Where do you buy components in the UK?

**David** · Sat 30th Aug 2008, 08:15

In particular, where do you buy Amidon cores and enamled wire?

A quick look through Practical Wireless reveals these three companies:

Bowood Electronics - Sycom - J. Birkett

Does anyone have any experience with them?

John Birkett's website also has a link to this list of suppliers.

**5B4AJB** · Sat 30th Aug 2008, 16:59

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1148/38943.php

If he hasn't got it in stock and you want it, he will get it.
I used to spand all my pocket money in there when I lived in Chiswick...

I'm having a hard time finding ECW here, but used to buy small quantities from (dare I mention their name) http://www.maplin.co.uk/Home.aspx

There are a couple of wholesale companies in Hounslow (RS & Farnell) that have good stocks and prices, but they typically want you to buy 100 off.

**M0HAK** · Mon 1st Sep 2008, 11:03

Maplins are OK for basic stuff and have a few branches nearby.

For mail order, Rapid Online are pretty good when I've used them, as are ESR, and I know a few people speak highly of Farnell.

If you want 12v power cables and so on, www.vehicle-wiring-products.com are pretty good.

Hope that helps.

Andy

**ei7gnb** · Mon 1st Sep 2008, 15:46

Originally Posted by Demetrius

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1148/38943.php

There are a couple of wholesale companies in Hounslow (RS & Farnell) that have good stocks and prices, but they typically want you to buy 100 off.

Farnell, or more precisely, CPC, is where I go, as I am friendly with an account holder and can order stuff using his account and pay him

Jon, 2IØJVI

**David** · Wed 3rd Sep 2008, 11:45

I found this post on the GQRP Yahoo! Group and thought I'd pass it on.

I was talking to Dom M1KTA and discovered he had found some coloured
copper wire while browsing a local craft shop with his wife. This stuff is
sold for stringing beads etc.but is also ideal for winding multi winding
toroids. I got some yesterday and tried it out for both tinning and
insulating properties.
Tinning was very easy, it seems to be covered in the sort of enamel that
just burns off with the heat of the solder and tins easily . (I used 60/40
lead tin resin cored stuff). I then tightly wound two six inch lengths
together using a drill until I got 7 turns/inch then separated the tinned
ends and checked for shorts. Nothing...it was open circuit, a good sign..
Bought it at my local branch of Craft Central
It comes in several colours on cotton reels with 24 yards per reel, and the gauge is 28,
The diameter I measured at 0.125" ( 0.032mm) which is approx 30 SWG. Price
is £1.25/reel. Seems to be supplied by Impex Creative Crafts, Atlas Road.
Wembley Middx. HA9 0TX
Craft Central also sell similarly coloured wire but in 15 metre coils and
0.5mm dia. (0.0195") I measured this as 0.57mm so it is close to 24 SWG.
Pack is marked Scientific Wire Company. Costs £1.99/pack) Did the same test
and got the same results.

**5B4AJB** · Sat 6th Sep 2008, 13:37

Originally Posted by M6TBD

sort of enamel that just burns off with the heat of the solder

You do know that enamel smoke is quite poisonous?

**MW0YAA** · Mon 15th Sep 2008, 18:46

Originally Posted by Demetrius

Originally Posted by M6TBD

sort of enamel that just burns off with the heat of the solder

You do know that enamel smoke is quite poisonous?

as is lead, tin, flux and anything else not generally breathed in. The trick is good ventilation and don't smoke the stuff.

**g7vhj** · Tue 16th Sep 2008, 06:34

Even the lead free solder that i use every day at work is harmfull, It just pays to ensure you have adequate ventilation but not too much that the iron cools down as you are using it. i.e it's no good trying to solder by an open window even with a temperature controlled iron