Electrical Supplies

[stuartmit]

Is there a good mail order source for electrical supplies like push button switches both normally open and normally closed, and toggle switches? I have benn buying push button switches to operate switch machines (2 per each) at Radio shack. Its a little unit with solderable lugs, 5/16" mounting stud, packaged 4 for 3.69.. That seems to me to be expensive if you want 50 or so. Ebay retailers are more expensive for that type of item which surprised me. Toggle swtiches also seem difficult. wehat I find on Ebay and Radio Shack seem to be identical: 1/2 mount, screw connection (I would prefer solder connections, and center off, which to my way of thinking is only nice when you want it. And they are more than I would like to pay. Or maybe I'm just cheap. Any good sources?

[bfskinner]

There are many. My favorites are McMaster-Carr, All Electronics, and Mouser in no particular order. You are more likely to be overwhelmed than under-optioned.

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[lionelsoni]

Mouser.

[servoguy]

 Try www.skycraftparts.com in Winter Park Florida.  I live near Winter Park, and I have been buying stuff from Skycraft for 25+ years.  It is a surplus shop, with a huge inventory.  If you can describe what you want, they will ship it to you if you buy some quantity, and their prices are very good.  I buy almost everything I need from them.  They have a lot more than is shown on their web site.  If you wanted to buy diodes, for example, just ask them for the current and voltage you want, and they will probably have it.  I bought some 1 amp, 50 volt diodes there recently for a dime apiece. 

Bruce Baker

[lionelsoni]

Radio Shack is usually pricier than everyone else--but convenient.  However, when it comes to 1 ampere, 50 volt diodes, they have them at about 11 cents:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062589

Curiously, they also are selling two 1N4001s for a buck:  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2036268

 

 

 

[stuartmit]

I'm 65 and still mired in  1950's control--I barely know how to spell diode (well I guess I see how to spell it now)--what could I be doing with diodes?

 Interested in Skycraft for pushbuttons and toggles. All electronics seemed interesting also.. What sort of ratings do you need for toggles for block control to handle 2343 dual motor units, and push buttons to operate NJI dual coil solenoid switch machines and 6019's for uncoupling and unloading service?