Dangerous Prototypes

Hello,
I wanted to know where do you buy CMS/SMD components kits?
I basically bought some of them from SureElectronics (0805), and some on ebay, now I would like to switch to 0603 and 0402. Where do you suggest me to buy Cap and Res kits?

Regards

There was a whole discussion on SMD kits a while ago in this (http://http://dangerousprototypes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1057) topic, check it out!
Not sure if there's are a lot of 0402 kits though.

Thanks Rubu,
I remembered that there were a discussion about that in the OLD forum, and I couldnt find it again, this is why I posted. Also in the old discussion there were no much aswers about 0402 components.
I'll order today the 0603 parts from http://www.mdfly.com (http://www.mdfly.com)

Regards

There aren't indeed many rc kits for 0402. I guess it scares most hobbyist so it isn't profittable to stock one.

I soldered ~10 0402 resistors in my life, and it was naaaaaasty .. I do not look forward for the next time I have to do it

0402 capacitors are more and more used with today chips, especially for decoupling as close as possible to IC package. This is why I'm looking at 0402 ;)

smd can be scary to get used to start with 0805 and work your way down from there

0402 takes nerves of titanium and a large dose of muscle-relaxers

0603 is doable with good tweezers and a magnifying glass.

Just received 0603 parts kits (res and capa) from http://www.mdfly.com (http://www.mdfly.com)
Extremely well packaged, labeled, really very clean.
I also ordered some sets of the pre-cut connection wires for prototyping.
http://www.mdfly.com/index.php?main_pag ... cts_id=363 (http://www.mdfly.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_17&products_id=363)
I first saw them in Ian's post (thanks Ian). Really awesome these wires, and they solder very well :)

I think that might have been Sjaak's post :) I don't think I've ordered from mdfly before.

Is your kit in strips or baggies?

Yes the post was from Sjaak
http://dangerousprototypes.com/2011/03/ ... kits-more/ (http://dangerousprototypes.com/2011/03/17/parts-pogo-pins-jumpers-resistor-kits-more/)

and the Kits comes as on the photo (strips that store in binders)

that's really nice, I'll have to get those!

i like the price of those kits, i don't mind getting the binder separately. as i'm in need of capacitor kits, ill probably go that route.

i spent $10 for an E24 kit on eBay and they were supposed to be labeled but i had to read the individual values on the back of the resistors. i took the time to measure them through the tape and label them myself.

[quote author="sqkybeaver"]i don't mind getting the binder separately. [/quote]

I for sure mind about that. I got some times ago the kit from sureelectronics and they sent me components (each value) in labeled little bags.
The problem is that when you open a bag, you need to find someway to keep res or capa of same values separate from others or you'll for sure mix them :(

With those res/capa in binder and (more important) in trips makes things really cooler. You got all values labeled, and noway to lose components.

it took about an hour to go through all the strips. but it is still easier to read the back of the tape than to read the resistors every time.

i can get binders for $0.50 ea, id rather do that than pay double shipping.

mdfly did also stamp the value on the back of the strips and stuff it on the right place in the binder :) Very nice! They also have recently added an inductor kit. I really like the guys as they ship fast for a reasonable price.

I also have the sure kit in bags and it took me two days (evenings actually) to put them into little boxes. The resistors weren't in strips but just loose (?) in the bags.

[quote author="sqkybeaver"]

i can get binders for $0.50 ea, id rather do that than pay double shipping.[/quote]

Lucky you are in USA.
For us in France, this does not change too much shipping fees.
Instead of buying kits in USA and take time to put them in binders, did you took time to check if you could nto got them at lower prices if you buy components directly from Digikey (especially the 0603 parts)?

For SureElectronics kits, I also put them in little boxes, but this is too much additional work :(

i have looked at the smd kits digikey stocks, and most are $100+

however when i need a odd value, or run out of a value in a kit i usually end up at digikey.

digikey will charge a handling fee if your total order is not over $25, so i end up waiting for a larger order and throw in the resistors etc.

as far as capacitors go the 0805 and 0603 kits would end up mostly unused. so i only keep a few strips of the common x7r in values of 4.7, 10, 1, 0.1, 0.01, etc

[quote author="sqkybeaver"]
digikey will charge a handling fee if your total order is not over $25, so i end up waiting for a larger order and throw in the resistors etc.[/quote]
Are you sure about the handling fee for Digikey?  I'm pretty sure I've put in some small orders when I needed something badly and the only charge was postage.  If you keep your order light enough (10 ounces I think) so that it can go First Class USPS, then Digikey only charges about $3 or so for shipping (whatever the postage comes to).  So I haven't found it too expensive to do a small Digikey order although I usually try to batch things up or split an order with someone else to save on postage.

Also, I second the recommendation of mdfly.com.  Their prices and shipping costs are very reasonable. And, at least if you are in the US, you get your order a lot faster than if you order direct from China.

digikey will charge you the actual shipping cost, but i have run into the handling fee before. might be due to using ups. last few orders have been very reasonable with usps.

for a new kit mdfly looks to be one of the best deals out there.

Several years ago Digikey did have a handling fee for under $25 orders, but they don't now.

"8.  Handling Charge.  There is no minimum order or handling fee."
http://dkc1.digikey.com/sg/en/mkt/Terms.html (http://dkc1.digikey.com/sg/en/mkt/Terms.html)

[quote author="jbeale"]Several years ago Digikey did have a handling fee for under $25 orders, but they don't now.

"8.  Handling Charge.  There is no minimum order or handling fee."
http://dkc1.digikey.com/sg/en/mkt/Terms.html (http://dkc1.digikey.com/sg/en/mkt/Terms.html)[/quote]

i was not aware that they have done away with the handling charge.

Nice, that was a hang up for me often too, that is why we generally source from mouser (and the stuff is cheaper in the 10-100  counts that we buy)

i tend to design around one supplier to save on shipping cost.

i will try to acquire a few rolls +/- of free capacitors from a family member who recently retired. mostly 0603

There's no reason not to buy 0.1uF caps by the reel ;)

[quote author="ian"]There's no reason not to buy 0.1uF caps by the reel ;)[/quote]

if only i could get skittles by the reel!

RE shipping and handling. 

If you play your cards right, Digikey has free shipping, no minimum order, and no handling charges. Although the no min order/handling charge feature is new, they've always offered free shipping. 

Here's how to get it:
1.  Add items into your shopping cart like you normally would (make sure you're logged in when doing this).  2.  Print it out.
3.  Write a check for the total + tax in your area.
4.  Snail Mail your order to them with the check (you'll pay for the stamp).
5.  When your order is received, you'll get it via ground shipping, no charge.

This is actually in their terms (http://http://dkc1.digikey.com/us/en/mkt/Terms.html):

6.  Shipping Charges.  Except as otherwise provided on the Site, (1) shipping or freight charges and insurance will be paid by the customer*, (2) all sales are made FOB Digi-Key's warehouse in Thief River Falls, MN, USA, and (3) shipping or freight charges from Digi-Key's warehouse in Thief River Falls, MN, USA are prepaid and added to the invoice, billed collect or billed to a third party.  Shipping Cost Estimator

* When a check or money order accompanies your order, Digi-Key pays all shipping and insurance (our choice for method of shipping) to all addresses in the U.S. and Canada.

Shipments of excessive weight or size may require additional charges. Digi-Key will notify you prior to shipment if these conditions exist.[/b]

I've used this and it was completely hassle free.  Also, shipping was faster than associated ground shipping from Mouser (since I'm on the east coast).  I do agree that, overall, Mouser does seem to have better pricing, but it's certainly not true for everything.  If you only need a few of something, this might be worth keeping in mind.

almost forgot. . . you'll also need to add in your local tax (they've started charging tax recently). . .editing above post to include it.

[quote author="octal"]Yes the post was from Sjaak
http://dangerousprototypes.com/2011/03/ ... kits-more/ (http://dangerousprototypes.com/2011/03/17/parts-pogo-pins-jumpers-resistor-kits-more/)
and the Kits comes as on the photo (strips that store in binders)
[/quote]

I got some 0603 and 0805 resistor and capacitor kits from MDFLY, which were nice, but it was the pages only in a bag, no binder. I find they are much better organized with the small 6-ring binder so you can easily flip through to the parts you want and the pages don't get scattered.  I had a hard time finding the right type of binder, but I just got one from Adafruit and can confirm it is the correct size for the MDFLY kits.  It comes with blank pages in case you already have some SMT parts on cut-tape to organize.
https://www.adafruit.com/products/520 (https://www.adafruit.com/products/520)