[sdiy] Boston Area electronics parts sources?

[Dave Magnuson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Arnold" <xyzzy at sysabend.org>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Saturday, April 18, 2009 12:40 AM
Subject: [sdiy] Boston Area electronics parts sources?


>A friend of mine in the Worcester area outside Boston is looking for parts
> sources preferrably open saturdays.  He's a guitar guy who I kinda got
> interested in building effects and I think its now officially an addiction 
> (
> he's graduated to etching his own boards already ).
>
> Any suggestions appreciated.  Searching via Google wasn't very helpful.
>
> Thanks!
>

Hi Tom,

It's getting fairly far from Worcester, but there's a small surplus 
electronics shop in Manchester, NH.   I have no idea if he ever comes up 
this way - it's probably an hour and a half.    The shop is rather small, so 
I wouldn't recommend the drive ONLY to visit... but if he's in the 
neighborhood....

They're called ESS (Electronics Surplus Supply).  Directions:
- Route 93 north from Massachusetts
- Exit 6 (Candia Rd / Hanover St)
- Left at bottom of ramp
- Building is on the left perhaps 1/4 mile from highway.   If you reach the 
signal at Industrial Park Drive, you went too far.
(It's also possible for him to take route 3 north from Chelmsford into 
Manchester)

They *do not* stock resistors, caps, etc, but rather have a varied 
collection of "weird sh!t"

They often have bench power supplies, test equipment, solder, wire, 
nuts/bolts/standoffs/washers, heatshrink tubing.  Sometimes they have odd 
jacks and plugs or switches, panel meters..  Stock varies by the day.   I've 
made some good scores there... but there's not always stuff well suited to 
SDIY, either.

They almost always have NOS PowerOne dual or triple output supplies for 
about $5-$10.    I've gotten C&K mini toggles for $1 each.   I bought 5pin 
XLR connectors for $2.   I got a NICE Sorensen (Raytheon) dual output 
adjustable power supply (rack mount) with 3A per rail for $15.   All 
harware/nuts/bolts are $2.00 per bag;  You jamb the bag as full as you want 
and mix/match sizes.   You never know what you'll find (but you might find 
nothing!).

Dave Magnuson