San Francisco Surplus Stores
November 14, 2007 10:28 AM Subscribe
What are the great surplus stores around San Francisco
My wife and I are planning on honeymooning in the San Francisco-area (probably the city itself) in early January. Mythbusters has convinced me that the city is filled with stores equal to American Science and Surplus. While my wife isn't looking, which ones should I check out, with an emphasis placed on cool electronics, or the bizarre?
My wife and I are planning on honeymooning in the San Francisco-area (probably the city itself) in early January. Mythbusters has convinced me that the city is filled with stores equal to American Science and Surplus. While my wife isn't looking, which ones should I check out, with an emphasis placed on cool electronics, or the bizarre?
Seconding Weird Stuff.
Also, check out HSC Electronics in Santa Clara.
posted by phoebus at 12:02 PM on November 14, 2007
Also, check out HSC Electronics in Santa Clara.
posted by phoebus at 12:02 PM on November 14, 2007
There are two primary kinds of "surplus" out here. There's large industrial surplus, including storage tanks, pipes, machine tools, scrap, etc. that's often shown on Mythbusters.
And then there's electronics surplus, which includes electronic components, old oscilloscopes, computers, and castoffs from last year's failed startup.
There is some crossover. Halted (a.k.a. HSC Electronics), in addition to stocking the Valley's best selection of surplus electronics, also has a good selection of small- to medium-sized motors as well as some pneumatic equipment. But you wouldn't go there for a large pipe with the diameter of a frozen chicken.
Same with Weird Stuff Warehouse. They specialize mostly in computers (want a Sparc 5?) but also have a large as-is area with old electronics and components.
Most of the other surplus electronics places in the area have closed. The one other one I can think of is Excess Solutions in Milpitas. Also make sure to visit a Fry's Electronics if you haven't been.
A while ago the show did a program where they visited their favorite vendors. This link has a summary:
http://televizzle.org/2006/09/25/shop_til_you_drop.php
Machinery and Equipment Co. (listed above) is in Brisbane, which is just south of SF. They will have a lot of large industrial things.
I'd also recommend Alan Steel & Supply Co. in Redwood City.
posted by lalas at 12:55 PM on November 14, 2007
And then there's electronics surplus, which includes electronic components, old oscilloscopes, computers, and castoffs from last year's failed startup.
There is some crossover. Halted (a.k.a. HSC Electronics), in addition to stocking the Valley's best selection of surplus electronics, also has a good selection of small- to medium-sized motors as well as some pneumatic equipment. But you wouldn't go there for a large pipe with the diameter of a frozen chicken.
Same with Weird Stuff Warehouse. They specialize mostly in computers (want a Sparc 5?) but also have a large as-is area with old electronics and components.
Most of the other surplus electronics places in the area have closed. The one other one I can think of is Excess Solutions in Milpitas. Also make sure to visit a Fry's Electronics if you haven't been.
A while ago the show did a program where they visited their favorite vendors. This link has a summary:
http://televizzle.org/2006/09/25/shop_til_you_drop.php
Machinery and Equipment Co. (listed above) is in Brisbane, which is just south of SF. They will have a lot of large industrial things.
I'd also recommend Alan Steel & Supply Co. in Redwood City.
posted by lalas at 12:55 PM on November 14, 2007
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posted by pombe at 11:07 AM on November 14, 2007