Page 62 - Robot Builder's Bonanza

HOBBY AND MODEL STORES 31

Figure 3-1 Use Findchips.com to locate
electronic components. The free site
searches numerous online parts retailers
and displays availability, price, and stocking
levels.

over a dozen online electronics specialty retailers. You can compare prices and availability.
Using the FindChips.com search is free.
G Some of the sources on FindChips.com are electronics distributors and wholesalers, which
means they require a hefty minimum order. The minimum varies, but is often $25 or $50.

Specialty Online Robotics Retailers

With robotics now a hot hobby, a new type of online retailer has sprung up: the specialty
robotics site. These sites offer one- stop- shopping for all— or nearly all— of the parts you need
to build your robots.
Inventory differs from one site to the next, and some products are exclusive to one com-
pany. No doubt you’ll develop your favorite haunts. I regularly shop at several of these, look-
ing for what’s new and who has the best prices.

Acroname Robotics: www.acroname.com
Lynxmotion: www.lynxmotion.com
Parallax: www.parallax.com
Pololu: www.pololu.com
RobotShop: www.robotshop.com
SparkFun Electronics: www.sparkfun.com

See Appendix B, “Internet Parts Sources,” for more.

Hobby and Model Stores

Hobby and model stores are the ideal sources for small parts, including lightweight plastic,
brass rod, servo motors for radio control (R/C) cars and airplanes, gears, and construction
hardware. Most of the products available at hobby stores are designed for building specific
kinds of models and toys. But that shouldn’t stop you from raiding the place with an eye to
converting the parts for robot use.

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