After my visit today, I thought it would be useful if we all generated a list of what to buy and what not to buy there. So, here goes, there are 3 categories, one for "Good idea to buy", one for "Overpriced but OK quality", and "Keep away!". Keep in mind, buying from mouser, steve, digikey, futurlec, or whoever, is almost always better.
Decent quality and prices
"High-tech" solder
2.1mm jacks (switching is a bit pricey)
LED bezels (plastic and metal)
Tool Kits
Pad-per hole and perf boards
Project boxes (hammonds are almost always better though)
#20 wire for making jumper cables
Knobs
IC Sockets
Decent quality, bad prices
Switches of most sorts (haven't had them break, but 2.50 for a SPDT is a bit much)
LEDs
Resistors, capacitors (waaay overpriced)
Most IC chips (at least the ones they have)
Potentiometers
IC sockets
Desoldering braid
LDRs (Rarely matched, but they work)
Keep away!
Jacks (terrible quality, bad prices)
Soldering irons
Cables
Anything else? That's just based on my experience.
-Colin
Pricey, limited selects.
IC sockets...IMO cheep anyway you cut it but pricey by comparison...actually I have no quality issues with them...I just don't get enough of them by mail [dohh] and get em from RS by default...
Their knobs are actually nice IMO [and others] you see 'em in PICS etc all the time...but like 'almost?' everything at RS...there's probly a less pricey source.
Knobs, forgot that one, they are decently priced and it's hard to do a low quality knob!
-Colin
Their chrome bezels for LEDs aren't outrageously priced either.
Im happy with thier knobs, solder, ic sockets. I think everything else there (assuming i can find what im looking for) is over priced. I hate the pots there--the overpriced ones w the long stem--they are all like that. At least they have resistors--i can ussually count on them for that.
i have a 20/40 watt soldering station i bought there. it's not bad.
i built a bunch of pedals with their $3 project enclosure. not overly durable, and kind of an akward size. about 3x4.5x2.5 or so. if i put my full weight on it, i would probaly crush it.
i bougth a bunch of knobs there. they arent bad, but kind of ugly.
If you buy their electrolytic cap assortment, their film cap assortment, their ceramic cap assortment, and their resistor assortment, you'll have enough for several projects and be much happier with the prices overall. Still a little on the high side though.
I've been buying my caps on ebay, I get 200 metal film resistors of one value for $3.00. You cannot beat the quality or the price!
Anyone have a good source for lower voltage polypropilene caps at a descent price?
Quote from: javacody
I've been buying my caps on ebay, I get 200 metal film resistors of one value for $3.00. You cannot beat the quality or the price!
yeah, but you can get 1000 from mouser for $6
you can get 1000 metal film resistors for $6?
You can get 1000 carbon comps from Circuitspecialists for 3.00.
You can find lower voltage nonelectrolytic caps (not lal are polypropiline) at my site, http://experimentalistsanonymous.com/ebaylots . I just got a ton in. I also can give you resistors for 1c apiece when you order more than 200.
Quote from: javacodyyou can get 1000 metal film resistors for $6?
well no, but do you really need metal films for 9v pedals????
i thought metal films were more for higher power stuff where heat was more of an isure.
Quote from: Brian MarshallQuote from: javacodyyou can get 1000 metal film resistors for $6?
well no, but do you really need metal films for 9v pedals????
i thought metal films were more for higher power stuff where heat was more of an isure.
Actually, the main difference is that most metal films are 1% (sometimes 2) and that they are less noisy (apparently there is a audible difference, but it's up to you if it's worth it).
-Colin
I prefer metal films for the lower noise and tighter tolerance. I would guess that it would make the most difference in higher gain circuits or large circuits with quite a few resistors. I used them in a fuzz face recently and have literally no hiss.
What I like about todays RS...they're just about right on the way to the gig and will most probably have the 4.7uf or 10uf to sub for the 6.4uf [odd] in my Colorsound Overdriver...since I used their socket for that cap slot I can swap out the one I have in there ezKwik.
Seems like there's often one or two things I'm like real glad they have there...
Doesn't mean I can't say I have big trubbles with them cheep RS Irons [8bux get's you in the door][~1.50 for a tip] and replacement tips...
Would be nice to have the good Iron and Im sure there are better ones...but I been working with this thing the 'whole time' [actually bought another when the tip wouldnt' go in], and they always heated up pretty kwik...I think they work 'jest fine'...for cheeep.
If you plan to do alot of soldering a well recommended station probably makes life a little easier...I work them RS tips to 'half nub' status, always forget to change them before I start [they can be changed with the pliers, but better to start the threads by hand]...and forget to Get the new tip...
I haven't used any other kind but I like the desoldering braid. Works great for IC and things like that.
Quote from: petemooreWhat I like about todays RS...they're just about right on the way to the gig and will most probably have the 4.7uf or 10uf to sub for the 6.4uf [odd] in my Colorsound Overdriver...since I used their socket for that cap slot I can swap out the one I have in there ezKwik.
Seems like there's often one or two things I'm like real glad they have there...
That's the only reason I ever go, it's about 10 minutes away and if I'm really "in the mood" and need a quick part, that's the place for me.
-Colin
I kinda liked those LDR's I got...5 in a pack for $2.50. I really like 2 of em, the other 3 are kinda bad. Well....Usefull, kinda.
They probably won't sell those parts much longer. They seem to try to make their money selling you a cell phone package. Everytime I go to a RadioShack, they are pushing those stupid picture phones. Leave me alone already!
I did get some good deals on clearance items, resistors, IC chips, etc. I have noticed that in the last two years their electronic parts stock has dwindled and dwindled. They are over priced, too, but sometimes I'll pay an extra buck or two so I don't have to wait for a part for a week via mail order.
I kinda like their coil cables for guitar.
I have heard that coiled cables are not the best for a guitar, unless you like treble loss. 8)
Quote from: Paul MarossyI have heard that coiled cables are not the best for a guitar, unless you like treble loss. 8)
They seemed to work well for Jimi. ;)
Take care,
-Peter
"They seemed to work well for Jimi."
Hmm... I didn't know that. 8)
Quote from: Paul MarossyThey probably won't sell those parts much longer. They seem to try to make their money selling you a cell phone package. Everytime I go to a RadioShack, they are pushing those stupid picture phones. Leave me alone already!
I did get some good deals on clearance items, resistors, IC chips, etc. I have noticed that in the last two years their electronic parts stock has dwindled and dwindled. They are over priced, too, but sometimes I'll pay an extra buck or two so I don't have to wait for a part for a week via mail order.
]
That's exactly how all of the one's around me are going, they don't even bother to keep the parts drawers sorted and stocked, and if you ask the stoner behind the counter doesn't know/care.
The only thing I get from there lately is 9v battery clips, solder, and resitors if I need something I ran out of.
Radio shack is shit, but I probably deserve it for stealing thousands of dollars worth of parts there when I was an adolescent. Er, whoops, did I actually say that out loud? Heh heh heh...
Remember, kids, low quality's tolerable if you can get it for free... (I'm speaking to the people under 18 here whose parents do not mail order anything and can't get a job for more than six bucks an hour... your situation is quite familiar to me with the exception that minimum wage was way less back when I was in it! :) )
drew
www.toothpastefordinner.com
When I moved out of the house, minimum wage was $3.35 an hour. :(
Many many moons ago, Radio Shack actually sold a chemistry set and they had these really cool "assortment" boxes of random stuff for $5 I think at was. They had LOTS of chips including a good selection of logic and all kinds of neat stuff. The guy behind the counter was a long time Ham radio operator and the ex-mayor of the town I grew up in. Those were the days. ;)
Out on the road today, saw dead-head sticker on a Cadillac,
a little voice inside my head said don't look back you can never look back. ;)
-Peter
Eagles Rock!
So far I think I've used Radio Shack's 22-guage stranded hook-up wire for every pedal I've built. I often think I should find a better source for wire, but I usually run out of wire right when I'm in the middle of something, and Radio Shack's just up the street from me. Quality and prices and pushy salespeople aside, Radio Shack has saved me from more than a few frustrating times.
The reason the people behind the countors are never helpful is that they're on commission. Not only that, but they keep statistics of sales. Its actually _bad_ for them to ring up a $1 resistor purchese, because it brings _down_ their "sales average." So they try to sell you cell phones, which brings it up. One of my friends worked there and tried explaining the whole thing to me, even though I still don't totally understand it...
Here in Des Moines, we have 5 or 6 radio shacks. They're not all equal. The newest one has everything sorted and stocked and they all just converted over to the drawers instead of the stupid sliding panel. I won't go to Radio Shack for $1 worth of parts. I always end up buying at least $30 worth. :D I also like those little radio controlled race cars they have, but given the choice between those and components, I'm choosing the latter every single time.
I too love those curly cables. They add mucho capacitance, but if you have a bright guitar and a bright amp, then you are loving these cables (like Jimi and Stevie did).
By the way, concerning the salesmen, when they start asking you if you need help, just give em a real dirty look that says "You couldn't help me, you can barely find a toothbrush, ya bastahd!" That usally gets them to leave you alone.
Quote from: javacody
By the way, concerning the salesmen, when they start asking you if you need help, just give em a real dirty look that says "You couldn't help me, you can barely find a toothbrush, ya bastahd!" That usally gets them to leave you alone.
I DO THAT ALL THE TIME!
In rochester we have 2 radioshacks, both of which are about 100% equal. I've used 1 RS chord. After maybe a month, I threw it away and never regretted it... then again, it wasn't curly.
-Colin
Just tell the counter person that you are looking for 8 ohm speaker cables. :lol:
Seriously, if everybody finds a clueless sales person and helps to educate them when they can't answer your question, the world will be a little bit smarter of a place. :)
Take care,
-Peter
There are two RS shops within a half mile [one is at Summit mall in Akron], and it has a much more limited selection of Stompbox related items...the other still has the full variety of RS stompbox related stock, ..that being a relatively limited amount.
I was just joking about the dirty look thing. :lol: They ask me if they can help me, usually after I already have 5 components in my hands, and I say "No thanks, I'm just looking." :lol:
Hrm. Like others have said, I'm one of those who heads up to Radio Shack to scrounge for that one part I forgot and don't want to wait another week for - we've got 3 or 4 in my area, and they're in various states - there's one a little ways out of town that has a lot of back stock for some reason - things that RS doesn't seem to carry anymore, including older components and things. There's a couple of Radio Shacks here, though, that are staffed with pretty competent staff. Older guys (and one younger fellow) who really know their stuff, and aren't hesitant to help. One guy in particular, I've learned a lot from him, he's shown and explained me some things. All these guys, we commiserate about how RS has gone up in $ and down in selection on the DIY parts. They've never been hesitant, the more knowledeable staff, to point me in the directions of other catalogs and companies for getting stuff, even when they had it. I dunno, I guess my local RS's are the anomalies?
there were a couple of times where i would play this gig out
in the middle of nowhere in mississippi in this little town.
they had a combination of a drug store, auto parts shop, and radio shack.
this place had stock from the early eighties with tons of it just laying
around the floor in boxes. many of them had the original prices
which were a whole lot cheaper. pretty cool.
i may go back this summer. hopefully it will be as i left it.
they also had some guitar gear (strings, picks, etc) in display
cases. i love those kind of shops!
Quote from: sfrI dunno, I guess my local RS's are the anomalies?
You betcha! Around here it's more like work permit highschool kids driving RC dunebuggys off the counter and showing me every kind of PVC/duct/vinyl tape when I asked for something conductive....
There used to be a place around here with eveything in plain little cardboard boxes (either that, or the display cards had yellowed...) lined up on those gray steel shelves that shops usualy keep in their back room, only this fellah had'em out front. Great quasi-warehouse vibe, good prices, family owned and operated. Sadly, gone under...
Those were the days, indeed, Peter.