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 Marshall

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.

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.