Wanna add items to our bulk orders from Shenzen?

Isn’t this our opportunity to cut costs on getting the solder paste
dispenser we talked about in

?

@TomKeddie offered to buy the Solder Paste dispenser when he is in Shenzhen and ship it to us.

Am planning on putting it in my luggage but can’t be sure. I might try to sync up with @FVMakersJason and drop some things off in Shenzhen for you guys with this brother.

After some discussion in Slack, it would be good if we could stock VHS with
the following:

  • Breadboards
  • Protoboards
  • Breakout board sets
  • R / C / L SMD variety packs
  • Possible ~500 white, blue, green LEDs (or whatever other colours that are
    not red)
  • A variety of connectors?

I don’t have time to put together a proper list and cross-reference
Ali-Express to see if buying certain things this way is even worth it, but
if someone wants to take this on, some of us can help provide examples,
part numbers, and Chinese names for things.

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I already have all I need but splitting reels of SMD leds is also excellent value. As I recall they are 20-30USD per reel for standards sizes with 3000-4000 parts per reel.

vs. $300+ at digikey
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/15-21SURC%2FS530-A3%2FTR8/15-21SURC%2FS530-A3%2FTR8-ND/2691467

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Adding a link to @funvill’s post here for reference.

I’ve been going through the SMD bins and there is a large variety of R and C, not so much L, but the few L I see appear to be common values. I’ve a project to sort the SMD bins, I’ll post about it shortly.

As far as myself, I would like to get some tools to upgrade my workshop, Hakko soldering iron for example. I know that @Toma got a grant to run a soldering workshop, maybe he can add more things to the order depending on his schedule.

I’m also shopping for a Rigol 1054Z, but it appears the best choice is through Tequipment.net with the Eevblog discount. Weird that it’s cheaper to buy in the US than in Shenzhen were Rigol is based.

If I can find a good 6 digit+ multimeter for less than $150, (yes, I’m day dreaming), I would get that too.

+1 on the Breakout boards and breadboards.

These blank books are a great choice, again because they are heavy. Everyone should buy a couple of these to stock up from the reels at vhs. I had to buy the wide strip refills from Adafruit, haven’t found them in China yet. I literally have 10 of these floating around my office (R + C) * (0402 0603 0805 1206) + LEDS + Silicon.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.w4004-9513122221.19.f8ihMF&id=1278335566

(yes, about $CA2.50 each, they are $US9.95 at Adafruit)

Found the wide refills too.

http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=2013.1.1998246701.2.Todo3L&scm=1007.10152.6216.0i1278335566&id=43479866039

Wow, yup. Thought that would get a response.

Our first shipment was parts for a new kossel printer that we’re selling in kit form (we’re going to do a series of build nights). We were going to debut it at the VMMF. It’s a big guy, with linear bearings. Other than the size it’s pretty standard as far as kossels go. What makes ours unique is the size and quality of components that you get vs the price (we’re aiming for $600 for the whole kit, including all the printed parts, display and heated bed). We’re able to do that only because we removed as many middle men as possible and took care of all of the shipping ourselves. The only part we’re not including is the power supply as we don’t know if people want to spend the extra $$$ for a CSA certified supply and we feel a bit nervous selling a non-certified power supply, so we can recommend where to get one either way, but no power supply from us,

So last shipment included about 400lbs of extrusion and a couple hundred stepper motors.

We’re now sourcing a few other kit’s we’re looking to sell (all the profit goes to keeping the lights on at the space btw.) But we’re not seeing the same volume requirements, so that’s why we’re hoping to split shipping or even source parts for people (we’d probably add a very moderate percentage if we have to find you something as it’s not free, it’ll still be cheep compared to Ali). I assume that there’s going to be a bunch of items for various people so if you don’t mind coming up with one list and possibly one person at the VHS who’s organizing it. David (the guy who sourced the printer) and I are going to be attending the booth at the VMMF (I’m also outreach co-chair for the VMMF btw so I’ll be all over the faire during the 2 days it’s on) so you can come by and say hi.

Oh ya, and no laser cutter yet. Our building has 3 windows that open and NO ventilation. Plus it’s an all wood turn of the century heritage building and our space has about 60A of power (there’s like 3 outlets).

We are assembling a nice collection of woodworking tools and have no means of using them. We eagerly await the day that we get to move to our Bunker, not enough $$$ yet to pay the rent (hence why we’re starting to sell things).

Sounds a lot like VHS’ old location at 45 West Hastings :wink:

Except 45W isn’t a heritage building, it’s just an old fire trap.

I’ve gotten a bunch of e-mails regarding this and I’m trying to reply in a decent time frame (I work 9-5 and I’m dealing with the leadup to the Maker Faire). I’ll be at Makerfaire both days mostly in our booth, and David will be there a bulk of that time. It might be easier to meet face to face for some of this stuff, we’ll probably attend the wrap party at VHS as well, so we can talk to anyone interested in person.

Is there a chance of getting a good batch of ESP-12 modules direct? Are they any cheaper there than on Ali?

I know a crapload of connectors and stuff I need but they’re all small stuff so may not be worth getting that way.

Thanks,
Loial

various IP68 m9 (for signal) m14 (for power) connectors for waterpoof
projects.

is this interesting to anyone else?

Pricing is comparable to aliexpress eg. 淘宝网 - 淘!我喜欢

Good to know on the esp modules; I’ll keep ordering them from aliexpress.

One of the connectors I love converting everything to when it comes to 8-40V is Anderson Powerpoles (http://www.powerwerx.com/anderson-powerpoles/powerpole-sets/170-piece-assorted-powerpole-case.html). Is there any chance of getting a largish (1000 piece) order of the red and black housing as well as contacts?

The IP68 connectors look pretty good too.

@FVMakersJason The one key question that I have is … how much is the shipping going to be?

In my opinion:

I think that for <$50 items, your best bet is to buy on aliexpress. You stand a much better chance of not having to pay GST/PST/customs fee on receipt.

The benefit of @FVMakersJason’s offer is in large items, such as laser cutters, 3D printers, etc. Bulky items that when shipped individually, they will have a large freight cost. Last time I priced (about 3 years ago) a container it was around $2000 from any major port in China to Vancouver. However, in such a shipment, you are guaranteed to have to pay taxes (I’m assuming a customs broker fee will be included in the overall cost).

I had a bunch of people contact me regarding the Kossel kit (we’re still working on details, the packaging, accepting payment, instructions, etc) But we have pictures of it and details up on our site now in our store section. Technically you could buy one but we still haven’t sorted out shipping so please don’t order unless you’re local and planning on a trip to Langley.

http://fvmakers.com/kossel-3d-printer/

BTW price includes tax.

We’re working on other stuff to add to the store, all profit goes to keeping the lights on in the MakerSpace so you get a printer and good karma at the same time!

pulls trigger

Now I have a printer to build at VHS on Saturdays. When can I pick this kit up? :wink:

We’re open Thursday and Friday at 7:00, sometimes we’re open a bit earlier than that but it’s a safer bet to show up at 7:00. We’re usually there till 9:30 on Thursday 10-11ish on Friday.