When cutting off the leads of through-hole components, do you save the leads to be used as jumpers on perf board projects and elsewhere?

I do.

 

I used to for a few years, but I have so much junk on my workbench they kept getting lost (and are probably still there!) so I gave up.

 

I used to for a few years, but I have so much junk on my workbench they kept getting lost (and are probably still there!) so I gave up.

They go into a dedicated drawer in one of those plastic 60-drawer cabinets.

 

Yes, I have a little bin on the bench to toss them into, and take then from, as needed. I also save the small cut offs (<≅100mm but >≅ 20mm) of good quality insulated wire.

I find all sorts of uses for them. I particularly keep the leads of higher powered resistors and caps because they are less common lately.

 

No

 

Yes. I also save "scrap" from leadframes for repairing IC leads.

 

Absolutely. That is where jumpers come from!

 

I seldom breadboard things today (impractical) as my new projects are usually built on previous prototype boards that I've designed with headers for general use beyond the original functionality. I do have lots on header jumpers in my builder storage for interconnecting various ad-hoc modules or vector board interfaces with through hole components.
Some of my older home project boards.

Vector board prototype with through-hole components.


Mostly insulated wire but there are few snipped lead jumpers.

 

They go into a dedicated drawer in one of those plastic 60-drawer cabinets.

The drawer is full!

 

Not me, I'm OCD about color coding...even when it comes to jumpers, and I have very little use for single hole perfboards as I mostly use proto boards with power rails and such. But when and if I do use a bare jumper, I just strip the insulation off of the solid wire I'm using at the time or grab one of the rolls of bare wire I have on hand.

 

The poll so far and counting is 5/8 for saving.

 

The poll so far and counting is 5/8 for saving.

If you're just starting in this (hobby, profession, etc...) saving everything is a good thing but as you begin to specialize, then you should start to save the things you use. If you use lots of leads from resistors and capacitors then, great. If you don't, then use that valuable storage space for something you do use.

I've got lots of clutter in my personal shop but IMO there's a huge difference between clutter of the things your use and hoarding stuff because you might use it.

 

Whatever, I identify with both, clutter and hoarding.

 

Whatever, I identify with both, clutter and hoarding.

There is help for that.

If you're repairing lots of random stuff, then I'm on the side of keeping just about everything, as you just never know what's coming in the door next.

It's nice to have other people take care of the clutter when your done.

 

Heh, I was going to mention the ratio had to with who the hoarders are but Mr. Chips beat me to it!