Discount places to buy misc stuff

[cteno4]

I though maybe a thread of places to find interesting parts and tools for hobby stuff that are good on the hobby budget. Ill start with a few

 

Meritline (http://meritline.com)

interesting selection of some small tools and electronic gizmos. they have a newsletter every other day with some good coupon deals. ive gotten nice fine tweezers from them with the coupons for like 50 cents. its free shipping on most stuff and comes from singapore or china and usually takes 2-4 weeks.

 

Deal Extreme (http://dealextreme.com)

similar stuff to meritline, but lots of electronic components like leds, power supplies, electrical connectors, and r/c servos. also some cheap small tools and the like. free shipping on most stuff and some deals if you buy 3 or more of an item. shipping takes 2-4 weeks

 

Harbor Freight (http://harborfreight.com)

cheap tool place. some of the stuff can be pretty junky, but some items are great price for a simple version of something fancy you may not want to put a lot of $$ into at first. they also have retail stores around the us

 

Micro Mark (http://micromark.com)

while not really discount they do have decent prices on a lot of the hobby tools we all use all the time. mostly very good quality stuff here. shipping aint cheap, starting at $8.99.

 

Amazon.com

im always surprised what can pop up on amazon at a decent price, especially if its got free shipping. even supplies like the very fine stiff wire was way cheaper at amazon thru one of their suppliers than anywhere else and free shipping to boot.

 

US Plastics (http://usplastics.com)

good source for things like small and large plastic bottles, jars, bags, etc. decent shipping rates and great servcie.

 

cheers

 

jeff

[cteno4]

ok i just orders a bunch of little tools and such from these guys, ill report on how good they are. most of the stuff i was looking at looked pretty good (not ultra cheapo) and very good prices and reasonable shipping options.

 

http://www.widgetsupply.com/

 

cheers

 

jeff

[cteno4]

i just got my first order from widget last week. widget seems to get surplus or cosmetic rejects i think along with just some of the no name cheaper tools.

 

i got a few pliers and cutters at $2-4 to check them out. some of the cheap things appear to be good enough for a little light work. couple were odd shaped that i would only use once in a great while, good to have, but not worth spending $10 to have on tap!

 

the tweezer point files are identical to the beadalon pair i have that are like $12. just no laser etched brand name and looks like it might be a slight cosmetic reject, but the casts are identical.

 

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/pliers-needle-nose-plain/BCU49

 

a pair of fine round nosed pliers. just about as fine tipped as any others i have.

 

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/pliers-round-nose/BEO07

 

got a set of tiny fine files for like $4 that are fine for light work in odd places, would not hold up to a lot of heavy filing, but fine for those few times you need a  small certain shaped file.

 

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/file-needle/SDA4-73012

 

got a few reverse action tweezers for holding stuff while painting and very decent for less than $2 ea. also lots of forcepts that were good quality for $1-2.

 

good deal this month is the little hobby knife set for $2. basically a knock off of the standard 3 handle xacto set in a plastic box and a dozen different blades. they are aluminum handles and collets. basically $1 ea for extra knife handles and a few odd blades for odd work for free! cant beat that for extra xacto handles!

 

best thing i did pick up there was some little clear plastic jars bout 1" h x 0.75" round with clear screw lids. i have lots of little jars like this but usually the lid is opaque which means if you have a bunch in a box you have to pick them all up to see whats inside! at $1.50 for 10, a good deal!

 

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/PROD/storage-plastic-container/SHJ4-87448BB

 

cheers

 

jeff

[rankodd]

I've gone and ordered a number of things from widgetsupply after Jeff pointed it out to me, including such things as dapping tools, circle cutters, and a wire draw plate.

 

Although, it occurs to me now that I don't have a vice to use the draw plate on. A trip to Princess Auto may be in order...

 

In any case, I'll report back when I receive my new toys.

[rankodd]

I did receive my order of stuff. Seems that most of the non-name brand bits are made in India. Quality isn't stupendous, but it is very good for the price.  I would definitely (and indeed have) order from them again.

[cteno4]

yeah some is pretty cheap quality, but for $2 for a pair of small end nips they cut fine. perfect for the extra pair for the club tool box or to nip things that i dont want nicking up my good pair.

 

some are definitely made by the same company that makes many of the more name brand in light jewelry tools. i picked up a couple pairs of pliers i picked up from widget were identical to the Beadalon i have except the beadalon have the laser etched name in the handle... perhaps seconds as well. a few things have a slightly angled grind line. while it looks bad it does not affect the use of the tool. they did have the cheapest price around for the xuron wire shears!

 

wish shipping was not so bad on small orders, they really try and get you to order $50 or $100!

 

cheers

 

jeff

[KeithG3255]

I usually use Kmac, they seem to have everything I need, with many various sizes and parts.  The guys there are very helpful and seem to take the time when I want to place an order to get around the minimums. 

http://kmac-distribution.com