Hi.
I bought some 555 timer ICs and tried setting one up in astable mode, The ICs didn't come with a datasheet so I am assuming that the pin configuration is 1-4 starting at the top left, and then 5-8 starting at bottom right, basically like this. The values I am using is, R1 = 10K, R2 = 100K and C1 = 47 μF. In all the schematics I see pin 5 is connected to Ground through a .01 μF non-polarised capacitor I don't have that so I used a .1 polarised electrolytic capacitor, I don't know if this is causing the problem. When I attach a 9V to the circuit the LED lights up and doesn't blink. I tried about seven different ICs from that pack
Please help.
Thanks. 
The ICs didn't come with a datasheet
Google has all the datasheets you could ever need or want. Try searching for 555 timer datasheet.
I am assuming that the pin configuration is 1-4 starting at the top left, and then 5-8 starting at bottom right, basically like this
Correct.
The values I am using is, R1 = 10K, R2 = 100K and C1 = 47 μF. In all the schematics I see pin 5 is connected to Ground through a .01 μF non-polarised capacitor I don't have that so I used a .1 polarised electrolytic capacitor, I don't know if this is causing the problem. When I attach a 9V to the circuit the LED lights up and doesn't blink.
You wired it up wrongly, or your components are faulty, or you did something else wrong. Impossible to know as you have give no indication of how you connected it.
After 52 posts here I would have thought you'd know what we need to help you.
I wired it like a regular 555 timer astable mode, like this. I doubt it is the wiring since I rewired it many times. I can give you a picture but it's a little messy.
I just realized i posted a question completely irrelevant to Arduino in the Arduino forum. 
I would still appreciate help though.
I can give you a picture but it's a little messy.
Thanks.
I don't care that it's messy!
As far as I can see, and it's not easy to see, you have it wired correctly. However, and it's difficult to see clearly, I don't think the resistors are the values you have stated they are. I do stress it's hard to see.
Do you have a mulitmeter?
Check the resistor values.
Check the continuity between each end of each resistor and the IC pin it is connected to.
Check the voltages around the circuit are as you would expect them to be.
It'd be nice to know what you are trying to do...
A C1 value of 47 μF seems way to high for me. That would get you a 0.146Hz output with the resistor values you specified.
0.47 μF would get you 25Hz
I don't know what changing the value on C2 would do.
It's great that you are doing discrete electronics. To make it more fun, buy a resistor assortment kit and a capacitor assortment kit so you don't have to substitute things so much. They aren't expensive, and way cheaper than buying the parts as you want them.
colorado_kid:
It'd be nice to know what you are trying to do...
Right now I am just playing around with it, trying to get it to work.
colorado_kid:
A C1 value of 47 μF seems way to high for me. That would get you a 0.146Hz output with the resistor values you specified.0.47 μF would get you 25Hz
Thank you I will try that. Should I change the resistor values?
colorado_kid:
It's great that you are doing discrete electronics. To make it more fun, buy a resistor assortment kit and a capacitor assortment kit so you don't have to substitute things so much. They aren't expensive, and way cheaper than buying the parts as you want them.
I have both of those, just all my capacitors are electrolyte and my smallest is .1 μF.
I'd try that at least.
Make sure your C2 has the + going towards the chip...
Yes, I did.
I don't think the leads were long enough, I tried soldering wires on and now it's working.
OK, good 