Chips/parts you hate working with...

[dannyf]

the crappy ADC, ... in the ATmega series

The ADC modules in many Atmel chips are actually quite unique in terms of its differential inputs and user configurable gains. You rarely see that in low-priced chips, even among 32-bit chips.

[jlmoon]

I hate 27K resistors.
Not a technical thing; more like a phobia :-P

I have a better one: 15 ohm resistors.

Don't get it?  Consider this... What color is a 1M resistor?

Tim

The last ones I saw didn't have any colors.. but they were RN 55C 's

[Circlotron]

I have a better one: 15 ohm resistors.

Don't get it?  Consider this... What color is a 1M resistor?

Tim

Reminds me of when I was about 14, very early 70's before I had a scope, and I made this valve amplifier and used a 15 ohm resistor from grid to ground instead of a 1M. Eventually gave up on trying to make it work and pulled it all apart again. I think I actually nicked that resistor from the parts shop too. 

[hlokk]

At the moment, panel meters. Trying to get them working when you have one supply can be a PITA especially when you order them, theres no info saying they can't have common ground (or worse, say they can, but turns out its only on a 20V range, not a 200mV range). Then if you get a common ground one you cant sense two parts in series on a loop 

I don't get why they cant just work properly as differential meters like they should.

[T3sl4co1l]

I don't get why they cant just work properly as differential meters like they should.

Because that would be hard!

To be fair, good analog isolation is still a persistent challenge.  Your best bet is usually to put in a completely isolated supply and let that be that.

Tim

[LektroiD]

Never really got a problem with any parts as such, I find that part of electronics fun.

I HATE wiring though...

I've built a modular synthesizer, and I can tell you the absolute worst part of that is hand wiring all the sockets and switches & LEDs from the panels to the PCB.

I've got the solid wire earth loop down to a fine art, but hate, HATE, HATE stranded wires.

Ok, another pet hate is lead-free solder... The RoHS crew can go shove their tin-whiskers in their landfill (but that's another rant altogether)...

[TMM]

LCD displays with M2.5 mounting holes when they have enough room on the PCB to make M3 holes

Heh, definitely this.

[Circlotron]

I hate working with Teflon insulated wire. It is sooo unbelievably hard to strip. You actually need a heated blade wire stripper to do the job properly. And it feels kind of greasy too.

[T3sl4co1l]

You can do a pretty darn good job with a sharp blade, scoring around -- trouble is, nick the wire and it's toast!

Tim

[coppice]

I hate working with Teflon insulated wire. It is sooo unbelievably hard to strip. You actually need a heated blade wire stripper to do the job properly. And it feels kind of greasy too.

What kind of temperature does your heated stripper run at if it melts Teflon? I hope its used with a really efficient extraction system, because things get pretty noxious when you get Teflon that hot.

Teflon insulated wire strips very easily with the kind of stripper that brings together two semicircles of just the right size. I used to use tons of the stuff until it was banned from most applications because of the fire hazard. Are you using Teflon insulated wire for RF purposes?