Finding stuffs http://ebay.com/ http://craigslist.com/ http://stores.ebay.com/Synergetics-Abeja_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZQ2d999QQftidZ2QQtZkm http://www.tinaja.com/barg01.asp Austin Metals Processing go find an Austin electronics recycler/recycling-center and make friends with somebody there big trash day http://hgrinc.com http://www.hgrindustrialsurplus.com/ Dayton Hamvention hamfests http://www.arrl.org/ and search for hamfest there is little difference between a shaking incubator / water bath and a bread maker... http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-PSC-400-Programmable-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B000VA7JL2/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1214756771&sr=1-12 or a non-shaking incubator / water bath and a crock pot.. http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00067REBU/ref=sr_1_olp_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1214756828&sr=1-1   I think business closing sales, auctions, and an active "putting the word out" program and actively asking businesses that might be upgrading or expanding if they have equiptment that's surplus.  I got a wonderful 1970's heavy duty drill press (realy a small mill functionaly w=400-500lbs) for 100 bucks at an estate sale.   --- In farm auctions I live in a small town, local dump charges to accept garbage but 'scrap' metal is free in or out (scrounging allowed). Amazing what some people will throw out for free. Not all dumps have such a liberal policy but 'curb side shopping' on collection days is usually free game. Raw stock is easy, fancy tools usually need some work but if you are reading this list  you have the right mind set and at least some of the needed skills. http://www.freecycle.org/ I use to get all my used steel and the occasional weird gizmo at a place near 4th and I35 on the east side called East Austin Pipe and Supply. They recycle all kinds of stuff. Don't know for sure if you can still wander the yard though. Several places on east 6th and 7th as well. All stuff sold by the pound. realize that people have to pay to have it destroyed/recycled, so theoretically they should love dumping stuff into your hands Since people are always asking where do I buy this or that, here are some places we shop in Austin. Please add more to this such as where these places are and what they are good for. MC Howard's Bantam maybe 1/2 mile or so from HC Howard's. for tools and stuff, no electronic components Altex for tools and stuff, probably no electronic components. Frys has a good selection of components, but tend to never stock more than 1 or 3 of each item, so its always a gamble. They also have circuit board making stuff and shmart boards. Of course Radio Shack for what little parts they still carry in the drawers. There is Tanner's in Dallas, about 3+ hours away. Home Depot and Lowes for wood and aluminum pieces, nuts and bolts. Internet Places www.allelectronics.com - good surplus electronic parts and stuff at decent prices. Electronic Goldmine - good surplus electronic parts and stuff at decent prices. http://www.halted.com/ - Halted Specialties, I don't know if any of you have heard of it since its a Silcon Valley store that is like a 10,000 square foot candy store for EEs, robots, etc. Anyway, they have EVERYTHING and very low prices. JDR microelectronics in silicon valley area, and Excess Solutions. These are large EE, hobby stores and they have cheap shipping rates. For solenoids, ledex's STAs were recommended: http://www.ledex.com/linear-solenoids/sta-tublar-solenoids.html http://wiki.therobotgroup.org/wiki/PartsPlaces   There's an electronics flea market hosted by the Silicon Valley Amateur Radio group and is held at DeAnza Community College parking lot (close to the Palo Alto area). They have a nice spread of electronics. http://www.electronicsfleamarket.com/ Stephen L. Reed Artificial Intelligence Researcher http://texai.org/blog http://texai.org 3008 Oak Crest Ave. Austin, Texas, USA 78704 512.791.7860 Re: [AR] Equipment acquisition for homebrewers From: "Alvin Bradley" To: "Bryan Bishop" CC: "Alvin Bradley" Date: Today 08:37:55 pm   go to  website --- jyawn@sfcc.net From: al bradley Visit the website above. He has a lot of  good published material online --he is excellent to build inexpensive sugar (candy) rockets. A very nice guy. 1 What you will need to get started at low cost-- 2 Strips of paper to roll into a tube and a wooden rod (mandrel)  to roll it on 3 Glue or paste to hold  your tube together 4  two to five pound bag of potassium nitrate --from a garden supply or fertilizer store. 5 One or 2 lb of common table sugar 6 Small or medium container of Durham Rock Hard Water Putty to create your motor (nozzle) from. If you can get these things together you can make several rockets for less than the price of a pizza. Read Jimmy Yawn, write me back and I can show you the way to go from here into a very interesting and scientific hobby. best wishes al bradley