If you just need it to blink at some interval, get a NE555 for a dime.
Granted, you can almost get a microcontroller for that price…
Granted, you can almost get a microcontroller for that price…
Kind of mind-blowing. 24mhz 32-bit computer for under a dime.
But you'll learn more about the analog-ish world and not need to deal with SMD if you go the 555 route. And it'll save you power vs the astable monovibrator with NPN transistors.
Make has a really nice little book where they walk you through some simple projects on a breadboard with 555s, transistors, etc. https://www.amazon.com/How-Use-Breadboard-Make-Handbook/dp/1...