A local Radio Shack is going out of business, what should I look for at the sale?

[Hessian]

I've been wanting to start doing DIY stuff for a while, and a local shack is closing and selling everything at 10-50% off.

I've been meaning to do this for a long time, but so far it's just been dreams in my head - I'm totally green to this stuff - what can I get from there that is going to be as good as the stuff I can get elsewhere?

I figured jacks, knobs, solder, perfboard, wire, battery snaps and pots would probably be safe - but please correct me if I'm wrong. I don't know if they have metal enclosures.

What about resistors, led's, diodes, capacitors, etc? I've read mixed things about their switches and irons.

Any help is appreciated - I don't need top quality components to learn with, but I don't want crap.

I'm really, really glad this subforum was created, btw. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. :)

[phyrexia]

Yeah, all that is good, but you will have problems finding any of that stuff in shock.

I would say get some adapters (like 1/4->1/8 or whatever), as many electrical components as you can fit in your pockets, some tools (get a nice set of wire strippers), solder, etc.

[ickystay]

Their resistor and cap assortments might be something you could use. IC sockets. I like their chrome bezel 3mm leds. Maybe grab sone copper clad and a bottle of ferric if you want to try making pcbs. Oh, and can I interest you in a mobile phone service?

[Jeremy Skrenes]

Desoldering braid.
Helping Hands handyclamps.
They also have this really neat mini screwdriver set that has a wide handle for maximum torque and interchangeable bits.
The green and red LEDs can easily be swapped into new pedals.
Different types of wire (different gauges, colors, stranded vs solid).
9v battery clips (the soft ones are cheaper and fit easier into pedals).
Spring-loaded wire strippers.
Needlenose pliers.
Wire cutters.

I work there, and that's the stuff I'd buy for cheap if I didn't already have it.

J

[sheepshears]

Originally posted by ickystay
Oh, and can I interest you in a mobile phone service?


hhahah, or batteries.

[Hessian]

I miss the battery of the month club. :cry:

[animl]

Originally posted by Hessian
I miss the battery of the month club. :cry:

Holy shit. I forgot all about that. That was decades ago.

I got a great deal on tools that were on clearance a few months ago, stuff like needlenose pliers for $2