[Boatanchors] capacitor kits?

[Eugene Hertz]

Hello all, 

I am a very part-time electronics hobbyist (perhaps 1 hour per week). I am setting up my first lab/shack with several pieces of gear that need repair.  I find myself in constant need of different parts here and there, and dred spending so much $$ getting them from radio shack as each problem arises.  I was hoping to find a good capacitor kit that would include many values, many types etc. I did a google and found various things, but I wanted to get your opinions on whats a good general kit to get. I recognize that when I take on a project I will need to stock up specifically for that project (ie sp600 caps) but I'm looking more for just odds and ends parts for when I want to experiment by swapping a capacitor or a simple one-off repair.

Also, with the exception of electrolytics (which I understand to be used in filtering applications). I am less clear on when it is best to use other kinds (orange drops, mica, silver mica, ceramic, and a million others!) Anyone recommend a site that explains when to use what kind of cap?

When you gents restock your caps, where do you go? I am trying to avoid buying individual values of a certain type for each value and type I might need.  Also, not looking to break the bank. I did find an interesting collection of kits at http://www.justradios.com/capkits.html but I would like to see one kit combine several type. Or perhaps just by two kits (ie one electrolytics and one "other")

I guess, it boils down to, if you were creating your workbench from scratch, how would you stock it

Thanks
Eugene