Online Parts Supplier?

[megahz]

I'm just starting electronics, and I'm a bit tight on cash, does any1 know where to get cheap parts online?

[jmdejoanelli]

It depends on what kind of parts your after.

eBay can be good (not for production components of course) to get you started with a kit of through hole resistors, capacitors, basic transistors, diodes etc. I bought an assortment of 2500 1/4W resistors for about $10 or something on eBay. They even sell books of SMT resistors (from 1ohm to 10Mohm) and capacitors for around $15-$20 or so.

If your looking for very specific items, I always use element14 and RS components just because they are convenient, but you normally pay a little more for that convenience. But again, it depends what kind of parts your after.

There are a few hobby stores around which are worth a look, but often because you are purchasing low volumes, parts can be expensive, but they are still worth a look.
Just google these:
Little Bird Electronics
Sparkfun
Australian Robotics
Jaycar
Altronics
Pololu Robotics and Electronics
Ocean Controls
Wiltronics

[rdl]

Mouser (www.mouser.com) is pretty good in the U.S. They are relatively hobbyist friendly, no minimum order and will ship by USPS (they also have "economy shipping" only $4.99 for small orders, takes about a week to get though). Prices are pretty good on most components and they stock a ridiculous amount of stuff. I've also used Sparkfun and Digikey. I tend to stick with Mouser because they are only 400 miles away and I get 2 day shipping by regular USPS or UPS ground.

[ivan747]

For hobby stuff, I would recommend sites like Sparkfun and Adafruit. They are similar in their catalog. They don't carry many individual components, but they have lots of boards to get you started, specially on digital electronics. Very simple catalog, long descriptions, great tutorials . 100% beginner friendly. For general electronics a good hobby supplier is Jameco. They sell a much wider variety of components and supplies, but their kits and boards aren't as cool as Sparkfun ones. Use Jameco to make a small stock of components in your lab, as Dave suggested in one of his videos (EEVBlog #168).

For a more serious supplier, one you can use professionally and one that has pretty much all components, you can look on Digi-Key, Farnell and Mouser Electronics. They are a bit harder to handle and you got to have a general idea of what you want to get. After some time with the simpler suppliers you will learn to shop around for specific items, and eventually you will learn the parametric search system on these last three suppliers. A Digi-Key catalog is bigger than a phone book. That is good and bad. 

[Farley]

Tayda Electronics has some inexpensive parts.
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/

[buster7]

yes Tayda is very good not many parts though
and Electrodragon http://www.electrodragon.com/
futurlec http://www.futurlec.com.au or http://www.futurlec.com
Deal Extreme also have some good modules http://dx.com

[peter.mitchell]

Tayda Electronics has some inexpensive parts.
http://www.taydaelectronics.com/

If you're into the whole facebook thing, they provide good discount codes there.

[megahz]

Thanks guys, how about for just stocking up on parts?

[ivan747]

Jameco has some grab bags and component kits for sale. The component kits even include cabinets. I have seen the grab bags before and your mileage may vary. Looks for reviews. The component kits seem like a better deal.

[cwalex]

Thanks guys, how about for just stocking up on parts?

I have developed quite a stock of parts by buying in qty when I order parts for a particular project. For instance if I'm ordering some 100R resistors for a project instead of ordering the amount needed for the project I order 100 or even more depending on the discount you get for ordering the qty. I usually order parts from element14 or RS components and they usually give you a decent discount for ordering 100 or some other amount. Also you often get free delivery if your order is above a certain amount. After a while you end up with quite a stock of parts that you can use in other projects.