Last Saturday, when I needed to buy a bunch of electronic parts for a project that I had to have for Monday, I went to Alphatronics in Tukwila. The electronics supply store is a stone’s throw from Seattle and they had everything I needed. Chuck, my helpful salesperson dragged me around the store showing me where things are. I was tempted by kits and random parts and the case of used equipment. When I mentioned that I was going to be upgrading my soldering iron, Chuck pulled a couple of his own older soldering irons out of the back room and sold me one right on the spot at a very reasonable price.
Now, if you need things cheap and can be patient, you’re better off getting the mouser or digikey catalogs, but sometimes I just need to browse parts and chat with someone who can explain linear potentiometers and that’s the beauty of alphatronics.
If anyone can find a website, let me know and I’ll gladly link to it. Otherwise you’ll just have to go to 1073 Andover Park in Tukwila and check them out for yourself. If you the lowdown on any other cool places to get materials in Seattle, send me an email at bre@makezine.com or drop me a note in the comments. Where do you get your materials?
22 thoughts on “Alphatronics Electronic Supply”
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Cool post, thanks. I’ve wondered where was a good place to get electronics in this area.
Of course, Fry’s in Renton in good for some basic electronic components and tools, but RE-PC on 6th Ave South (by the stadiums) is a treasure trove of busted computer parts and other sundries. Check em out at http://www.repc.com.
I think that there is a grand opportunity for some electronics supply store to start franschising or something. There was a time when a hobbyist could get basic parts at a Radio Shack, but that time has past and they are now a glorified knock off overpriced chinese consumer electronics/cell phone store staffed by clueless cash register jockeys. I went in there the other day looking for a simple basic 120V indicator light, and they said that they didn’t carry “parts” any more. As a young teen I can remember getting my feet wet with some of the Forest Mims III books and getting the parts right fro the local store. It’s a shame that they have turned their back on the makers of the world, but I’m glad there are still places where you can browse the isles and learn from knowledgable staff….
anyone know of a place like this in St. Louis?
For people in the Boston area (East Coast represent!), there’s You-Do-It Electronics in Needham and Electronics Plus in Littleton.
I find You-Do-It to be a bit pricey.
http://www.electronicsplus.com/
http://www.youdoitelectronics.com/
I was in the area yesterday and stopped by.
Pick up one of his nice old PACE stations, ran me $50 I am very satified.
Af far as the rest of the stock and prices I was not impressed, very nice shop though.
I was struck by thier magazine rack that had how to, including Nixie clocks and such.
I live an hour or so south in Olympia and there is a great wholesaler ERI, they are a little slow on restocking however nice selection and reasonable prices.
The Alphatronics store used to be called Supertronix. Their websites are http://www.alphatronicsusa.com/ and http://www.supertronix.com/
If you want RE-PC there is one in Tukwila on W Andover, 1 block west and 1 or 2 blocks north of Alphatronics.
Alphatronics has MOVED!…about 100 yards northwest of their old location. Their new address is 1035 Andover Park East which is in the next complex north. Look for the driveway that says “M3 Business Center”, drive between the buildings, and the store is to the left.
There’s also a Web page with location information and links to Google and Yahoo maps: http://www.alphatronics-usa.com
Alphatronics has MOVED!…about 100 yards northwest of their old location. Their new address is 1035 Andover Park East which is in the next complex north. Look for the driveway that says “M3 Business Center”, drive between the buildings, and the store is to the left.
There’s also a Web page with location information and links to Google and Yahoo maps: http://www.alphatronics-usa.com
Alphatronics web sight is http://www.alphatronics-usa.com
and they now reside at 1035 Andover park east. One building North and one building west of the aforementioned location. Exact directions are on the web sight as well as GPS coordinates.
Thanks for the plug.
Yes, there are internet sights that sell some parts cheaper, but keep in mind that there is a cost associated with an actual store. The internet sights are part of the reason that most of the stores like Alphatronics have gone out of business. I too like the savings on products off the e-commerce sights, but if I have an actual store
(local small business to supply the same product) I will support them. Without that many local small business will continue to dissappear!!