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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

SupplierMaterialWebsiteNote
MotioncoMachine elementshttp://motionco.co.uk/Great source of gears, pulleys, belts, chains, bearings etc
Model FixingsMachine elementshttp://www.modelfixings.co.ukPoorly made website, but a great range of mechanical fixings and bearings
HPC GearsGearshttp://www.hpcgears.com/Gears and power transmission
RSMachine elementshttp://uk.rs-online.com/
Spring MastersSpringshttps://www.springmasters.com/
On DrivesGear boxeshttp://www.ondrives.com/Med - Heavy duty gearboxes
Cross MorseTransmissionshttp://www.cross-morse.co.uk/
SDP-SITransmissionshttp://www.sdp-si.com/Massive range, USA delivery only, but great for finding 3D CAD models of parts
Simply BearingsBearingshttp://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Specialise in bearings, wide variety: miniature, loose, bushings, etc.
IgusPlastic Bearingshttps://www.igus.co.uk/All things sliding, rolling and polymer. Expensive
Bearing BoysBearingshttp://www.bearingboys.co.uk
S3iWire ropeshttps://www.s3i.co.uk/Wire rope and attachments

Model shops

ShopMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
4D Model ShopGeneral Model Making and laser cutting serviceshttp://www.modelshop.co.uk/4D modelshop Ltd, The Arches, 120 Leman Street, London, E1 8EU020 7264 1288Best shop for model parts in London. Can be expensive
London Graphic CenterGeneral Model Making
Charles CantrillCorkhttp://www.charlescantrill.com
Atlantis Art Supplies‘Europes Largest Fine Art Supplies Retailehttp://www.atlantisart.co.ukBritannia House, 68-80 Hanbury Street,London E1 5JL
EMA Model Suppliesmodeling shophttp://www.ema-models.co.uk
Blueprintmodelshopmodel shop and laser cutterhttp://www.blueprintmodel.co.ukreally cheap but not good quality (20% off on material for students)
Cassartmodelshophttp://www.cassart.co.uk10% for students. Lots of shops in London
Canonbury art suppliesart shophttp://www.globalartsupplies.co.uk

Raw materials

Aluminum

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Dore MetalsAluminiumhttps://www.doremetals.co.ukAluminium and non-ferrous metals.
AalcoMetalhttp://www.aalco.co.uk
Park Side StyleSteelhttp://www.parksidesteel.uk.comRod, tube, bar, sheet, plate, steel
Smiths MetalMetalhttp://www.smithmetal.comCollege has account
Fays MetalsUnit 3, 37 Colville Road, South Acton, London, W3 8BL020 8993 8883A 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 warehouseAluminiumhttps://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.ukMetal cut to order

Wood

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Moss&Co.Woodhttp://www.mosstimber.co.uk/020 8748 8251
Capital CrispinWood Veneerhttp://www.capitalcrispin.comAmazing stock of veneer, and cheap

Plastics

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Hamar Acrylicsarcylic, laser cut serviceshttp://www.hamaracrylic.comSell cheap offcuts in shop
direct plasticsengineering plasticshttp://www.directplasticsonline.co.ukAlways check the clearance section they have good stuff going for cheap at times
Amari Plasticslarge acrylic sheetshttp://www.amariplastics.com/amariplastics/default.asp2 Cumberland Ave., Park Royal, London NW10 7RL020 8961 1961
Hobartacrylic and plastichttps://hobarts.com/

Paper

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone Number
John Purcell Papercard and paperhttp://www.johnpurcell.net15 Rumsey Rd., London SW9 0TRTel: 020 7737 5199
PSG GroupVarious Sheet Material incl. Nomex (Fire Retardent Paper)http://www.psggroup.co.ukPolymex House, 49-53 Glengall Road, London, SE15 6NF

Foam

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone Number
Pentonville rubberFoam (upholstery)http://www.pentonvillerubber.co.uk104-106 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9JB0207 837 7553
Foam supplierfoam cut to size and other type of foamhttp://www.foamsupplierslondon.co.uk26-27 Shepherds Bush Market London W12 8DF07429 212 415 or 07411 653 301

Hardware

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Margaret Mills48 Gloucester Road, London, SW7 4QTSmall 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 SDMWoodhttp://www.leylandsdm.co.uk/Leyland are a large chain of hardware stores all over London
B&Qhttp://www.diy.com/
Homebasehttp://www.homebase.co.uk/

Resin

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone Number
Tirantiresins, molding, sculptinghttp://www.tiranti.co.uk27 Warren Street, London W1T 5NB020 7380 0808
Notcuttresinshttp://www.notcutt.co.uk
Mold liferesins and siliconehttp://mouldlife.co.uk/
John BurnResinshttp://www.johnburn.co.uk

Misc

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Arthur Bealesropes, chandleryhttp://www.arthurbeale.co.uk194 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JP
InoxiaWire Meshhttp://www.inoxia.co.uk/rw/section/1.aspx
Metamarkvinylhttp://www.metamark.co.uk/pages_sv/7series.htm
Clerkenwell screwsScrews020 7405 1215Really good screws wide range

Textiles

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Alma Leatherleather offcuts/ leather supplier (apparel & upholstery)http://www.almahome.co.uk/almaleather.htm12-14 Greatorex St, London E1 5NF020 7377 0762
Gold hawk road (many shops)fabric, pvc sheetshttps://www.google.co.uk/search?q=goldhawk+road+fabric+shops&oq=goldawk&aqs=chrome.4.69i57j0l5.8836j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8Gold Hawk RoadPrice can be negotiated if you are canny, and its cheaper than Berwick street
Berwick Street (many shops)Fabric, sewing supplieshttp://www.borovickfabricsltd.co.uk16 Berwick Street, W1F 0HP020 7437 2180/0520Nice fabrics, buttons, thread, sewing materials. This is just one store but there are some nicer places on the same street.
MacCulloch + Walishaberdashery (high quality)http://www.macculloch-wallis.co.uk25-26 Poland Street, London, W1F 8QN
Bag of LoveDigital printhttps://www.bagsoflove.co.uk
Fabrikapattern cutting and toilinghttp://www.fabrika.london/
London pattern bureauDesign/product development, CAD sketches, Pattern cutting, Toiling, Fittings, Sampling, Design & manufacturing consultancy, Womenswear, Menswear, Outerwear, Tailoring, Separates, Sportswear, Childrenswear, Wovens & knitshttp://www.londonpatternbureau.co.uk
The sampling studio​​Pattern Cutting, Toiles, Sampling, Grading, CMT, Production, Designhttps://www.thesamplingstudio.com
William GeeHaberdasheryhttps://www.williamgee.co.uk520-522 Kingsland Road, London E8 4AH

Glass & Ceramics

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddress
Dixon GlassBorosilicate Glasswarehttp://www.dixonglass.co.uk
London Glasswork Ltdhttp://www.londonglassworks.co.uk545 Garratt Lane, London, SW18 4SR
Ceramic studio co-opCeramic workhttp://www3.imperial.ac.uk/chemistry/people/operationsinfrastructure/technicalresearch/stephenramsey14, 17, Block C, Juno Way, New Cross, London, SE14 5RW
Stephen Ramseyglass blowerImperial College

Painting

VendorMaterialWebsiteAddressPhone NumberNote
Stockwell Motor Accessoriescellulose painthttp://www.capitalcrispin.com226-236 Clapham Road London SW9 0PZ0207 582 3666
Colorite painthttp://www.colorite.co.uk/colourmatching.html169 Boston Road, London, W7 3QJ0208 579 3381
Armourtex Ltd.-powder coatinghttp://s480095502.initial-website.co.uk/16 Rowe La, London, E9 6EL020 8986 2028
Purpose Powder Coatingpowder coatingOld Kent RoadPick 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.