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Brian ([personal profile] memnus) wrote2009-08-12 09:33 am
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[Lazyweb] NR electronics suppliers

I'm looking for an electronics parts supplier. I need some LEDs, transistors, random wires and breadboard, and maybe an IC or two. The only place I currently know to get these is Radio Shack, whose prices are exorbitant when I'm looking at twenty or more lights in four colors.

I can Google for "electronics hobbyist supply" but a lot of the sites that come up are user-hostile, don't have a lot of great specs, or seem to be selling in bulk anyway. I'd love to use American Science & Surplus as a main supplier, but being a surplus site their selection is sketchy at best; they seem particularly short on blue LEDs (never mind being able to find a particular op-amp chip).

Any more hardcore DIYers than I have any recommendations?

(EDIT for actual formatting)

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[identity profile] zixi.livejournal.com 2009-08-12 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Do you have a Fry's Electronics near you?

[identity profile] memnus.livejournal.com 2009-08-12 08:28 pm (UTC)(link)
There does appear to be one in San Diego, though I've never been there.

[identity profile] iluvsheep.livejournal.com 2009-08-12 08:33 pm (UTC)(link)
In my limited experience, Fry's doesn't have a lot in the "raw component" area. They are mostly focused on end-user products.

[identity profile] zixi.livejournal.com 2009-08-12 08:39 pm (UTC)(link)
I remember the one in Chicago-area having some aisles of raw components but I don't remember it in any details. They definitely are mostly end-user.

[identity profile] chewie23.livejournal.com 2009-08-12 10:28 pm (UTC)(link)
The Fry's in San Diego (I haven't been to another one) is where I would sentence my dearest enemies, had I the authority to do so.

It is loathsome, and I would rather attempt to make the parts by hand, using whatever materials Nature herself provided than to go there.

YMMV