I am just done sorting all these transistors in these 2 plastic boxes I showed. Old man's stock from ex-work.
A chore, looking at each and every of these tiny TO92 package one by one to see what they were.
Then pulled all the datasheets.
Created a folder named "Stock", created a spreadsheet in it, below, to list all the components, write down type, basic specs, comments, quantity.... and created subfolders to hold all these datasheet for future reference. I am getting organized....
Somehow I find it satisfying to look at this spreadsheet. I now know at a glance everything that was in these boxes, specs and quantities. Information is power....
![Cool 8)](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xcool.gif.pagespeed.ic.cOxV6sPNRd.png)
I didn't find any BU508A nor a BD139, but I do have a BD136 so if you flip the last digit upside down, that gives me BD139
![Evil >:D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xevil.gif.pagespeed.ic.tdrs7Uj5gu.png)
Old stock so no MOSFET, but I otherwise have a bit of everything.
Small signal NPN and PNP, even weird stuff like UJT and JFET.
Beefier NPN and PNP, even a Darlington, because who doesn't like a Darling..ton.
Even have a VERY beefy TO3 NPN, that 2N3772 rated at 60V 20A !!
![WTF? :wtf:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/wtf2.gif.pagespeed.ce.pxLiY5pjs4.gif)
Have 4 of them, could make one hell of a power supply !
![Evil >:D](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/xevil.gif.pagespeed.ic.tdrs7Uj5gu.png)
Datasheet says there is even a bigger version the 3771 rated at 30A !
![Scared :scared:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/scared.gif.pagespeed.ce.oZptHNcbsD.gif)
I know, I know... a modern MOSFET can probably do the same for 20 cents and a package the size of an ant, but I am not talking MOSFET here of course.
Then the big surprise was this AD142 and AD149 (one of each) TO3 PNP !!
They are...
GERMANIUM !!!
![WTF? :wtf:](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/wtf2.gif.pagespeed.ce.pxLiY5pjs4.gif)
Daddy retired 20 years ago, not 60 years ago !! I have no idea why the hell he had these two antiques in his drawers at work !
But well, maybe I can make use of them in my Vintage TE restorations, one day.. though I guess if I opened the cans I would be greeted with lots of tin whiskers
![Confused :-//](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/Smileys/default/confused0024.gif.pagespeed.ce.5xOqKkq0Co.gif)
Then a couple opto-couplers, TIL 111 and 113.
A couple op-amps, TL071 and LM358M
It was a pain to do, but now it's done, it's so cool to know what I have got.
Can't dedicate an entire drawer to each part number, would be wasteful especially since I guess most of this stuff is obsolete and will never get used....
So I am thinking, since most are small packages, maybe I could compromise and stick several types in a single drawer, each in their tiny zip bag.
For example I could make drawers for :
- Low power NPN
- Low power PNP
- Power NPN
- Power PNP
- MISC : Darlington, UJT & JFET, Germanium
- Optocouplers
- OP amp
Still have lots more stuff to sort, mostly IC's digital and linear, but at least these two plastic boxes of transistors, it's done, phew. Now motivated to carry on with all the IC's...
Will expand the spread sheet. Think I better split the file into several "tabs" to make my life easier, make it more manageable.. Could make various tabs for transistors, voltage regulators, linear IC's, digital ICs, diodes...
![](https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/test-equipment-anonymous-(tea)-group-therapy-thread/?action=dlattach;attach=1485073;image)