Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Anthony Toft <toftat@c...> 
wrote:
> > absolutely.  they have one of the most generous sample policies 
> > going.  
> 
> Oh yes! they ask for a company name (mine is Toft Technology) and 
they
> _might_ call you, but as far as I am concerned they have the best 
sample
> policies, 8 part numbers per order, two of each! It's excellent! 
They
> have killer parts too, I am building a NiMH battery charger using 
their
> MAX712 part.
> 
> I am not a Maxim employee, I am just _that_ impressed by their 
policies
> 
> -- 
> Anthony Toft <toftat@c...>


I have requested samples from them and like their policies about 
sending them.

However, I do not get samples for my personal projects unless there 
is no retail channel.  Some parts are just not stocked by Digi-Key or 
others.

Also, I ALWAYS check the price should I ever need to buy one.  A 
$22.00 ADC chip that they will send you as a sample will burn your 
wallet if you blow it up and have to replace it and cannot get 
another sample.

The one thing I don't like about Maxim is that they have such darn 
small chips.

A 4 amp MOSFET driver chip in an SOT-23 package.  First, get white 
paper out all over the floor because if you drop it, foget finding it.

second, the pads are on 0.9mm centers and the pads are tiny.  Figure 
that I like 1mm drills and the pad distance is less than that......

And, that is a large chip as far as small chips go.

I think the only way I can touch that is an toaster over solder 
project.

Dave
(who likes 8 pin DIP's)