Just had to say it. I know that there is a learning curve, but oh man.
anything in particular you are having a hard time finding?
Whatcha lookin for?
Just venting :)
It's the whole process that gets me. Stayed up late last night working out an order between smallbear and mouser, planning to finish it up at work and order it for the weekend-- only to find that both sites save their orders via cookies, so my shopping cart at work is empty.
Then it's just the hunting around for stuff that really gets me-- as I'm sure it does everyone. I'm building the THC headphone amp had have had some luck going to the shared mouser BOM thread to look for similar values in other THC projects that are there and cross referencing to see what I need. But looking for a 1/8 headphone jack is tough-- way too many choices!
So, really just venting. Not one specific thing, but everything. I like the hobby, but this is the part--the parts ordering-- that is the most painful for me.
You can save your cart at Mouser. Unless you don't remember to, like me.
I'm fairly sure I saved it and logged out... though if I didn't and that's why it's not up, then that one is on me! I work with computers, too. I should know better.
You can also send your cart to somebody (or yourself) or you can create a project for it. But yeah, I've been caught by the cart in the cookies scenario, too.
I like to use Project Manager for big orders. I can add items to a project titled with a date and put in items for multiple different projects. Sometimes I take my time and may wait a couple of weeks before actually ordering, adding items the whole time. When ready to place the order there is a button that says "Order Project" One click and all the items are in your cart. And the projects are stored at mouser, so you can work on the list at multiple computers.
Looks like my shopping carts both existed here at home due to cookies. Just made both of my orders and I know that some of you are old pros, but I feel like I just gave birth. And now I don't even care about the baby! I'll forget by the time the parts get in, but glad this is over.
I ordered parts for: green russian mudbunny, cosmopolitan, mossy sloth, and a 2 in 1 condor/headphone amp.
there's a thread with "shared Mouser BOMs" that includes a couple of mudbunnies, among others.
as suggested, I'd create a project for each set of parts, and you should be able to find it no problem.
I'm pretty familiar with Mouser's database, but it still takes time to put an order together from scratch.
someone had a very good, brief synopsis of how to narrow a search down by type and lead spacing ... if you do that, you can narrow your search fairly quickly, considering the size of their database.
I did use that shared BOM thread for the mudbunny and cosmo orders. Thank goodness!
Good suggestions here all around.
yeah, the cart cookie thing has caught me multiple times.
fwiw, i dont like to order from mouser either. It has happened and will happen again, but mostly i go with alternatives. And it is funny, despite their enormous database, there's still a few of the obvious (well, at least to me) things that they dont carry.
Cheers
Quote from: Vallhagen on May 01, 2014, 12:04:13 PM
fwiw, i dont like to order from mouser either. It has happened and will happen again, but mostly i go with alternatives. And it is funny, despite their enormous database, there's still a few of the obvious (well, at least to me) things that they dont carry.
Cheers
Like 16mm right angle pots :(
I would have ordered everything from smallbear, but they didn't have the IC that I needed for the THC headphone amp. Mouser did and while I was there I took advantage of 2 of the BOMs from here.
Mouser's great, there is just a learning curve.
I always ask people here when looking for things.
It was hard for me to start using Mouser since I was not familiar with datasheets and relied on pictures (which you will learn fast mean next to nothing at Mouser). After about 15 medium orders and 15 large orders I feel like I finally got a grasp on using their tools to my advantage. I love setting up "projects" but them actually be stock lists. I also made a saved cart that is a hand full of "items I order with every mouser order" so I will not have to remember them every time.
In the long run it really helped me to understand what exactly I am ordering/needing and to learn how to read datasheets. Also, I learned to not do any 3:00am quick ordering. Due to this, I have a box labeled Misc Parts and in here is where I put all the 2watt resistors I order by accident and a few crazy big caps I got by accident.
Cody
I, of course, forgot to order something key for a headphone amp: 1/8 headphone jacks :)
Just realized that. Will have to hit up radio shack. :(
On the other hand, the order that I put in at small bear last night will be available for pickup this afternoon at a brooklyn copy shop (they will do pickup if you are in brooklyn). Now that is very fast!
The project based Mouser system really doesn't work well for me -- I keep a small library of part, and order based on what I need to complete something (plus keeping basic stuff in supply), NOT based on the total parts needed for something.
RS, OTOH, have me sold on the pure SPEEEEEED of their shipping. It's like they have Speedy Gonzales on contract.
Quote from: alanp on May 02, 2014, 01:35:22 AM
The project based Mouser system really doesn't work well for me -- I keep a small library of part, and order based on what I need to complete something (plus keeping basic stuff in supply), NOT based on the total parts needed for something.
RS, OTOH, have me sold on the pure SPEEEEEED of their shipping. It's like they have Speedy Gonzales on contract.
AlanP,
Sounds like we are on the same wave length. I don't use the projects for actual "projects" but as more of a default order like resistors and caps I go through the most. When I first started using it I actually setup a project at Mouser for all the parts needed to make Rams Head BMP's and added enough for 20 to 50 builds minus pots and enclosures and switches of-course. For awhile that was all I was building and flipping so I needed to keep the order on hand. Saved me a bunch of time.
Cody