where to buy parts

[andreas]

I have a quick question for those of you in the greater Newcastle area: where do you buy your parts from (besides online/ebay)

Having moved here only recently, the only (obvious) place I found is the Maplin branch in Newcastle (and I know there's one in Sunderland), but I was hoping that there are other local options. Or not?

[Jim]

I guess it depends on where you are exactly,
we're on the coast in Tynemouth, so it's pretty easy to just go to ESR electronics in Cullercoats, for us, it's closer than town.

http://www.esr.co.uk/

We try to order most of our stuff online as it's generally cheaper and you get better choice, we usually use Rapid online - however, the shop in Cullercoats orders in bulk from Rapid online, if you're not ordering hundreds and thousands, it can often be cheaper to get stuff from the shop in Cullercoats.

In the city centre, I'm not so sure, I usually don't go there for electronics, I hate going to Maplins, so I avoid town like the plague!

[andreas]

Thanks, Jim! That's exactly what I was looking for, and just down the coast from Whitley Bay. Perfect!

I agree about Maplin - it was convenient for me on my way home from work, but I don't intend on shopping there often. ESR seems like a much better alternative.

Speaking of online retailers - do you have any experience with the 'big players' (Mouser, Farnell, DigiKey)?

[Jim]

I've used all of them, but not very often, just when I'm trying to find a really elusive component. I couldn't really comment on how good they are, I normally just stick with Rapid, but I'm sure they're all relatively similar.

I normally go off which web site is annoying me the least that day, sometimes the search tools can get painful to use, but it depends on what you're looking for I guess

I think Farnell has changed now, it's called Element14 or something?? apparently, I've heard a few people talking about it, it has Element14 on the site but the URL is still http://uk.farnell.com/

Crazy!

[TonyD]

.. I normally just stick with Rapid, but I'm sure they're all relatively similar.
....
I think Farnell has changed now, it's called Element14 or something?? apparently, I've heard a few people talking about it, it has Element14 on the site but the URL is still http://uk.farnell.com/

I agree with Jim about Rapid Electronics a really good company to use, I've used them for years .

Element14 is Farnell's attempt at social networking for engineers and RS responded with Design Spark

[Jim]

I see, it all makes sense now, so they're trying to get trendy wiv da kidz by getting in on the whole open movement

[TonyD]

I see, it all makes sense now, so they're trying to get trendy wiv da kidz by getting in on the whole open movement

Yeap, it also explains why Farnell bought Cadsoft who make the EagleCAD PCB software and why RS bought the rights to EasyPC PCB software and released it as Design Spark PCB as free software

[andreas]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I think I had heard of Rapid before, but it wasn't truly on my radar - now it is. I definitely hadn't heard of Design Spark PCB yet, but I just downloaded it and will give it a try.

[harani]

i use CPC (Farnell) for general components and i've recently bought stuff from oomlout.co.uk which specialise in arduino based stuff

i've also bought stuff from "Elector base" and "Electronic spares" shops on Ebay

i'll only buy off Maplin if there's something i need in a hurry. I find them too expensive and they have a limited stock range

Glen

[TonyD]

i use CPC (Farnell) for general components and i've recently bought stuff from oomlout.co.uk which specialise in arduino based stuff

Oomlout are a nice bunch of guys. They were at this years Maker Faire at Newcastle's Centre for Life.