standoffs and testpoints -- are they really that expensive? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2013, 03:37:14 pm
content: This may be just me having unrealistic expectations about pricing, ifso, just tell me to suck it up and pay it....I was recently looking to buy 100 hex standoffs, the kind that aremale on one end, female on the other, 6-32 screw size, aboutan inch long. Like this:http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10001_10001_393959_-1I was expecting these to be basic jellybean parts, maybe 5 to 10 cents each, soa bag of 100, maybe $10. But no, more like $40-$50. Similar pricing at Mouser,Digikey, Grainger, McMaster Carr, Amazon Supply (smallparts.com), etc.Huh, well, there's always eBay, surely there's a bunch of Shenzhen or Hong Kongsellers with bags of 100 or 1000 at more like wholesale pricing. But no.Am I just not looking in the right place for these kinds of small hardware parts?While on the topic of little things seeming way pricier than they seem they should be,I was shopping for test points, like this:http://media.digikey.com/photos/Keystone%20Elect%20Photos/5001.jpgIt's a little piece of wire in a little plastic tube, should cost a few cents eachin qty 100, right? Uh no, more like $0.21. Seriously? On eBay, there's a USseller of red test points of a bag of 1,000 for $59, and really nothing elseat any reasonable price.Anyone got a secret electronic hardware doodad supplier they order from?Scott

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2013, 05:08:01 pm
content: There are a number of sellers on aliexpress.com with standoffs in various types and quantities. If you want a quantity of something, checking there is typically better than ebay.

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2013, 05:47:16 pm
content: Yup they're going to be expensive because the demand for them isn't exactly sky high and they are somewhat precisely machined small parts. Most of the offshore mfg'd crap uses snap in nylon connectors because they're far less fiddly. And the high end people often use a welded or press fit and tapped standoff directly from the enclosure fabricator.If you just need a hand full of em for a project you can either just suck it up and pay, which is often cheaper than sourcing from multiple vendors that will nick you for shipping and wash out any savings. There are advantages to one stop shopping even if you do get raped for a few of the line items. Or you can think of alternatives such as a piece of brass tubing cut to length as a spacer and a pass through nut and bolt. But that's going to be a real pain in the ass...been there done that! LOL

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2013, 06:04:09 pm
content: olander is the place to go for stuff like that.http://www.olander.com

author: slburris
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2013, 09:00:41 pm
content: Oh, good call, using Newark/Element 14/Farnell....I've occasionally bought from them when they have been shocking cheaper than theusual Mouser/Digikey crowd for semiconductors, but never thought of using themfor hardwareish kinds of parts.Ordered both standoffs and test points from them. Picked up 3 of the five availabletest point colors -- the other 2 would have to be shipped from the UK and that wouldwipe out any savings.ScottQuote from: AcHmed99 on July 27, 2013, 05:34:58 pm