A quick word on parts suppliers

In the post from this weeks playshop, bbob was looking for supplier suggestions. Here are a few of the lesser-known ones I’ve bought from:

  • Electronic Goldmine – They’ve got all sorts of odd things, like the giant photocells I had this week. Shipping takes about a week usually, though if something is temporarily out of stock, they won’t actually tell you. When I hadn’t received a tracking number after a week or so, I called the company and was told that a part was out of stock but that more would be available in a day or two, and that they regretted the wording on the web site, but there wasn’t much they could do about it.
  • ESI – obviously I’ll toss in a mention of our (semi-)local store. Prices are hit-or-miss, but the fact that they’re a short drive away in Mentor is great. They’re still in the process of unpacking after their move last year, so it may help to call ahead if you’re looking for something on the esoteric side.
  • Electronix Express – On some items they’re good. Others not so much. If you like the little Radio shack 276-159 prototype boards, they have an equivalent for about 1/3 the cost (Note that I haven’t tested these yet. I am about to order some, though.)
  • Futurlec – 55 cents for pots, and as little as a quarter for knobs. Generally good prices on everything, though it takes about two or more weeks to receive your order (their warehouse is in Thailand). My one order did have an item missing, and when I wrote the company they promptly sent it out, and it arrived (another) two weeks later. They do seem to have a number of rare parts that I can’t seem to find anywhere else (like LF444 quad op-amps).
  • MECI/Mendelsons – I’ve used them for years (though mostly through their sprawling tent at the Dayton Hamvention). Selection is limited, but the prices are pretty good on the items they have (apparently they have 100k pots for 35 cents right now!)
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