components per se but peripheral stuff

[BricksnBeatles]

I just received a little hot plate and some low temp solder paste as an alternative to hand soldering surface mount stuff. The plate was $13. I also buy lead-removal cleaning wipes that I use for my hands after soldering. So not components per se but peripheral stuff

LMK how the solder paste goes! I need to pick some up for some SMD stuff I want to try. No problem hand soldering it, but it would save me hours in this case lol

[harryklippton]

I just received a little hot plate and some low temp solder paste as an alternative to hand soldering surface mount stuff. The plate was $13. I also buy lead-removal cleaning wipes that I use for my hands after soldering. So not components per se but peripheral stuff

LMK how the solder paste goes! I need to pick some up for some SMD stuff I want to try. No problem hand soldering it, but it would save me hours in this case lol

Sure thing. I just wabted to try something different. I did notice that the solder paste says it should be refrigerated and I'm definitely not doing that so we'll see I guess

[EBK]

If you happen to use Switchcraft jacks, I have repeatedly bought them on Amazon.  10 for $20 with free shipping.

Other things I have bought:  trimmer assortments, metal film resistor assortments, stripboard (make sure you specify FR4 so you don't get phenolic by mistake), bus wire, solder....

[jimilee]

Bezos bucks


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[jessenator]

I have an MLCC assortment that I got from amazon ... Chanzon LED assortments and Daier Bezels.

added!

I had good luck with a RexQualis branded electrolytic cap assortment.

Well bugger, they don't sell them anymore, just their Arduino kits. Sadness. There's a brand, Bojack, but that's an unknown quantity.

If you happen to use Switchcraft jacks, I have repeatedly bought them on Amazon.  10 for $20 with free shipping.
Other things I have bought:  trimmer assortments ... bus wire, solder

I'll have to take a look at what they've got. Usually it's just "yeah whatever" but I'm starting to hone in on a regular monojack.

Have you gotten any bonded wire from the 'Zon? I've thought about trying it to save me some time tinning and having a neater appearance.

I just received a little hot plate and some low temp solder paste as an alternative to hand soldering surface mount stuff. The plate was $13. I also buy lead-removal cleaning wipes that I use for my hands after soldering. So not components per se but peripheral stuff

Good to know! I've thought about hot plate, but was mostly doing SMD repair, so it was hot air... I might put my hot air station up since I don't use it anymore for that level of rework.


Thanks, all, for the input!

[EBK]

Have you gotten any bonded wire from the 'Zon? I've thought about trying it to save me some time tinning and having a neater appearance.

I haven't.  My biggest issue in the past with cheap wire is the temperature at which the insulation melts.  I almost exclusively use Smallbear's wire. 

[harryklippton]

Oh I'm still working through two boxes of mlcc assortments that I bought like 5 years ago and they've been fine

[jessenator]

...the temperature at which the insulation melts.  I almost exclusively use Smallbear's wire.

Good call.

[derevaun]

I've had good results with an MLCC assortment too--from EEEEE. Not crazy about having another packaging style, but they're in spec and coverage is OK (missing a couple E6 values). The EEEEE resistor assortment is working out fine as well--it's full E12 in the 100, 1K, and 10K decades, full E6 in the others, and no oddball values.

There's also small fastener sets--the Hilitchi M2 & M3 button head and spacer sets have been handy, and all four have the same style of box.

[gordo]

Minnetonka moccasins.  Nice fake fur lining and perfect for shuffling around my cold basement shop.

[jessenator]

Minnetonka

I've purified myself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka...