Where to buy electronic components in Los Angeles

July 8, 2009 11:48 AM

Looking for somewhere to buy electronic components in Los Angeles, possibly in bulk ammounts. Things like resistors, capacitors, op-amps, LEDs. I'm imagining a great big store with aisles and aisles of switches, knobs, project enclosures, components, wires and soldering irons.

Does Frys have this stuff? Pacific Radio? I know radioshack has some components, but I'm looking to buy a whole bunch...

posted by Charlie Lesoine to shopping (6 comments total)

Digikey
to a lesser extent McMaster-Carr

There are brick and mortar spots out there, but these are going to prove to be the better choice.
posted by milqman at 11:52 AM on July 8

I like Mouser, but Digikey is also an excellent choice.
posted by jordanlewis at 11:56 AM on July 8

I don't know the name, but I think there is some legendary store or stores out by Caltech that the students use. Maybe someone out that way knows?
posted by drjimmy11 at 11:56 AM on July 8

There used to be two places near Caltech--Dow, and C & H Surplus. Dow has morphed into "Du Vac" which is open on some sort of weird schedule and doesn't have the same sort of aisles of parts anymore. C & H in Pasadena closed, but they have a shop in Duarte (which I've never been to). http://www.candhsurplus.com/
posted by LadyOscar at 12:06 PM on July 8

Fry's might have some resistors and a few switches. Not exactly what you're looking for.

Depending on where in LA you are, any of these might work out for you:

All Electronics in Van Nuys (been here, exactly what you're looking for)
http://www.allelectronics.com/

DuVac in Pasadena (formerly MarVac, I think)
http://www.duvac.com/

C and H Sales in Pasadena (surplus store near Caltech)
http://www.candhsales.biz/

This is not a comprehensive list...
posted by lalas at 12:08 PM on July 8 [1 favorite]

I live right next to where MarVac used to be...Such a tragedy that they closed down before I became really interested in electronics...
posted by Charlie Lesoine at 1:01 PM on July 8