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-   -   Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go? (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94444)

cmass 10-04-2011 16:15

Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Ok, This has probably been asked before and I DID search before posting ...

Where do you get your non-KOP bits and pieces.

We used the following suppliers, I'd like to know who is better, cheaper, faster:
  • transmissions, aluminum sprockets, wheels - AndyMark
  • pneumatic fittings, timing belts and sprockets, lead screws, couplings, bearings, conveyor belting treads - McMaster-Carr
  • controls components - digiKey
  • PWM cables - crimp connectors - Hansen Hobbies
  • cylinders - straight from Bimba
  • Aluminum stock - Metal Mart
  • All plastics - Laird Plastics

Where'd you go? Need a good source for gearboxes or buy BB transmissions now for future use 'cause you cannot wait until the season starts.

gyroscopeRaptor 10-04-2011 16:24

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Local suppliers only. Albert Lea Glass and Lock and Albert Lea Steel gave us lexan and aluminum and plywood.

We recieved donated solenoids and actuators from our local sponsor.

Vermeulen 10-04-2011 17:25

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
We get about 75% of our stuff from menards. A lot of stuff comes from McMaster, and the rest comes from either AndyMark or 80/20.

ajlapp 10-04-2011 17:32

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Clinton aluminum for stock....much cheaper on average than metalmart.

We use clinton for all of our production runs.

Alro is also competitive, so I usually check both.

Mcmaster for specialty small quantity orders.

Grim Tuesday 10-04-2011 17:38

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Almost everything we get for mechanical stuff (pulleys, screws, etc...) is from McmasterCarr


Electrical stuff is always from DigiKey.

DonRotolo 10-04-2011 18:16

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Lots of stuff - even metals and hardware - from McMaster. Convenience over price.
Electronics from DigiKey, Mouser and Jameco. Depends on what we need.
PWM stuff from ServoCity. Good price.
Chain and most bearings from Thebigbearingstore. Again, price.
Sprinkles for our ice cream from Marshall's Creek Spices. Gotta have sprinkles (aka jimmies) for ice cream. :D

ebarker 10-04-2011 19:41

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Don't forget automationdirect.com

MrForbes 10-04-2011 19:51

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
This year we ordered spiffy wheels from AndyMark. most everything else came from the local hardware/building supplies...Ace, Lowe's, Sutherlands, and Home Depot. I was amazed that we didn't get anything from McMaster-Carr.

cmass 10-04-2011 21:43

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DonRotolo (Post 1051346)
Lots of stuff - even metals and hardware - from McMaster. Convenience over price.
Electronics from DigiKey, Mouser and Jameco. Depends on what we need.
PWM stuff from ServoCity. Good price.
Chain and most bearings from Thebigbearingstore. Again, price.
Sprinkles for our ice cream from Marshall's Creek Spices. Gotta have sprinkles (aka jimmies) for ice cream. :D

Now I know what we did wrong ... no sprinkles for our ICE CREAM!

Billfred 10-04-2011 22:03

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Most of our aluminum was purchased from Lowe's. Yes, we probably could've found cheaper places, but we couldn't beat their convenience (especially when it's 8:00 at night and you absolutely need that stick of box tubing that night!)

Lowe's, McMaster-Carr, AndyMark. If you can't build a robot from that, you may possibly be overcomplicating it.

David Doerr 11-04-2011 01:28

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
For sensors and other electronic thingies:
SparkFun Electronics
Acroname Robotics
Powerwerx

Deviating a little from FIRST:
DIYdrones

And my very favorite:
Massive Dynamic, founded by William Bell and run by CEO Nina Sharp. ;) :D

Chris Fultz 11-04-2011 07:06

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
For quick runs - Menards, Lowes, Home Depot.

McMaster Carr - great for overnight / next day needs
AndyMark

Chris_Elston 11-04-2011 08:24

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
For Team THRUST 1501:

Pulleys & Chain 100ft rolls - Surplus Center
Servo Connectors - Hansen Hobbies
Metal - Metal SuperMarket
Chromoly Steel (4130) - Air Craft Spruce
Clecos - Air Craft Spruce
Chrome, Gold, Colored Sheet Metal - Sherman Racing
Electrical Terminals - Fastenal
Extra SMC Valves Doubles - Fastenal
Industrial Buttons and Pneumatic Fittings - Automation Direct
Pneumatics Cylinders - PHD, Inc.
Encoders - US Digital - We get some secret sauce ones...
Additional cRIOs - NI
Of course AndyMark for us, we drive and pick it up.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now.

Taylor 11-04-2011 08:54

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Drivetrain: AndyMark
Lift: Neff Engineering (local distributor of 8020; it's important to know that 8020 gives FIRST teams a fantastic discount during the build season)
PWMs/Electronics: IFI (VEX Pro)
Nuts & Bolts: Fastenal
Last-minute needs: Lowe's
Sheet metal fabrication: Fab2Order and L&S EDM - two local shops that do international work
Specialty needs: McMaster-Carr

Bob Steele 11-04-2011 10:34

Re: Supply Base - Who is good? Where do you go?
 
Don't forget MSC...
Great service and FIRST teams can get set up to receive a discount. You have to ask....
The BIG BLUE BOOK...

We also get aluminum from Online Metals... also great service..


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