Comments on: A Dying Breed: Where to Find Surplus and DIY Electronic Parts http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/ The latest gear, software, and techniques for electronic music production and performance Sun, 12 Oct 2008 06:39:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Create Digital Music » Reed Ghazala’s Bent, Magnetic-Patching Yamaha Keyboard; More Bad News for DIY http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-315976 Create Digital Music » Reed Ghazala’s Bent, Magnetic-Patching Yamaha Keyboard; More Bad News for DIY Fri, 16 Nov 2007 08:20:12 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-315976 [...] On a sadder note: Unfortunately, Reed is also the bearer of bad news. Back in October, he warned us that phenomena like Make Magazine aside, the surplus and DIY parts business was in trouble. Since then, it’s gotten worse: My prior warning call about the weakening status of handyman-surplus orbits has been confirmed and re-confirmed many times since. Mendelson’s is trying to close down (20% off all stock now), Fair Radio (Lima, OH) confirms the problem (lots of surplus - not enough MAKErs). And etc. [...] [...] On a sadder note: Unfortunately, Reed is also the bearer of bad news. Back in October, he warned us that phenomena like Make Magazine aside, the surplus and DIY parts business was in trouble. Since then, it’s gotten worse: My prior warning call about the weakening status of handyman-surplus orbits has been confirmed and re-confirmed many times since. Mendelson’s is trying to close down (20% off all stock now), Fair Radio (Lima, OH) confirms the problem (lots of surplus - not enough MAKErs). And etc. [...]

]]> By: EntelligencerNet » Blog Archive » … internet to, well back to, there are http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-58683 EntelligencerNet » Blog Archive » … internet to, well back to, there are Thu, 07 Dec 2006 11:58:58 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-58683 [...] Create Digital Music ” A Dying Breed: Where to Find Surplus and DIY Electronic Parts … are resourceful ” I _ m not too worried about finding my next fix (ever … internet _ s descriptions and pictures (tho often inaccurate ” more … [...] [...] Create Digital Music ” A Dying Breed: Where to Find Surplus and DIY Electronic Parts … are resourceful ” I _ m not too worried about finding my next fix (ever … internet _ s descriptions and pictures (tho often inaccurate ” more … [...]

]]> By: Philip http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-42914 Philip Thu, 26 Oct 2006 17:54:23 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-42914 Are there "surplus stores" in Germany at all? I don't think so. There are just shops selling cheap new China-made junk or overpriced electronics stores like Conrad but nothing really like the surplus stores described in American blogs. Maybe that's due to economic differences. I don't really see that surplus goods are produced here at all, or if, they might be directly sold in former east block states. Are there “surplus stores” in Germany at all? I don’t think so. There are just shops selling cheap new China-made junk or overpriced electronics stores like Conrad but nothing really like the surplus stores described in American blogs.
Maybe that’s due to economic differences. I don’t really see that surplus goods are produced here at all, or if, they might be directly sold in former east block states.

]]> By: Malte Steiner http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-41267 Malte Steiner Thu, 19 Oct 2006 22:54:50 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-41267 Not mentionend, or I missed it, the rather new european lead free regulation (RoHS) which causes some further uncertainy. I already had some parts not available due to that like PC/104 devices from Asia. But in general I made the same observations on popular outlets here in Germany as Conrad Elektronik, which changes more to consumer boutique stuff, the parts section gets smaller and smaller. Not mentionend, or I missed it, the rather new european lead free regulation (RoHS) which causes some further uncertainy. I already had some parts not available due to that like PC/104 devices from Asia.
But in general I made the same observations on popular outlets here in Germany as Conrad Elektronik, which changes more to consumer boutique stuff, the parts section gets smaller and smaller.

]]> By: q r ghazala http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40691 q r ghazala Tue, 17 Oct 2006 20:22:48 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40691 I second the motion on American Science and Surplus whether online, paper catalog (fabulous!), or walk-in (great!). A must-see if in Chicago. Speaking of salvage, I guess you heard that everyone fell down last week in Chicago: the wind stopped. That's a salvaged joke. Hey, it was free. Anyway - this is where I got the majority of my glass eyes (years ago; sold by weight in bags). Also radioactive blue-glow doorbell switches, glass tube lasers, fine rubber lizards, giant photo cells and loads more. AS&S is something special. I haven't been to the MIT flea, but I hear it's a goodie. q r ghazala I second the motion on American Science and Surplus whether online, paper catalog (fabulous!), or walk-in (great!). A must-see if in Chicago.

Speaking of salvage, I guess you heard that everyone fell down last week in Chicago: the wind stopped. That’s a salvaged joke. Hey, it was free.

Anyway - this is where I got the majority of my glass eyes (years ago; sold by weight in bags). Also radioactive blue-glow doorbell switches, glass tube lasers, fine rubber lizards, giant photo cells and loads more. AS&S is something special.

I haven’t been to the MIT flea, but I hear it’s a goodie.

q r ghazala

]]> By: jbrandt http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40651 jbrandt Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:25:23 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40651 Boston area folks could do far worse than to check out the MIT Flea, which runs the third Sunday of every month from May through October. (The last of the year was the other day.) They have a web site now: http://mitflea.com/ I usually go and sell stuff I scrounge from places around the area, and hardly a Flea goes by that I am not surprised by the breadth of weird electronic stuff on hand. Boston area folks could do far worse than to check out the MIT Flea, which runs the third Sunday of every month from May through October. (The last of the year was the other day.)

They have a web site now:

http://mitflea.com/

I usually go and sell stuff I scrounge from places around the area, and hardly a Flea goes by that I am not surprised by the breadth of weird electronic stuff on hand.

]]> By: Peter Kirn http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40644 Peter Kirn Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:41:52 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40644 Shop classes are endangered here, but not because of fears of the equipment. Everyone thinks these kind of technical skills are somehow not worthy of our modern information society, when it's exactly the opposite. But then, a lot of people have an either/or mentality -- why ask people to choose between liberal arts and, say, welding, when you're likely to need both! Yes, all these trends are potentially disturbing. But on the other hand, I think there is a subculture with incredibly deep, broad skills and interests ... people with chops in programming, violin, French cooking, carpentry ... it's kind of scary, actually. But for the rest of us, the knowledge and communities are out there; the culture may try to narrow what we're supposed to be doing, but we also have some incredible tools to reverse the tide. Shop classes are endangered here, but not because of fears of the equipment. Everyone thinks these kind of technical skills are somehow not worthy of our modern information society, when it’s exactly the opposite. But then, a lot of people have an either/or mentality — why ask people to choose between liberal arts and, say, welding, when you’re likely to need both!

Yes, all these trends are potentially disturbing. But on the other hand, I think there is a subculture with incredibly deep, broad skills and interests … people with chops in programming, violin, French cooking, carpentry … it’s kind of scary, actually. But for the rest of us, the knowledge and communities are out there; the culture may try to narrow what we’re supposed to be doing, but we also have some incredible tools to reverse the tide.

]]> By: Circuit Master http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40643 Circuit Master Tue, 17 Oct 2006 16:34:11 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40643 If I am not mistaking, it seems that the whole surplus warehouse dying out observation by Reed is more or less an analogy of the modern society's degradation. At least in the fields of technological competency and critical thinking. I am not talking about the ability to use the gadgets, but rather the aptitude to repair and service what they have and the knowledge of how things work. A person may be able to PIMP out their MySpace profile, but they have no idea how to fix a leaky pipe in their house. I dont even know if they teach Shop classes in High Schools anymore, probably not cause some dumb ass didn't follow the safety rules and cut their finger off. Now everyone is SCARED of the having saws and they don't want a lawsuit brought on. I guess all of this can be boiled down to the FEAR that has been instilled in all of us. Fear of breaking something more, thats why we take it to a service technician, whom in some cases makes things worse and overcharges. FEAR of getting hurt if you open that TV set, or pop the cover in your radio. That is not an unsubstantiated fear, but if basic safety rules are followed then there is really nothing to be afraid off. Its really sad actually, we are all consumers that depend on someone else for something or other. We depend on the tel cos for the Internet, depend on the Energy Sector for power, depend on the Food sector for our packaged produce. I agree with Reed and I blame the mass media for poisoning the minds of people with useless junk information like Advertisements and fake news. Pushing products that people don't need with promises of making their lives better, fuller, and easier. There is really no way to change this trend except to stop buying stuff that you don't need. As far as the state of the Arts. I don't really see much change there. Artists have always been the rebels of the society. People who create it have always been oppressed. Nothing new, the US just got spoiled after the 60s with freedom of expression. The hippie revolution is over. Our kind has lost. If I am not mistaking, it seems that the whole surplus warehouse dying out observation by Reed is more or less an analogy of the modern society’s degradation. At least in the fields of technological competency and critical thinking. I am not talking about the ability to use the gadgets, but rather the aptitude to repair and service what they have and the knowledge of how things work. A person may be able to PIMP out their MySpace profile, but they have no idea how to fix a leaky pipe in their house.

I dont even know if they teach Shop classes in High Schools anymore, probably not cause some dumb ass didn’t follow the safety rules and cut their finger off. Now everyone is SCARED of the having saws and they don’t want a lawsuit brought on.

I guess all of this can be boiled down to the FEAR that has been instilled in all of us. Fear of breaking something more, thats why we take it to a service technician, whom in some cases makes things worse and overcharges.

FEAR of getting hurt if you open that TV set, or pop the cover in your radio. That is not an unsubstantiated fear, but if basic safety rules are followed then there is really nothing to be afraid off.

Its really sad actually, we are all consumers that depend on someone else for something or other. We depend on the tel cos for the Internet, depend on the Energy Sector for power, depend on the Food sector for our packaged produce.

I agree with Reed and I blame the mass media for poisoning the minds of people with useless junk information like Advertisements and fake news. Pushing products that people don’t need with promises of making their lives better, fuller, and easier.

There is really no way to change this trend except to stop buying stuff that you don’t need.

As far as the state of the Arts. I don’t really see much change there. Artists have always been the rebels of the society. People who create it have always been oppressed. Nothing new, the US just got spoiled after the 60s with freedom of expression. The hippie revolution is over. Our kind has lost.

]]> By: stryd_one http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40547 stryd_one Tue, 17 Oct 2006 06:50:56 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40547 Great posts, thanks guys! I get a warm fuzzy feeling reading the "conspiracy theory" aka "what's actually, factually, going on right in front of the noses of the unknowing, gullible and daft majority" posts. It's nice to know that somewhere out there, someone is switched on. Great posts, thanks guys!

I get a warm fuzzy feeling reading the “conspiracy theory” aka “what’s actually, factually, going on right in front of the noses of the unknowing, gullible and daft majority” posts. It’s nice to know that somewhere out there, someone is switched on.

]]> By: Eric http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40530 Eric Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:11:28 +0000 http://createdigitalmusic.com/2006/10/16/a-dying-breed-where-to-find-surplus-and-diy-electronic-parts/#comment-40530 Interesting observations. In the Phoenix, AZ area surplus hunters should check out Apache Reclamation & Electronics - an amazing place. Also, check out Don Lancaster's website: www.tinaja.com Don's got a lot of suggestions for success at surplus auctions - great places to pick up bargains before the surplus dealers even get to them. Interesting observations. In the Phoenix, AZ area surplus hunters should check out Apache Reclamation & Electronics - an amazing place.

Also, check out Don Lancaster’s website:

http://www.tinaja.com

Don’s got a lot of suggestions for success at surplus auctions - great places to pick up bargains before the surplus dealers even get to them.

]]>