Hi guys,
So I'm looking for a source of components such as worm gears, scaffolding, etc.
Does anyone here have a recommendation for where to order parts like this?
I know mc-master carr is great for nuts and bolts but doesn't have gearing etc for more complex things.
Appreciate the suggestions =)
A clue about your location would help, even in this age of online shopping.
When you say scaffolding, I'm guessing you don't mean as used in civil engineering construction, so I don't know what you do mean.
JimboZA:
A clue about your location would help, even in this age of online shopping.When you say scaffolding, I'm guessing you don't mean as used in civil engineering construction, so I don't know what you do mean.
Sure of course. Im in the US, west coast.
By Scaffolding I meant more like, framing or pieces I can use to mount components too (like completed boards etc.) or slide railings like those found in some 3D printers. I'm also looking for things like bearings as well.
This place seems to have tons of stuff like that.
Sparkfun I think is also getting into this area.
altho maybe not quite as organized yet.
Stepper motor, lead screw stepper, 3d printer, pick and place machine, linear guide, 2GT pulley n belt, injection molding and extrusion. has a lot of motors, bearings, etc. at very low prices. Look up Makerslide or Openrail for two nice styles of what you would refer to as scaffolding.
CrossRoads:
This place seems to have tons of stuff like that.
http://www.servocity.com/
Sparkfun I think is also getting into this area.
http://www.servocity.com/
altho maybe not quite as organized yet.
You pasted same link twice CR....
Here's Sparkfun for OP: https://www.sparkfun.com/
For the scaffolding as you call it, Meccano (USA: Erector ?) is a good way of making up frames and stuff.
Some years ago the original Small Parts company was bought by Amazon and others. Below might be current parts source.
Depending on where you are at on the west coast, be sure to check out surplus suppliers and "industrial junk yards" as well.
Especially if you are in or near the San Jose area of California! The Los Angeles area also has more than a few. Just be sure to wear old clothes and expect to get a bit grubby (for certain places, it is advisable to bring gloves and boots - especially if it has an outdoor yard).
Realize that retail outlets as have been offered - while great places to get exactly what you need - will in the end cost more than a bit of cash. For instance, Servo City has a great robotics construction system - but it doesn't come cheap once you go beyond simple constructions.
In general, if you need to keep within a budget - using raw materials (plastics and metals) - as well as surplus parts, then machining and fitting everything together yourself with whatever tools you have on hand will ultimately be a lower cost method (although the time/money factoring can come into play here as well - as you'll be doing a lot more work to get things working properly than had you used pre-machined and standardized components).