PartsPlaces
From TheRobotGroupWiki
Since people are always asking where do I buy this or that, here are some places we shop. Please add more to this such as where these places are and what they are good for.
In or near Austin
Austin Bolt - Located on Rutland Drive in north Austin. Their phone number is 836-1611.
MC Howard's - Out of business 2009.
Bantam maybe 1/2 mile or so from HC Howard's. for tools and stuff, no electronic components
Altex for tools and stuff, probably no electronic components.
Frys has a good selection of components, but tend to never stock more than 1 or 3 of each item, so its always a gamble. They also have circuit board making stuff and schmart boards.
Radio Shack for what little parts they still carry in the drawers.
Tanner's in Dallas, about 3+ hours away.
Home Depot and Lowes for wood and aluminum pieces, nuts and bolts.
Tractor Supply Company has all sorts of high horsepower mechanical drive parts like gears and sprockets and is the best place to get nuts and bolts in bulk. 6 foot allthread too!
Westbrook Metals has a wide selection of metals in all shapes and sizes.
AUSTIN PIPE AND SUPPLY CO./AUSTIN METAL AND IRON CO. Address: 1000 E. Fourth Austin 78702 - Phone: 512-477-4640 - Google Map/Street View
It's been a while since I have been there but East Austin Pipe and Supply (look for the big smoke stack east of I35& near 4th)recycles raw lead by the pound. They also resell cool surplus iron work, drill pipe and old machinery.
Internet Places
Gateway Electronics - Great surplus parts and electronic components at good prices.
All Electronics - http://www.allelectronics.com - good surplus electronic parts and stuff at decent prices.
Halted Specialties - http://www.halted.com - I don't know if any of you have heard of it since its a Silcon Valley store that is like a 10,000 square foot candy store for EEs, robots, etc. Anyway, they have EVERYTHING and very low prices.
JDR microelectronics - http://www.jdr.com - Electronics and computer parts
Excess Solutions - http://www.excesssolutions.com (in the silicon valley area) -large EE, hobby stores and they have cheap shipping rates.
Ledex - http://www.ledex.com - For solenoids, ledex's STAs were recommended: http://www.ledex.com/linear-solenoids/sta-tublar-solenoids.html
Sparkfun - http://www.sparkfun.com - They buy chips that are of interest to hobbiests in large quantities and mount the tiny chips on boards to make them easy for people to work with. Specialize in color lcd screens, bluetooth, gps, and other interesting communication, sensor, display devices.
Best Hong Kong - http://www.besthongkong.com - A good source of LEDs. We did find a little trouble with their quality control and user service in the past, but bright LEDs and way cheaper than digikey.
Parallax - http://www.parallax.com - Inventors of the basic stamp, they also sell a variety of very easy to interface too parts, sensors, motor controllers, chips, etc.
Electronic Goldmine - http://www.goldmine-elec.com - Surplus & new electronic equipment and parts
Marlin P Jones & Associates - http://www.mpja.com - Surplus & new electronics for hobbyists and professionals.
Skycraft Electronic Surplus - http://www.skycraftsurplus.com - Neat, eclectic surplus technology store based in Florida.
BG Micro - http://www.bgmicro.com - Electronics Supplier of new and surplus stuff
Surplus Center - http://www.surpluscenter.com - Surplus and New Hardware, Engines, gearboxes, electronics & mechanical devices
Balsapr.com - http://www.balsapr.com - Used to be called Balsa Products, in the past they were a good source of cheap servos and RC gear but may be outsold these days by chinese companies.
Hobbyking - http://www.hobyking.com - At least one RG member has bought RC helicopter parts, Li batteries and servos from them.
Hobbypartz - http://www.hobbypartz.com - Another place for cheap RC parts, Li batteries and servos.
