Electronic Component Suppliers

[Onoff]

Where do people buy their electronic components now? I'm sort of getting back into making electronic projects again. Something I've not really done a lot of for about 40 years. Plan is to 3D print some Denco coil formers and make some old school SW receivers etc.

With the demise of Maplin, on the rare occasion I've done anything in the last few years, on and off I've used:

CPC
Rapid
RS

Ebay & Amazon for the odd one off component.

Are the circa £15 bulk packs of say capacitors in selection boxes you see on Amazon any good? For example:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOJACK-Electrolytic-Capacitor-Assortment-0-1uF%EF%BC%8D1000uF/dp/B07PN5P64W/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?

Where for instance could you now buy a vinyl covered aluminium enclosure like this:

 

[Ross365]

Bitsbox and ESR are small businesses which are popular. Slightly bigger is Cricklewood. All have different approaches to postage, which can be important on small orders.

Ebay is something of a lottery; some good stuff and some junk. I very rarely buy anything from Amazon.

Your Denco coils may attract interest; cannot think of anything like that which is available. Was "Osmor" the other coil maker much used in magazine designs? Denco had adjustable ferrite cores; will you include those?

 

[Redsailor]

I use CPC if I am ordering enough to get the "free postage". Otherwise ebay, some of the bulk pack component deals are ok, even if it's coming from China. We used to have a Maplin on a nearby estate until they went bust, great for the odd must have it now item.

 

[Onoff]

Bitsbox and ESR are small businesses which are popular. Slightly bigger is Cricklewood. All have different approaches to postage, which can be important on small orders.

Ebay is something of a lottery; some good stuff and some junk. I very rarely buy anything from Amazon.

Your Denco coils may attract interest; cannot think of anything like that which is available. Was "Osmor" the other coil maker much used in magazine designs? Denco had adjustable ferrite cores; will you include those?

I've used ESR but for kits and modules. I must be losing the plot as I've just placed an order with Cricklewood the other day!

I'll take a look at Bitsbox, never heard of them.

 

[Rannsachair]

In the past I used RS and Farnell, https://uk.farnell.com/

 

[Red'n'Black]

Farnell or Mouser. Both offer free delivery for orders over £50.

 

[bourbon]

are Maplins still going, but just on-line now? edit. yes they are

Maplin Electronics | Batteries, Cables, Chargers, Cameras, Lighting

The UK's No. 1 electronics specialist. Free UK delivery on orders over £35. Explore our extensive selection of tech essentials including batteries, cables, PC & mobile accessories, cameras, audio equipment, electricals, and storage furniture. Visit us today!

www.maplin.co.uk

 

[Onoff]

May be of interest:

Sciencestore - Home

 

[Screwdriver]

I use https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk

 

[Milkybars]

https://cpc.farnell.com/

 

[JonE]

Similar to previous replies;

Farnell, RS, Mouser, Digikey for the important bits - especially if you can batch it up to hit the free postage.
Aliexpress for the jellybean parts - if in no hurry.
eBay at a pinch.

If you're getting prototype boards made in China, is worth considering their SMT assembly services too. Can be amazingly cheap..

 

[optima21]

Ive used https://www.switchelectronics.co.uk/ fairly recently, they have free deliver over £25

 

[Onoff]

Was "Osmor" the other coil maker much used in magazine designs?

Began with an "A" from memory, I'm not going to cheat and Google it!

Much used/mentioned in the Joseph Carr (he was a nice guy to talk to) book I have here. Nor can I lift myself from the sofa to go look...

Yes the plan is an adjustable core as detailed here:

3D DENCO COIL SUBSTITUTE

Doing a test print right now.

 

[pedrobedro]

I get mine from a local electronic shop called JPG, I think they sell on ebay

 

[Ross365]

Yes the plan is an adjustable core as detailed here:

Mmm, bought a few of those a long time ago. Sadly, none seem to have survived.

 

[Onoff]

Was it Ambit International became CPC Farnell?

 

[mike os]

Cpc, mouser, farnell or rs mainly

Rs have free postage to business account holders. The rest I think have minimum orders even on account

 

[Ross365]

Was it Ambit International became CPC Farnell?

I think that Farnell long preceded Ambit. Did Ambit become Maplin? Maplin were very good, for a long time... until they became very bad.

 

[Onoff]

Maplin were very good, for a long time... until they became very bad.

When they stopped selling ferrite rod and Jackson variable capacitors and concentrated on shifting piles of radio control cars and cheap Chinesium tat.

The day you couldn't build a radio from bits bought there.

 

[Hood]

I use RS etc but have also used https://www.spiratronics.com/