| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
I can tell you why retail stores are failing, it's because they don't have jack shit in stock! I've lost count of how many times now I've made the Wal-mart/Home Depot/Auto Zone/Radio Shack circuit only to waste half a day driving and make no progress whatsoever on my projects. SO, I'm in need of some stuff. Can anyone out there tell me where to find it online? I'm looking for: 1.) a very small diameter protective jacket for some LED wires. Heat protection isn't necessary, this is just cosmetic. The LEDs I bought to mount on my mirrors have bright yellow positive leads, and I need a way to hide them. Also, the wires are very fine, so an extra layer of material wouldn't hurt. The only thing I can find around here is 1" spiral wrap. 2.) a relay to rig up my auxiliary foglights. Yeah, I know, I should be able to pick that up at a parts store, but the retards that work the register can't comprehend that I need a relay, not the relay for my bike. They keep trying to look it up in their system, and I've given up on explaining the project. 3.) a right angle fitting for my air compressor. My air hose reel is a mere 2" too high on the wall, and the leader hose is just shy of connecting. Remounting the reel would be a PITA, and a right angle piece would solve the problem nicely. I've managed to find every kind of connector but a right angle one. That's all! | ||
| Crackhead |
you can make a right aingle connection with some plumbing pipe. | ||
| Ulynut |
Air hose fittings... http://www.fastenal.com/web/products.ex?N=99960338 9&Nty=0 | ||
| Froggy |
All the PIAA lights come with all the relays and tons of extra wire. | ||
| Ratbuell |
For #1, I'd go to radio shack and get the small package of heat shrink tubing. They have assorted diameters including single-wire-skinny, they're in about 4" lengths. #2 should be a standard automotive relay. Pop the hood of your car/truck, find a relay with the same spec you're looking for, go to the Autostoned and say "I need a xxx relay for a (year/make/model) (horn relay for a 2000 jeep wrangler, or whatever). I'd think any SPST relay would work just fine, but I'm more a "that matches" kinda guy versus "what's it actually called?"  No idea on #3. Look online? 90s are tough to find... | ||
| Sifo |
We have a Fry's electronics that kicks butt over Radio Shack. They carry wire sheathing in all sorts of sizes, lengths and colors. AutoZone has relays hanging in the isles. You can browse and find the one you need. Been through what you describe before when looking for something generic like a couple feet of straight exhaust pipe. You might try an auto paint supply store for air supply fittings. | ||
| Svh |
Good online place for shrink tubing and other electronics is Newark. http://www.newark.com/sleeving-heat-shrink-tubing | ||
| Mikef5000 |
For the electrical stuff, I have great luck with these: http://www.parts-express.com/home.cfm https://www.allelectronics.com/index.php | ||
| Etennuly |
For the compressor fitting I would use schedule 40 pvc pipe. It will handle 150 psi no problem. Easy to get, easy to fit, and you get to play with teflon tape! | ||
| Etennuly |
Summit or Jegs will have the other parts you need. They make ordering easy. Just call them. | ||
| Court |
For some reason NYC is overrun with Dunkin Donuts and Radio Shacks . . . I have a habit of, every time I go in a Radio Shack, of picking up more heat shrink. Anyone popped for the Milwaukee heat gun? I also have this 4" thick Allied Electric catalog here that's the same "lust list" I enjoyed 50 years ago. | ||
| Etennuly |
Grainger's is an excellent source for anyof the things you are looking for, and so many variations of each, that you will question what you are doing in the first place. Probably more expensive than the others, but they will have it. | ||
| Ulynut |
+1 on Grainger. Fleet pride has surprised me many times as well. They're all over the place. Great in a pinch. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Court, the Milwaukee is a great gun. The variable heat is nice to have. The assortment of defusers are also great. I've even welded plastic with mine (fuel tank for a leaf blower and weed whacker.). | ||
| Cataract2 |
Tell me about it. Just this weekend I needed a small connector piece for my bike project. Went to Radio Shack. They didn't carry anything close to it. I remember when I could go in there and they would have everything you needed and more. Now, about the only thing they're good for is if you want a cell phone. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
+1 on allelectronics. They kick ass and have lots of odd surplus crap to pick through. | ||
| Buellhusker |
Dont forgit about McMaster-Carr they have a very good supply of items and they are very quick on shipment to you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
This is a neat place also... http://www.goldmine-elec.com/ I don't know *what* I would use that stuff for, but the prices are outstanding, and the selection is entertaining and eclectic. Everything from big solar cells, to old ICBM gyros. If you are ever around Dayton Ohio, take a trip to Mendelsons Electronics (4th floor). All sorts of cool old junk for sale... the place is just dripping with history. Hit the Wright Patt air force museum as well, an amazing collection. | ||
| Svh |
I have been let down too many times lately by Radio Shack that I no longer even go there. Like stated above they are moving more to a cell phone store, which there is probably way more $$ in then electrical components, so not nearly the selection they used to have. | ||
| Tom_b |
I read above where someone posted using pvc pipe on an air compressor line. BIG no no. Have seen air compressor lines plumbed in sched 40 pvc explode with as little as 60 lbs of air. biggest reason it is against code in most states for compressed air. I've even seen sched. 80 pop. talk about shrapnel | ||
| Reepicheep |
So the PVC pipe I used to make a potato cannon, pumped up to 100 PSI, is a bad idea? I better duct tape that sucker! (For the record, it will launch a water balloon well over 300 feet high, and a potato will clear at least three two story houses) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Oh, and back on topic. http://www.parts-express.com/home.cfm Fortunately for me, they are on my way home, so my retail place *does* have stuff in stock. They mail order also though. Good folks there, several of the counter guys ride, and one claims to have a hopped up XLCR. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
I've been through the same experience with trying to find iridium coated turn signal bulbs, LED replacement accent lighting, and a SATA cable. Good thing there is the internet. |
