Jason R. Brady wrote:
Many collectors have multiple systems and peripherals
that can be
cannibalized for parts if anything in their primary machine fails,
Do you think it's worth the effort to purchase spare discrete components?
Are there any specific categories of devices or parts that are prone to
damage, failure, or extinction?
Right now, I tend to think in terms of the early hard-to-get parts such as
the early memory chips and constantly ask about old, obsolete parts. It
would be useful to have a list of the parts that are hard to obtain such as
the 4004 and 8008 microprocessors, 1101 memory chips, and a few others I
can't recall off the top of my head. While I used to give parts away just
to get rid of them, that has changed and I try to stockpile known good chips
now. Will they ever be used and is worth the effort? Darned if I know :).