Electronics & Hardware Shopping Resources
Toronto Retailers
Active Surplus
activesurplus.com
347 Queen Street West,
2nd Floor
(416) 593-0909
Carries major electronics components plus cheap, quirky surplus items. Everything sold "as is" so it may be hard to find the exact item you're looking for since they don't offer datasheets or specs. 20-30% of inventory turns over often so wander its aisles every month or so.
Supremetronic
supremetronic.com
306 College St
(part of Home Hardware)
(416) 922-1158
Carries a wider range of electronics components than Active Surplus. Easier to find stuff because specs are marked on most bins. If you can't find it here or at Active, you'll have to go online to order what you need, or drive to Sayal and/or EfstonScience.
EfstonScience
eScience.ca
3350 Dufferin Street
(416) 787-4581
This is a very large science store across from the Yorkdale Mall. They do not sell a lot of stand alone electronics components -- mostly science and robotics kits. If you don't live in the area or have a car, check their website first and call ahead for inventory.
Sayal
sayal.com
3791 Victoria Park Ave
Units 1-5
(416) 494-8999
Additional stores in Mississauga, Vaughan, Cambridge, and Burlington. Never been there but apparently has a lot bigger selection than Supremetronics.
LaserGlow
laserglow.com
5 Adrian Ave
(416) 729-7976
Need lasers for your next GRL Laser Tag project? Special infrared lasers? Email the folks there (or ask for Justin) and they can work with you to get you the right laser. They don't carry everything in stock so give them at least 2-3 weeks notice first so they can order it from their supplier.
Brafasco (CTF Supply)
brafasco.com
31 Parliament St
(416) 364-9191
If you've got a tricky screw head (tamper-resisant ones) they might have the right screwdriver for you.
Online Retailers
Digikey
digikey.ca
U.S. based company that offers a Canadian retail portal; Prices are in CAD$ and customs/duty charges are already worked in so you won't be suprised with a $30 FedEx bill for a $10 purchase. Shipping is cheap and prompt (2-5 days). Unless you know the exact part you're looking for or have good specs, download a catalogue for browsing.
digikey.ca
U.S. based company that offers a Canadian retail portal; Prices are in CAD$ and customs/duty charges are already worked in so you won't be suprised with a $30 FedEx bill for a $10 purchase. Shipping is cheap and prompt (2-5 days). Unless you know the exact part you're looking for or have good specs, download a catalogue for browsing.
Newark
canada.newark.com
Alternative Canadian retail portal. Consider opening a FedEx, UPS, etc account so you have more shipping options (including guarenteed next day delivery) but I've never had to wait more than 2 days for my packages. Offers a nice visual "selector guide" section.
canada.newark.com
Alternative Canadian retail portal. Consider opening a FedEx, UPS, etc account so you have more shipping options (including guarenteed next day delivery) but I've never had to wait more than 2 days for my packages. Offers a nice visual "selector guide" section.
Sparkfun
sparkfun.com
Super user-friendly electronics shopping. Very visual and easy to understand. Carries lots of Arduino-related products, including the LilyPad. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)
sparkfun.com
Super user-friendly electronics shopping. Very visual and easy to understand. Carries lots of Arduino-related products, including the LilyPad. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)
HVW Technologies
hvwtech.com
Based out of Calgary, it's the only retailer I know of that sells the Basic Stamp Stack (which is what I learned microcontroller programming with), along with regular Basic Stamps, Arduino-based microcontrollers, and other electronics components.
hvwtech.com
Based out of Calgary, it's the only retailer I know of that sells the Basic Stamp Stack (which is what I learned microcontroller programming with), along with regular Basic Stamps, Arduino-based microcontrollers, and other electronics components.
Sundance Solar
SundanceSolar.com
Retailer of solar panels and many other solar related items. User friendly product descriptions keeps you from shopping in the dark. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)
SundanceSolar.com
Retailer of solar panels and many other solar related items. User friendly product descriptions keeps you from shopping in the dark. (U.S. based so be careful of customs.)
Brickyard Ceramics & Crafts
brickyardceramics.com
Closest retailer of Amaco's "Friendly Plastic" (polymorph plastic) -- they are actually in the same building! If you have a GST account, call them directly and they can offer a 30% discount. (U.S. based so be careful of customs; and if you want next day or 3 day shipping, be prepared to pay $80, otherwise only $15 for regular 5-7 day standard shipping.)
brickyardceramics.com
Closest retailer of Amaco's "Friendly Plastic" (polymorph plastic) -- they are actually in the same building! If you have a GST account, call them directly and they can offer a 30% discount. (U.S. based so be careful of customs; and if you want next day or 3 day shipping, be prepared to pay $80, otherwise only $15 for regular 5-7 day standard shipping.)
