Suppliers

2010-02-25T18:46:55Z

Ril3y: /* Printed Circuit Boards; Fab, Supplies, Assembly */

== Purpose of this page ==

List of suppliers for various materials and items and user reviews.

Please add new suppliers and user comment lines (with attribution / date)
Suppliers can be rated by in the user comment lines.
Convention is [1] = worst, [5] = best

== See also ==

[http://wiki.pumpingstationone.org/index.php/Sources Pumping Station: One's Sources page]

== Electronics, Robotics, CNC... ==

* [http://www.mouser.com Mouser Electronics]
** [4] Very complete line of electronics parts. Good searchability, fast service, decent prices on parts. Tools and some other items are expensive (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.digikey.com DigiKey]
** [3] Very complete line of electronics parts. I find it harder to navigate than Mouser, and more expensive. I generally don't use them unless I can't find something elsewhere (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://avnetexpress.avnet.com Avnet Electronics Marketing]
** [4] US electronics parts distributor, like Mouser or DigiKey. Good searchability. Avnet Inc. also offers consulting, design, and FAE services (will 10/02/09).

* [http://www.jameco.com/ Jameco]
** [3] Well known supplier - reasonably complete line (not as complete as Mouser, Digi-key, Avnet), some prices are very good. (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://ledz.com/ Hebei (China)] LEDs only
** [5] Best prices on LEDs I've found - but does have a $199 minimum (see Buy LEDs Online for smaller orders). Ship fast. Worked through a problem with them and they handled me fairly. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.buy-leds-online.com/Products.html Buy LEDs Online] LEDs only
** [4] US distributor for Hebei. Same stuff. Prices are more expensive but no minimum. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.moderndevice.com/ Modern Device]
** These guys have pretty good arduino clones, the Bare-Bones-Board and the Really-Bare-Bones-Board, kits from about $10. Fast & cheap shipping, good customer service. (jackson 10/02/09 -- did a bulk order from them.)

* [http://www.mpja.com/ MPJA - Marlin P Jones Associates] Surplus
** [5] Great surplus. Nice printed catalog, Some specials are really good deals. (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.semiconductorstore.com/ Semiconductor Store]
** Esoteric electronics, like Nordic ANT radios, some robotics parts. Some parts can have high minimums (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.allelectronics.com/ All Electronics] Surplus
** [4] Nice bargain bin to hunt around in. Not very complete line of parts, but some very good buys. (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.73.com/ Surplus Traders] Surplus
** [4] Great prices, particularly in the Extreme Specials section. Run by Ted Duskes, who's a square dealer, and willing to negotiate. Bad news: something like a $100 minimum, and the website is horrible. (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.elexp.com/ Electronix Express (a division of RSR Electronics)] Surplus
** [3] Better selection than some other surplus catalog, prices vary. Good selection and prices on breadboards (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.goldmine-elec.com/ Electronics Goldmine]
** Discounts on SMT components, and often has cool weird stuff like IC masks and wafers. Special robot section. (dan 05/03/09 via gareth's article via alden)

* [http://www.circuitspecialists.com/ Circuit Specialists]
** Lots of good stuff for making PCBs, motion control, and other related stuff (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.marvac.com/ Marvac Electronics]
** Good source for pre-cut wire wrap wire (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.arcade-electronics.com/ Arcade Electronics] '''LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR'''
** [3] Local full-line distributor. Prices vary, but good experiences with them (alden w/hat tip to Mark Fearer - 10/16/09)

* [http://www.markelectronics.com/ Mark Electronics Supply] '''LOCAL DISTRiBUTOR / BELTSVILLE MD'''
** Local full-line distributor (Martin via alden 10/16/09)

* [http://www.surpluscomputers.com/ Surplus Computers.com]
** Lots of interesting items - thanks to Dan Barlow for the pointer! (alden 11/20/09)

* [http://www.sparkfun.com/ Sparkfun]
** Assortment of electronics, assemblies, mechanical components for robotics, motion control and other applications (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://www.pololu.com/ Polulu]
** Assortment of electronics, assemblies, mechanical components for robotics, motion control and other applications (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://www.hobbycnc.com/ Hobby CNC]
** David Powell from Harford Hackerspace is trying to kick-ass on Riley's CNC with stepper motors from this site. Beware (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://www.tcponline.com/ The Computer Place] '''LOCAL'''
** [5] Clone boutique on steroids. Good prices and wide selection of PC components. Wall of cables. Gaithersburg, MD and Fairfax, VA (martin 12/31/09)

* [http://www.digilentinc.com/ Digilent]
** [5] Xilinx FPGA and Atmel/Microchip microcontroller development boards and accessories. Makers of the fine boards used in our FPGA class. (martin 12/31/09)

* [http://www.monoprice.com/ Monoprice]
** [5] Wide variety of audio/visual/networking cables and accessories - low prices (martin 1/7/10)

* [http://www.bestlinknetware.com/ Bestlinknetware]
** [4] Networking supplies

* [http://www.alltronics.com/ Alltronics]
** Nice broad selection of surplus stepper motors, other CNC and robotics parts, and electronics (alden 01/20/10)

* [http://stores.ebay.com/MDflystore MDflystore]
** eBay seller with good prices for development boards, prototyping gear, SMT, etc. (alden from blabber post by AndrewQ 1/27/10)

*[http://www.ucpros.com/ Microcontroller Pros Corporation]
** Wide variety of microcontroller development tools (martin 1/30/10)

== G33k Out Shop Sites ==

* [http://www.thinkgeek.com/ Think Geek]
** Name says it all - weird and wonderful stuff of every variety! (martin 12/31/09)

* [http://www.dealextreme.com/ DealExtreme]
** Incredibly random selection of electronics and other stuff. The Cubic Configurable Storage Toolboxes (sku 4580) are great for holding surface mount parts (alden 10/06/09)
** From Fredrik Nyman: Bottom line: check your order status. (Back ordered items can delay your order if you don't check on it)

* [http://www.sciplus.com/ American Science and Surplus]
** Random assortment of useful and amusing items (alden 12/08/09 - thx Tim Farnam)

* [http://www.woot.com/ Woot.com]
** What can you say about Woot? (alden 12/08/09 - thx Daniel Ternes)

* [http://www.sci-supply.com/ Sci-supply]
** Accoutrement for the mad scientist (martin 12/29/09)

* [http://www.momastore.org/ Museum of Modern Art Store]
** Amazing designs and fun toys (martin 1/21/10)

* [http://www.mcphee.com/shop/ Archie McPhee]
** Lowbrow, hilarious junk. Check out the cocktail napkin notebook. (martin 1/21/10)

== Mechanical Parts & Fabrication ==

* [http://www.mcmaster.com/ McMaster-Carr]
** Very complete line of mechanical parts. Good service. Pricing can often be beat if you hunt around. (alden 10/4/09)

* [http://www.smallparts.com/ Small Parts]
** [4] Wild selection of esoteric parts. Stockouts common, but otherwise good services (alden 10/04/09]

* [http://Use-Enco.com Enco]
** [3] Very complete source for machine tooling, can be expensive. Online specials (Hot Deals) can be good deals, however. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.harborfreight.com Harbor Freight] '''LOCAL STORES'''
** [3] Some things are really cheap. Others are just "cheap". Not good for precision equipment such as lathes, rotary tables, etc. Still useful, however (alden 10/02/09)
** There is a [http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf retail store] in Laurel, MD, Gaithersburg, MD and another in Woodbridge, VA.

* [http://grizzly.com/ Grizzly Industrial]
** [4] Good source for machine tools themselves and some limited parts. See Enco for more complete parts and supplies (alden 10/04/09)
** [4] I really like my 14" Grizzly bandsaw. The PA retail location is claimed to be the largest tool showroom in the world. (martin 12/21/09)

* [http://www.emachineshop.com/ eMachineshop]
** [4] Will machine parts from proprietary CAD drawing package. I had a very satisfactory experience with them on a 200-part run. Can be expensive for very short runs (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.cdcotools.com/index.php CDCO Machinery Corporation]
** [4] Nice selection of machining tools and parts, DRO readouts; good prices (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://littlemachineshop.com/ Little Machine Shop]
** Well known source for small CNC parts, machinging tools and parts (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.shapeways.com/ Shapeways]
** Cool 3d printing service. I have not ordered from them (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.boltdepot.com/ Bolt Depot]
** [4] Bolts. Nuts, too. (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.mcfeelys.com/ McFeeleys]
**More wood screws and fasteners than you knew existed. Should be called Screw Depot but that would attract the wrong clientèle (martin 12/21/09)

* [http://www.pro-type.com/ Pro-Type Industries, Inc. ] '''LOCAL'''
** [?] Local machine shop in Sterling VA. Anybody have any experience with them? (alden 10/13/09)

* [http://www.ponoko.com/ Ponoko]
** Laser cutting. Call Riley Porter first! (alden 12/08/09)

== Plastics ==

* [http://www.estreetplastics.com eStreet Plastics]
** [4] Acrylics, etc. Very good prices and good for small quantities (e.g. 1 foot lengths of tuning, etc. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.delviesplastics.com/ Delvies Plastics]
** [4] Acrylics, casting supplies. Good prices, shipping is OK, but not lightning fast. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.tapplastics.com/ TAP Plastics]
** [3] Acrylics, casting supplies. Good selection, services; somewhat more expensive than some other suppliers (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://aeromarineplastics.com AeroMarineProducts, Inc. (john@jgreer.com)]
** [5] Resin casting supplies. Got to love this place. One guy, very cheap prices, good delivery (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.piedmontplastics.com/ Piedmont Plastics] '''LOCAL'''
** Sells a variety of plastics. Has a sales counter with knowledgeable & helpful sales person. Sells scrap at discount - call to see what they have. Can fabricate and special order stuff. Sells limited selection of plastic working supplies: glue, bottles, etc. Beltsville, MD (Was Reid Plastics in Rockville, MD) Another shop in Richmond, VA. (martin 12/29/09)

== Metals ==

* [http://www.metalsdepot.com Metals Depot]
** [5] This has been a great find. Small quantities of steel, aluminum, etc; cheap prices, reasonable shipping, good service. (alden 10/02/09)

* [http://www.speedymetals.com/ Speedy Metals]
** [4] Good second choice to Metals Depot. Somewhat larger selection, somewhat higher prices. (alden 10/02/09)

== Printed Circuit Boards; Fab, Supplies, Assembly ==

* [http://shop.ebay.com/amt33461/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 Copper Clad PCB ebay Seller]
** [4] Reliable, quality fabrication within 1/16" - 1/8" variance. Very good prices on custom cut PCB sizes. By far the best place to get DIY PCB boards in bulk and custom cut to boot!. I've ordered one time. ([[User:Ril3y|Ril3y]] 18:46, 25 February 2010 (UTC))

* [http://www.4pcb.com/ Advanced Circuits]
** [4] Reliable, quality fabrication, prices vary. Very good prices on bare-bones prototypes. Other volumes may or may not be competitive. I've ordered many times (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.custompcb.com/ Custom PCB, aka Silvtronics]
** [3] Very cheap offshore (Malaysia). Not as good quality as others - hole alignment, plating finish..., but may be OK for simpler applications. (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.expresspcb.com/ Express PCB]
** [3] Prototyping shop with good prices. Has an easy-to-use, proprietary drawing package. At some point you'll want Gerber files and outgrow these guys (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.goldphoenixpcb.biz/ Gold Phoenix]
** A lot of people use this company. I have no experience with them to comment (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.sunstone.com/products-services/quickturn-proto-boards/pricing.aspx Sunstone]
** [2] I never used them as they always price out higher than the alternatives. (alden 10/03/09)

* [http://www.pcbcart.com PCB Cart]
** Chinese maker. Have not personally tried but a reliable source uses them regularly. (Osman 10/24/09)

* [http://www.batchpcb.com BatchPCB]
** Haven't tried. Recommended by R M Adams. (Osman 10/24/09)

* [http://www.pcbnet.com/ Imagineering Inc]
** Rated as moderate by a DSP boards spinner. (Osman 10/24/09)

* [http://www.stencilsunlimited.com/ Stencils Unlimited]
** Very good prices on solder paste and other circuit supplies. Boards can be had cheaper from other suppliers in this list (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://www.mettrix.com/ Mettrix]
** [4] Board fab and assembly in NY State. Prices are good but not rock bottom, They are very helpful, especially for less experienced customers - such as I was (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://www.aapcb.com/ Advanced Assembly]
** Short run assembly. Recommended by Sepideh Miller on list (Dec 2, 2009) (alden 12/08/09)

* [http://cimarrontechnology.com/ Cimarron Technology]
** adapters supplier. not tested but seems handy (Osman 12/11/09)

* [http://www.epboard.com/index.html eP Board Design]
** adapters supplier and pcb manufacturer. based in cal. (Osman 12/11/09)

== Other ==

* [http://www.uline.com/ Uline Shipping Supplies]
** [4] Every kind of box, bag, tube, pallet, etc. imaginable. Highly reliable. Prices reasonable in quantity, somewhat more expensive in small Q's (alden 10/04/08)

* [http://www.globalindustrial.com/ Global Industrial Equipment]
** [4] Really rangy catalog of industrial equipment. They have some great shelves, benches, bins. Watch out, shipping adds up for heavier items (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.gemplers.com/ Gempler's]
** [4] Complete catalog of farm and outdoor equipment. See powdered Gatorade gallon bags. (alden 10/04/09)

* [http://www.batteryjunction.com/ Battery Junction]
** [4] Hard to find batteries, including Lithium Thionyl Chloride 3.6v batteries (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.kjmagnetics.com/ K&J Magnetics]
** [4] Ultrastrong magnets (alden 10/06/09)

* [http://www.purchase.umd.edu/ttrader/ Terrapin Trader] '''LOCAL'''
** [4] University of MD Surplus Property - From physics to food service they got it. Lots of furniture, good but not great deals. (martin 12/21/09)

* [http://www.twperry.com T W Perry] '''LOCAL'''
** [4] Building/construction supplies. Quality lumber, sheet goods, millwork, fasteners, tools... Helpful, knowledgeable staff - great alternative to big orange borg. Delivers. Baltimore, Chevy Chase, and Gaithersburg, MD, Leesburg and Springfield, VA (martin 12/29/09)

* [http://viennahardwood.com/ Vienna Hardwoods] '''LOCAL'''
** [4] There are many really great hardwood outlets in the area. This shop is closest to me and usually has what I need at a reasonable price so I don't have a reason to go further. Exotic lumber, veneer, flooring. (martin 12/29/09)

* [http://www.crazyraysautoparts.com/ Crazy Ray's] '''LOCAL'''
** [3] "It's a parts garden, not a junkyard." (martin 2/3/10)

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