TOOLBOX MAKER’S CATALOG COLLECTION
Maybe it’s the techno-utopian in me who thinks that the right tool, the right part, the right
material, will make everything, well — all right. Apparently, I’m not the only one obsessed with
catalogs; when we put out a query online, we got tons of suggestions ( makezine.com/go/
catalogs). Every maker who dabbles in electronics needs the Digi-Key ( digikey.com), Jameco
Electronics ( jameco.com), and Newark ( newark.com) catalogs. Tool freaks drool over Garrett
Wade ( garrettwade.com) and Lee Valley ( leevalley.com). Besides these staples, here are some
others you might want to check out. —Gareth Branwyn
Electronic Goldmine
goldmine-elec.com
Dan Barlow of HacDC writes: “The
Electronic Goldmine offers discounts
on SMT components and often has
cool, weird stuff like IC masks and
wafers. They also have a special robot
section.”
MPJA
mpja.com
A bunch of makers recommended
the venerable Marlin P. Jones &
Associates catalog. MAKE’s Collin
Cunningham: “MPJA has awesome
prices on a variety of electronics
equipment. They also have dirt-cheap
toggle switches and unusual surplus
items, like a security cam mount
I found useful for shooting macro-
project builds.”
162 Make: makezine.com/26
Small Parts
smallparts.com
Small Parts doesn’t have a print
version anymore. But it’s a great
source for small orders of materials
and supplies. Make: Online’s Sean
Michael Ragan writes: “This is where
you go if you need to build, say, a gas
chromatograph from scratch. ”
All Electronics
allelectronics.com
A copy of the All Electronics catalog
will likely be found on every wire-
head’s bookshelf. It’s always been
on mine. I haven’t actually ordered
anything from them in a while, but
I always enjoy scanning their offer-
ings of new and surplus parts.
Lindsay’s
Technical Books
lindsaybks.com
If every electronics nerd has the
Digi-Key and Jameco catalogs on
her/his bench, every steampunk and
retro-techie covets this catalog. Sean
Ragan: “Lindsay’s features reprints of
classic machine manuals and books
on fundamental technology skills. A
great depository of forgotten lore.”
Plastruct
plastruct.com
The scale-model plastic stock
company that launched a million
train boards, architectural models,
and low-budget sci-fi special effects
shots. It offers everything at various
scales: I-beams, T-beams, H-beams,
tubing, tiny plumbing parts, stone
and brick-patterned sheets, plastic
sheet stock — you name it.
Micro-Mark
micromark.com
Sean Ragan writes: “Micro-Mark
sells tools intended for model
builders, including many tools that
are custom-manufactured for this
catalog. They offer casting supplies,
small clamps, gluing jigs, micro
machine tools, and more.”
Polytek Plastics
polytek.com
MAKE and CRAFT’s Becky Stern
says: “Polytek not only has detailed
descriptions of the products they sell
but also loads of moldmaking advice
(with pictures!). The catalog has
information about people using their
materials and the industries in which
they work (props, special effects,
landscaping, concrete, architectural
work, etc.).”
Scenic Express
scenicexpress.com
Anybody working in miniatures, from
dollhouse makers to wargamers, will
find incredible stuff here. They carry
all sorts of miniature trees, grass,
foliage, and buildings; molds for
making rocks, bridges, and stone-
work; little plastic people; and all the
tools and supplies you need to create
your own Lilliputian wonderlands.
