This is a list of places to get your hands on hardware and tools.
Under each section are some recommendations from the group members for good value basic bits to get you started.
Arduino
Freetronics are based in Melbourne and provide design improvements over the standard Arduino boards and shields.
Little Bird Electronics are the Aussie supplier for Arduinos and related gear.
You can also order straight from SparkFun Electronics in the U.S. They have a pretty big range. (Little Bird order a lot of their stuff from them, so if Little Bird don’t have it in stock, you’re probably better off ordering straight from SparkFun.)
Liquidware make their own Arduino variation with extra I/O, and a bunch of really cool looking shields (e.g. a touch screen) as well as a variety of extenders to let you mount multiple shields.
Recommendations
To get started, you’ll want to pick up an Arduino Duemilanove from Little Bird.
You might also want to think about a proto-shield. Little Bird sell the AdaFruit proto-shield, and SparkFun have their own version and also sell mini-breadboards that fit nicely on top.
Electronics components
Physical Stores
Most of these let you order online as well.
Altronics - Similar to Jaycar, wide range of things, they sell a few interesting things Jaycar doesn’t. Stores in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth.
Dick Smith is an option, but they stock less and less electronics stuff.
Jaycar Electronics are a chain, with stores in most CBDs.
Rockby are a “surplus store” in Clayton that have many random components.
Electronic Connections is a Jaycar and Altronics reseller located in Beaconsfield (south-east outer suburb of Melbourne).
Online
FindChips and Octopart are both good resources for finding sources of parts. Put in a partial chip number, and they’ll list suppliers and prices.
DonTronics - Australian based, they sell a lot of interesting goodies including XBee RF comms modules, FTDI chips and cables, little OLED screens, amongst other things.
Oatley Electronics - Ocassionally they stock a few interesting odds and ends, they sell industry surplus stuff mostly, so they have a constantly evolving range of stock.
Futurlec have a pretty good selection of all kinds of electronic components, from small level stuff (resistors, caps, etc) to full development boards. They’ve got offices all over the world, one of which is in NSW. Shipping is cheap, and the component prices are a hell of a lot cheaper than Dick Smith’s and Jaycar.
Crystalfontz – Not based in Australia, but have a huge range of component LCDs for virtually any application. For virtually any combination of size/colour/characters/interface you can imagine, they will have it.
Others:
[Anyone who has ordered from any of these want to comment on them? Range? Prompt delivery? General helpfulness?]
Free Samples
You can get free samples of a whole range of diodes, transistors, IC’s and other parts from some of the major semiconductor manufacturers.
I’ve used OnSemi, Freescale and TI for samples of production pcb parts and prototyping, they are great, you usually get your free delivery within a few days by FedEx or DHL from an overseas automated warehouse.
Most of the available parts are surface mount since that’s the most common nowadays. Some parts you can get free samples of online, some not, so look for the “Sample” link or similar.
Some can be bought alongside the free sample parts, I’ve done that before where a MCU or large part has a price on it and the rest are free.
It’s good to follow a “use it and don’t abuse it” method, include your technical related company name and as much proper information as you can.
I’ve used OnSemi, Freescale and TI for samples of production pcb parts and prototyping, they are great, you usually get your free delivery within a few days by FedEx or DHL from an overseas automated warehouse.
Most of the available parts are surface mount since that’s the most common nowadays. Some parts you can get free samples of online, some not, so look for the “Sample” link or similar.
Some can be bought alongside the free sample parts, I’ve done that before where a MCU or large part has a price on it and the rest are free.
It’s good to follow a “use it and don’t abuse it” method, include your technical related company name and as much proper information as you can.
On Semiconductor – so many parts here you’ll be browsing for a while!
eg. See the Sample link on this little 3V6 Zener - https://www.onsemi.com/PowerSolutions/product.do?id=NZ9F3V6T5G
I’m sure there are many more, I’ll go on a google search and find other resource pages for free electronic component samples and add links back here.
Mechanical components
- ASAP Engineering Supplies: Nuts, bolts and fasteners
204 Mason St, Newport. Teleohone: (03) 9391-7800 - Hearns Hobbies: LiPo batteries and connectors … and, of course, lots of RC models !
Corner of Swanston and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 - Keables Pty. Ltd.: Nuts, bolts and fasteners
185 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000 - Metro Bolts: Nuts, bolts and fasteners
329 Swan Street, Richmond. Telephone: (03) 9429-3099 - MicroFasteners Pty. Ltd: I’m guessing … fasteners !
31 – 35 Longview Court, Thomastown, Victoria, 3074 - Newlands Fasteners & Engineering Supplies:
89 Newlands Rd, Coburg North VIC 3058. Telephone: (03) 9354-1461 - Small Parts: The hardware store for researchers and developers (well worth a look)
U.S.A and on-line - Small Parts & Bearings, Not related to the store above, but lots of things like bearings and the like.
Note: Online version of H.E. Supplies Pty Ltd.
Mansfield, Queensland, 4122 - VICSTATE(no website), Not a lot of stuff on the shelf but a huge range of bearings and bolts out the back. Note: they’ll be friendly and helpful if you know what you are looking for and respect their time, otherwise don’t bother.
479 Victoria St, BRUNSWICK WEST, VIC, 3055 - Cost Less Bolts (Moorabbin), Bolts, nuts and related supplies. No web store (unfortunately).
3 Ebden St, Moorabbin, Victoria 3189. - Cost Less Bolts (Ringwood), Bolts, nuts and related supplies. No web store (unfortunately).
13 Molan St, Ringwood 3134 - Bell Spings Makers of custom spings or reproducing springs.
373 Settlement Road, Thomastown VIC 3074
Other useful resources
- Datasheet Catalog, Very useful FREE online resource of data sheets for many active components from a large variety of manufacturers.
Tools
Recommendations
[Pete] Dick Smith have a pretty well made digital temperature controlled soldering station for around $130.
[Cef]The above model soldering iron is T2250, and they’re on special at the moment for $79 ($50 off). Also beware that tips for the T2200 range do NOT fit the T2250′s. I’m guessing they’re going to EOL the T2250 so I’m buying bits to last me for a while.
[Cef]The above model soldering iron is T2250, and they’re on special at the moment for $79 ($50 off). Also beware that tips for the T2200 range do NOT fit the T2250′s. I’m guessing they’re going to EOL the T2250 so I’m buying bits to last me for a while.
[Mitch] I ordered some XBee sockets from Little Bird. They arrived two days later (including public holiday) in a nice Ikea container, and some extra sockets. I feel looked after.