what type of resistors, transistors ect to buy

ok so i am going to buy a whole bunch of resistors, transistors, doides, what else is essential to have to make little LED and other projects and what type of resistors, transistors, doides and the other stuff you recommend to have, the best to have and what type of resistors are mostly used and transistors because i dont know what one's to use (because there are so many of each one) but i will buy a few of each but i want to know what one's are mainly used to i can buy more of them, that include's resistors, transistors, doide's and the stuff you recommend.



i know is alot to ask but i would greatly appreciate your help,


thanks alot -josh

Resistors - Get standard value 5% through hole resistors (assuming you'll be prototyping on a breadboard). Some standard values that are commonly used include: 3.3k, 4.7k, 10k, 1k, 100, etc. Google 'Standard Resistor Values' to find more of the standard values.

Diodes - The 1N4001 - 1N4007 series of diodes are useful basic diodes. You don't need higher voltage capabilities than the 1N4001 for LED work.

Transistors - This is more complicated as there are very many different kinds of resistors. A good basic NPN/PNP pairing is the 2N4401/2N4403 or 2N3904/2N3906. On top of these basic BJTs, you'll probably want to use a FET for something but I'm not as well versed as what is the most basic, generic FET.

Other Stuff - I stocked a lot of my parts by buying random boxes of junk from The Electronic Goldmine. You can also scavenge parts. For example, I have a lot of 9V battery connectors from old garage door openers. You probably could also use some basic logic chips and some ceramic caps (for bypass caps) and some electrolytic capacitors (for energy reserve purposes). Inductors aren't used too often so I don't recommend having a big collection of those unless you already have a use for them. You could also probably use an Arduino if you're new to electronics and want a simple beginners platform to speed things up.

*E12 series of ¼W 5% carbon film resistors
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=500317

*set of ceramic capacitors
http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/product/view/?id=521756

*assorted electrolytic capacitors (grab bag?)
*1N4148 or 1N914 diodes
*1N4001 diodes
*assorted LEDs
*2N3904, 2N3906 and 2N2222 transistors or equivalent
*LM317 adjustable regulators (TO-92 or TO-39 & TO-220 packages)
*assorted potentiometers (top turn trimmers fit on a breadboard)
*555 & 556 timers
*4017 decade counters
http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001
http://www.goldmine-elec.com/
http://www.allelectronics.com/

*10 colors of 25' rolls of 22 AWG solid hook up wire for breadboard jumpers (WHS22-00-25, etc.)
http://www.nteinc.com/wire/300.html

*other components as needed for each project