Where to source tools and materials
Local
Acrylic
- Acrylic Concepts
- Industrial Plastics & Paints
- Sabic
Electronics
- solarbotics
- MRO Electronics
- Active Tech - Electronic Supplies Depot
- Alberta Printed Circuits (PCB fab)
- B&E Electronics
- Phidgets
Fasteners
Metal
- Metal Supermarket (only place in Calgary that sells metal in small quantities)
- Rainbow Salvage (in Airdrie, sells bulk steel cheap)
Textiles
- Leather & leatherworking tools
- Fabric Debot - LArgest fabric store in Calgary
Tools
- ACT Equipment (machine shop related tools, great stock)
- Lee Valley Tools (woodworking)
- Busy Bee Tools (imported largish tools, metal and wood. Cheap but not crap)
- KMS Tools6311 Centre St SW
Wood
Other
- Princess Auto
- Ribtor (surplus and camping)
- Lowe's (I only mention this because their selection is FAR better then the crap at Home Depot and Rona.)
Online
Automotive
Electronics
- Digi-Key
- Mouser
- Jameco
- supremecable - Wiring harnesses
- Sparkfun Electronics
Kits
LEDs
- Phenoptix - Mostly LEDs but carries other components as well (Free shipping everywhere)
- Superbright LEDs - LEDs
Metal
- Metal Super Markets - Big selection, Big Shipping charges
- Online Metals - Ships via UPS
Samples
Chip manufacturers are typically a good place to get free samples of components
Other
- K&J Magnetics - Magnets, lots and lots of magnets
- VXB Ball Bearings
- Deal Extreme - Cheap stuff out of China that's great for hacking purposes