In the process of buying parts for the $50 robot

[jross]

Hello everyone. I'm new to the forum, as well as robotics. I pretty much have zero experience, aside from a few years of high school computer programming in Visual Basic, but recently I've been very interested in robots and I want to have some fun learning.

So, I've decided to build the $50 robot. Right now, I'm in the process of buying parts, but I'm having a bit of trouble. Digikey is currently sold out of "36 position breakaway male headers" and it looks like they won't get anymore until June. Since it sounds like you can buy breakaway headers in so many different sizes, I'm having trouble locating them anywhere else. Does anyone know how long Digikey usually takes to restock?

As well, the tutorial says that you'll need so many LED's, so many resistors, and so many capacitors, etc. I'm wondering if I should buy more than is required, so that if one doesn't quite work right, I have extras. Any suggestions?

Thanks everyone. I'm hoping I can get a fun summer project going.

[airman00]

check if digikey has a different number of pin headers
like instead of 36 they have 40 or something

[AndrewM]

As well, the tutorial says that you'll need so many LED's, so many resistors, and so many capacitors, etc. I'm wondering if I should buy more than is required, so that if one doesn't quite work right, I have extras. Any suggestions?

Buy more.  Digikey quantity discounts are nice.  When (not if) you continue into robotics you will find a need for any extras, especially when it comes to basic components like LEDs, resistors, capacitors, etc.

[jross]

check if digikey has a different number of pin headers
like instead of 36 they have 40 or something

They don't seem to have any of those either. I think you ask for a length and they cut it and send it to you.

Buy more.  Digikey quantity discounts are nice.  When (not if) you continue into robotics you will find a need for any extras, especially when it comes to basic components like LEDs, resistors, capacitors, etc.

Alright then. I'm pretty sure I will continue with robotics. I'd really like to build a wall avoiding bot at some point.

[airman00]

hmmm

if you didnt buy your parts yet and you live in the US

check out jameco.com

I use them for everything they are fricken awesome. 

[jross]

hmmm

if you didnt buy your parts yet and you live in the US

check out jameco.com

I use them for everything they are fricken awesome. 

I live in Canada, but it looks like they might ship internationally. I'll definitely take a look at it. It looks like they are more diverse in the stuff they sell, which will be good for shipping costs if I can get everything there.

[jross]

I was looking at the different options for the male headers and I was wondering if I could change some of them and still get something that will work out without needing to change anything in the actual tutorial.

[airman00]

I was looking at the different options for the male headers and I was wondering if I could change some of them and still get something that will work out without needing to change anything in the actual tutorial.

i dont understand what you are saying , dont use pronouns - what is them , what is that something ,etc.

[jross]

Sorry.

I was looking at the different options for the male headers and I was wondering if I could change some of the options and still get headers that will work out without having to modify anything else.

[lkik]

i am geting my breakaway headers  out of an old computer board i think it is a modem board

[pomprocker]

EVERYONE sells breakaway headers!!

I've literally seen them everywhere component electronics are sold.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=.100+male+breakaway+header&btnG=Search

I just bought some with a sparkfun.com order

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=116

[jross]

EVERYONE sells breakaway headers!!

I've literally seen them everywhere component electronics are sold.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=.100+male+breakaway+header&btnG=Search

I just bought some with a sparkfun.com order

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=116

Thank you very much.

[jross]

Another question:

Does the size of a PC board really matter as long as all of the parts fit on it? The tutorial says a 356 hole board, but if I get something slightly bigger (like 400 or so holes), will it cause any problems? I assume it won't matter.

[Admin]

Try mouser.com