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Topic starter
2019-07-23 2:59 am
Seeing a post today about level shifters and getting a new parts package made me think about this. Places to get good quality components cheaply for the hobbyist.
I'm sure most of us use eBay, Aliexpress and possible Banggood or the like to get components. These places are great for Arduinos and other microcontroller parts, shields, etc, but sometimes not as good for discrete, logic chips or other electronic parts.
I have ordered a good bit of this stuff off eBay and it's always been a mixed bag in the quality. Header pins are a good example of this. Most of them I have gotten off the Shenzhen based sellers are iron-based pins. Most of the pins sent with the Arduino clones are iron core as well. These are not good for many applications in digital or low voltage circuits. You will get a voltage drop of a small value resistor using them. Another issue is resistor and capacitor assortments. I have gotten a few over the years and have masses of large values I will probably never use.
This is where places like Digikey, RS, etc. come in. You can do pinpoint buying of what you need and get better quality items. The main problem with places like these is, they are not super hobbyist friendly, though they are better than they used to be. Still, you pay extra for the quality and selection. This is where places like https://www.taydaelectronics.com/&source=gmail&ust=1563933132605000&usg=AFQjCNEHjKMGz2LnzGfqQJTBu0OL7bb0B A">Tayda electronics and https://www.futurlec.com&source=gmail&ust=1563933132605000&usg=AFQjCNE7dF27VIbPYmZelsQYZgnj2wWeM A">Futurlec come in.
Most of the pins, logic chips, and resistors, etc. I get come from Tayda. They are cheap, have a good selection and I get the order in about one week. They are consistent in quality. The same can be said of Futurlec, except the shipping a bit slower at least for me.
This is a typical package from Tayda:
Everything is always packaged well and in bags with antistatic materials. This order cost $13.12USD (with shipping), was ordered on July 13th (a Saturday) shipped on 15th and arrived at my home on July 22nd.
What places do you folks like to buy from that have good products, service, and prices?
Scott
twobits reacted
2019-07-23 7:58 am
I also like buying from Tayda. Their delivery is accurate and prompt. I like that they provide datasheet access to the components they offer (transistors,, chips etc.) Their prices are not the lowest, but the quality of the component is quite good.
I could not find a good source for hand soldering materials and accessories (solder, flux, etc). Any recommendations?
hj
hj
Topic starter
2019-07-23 12:20 pm
I have never had any good experience with roll solder from offshore sellers, though I get paste and flux that's ok. The solder I buy, I get from RadioShack still, from online now and it's made in America.
It would be nice to know other sources for soldering needs.
Scott
2019-07-23 1:28 pm
Thank you for your response.
I recently bought Kester solder from Amazon. It is quite good.
hj
Topic starter
2019-07-23 3:08 pm
Thanks. I have looked there and even had some in my cart. I ended up buying from RadioShack once again 🙂 I do need to get a roll of lead solder though and will seek out there. I do most of my work with lead-free and get good results with it, but need leaded from time to time.
Scott
2019-07-23 7:25 pm
I am looking for a source of screws and bolts and the tiny shock absorbers used to hold servos on servo mounts. i also need self tapping screws for I place most Arduinos and shields on plastic just to keep the interconnections stable. There are stand off posts too to keep the boards off any surface and I have not found a source for them Daniel27
Topic starter
2019-07-23 7:42 pm
I know ServoCity.com carries most of that, for you www.robotshop.com would be the distributor of their products as well as others.
Now doe stand-offs, you can get them from eBay and AliExpress sellers. You can get a kit of @ 200 for 5$USD or less from sellers there. If you have a good old fashion hardware store near you they may carry stuff that's close enough.