Recommended Component Suppliers

[DODGERN]

I've just discovered this guy:-

http://www.bowood-electronics.co.uk/index.php

The range is poor - but does include 470KΩ log pots! - put the prices are low, like 6.5v lamps for 15p, and the postage is too. He also does odd resistors, albeit in nothing over half watt.

Certainly worth a look though.

- Joe

Looks like a good find Rob. Low order value and P&P is always welcome too.

Roger.

[tiv48]

bowood was the only place a few years ago that i could find 470k log switched pots
rob t

[Yorkie]

Wilf, who runs Bowood along with his wife, is a great guy who used to work for the better known Bardwell's in Sheffield. As has been said, the range of stuff he sells is limited, but his prices and P&P are fair. He often turns up at radio rallies that aren't too far from hi home in Bakewell to the SW of Sheffield. I guess that a healthy turnover of 470k switched log pots will keep him going nicely!

Another great guy who will go out of his way to source difficult to find components is Chris, at Mode Components, and Peter at 'JABDOG' (made up from the three letters of his amateur radio callsign, and that of his partner), though they don't stock much of use in the way of vintage radio repairs. When I can, for vintage radio stuff - polyester & silver mica caps, and a limited range of resistors and other bits, I use 'Savoy Hill', which has reasonable prices no minimum order value and low P&P costs.

A google search will find them all.

Many happy restorations!

David.

[Aerodyne]

Hi David
I knew about Mode, Bowood and Bardwells and have bought from all, but Jabdog is new to me. I collect sources, so that one has gone into my lists. Thanks!
-Tony

[Yorkie]

Peter at Jabdog has just updated the catalogue at his website below, which is well worth a browse. Handy for such things as enamel and tinned copper wire in small quantities, and lots of other useful bits - EG, ten 2N3055 power transistors for £4.00, 100 1N4002 diodes £1.50, classic black 'chicken head' pointer knobs, ideal for test gear, ten for £3.00! (No VAT, £2.60 P&P, free on orders over £25.00). I've no connection with jabdog other than as an occasional customer for more years than I care to remember.

http://www.jabdog.com/index.htm

David

[Joe]

Chris at Mode Components in Birmingham has now retired so I've been looking for other suppliers and am very happy with Spiratronics. Their web-site is http://spiratronics.com/ and they also have an e-Bay shop. Either way the postage is very reasonable.

Another good one is ESR - http://www.esr.co.uk/index.html - but their postage is bit more hefty.

Bardwell's, as mentioned by David and Tony above, have a web-site - www.Bardwells.Co.UK - but they sell far more than is listed thereupon so a 'phone call or e-mail may be worthwhile, especially if you're looking for something really odd.

- Joe

[Yorkie]

Spiratronics are a great outfit to deal with - their 2 Watt metal film resistors make excellent replacements for old 1/2 Watt/1Watt vintage resistors. The range is from 1 Ohm - 1 MegOhm, which admittedly is a bit limited, but at 10p each they're keenly priced if they have what you want. http://spiratronics.com/index.php?dispat...ories.view&category_id=3706#1

Chris at Mode Components was a diamond geezer - if he didn't have what you wanted, he'd always try to track it down. I wonder if anyone has taken on his stock, such as Peter at JabDog?

[AlanBeckett]

There's an amusing error in the description of the resistors - apparently they're 15mm diameter but only 5mm long
Must be the obesity epidemic we're always hearing about.
Alan

[Yorkie]

I've hankered after building one of those analogue scope tube clocks which I think look rather snazy'

They do work out rather expensive, (especially now the GBP is junk currency against the Euro), albeit I do have a 3" diam 3BP1 blue persistence tube.

http://www.askjanfirst.com/eindex.htm

The only thing I really lack is time, with an ever growing list of things to do. (Not waving - drowning!).