Where to buy materials & parts
Electronics, componants
Bigger Shops - large and often complex catalogues
| Supplier | Material | Website | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| RS | electronics, componants, tools | http://uk.rs-online.com/ | Fast delivery, huge selection. Free delivery. Collection also possible from Bow |
| Rapid online | electronics, componants, tools | https://www.rapidonline.com | Fast delivery, huge selection, student pricing + free delivery over £30 |
| Mouser | electronics, consumer stuff | https://www.mouser.co.uk/ | Fast delivery, some items overpriced, Free delivery over £33 |
| Farnell | electronics, componants, tools | http://www.farnell.co.uk | Free delivery over £20 (ex VAT) |
| CPC | electronics, componants, tools | http://cpc.farnell.com/ | Free delivery over £8 + VAT |
| Bitsbox | https://www.bitsbox.co.uk/ |
Smaller Shops - stock products locally, so not shipping from the EU/US
| Supplier | Material | Website | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proto-Pic | electronics, componants | https://www.proto-pic.co.uk/ | Offers 10% student discount |
| Cool components | electronics, componants | http://coolcomponents.co.uk/ | |
| Pimoroni | electronics, robotics, kits | https://shop.pimoroni.com/ | |
| Robotshop | electronics, robotics | https://www.robotshop.com/ | |
| Active Robots | electronics, robotics | http://www.active-robots.com/ | |
| Hobbytronics | electronics, componants | http://www.hobbytronics.co.uk/ | |
| Hobbyking | radio controlled electronics | https://hobbyking.com/ | RC control, BLDC motors, battery packs etc |
| SKPang | electronics, componants | https://skpang.co.uk/ | |
| #DigitalMeans | electronics, componants | http://digitalmeans.co.uk/ | |
| Oomlout | electronics, componants | https://oomlout.co.uk/ | |
| Spiratronics | electronics, componants | http://spiratronics.com/ | |
| Bright Components | electronics, componants | http://bright-components.co.uk/ | |
| Kitronik | electronics, robotics, kits | https://kitronik.co.uk/ |
US/EU based
| Supplier | Material | Website | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arduino | kits | https://store.arduino.cc/ | |
| Adafruit | electronics, componants, kits | https://www.adafruit.com/ | |
| Sparkfun | electronics, kits | https://www.sparkfun.com/ | |
| Seeed studio | pcb and electronics components | http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/ | |
| Digikey (USA) | electronics, componants, kits | http://www.digikey.co.uk/ |
China based
| Supplier | Material | Website | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seedstudio (China) | electronics, componants, kits | https://seeedstudio.com/ | |
| DF Robot (China) | electronics, componants, robotics | http://dfrobot.com/ | |
| DealExtreme (China) | electronics, componants | http://dx.com/ | |
| Ali Express (China) | electronics, componants | https://www.aliexpress.com/ |
Machine Elements
| Supplier | Material | Website | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motionco | Machine elements | http://motionco.co.uk/ | Great source of gears, pulleys, belts, chains, bearings etc |
| Model Fixings | Machine elements | http://www.modelfixings.co.uk | Poorly made website, but a great range of mechanical fixings and bearings |
| HPC Gears | Gears | http://www.hpcgears.com/ | Gears and power transmission |
| RS | Machine elements | http://uk.rs-online.com/ | |
| Spring Masters | Springs | https://www.springmasters.com/ | |
| On Drives | Gear boxes | http://www.ondrives.com/ | Med - Heavy duty gearboxes |
| Cross Morse | Transmissions | http://www.cross-morse.co.uk/ | |
| SDP-SI | Transmissions | http://www.sdp-si.com/ | Massive range, USA delivery only, but great for finding 3D CAD models of parts |
| Simply Bearings | Bearings | http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/ | Specialise in bearings, wide variety: miniature, loose, bushings, etc. |
| Igus | Plastic Bearings | https://www.igus.co.uk/ | All things sliding, rolling and polymer. Expensive |
| Bearing Boys | Bearings | http://www.bearingboys.co.uk | |
| S3i | Wire ropes | https://www.s3i.co.uk/ | Wire rope and attachments |
Model shops
| Shop | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4D Model Shop | General Model Making and laser cutting services | http://www.modelshop.co.uk/ | 4D modelshop Ltd, The Arches, 120 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU | 020 7264 1288 | Best shop for model parts in London. Can be expensive |
| London Graphic Center | General Model Making | ||||
| Charles Cantrill | Cork | http://www.charlescantrill.com | |||
| Atlantis Art Supplies | ‘Europes Largest Fine Art Supplies Retaile | http://www.atlantisart.co.uk | Britannia House, 68-80 Hanbury Street,London E1 5JL | ||
| EMA Model Supplies | modeling shop | http://www.ema-models.co.uk | |||
| Blueprintmodelshop | model shop and laser cutter | http://www.blueprintmodel.co.uk | really cheap but not good quality (20% off on material for students) | ||
| Cassart | modelshop | http://www.cassart.co.uk | 10% for students. Lots of shops in London | ||
| Canonbury art supplies | art shop | http://www.globalartsupplies.co.uk |
Raw materials
Aluminum
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dore Metals | Aluminium | https://www.doremetals.co.uk | Aluminium and non-ferrous metals. | ||
| Aalco | Metal | http://www.aalco.co.uk | |||
| Park Side Style | Steel | http://www.parksidesteel.uk.com | Rod, tube, bar, sheet, plate, steel | ||
| Smiths Metal | Metal | http://www.smithmetal.com | College has account | ||
| Fays Metals | Unit 3, 37 Colville Road, South Acton, London, W3 8BL | 020 8993 8883 | A traditional metal warehouse situated a 10min walk from South Acton tube or on the 440 Bus route, Fays stock all different types of Steel, Aluminium, Brass etc in various forms of extrusion, sheet and billet. They're reasonably priced and if you talk to them nicely they'll let you look around for what you need. They also have a large shelf of various offcuts you can obtain for reduced prices. | ||
| Aluminium warehouse | Aluminium | https://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk | Metal cut to order |
Wood
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moss&Co. | Wood | http://www.mosstimber.co.uk/ | 020 8748 8251 | ||
| Capital Crispin | Wood Veneer | http://www.capitalcrispin.com | Amazing stock of veneer, and cheap |
Plastics
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamar Acrylics | arcylic, laser cut services | http://www.hamaracrylic.com | Sell cheap offcuts in shop | ||
| Amari Plastics | large acrylic sheets | http://www.amariplastics.com/amariplastics/default.asp | 2 Cumberland Ave., Park Royal, London NW10 7RL | 020 8961 1961 | |
| Hobart | acrylic and plastic | https://hobarts.com/ |
Paper
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Purcell Paper | card and paper | http://www.johnpurcell.net | 15 Rumsey Rd., London SW9 0TR | Tel: 020 7737 5199 |
| PSG Group | Various Sheet Material incl. Nomex (Fire Retardent Paper) | http://www.psggroup.co.uk | Polymex House, 49-53 Glengall Road, London, SE15 6NF |
Foam
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentonville rubber | Foam (upholstery) | http://www.pentonvillerubber.co.uk | 104-106 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JB | 0207 837 7553 |
| Foam supplier | foam cut to size and other type of foam | http://www.foamsupplierslondon.co.uk | 26-27 Shepherds Bush Market London W12 8DF | 07429 212 415 or 07411 653 301 |
Hardware
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Mills | 48 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4QT | Small hardware store on Gloucester Road who carry a suprising amount of stock in the locality of Imperial. They carry the usual household items as well as tools, basic wood stock and PVC tube. They are however the most expensive for these items, so best used if convenience is a premium. | |||
| Leyland SDM | Wood | http://www.leylandsdm.co.uk/ | Leyland are a large chain of hardware stores all over London | ||
| B&Q | http://www.diy.com/ | ||||
| Homebase | http://www.homebase.co.uk/ |
Resin
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiranti | resins, molding, sculpting | http://www.tiranti.co.uk | 27 Warren Street, London W1T 5NB | 020 7380 0808 |
| Notcutt | resins | http://www.notcutt.co.uk | ||
| Mold life | resins and silicone | http://mouldlife.co.uk/ | ||
| John Burn | Resins | http://www.johnburn.co.uk |
Misc
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthur Beales | ropes, chandlery | http://www.arthurbeale.co.uk | 194 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JP | ||
| Inoxia | Wire Mesh | http://www.inoxia.co.uk/rw/section/1.aspx | |||
| Metamark | vinyl | http://www.metamark.co.uk/pages_sv/7series.htm | |||
| Clerkenwell screws | Screws | 020 7405 1215 | Really good screws wide range |
Textiles
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma Leather | leather offcuts/ leather supplier (apparel & upholstery) | http://www.almahome.co.uk/almaleather.htm | 12-14 Greatorex St, London E1 5NF | 020 7377 0762 | |
| Gold hawk road (many shops) | fabric, pvc sheets | https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=goldhawk+road+fabric+shops&oq=goldawk&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l5.8836j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 | Gold Hawk Road | Price can be negotiated if you are canny, and its cheaper than Berwick street | |
| Berwick Street (many shops) | Fabric, sewing supplies | http://www.borovickfabricsltd.co.uk | 16 Berwick Street, W1F 0HP | 020 7437 2180/0520 | Nice fabrics, buttons, thread, sewing materials. This is just one store but there are some nicer places on the same street. |
| MacCulloch + Walis | haberdashery (high quality) | http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk | 25-26 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QN | ||
| Bag of Love | Digital print | https://www.bagsoflove.co.uk | |||
| Fabrika | pattern cutting and toiling | http://www.fabrika.london/ | |||
| London pattern bureau | Design/product development, CAD sketches, Pattern cutting, Toiling, Fittings, Sampling, Design & manufacturing consultancy, Womenswear, Menswear, Outerwear, Tailoring, Separates, Sportswear, Childrenswear, Wovens & knits | http://www.londonpatternbureau.co.uk | |||
| The sampling studio | Pattern Cutting, Toiles, Sampling, Grading, CMT, Production, Design | https://www.thesamplingstudio.com | |||
| William Gee | Haberdashery | https://www.williamgee.co.uk | 520-522 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AH |
Glass & Ceramics
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dixon Glass | Borosilicate Glassware | http://www.dixonglass.co.uk | |
| London Glasswork Ltd | http://www.londonglassworks.co.uk | 545 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4SR | |
| Ceramic studio co-op | Ceramic work | http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/chemistry/people/operationsinfrastructure/technicalresearch/stephenramsey | 14, 17, Block C, Juno Way, New Cross, London, SE14 5RW |
| Stephen Ramsey | glass blower | Imperial College |
Painting
| Vendor | Material | Website | Address | Phone Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockwell Motor Accessories | cellulose paint | http://www.capitalcrispin.com | 226-236 Clapham Road London SW9 0PZ | 0207 582 3666 | |
| Colorite paint | http://www.colorite.co.uk/colourmatching.html | 169 Boston Road, London, W7 3QJ | 0208 579 3381 | ||
| Armourtex Ltd. | -powder coating | 16 Rowe La, London, E9 6EL | 020 8986 2028 | ||
| Purpose Powder Coating | powder coating | Old Kent Road | Pick up and drop off in person. Can drop your parts into existing production runs if small, and you're OK with standard colour (white or yellow) and charge the minimum cost. Say you're a student. |