It's frustrating for them, and frustrating for me.

Let's try to fix that.

• Why This Is Hard
• Most Likely Sources
• Places To Shop Around

Frequently, I buy surplus, used, or close-out equipment - everything from relays to pneumatic cylinders.

The problem with such deals are that you can never be sure they are repeatable. The nifty and cheap part that you use today could be rare and expensive tomorrow. And to make matters worse, there might be an even neater and cheaper replacement part that would work just as well, if you could only find it.

So I'm in a catch-22 here.

If I just write in general terms to "use a part something like this", I am doing a disservice to those who read the page in time to get the same parts. But if I describe specifically and exactly what I used, readers expect to be able to get the same thing - and that isn't always so.

And don't ask me to track the availability of parts over time, telling you where to get the best deal of the moment, telling you when the part is no longer available, and suggesting replacements.

I'm working hard enough at this already.

So, if you cant find the vendor or part that I specify, you have to go looking for the part elsewhere, or find a substitute part that will work instead.

• Radio Shack
• Jameco Electronics

• Electronic Goldmine
• Hosfelt Electronics
• Marin P. Jones & Assoc. Inc.
• Fry's Electronics
• All Electronics
• H&R Company, Inc. (Herbach & Rademan)
• C&H Sales Company

And if none of that works, Google is your friend.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.
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