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Need Advice Electronics components/parts store?

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by Mr. Linux, Mar 15, 2012.

  1. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    I've recently gotten back into building some small electronics projects and while everything I need is available online, there's something to be said about needing a couple components, like some diodes, resistors, POTS, ICs, or even a breadboard at the last minute and not having to wait a couple days for them to arrive...

    Does anyone know a a place nearby that sells such things? I know that Radio Shack still has a tiny section in their stores that sell such things, but I'm looking for a place with more 'variety', etc.

    Any ideas?

    (Yes, I know how geeky this post is... happygeek)
     
  2. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    Man, that would be great. I grew up in WI, and used to blow my paper route money at Radioshack (a long time ago when they actually had more stuff) and Chester Electronics. I would love for something like this to be out here!

    At any rate, if you need a resistor/diode/potentiometer and are stuck feel free to give me a shout and I'll see if I've got it (no charge, just wanting to encourage hobbyists). Also have scopes function generators etc if you need to check something out you're welcome to stop by.

    Only thing I don't have a lot of are surface mount parts, I hate those little things.
     
  3. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Thanks Mike!

    I started to seriously get into the whole Arduino craze recently and I've been really getting back into a 'hobby' I had as a kid. Arduino let's me get back into electronics, and tie it into my love of all things 'techy', such as computers, sensors, etc.

    For anyone wondering what Arduino is, here's a quick overview: http://arduino.cc/
     
  4. signifer

    signifer Member

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  5. Mike-and-Kim

    Mike-and-Kim Member

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    This is a cool project

    http://www.arcfn.com/2009/11/controlling-your-stereo-over-web-with.html

    Have used it to control the TV, stereo and lighting in the house.

    Now we just need someone motivated (hint, hint) to port it over to the ethernet version of the Arduino.

    I have one but they changed some things and I have not gotten it to work on that yet. I had it working on the USB version probably a year or two ago, pretty cool stuff.
     
  6. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    @Mike - Hmmm, I do have a couple Ethernet shields... ;-)

    @Signifier - Thanks! I'll check them out. Not close, but better than nothing and I could tie it to a trip to Microcenter :)
     
  7. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    Microcenter still had some 'electronics' I thought.. at least when it came to PC oriented connectors/etc.
     
  8. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Yea, but I'm looking for the kind of place you can go to and there's a bunch of "drawers" full of different components, etc. Sorta like going to the nuts, bolts and screws aisle at Home Depot, but for electronic components. Half the fun is going through stuff and finding something you weren't looking for that gives you inspiration to do something differently, etc. For example, I was shopping online for some small 2-line LCD screens when I came across some that had an RGB backlight. Didn't know those existed and I started thinking how useful being able to change the color of the background would be; I could change the backlight to red to indicate an alarm state, or green when everything is fine, etc. I want to find a place that could give me the same type of inspiration, but in a local brick-and-mortar.

    Just like I could get everything that Microcenter sells on a handfull of websites, I still love to walk around that place and look at everything, etc.
     
  9. grape

    grape New Member

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    Hi Eric,

    Have you tried MicroCenter? They are located in Fairfax. I am sure you can find most of the stuff that you are searching for.

    Cheers
     
  10. flynnibus

    flynnibus Well-Known Member Forum Staff

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    For that you need the people that sell components via catalog that also have retail.

    You can't browse really, but you can buy components from Grainger locally (Over on Shaw Rd). Browse catalog, buy in store (but only offers bankers hours really)

    There used to be another in the metro area that I bought stuff at years ago.. but the name escapes me. I wanted to say it was 'Active Electronics' but I think that is the catalog skewing my brain.

    It might be this one.. Arcade Electronics
    http://www.arcade-electronics.com/storeinfo.aspx

    Give them a call and see..

    Or it might have been

    Action Electronics in Fredericksburg
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Action-Electronics/123002671089358

    Call them and see what kind of retail stock either sell for component/kit stuff. Pretty sure it was Action I went to the past.. knowing it was so close to Active (the catalog people)
     
  11. boomertsfx

    boomertsfx Booyakasha!

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    Just saw a video on Raspberry Pi... I might try it with XBMC for a media client on my network if I can't find any off the shelf device that's better
     
  12. Mr. Linux

    Mr. Linux Senior Member & Moderator Forum Staff

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    Hehehehe, order mine on launch day, expected delivery is April 10 :happygrin:
     

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