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American Science and Surplus

Type(s): Source or Store, Web Site
Tags: surplus supplies chicago milwaukee

Tool photo.

Years and years ago, I ordered from Jerryco newsprint surplus catalog. I looked them up on the web recently, and they are now American Science and Surplus. Not only do they have tons of the coolest, most arcane stuff, but they've got a sense of humor, too! And all of their stock is on the website, which is easy to get lost in.

Items are illustrated with whimsical line drawings and photos, and are well-described (although before reading, liberally apply pun-screen). They have the basic hardware covered, but you'll also find military surplus gear from around the globe, school supplies for the daring (or just plain weird) student, low-rent robot parts, and refugees from the Island of Misfit Toys.

They still have a printed catalog, or if you live near Chicago or Milwaukee, you can visit one of their retail locations. You might want to leave your ATM card at home though. Although individual items are usually as cheap as can be, with all the neat stuff they've got it's easy to get carried away.

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Showing messages 1 through 6 of 6.

Great site!
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I have a nuclear suit I ordered from their site. It makes a great Halloween costume, or just to keep the grime off you when you're painting. Plus its certified incinerable.

I love browsing, especially electronic parts and tools.
Posted by Aud1073cH on January 01, 2007 at 17:24:08 Pacific Time

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I love the selection; and the "message mate" fans are awesome (I picked up one in town). I'm curious though, has anyone bought a power tool from them? No-names scare me.
Posted by tiedyepie on December 26, 2006 at 00:10:03 Pacific Time

Fun site/catalog -- they have many unique items
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I've been ordering from AS&S for 7+ years.

hey carry a ton of stuff which is hard to find elsewhere. Want to create your own snowglobe? These guys sell the empty globes! Small solar panel for experimentation? They got it.

The catalogs are always a fun read.
Posted by StefanLasiewski on September 26, 2006 at 22:36:49 Pacific Time

ASS = great fun
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I've been ordering from them for ~7 years. they have some amazing assortments of tape, wire, and miscellaneous materials I just cannot find anywhere else.

I can highly recommend them
Posted by cstatman on September 04, 2006 at 15:32:39 Pacific Time

They don't ship outside the US
Reply

Useless for the rest of the world.
Posted by wawjohn on July 15, 2006 at 02:46:28 Pacific Time

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I can second that. I've been going to the unfortunately abbreviated AS&S since the 80's. It was the first place I drove to when I got my driver's license! Every film shoot that I work on has a budget line expressly for a visit to the store on Milwaukee Avenue. I've never worked on a film that hasn't featured stuff that I've found at the store both on screen and behind the scenes.

And I'm not just saying all of this because they hired me to make their commercial a few years back. :)
Posted by Gulag_Picture_Radio on July 11, 2006 at 17:45:02 Pacific Time