Hi, does anyone have any recommendations for general component supplies in the UK? Its a while since I bought anything really, and I know only of RS, FEC and MAPLIN. Sure, I can search the web, but I have to search through a lot of results, and I don't know off hand which ones are cheap and good to deal with.
Thanks.
www.esr.co.uk
www.rapidelectronics.co.uk
Thanks!
//www.cpc.co.uk. Sometimes difficult to search their on-line catalogue, but they have most components (including a huge range of germanium diodes), plus they sell stuff like Celestion speakers much cheaper than guitar supply shops. They are tremendously helpful over the phone.
http://www.greenweld.co.uk/
the only reason why I would want to go to UK.. apart from walking past Joe Meek's old studio!
Greenweld used to be great when they sold surplus components at resonable prices, but in order to save the company from ruin, they have had to change direction to selling gimmicky tat just like Maplin. It's sad. I'm happy they're still in business, but they rarely have anything of interest to me now.
If you want a real good surplus house, visit //www.bardwells.co.uk. I've never made it to the shop yet, but will one day. Cheapest BC549s in town - 30 for £1.
Surely you would want to come to the UK to see some good rugby Paul!!!
James
As a recent DIYer I have been searching around for decent suppliers in the UK and basically found the previously mentioned Rapid/CPC/Maplin to be good but also check out http://uk.farnell.com and http://www.jprelec.co.uk/. Farnells (believe CPC may be a subsiduary of sorts?) has huge listings but may not be the easiest to search and JPR seems very good on price. Check out Farnells for excellent range of enclosures (Hammond etc) and a very good £10 minimum order for free delivery.
http://www.banzaieffects.com/europe/index.html sell a good few parts and are located in Germany, so no customs charges. They are guitar oriented as well, so there's a good choice of ICs and transistors that many big places don't carry.
I use Maplin most of the time for convenience, and RS for a few things. Then I order when I need to from Banzai for more esoteric stuff. You can often get lots of resistors or caps or diodes cheap on eBay as well.