Comments on: FREE or Cheap Hobby Parts

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 07 May 2007 17:16:07 +0000

Try ST Microelectronics (www.st.com) – they’re the best I’ve found so far. They let you order a fair bit (op-amps, triacs, etc. – even MP3 decoders and linear accelerometers!), and they have next day delivery free.
Also try Molex – they have every type of connector you’ll ever want, and GREAT service. I ordered something that was out of stock from them, and instead of mailing it when it came in, they sent it with an employee on a business trip to my area, and he delivered it the same day the rest arrived in the mail!

By: Shadyman

Shadyman — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 03:39:08 +0000

It’s true, though, that schools do throw out a lot of stuff. Some, like my alma mater, Algonquin College, have an annual or semi-annual “basement sale”. Think of it as a garage sale for the obsoleted IT, etc.

By: NGinuity

NGinuity — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:15:56 +0000

dfowler: Send me a PM on Hacked Gadgets. When you get back up and running, we can talk on IRLP or Echolink over 2 meters!

As far as parts go, there are standing orders where I work for my coworkers to give me all of their old crap so that I can salvage some of the components off of them. I love the huge piles of floppy drive stepper motors, and little gears, buttons, switches, and stuff off of old VCR’s.

By: dfowler

dfowler — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:49:10 +0000

NGinuity,

Darn.. Lucky I have not been using my 2-meter in years. I will look into renewing.

By: BrandonU

BrandonU — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:59:14 +0000

Back on the subject- I do a lot of scrounging for parts, and find a lot of my electronics at some of our local thrift stores real cheap. Also, garage sale season is starting up, lots of people practically giving away their outdated electronics.

By: BrandonU

BrandonU — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:35:27 +0000

I’ll be upgrading my license in the next month or so, with no code testing anymore!

By: NGinuity

NGinuity — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:22:23 +0000

That last comment was @ dfowler

By: NGinuity

NGinuity — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:21:26 +0000

Hey man….might wanna check it out, but your license expired on the 24th of February. You haven’t been operating lately have you?

By: BrandonU

BrandonU — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:18:58 +0000

Another ham here! KD8CMC

By: dfowler

dfowler — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:50:17 +0000

I am a ham! KC5ZCM