# Where do you buy things? (custom parts, off-the-shelf, internal tools, etc.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Tools\ **Tags:** prototyping\ **Created:** [May 15, 2024, 10:51am UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171 "2024-05-15T10:51:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sgbaird](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/accelerated-discovery.org/sgbaird/32/341_2.png) [@sgbaird](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/sgbaird)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2024, 10:51am UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/1 "2024-05-15T10:51:04Z")
For example: Custom machined beds plates: - [Protolabs](https://www.protolabs.com/) (@ethanjli in [response](https://discord.com/channels/1116423666905915452/1116435515177193523/1239938095265353778) to @Lilo) Related: > [@What are your favorite "meta" tools when working on open source hardware solutions?](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/what-are-your-favorite-meta-tools-when-working-on-open-source-hardware-solutions/18): > > These could be tools related to equipment design, documentation, keeping track of parts, versioning, visualization, forums, and more. In other words, things that help streamline your efforts, reduce frustration, and set yourself up in a sustainable way to disseminate and use open source hardware solutions. These could also be tools that you’ve noticed others use and that have impressed you one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![sgbaird](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/accelerated-discovery.org/sgbaird/32/341_2.png) [@sgbaird](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/sgbaird)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/2 "2024-05-17T12:33:13Z")
@peter.beaucage [mentioned](https://discord.com/channels/1116423666905915452/1116435515177193523/1240664449770061915): > I’ve had great experiences with xometry’s made-in-China option in terms of pricing, lead time, etc. The order engineers are here in Gaithersburg and they essentially post the work to a ‘job board’ for overseas shops. ---
**Author:** ![sgbaird](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/accelerated-discovery.org/sgbaird/32/341_2.png) [@sgbaird](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/sgbaird)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2024, 4:46pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/3 "2024-05-29T16:46:57Z")
I explored Protolabs Network in the context of custom Formlabs prints with a specialized resin: > [@How to set up high-throughput synthesis at elevated temperature?](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/how-to-set-up-high-throughput-synthesis-at-elevated-temperature/181/4): > > That’s clever! We may do something similar in-house blush. cc @jeff.watchorn @yangcyril.cao @clascclon @nisfisker. For reference @shijing, here is [Formlabs’ High Temp resin](https://formlabs.com/store/materials/high-temp-resin/). You can also see [the solvent compatibility](https://support.formlabs.com/s/article/Solvent-Compatibility?language=en_US), which seems pretty decent for High Temp resin. (aside: you can filter for desired properties using [Powders and Resins for 3D Printing | Formlabs](https://formlabs.com/materials/), which shows that Rigid 10K is also suitable for elevated temperatures). @Lilo do you remember who had the CAD file for this? I can pi… Thinking about submitting the order as a test to check the quality. ---
**Author:** ![sgbaird](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/accelerated-discovery.org/sgbaird/32/341_2.png) [@sgbaird](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/sgbaird)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2024, 6:25pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/4 "2024-06-25T18:25:34Z")
I also came across [https://oshwlab.com/](https://oshwlab.com/), specifically: > **[OSHWLab Stars - EasyEDA Open Source Hardware Platform](https://oshwlab.com/activities/spark2023)** > > EasyEDA, LCSC, and JLCPCB collaborated to create the 'OSHWLab Stars' Design Event. It's an > inventive open-source hardware design event. The organizers pay all manufacturing costs, so participants just need to > focus on design. Expect you guys to... ---
**Author:** ![kthchow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@kthchow](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/kthchow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 9:14pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/5 "2024-10-29T21:14:37Z")
There’s a company called [Protocase](https://www.protocase.com/) that I’ve had a good experience with in the past. They specialize in sheet metal parts (stuff like custom electronics enclosures) and have a lot of their workflows optimized for doing this and I have found their prices and lead times to be very competitive. They even have an [app](https://www.protocasedesigner.com/) to generate enclosure for those who don’t want to deal with CAD. Although they are based in Nova Scotia, they seem to have no issue delivering large/heavy parts at reasonable shipping costs (I think whatever they quote includes shipping). Apart from specializing in sheet metal manufacturing, they offer a lot of different services. I think I’ve ordered CNC’d parts as well as custom gaskets in the past. I will mention I don’t believe they are as optimized for CNCing as some of the quotes I’ve received in the past have been higher than expected. That being said, their quality is great. After their designers take a look at your design, they will make suggestions/modifications to make sure that part can be manufactured and send it back to you for approval. I have also had instances in the past where I’ve ordered a part that came in wrong, and they have replaced it for no charge numerous times. I specifically recall one time where there was shared blame on both sides (our instructions were unclear) and they still replaced it at no cost. Maybe it’s also a good note to add that they may do this for higher volume customers and less inclined for an academic lab. ---
**Author:** ![kthchow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@kthchow](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/kthchow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 9:24pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/6 "2024-10-29T21:24:57Z")
Not specifically a place where you buy things, but [octopart.com](https://octopart.com/) is a tool I’ve found useful for electronics. It’s a great electronic parts search engine to compare inventory and costs from various electronics suppliers (digikey, mouser, etc.). Usually if I see a part is out of stock from one supplier, I’ll search for that part number in Octopart to find where else that part can be sourced from. ---
**Author:** ![kthchow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@kthchow](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/kthchow)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/7 "2024-10-29T21:46:07Z")
For general hardware, [mcmaster-carr](https://www.mcmaster.com/) is a resource I rely on a lot. **PROS** - Wide selection of hardware and is generally well stocked - Learning resource: They provide custom descriptions for many of their parts. Some of the level of detail they provide is incredible (application notes, material selection, installation tips, etc.). Also important to note that these descriptions are written in plain English for a general audience. Adam Savage talks about this [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kbu34dk92s). - CAD library - They have a team of engineers just building CAD models. It’s extremely rare for a re-distributor to provide CAD models from different manufacturers. It really helps when building digital twins of physical setups. For Fusion and Solidworks users, they have a direct integration with importing CAD models. - Next day delivery (it’s pretty reliable) - Summary of important specs (so there is no need to flip through a datasheet) - Shopping cart sharing (makes purchasing easier) - Picture friendly website - [Website speed](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ln-8QM8KhQ) **CONS** - Paying a premium - They don’t tell you the manufacturer information. Sometimes you have to order the part, find the manufacturer part number on the physical part/box, and look up the information if you want a datasheet. Although for most instances, all you need to know are certain specifications, which they do a pretty good job at summarizing the important details. For something specific like optics, pneumatics, electronics, there are probably better resources for off-the shelf parts. But for a general one-stop shopping of off-the-shelf hardware, I think mcmaster-carr is great and superior to its competitors (in my very biased opinion). ---
**Author:** ![sgbaird](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex003/user_avatar/accelerated-discovery.org/sgbaird/32/341_2.png) [@sgbaird](https://accelerated-discovery.org/u/sgbaird)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2024, 5:05am UTC](https://accelerated-discovery.org/t/where-do-you-buy-things-custom-parts-off-the-shelf-internal-tools-etc/171/8 "2024-11-19T05:05:45Z")
Related: > **[Low-cost Automation Engineering Resources](https://labautomation.io/t/low-cost-automation-engineering-resources/5099)** > > Here is a list of resources I’ve found useful over the years on many different projects or that have been strongly recommended by experts but I’ve never had the opportunity to use. Thank you to @jacob\_rintamaki for some of these suggestions. ...