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 Forum index » DIY Hardware and Software
Standoff Hardware Suggestions
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numbernone



Joined: Aug 16, 2006
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Location: new york city

PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:48 am    Post subject: Standoff Hardware Suggestions Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

By God (of your choice), is standoff hardware ever expensive!!! Does anyone have a favorite affordable source?? I have been scrapping as much as I can from anything that falls into my hands, but the supply has dwindled to naught.

Thanks all.
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v-un-v
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 8:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

The cheapest alternative is just to get a Clavia Nord Modular, but that's hardly DIY.

DIY is not a cheap alternative. Anybody who thinks it is, needs brain surgery. Okay, you find a cheap component source, but then you have to take into account the amount of hours needed to build the stuff- that's the most expensive part imo.

Watch this list carefully as people do post interesting sites with good part offers, and, buy everything in bulk Very Happy

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Dan Lavin



Joined: Nov 09, 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 11:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Do you mean like the attached? Mouser is reasonably priced for most items (where I got this data sheet).

One cheap alternative that I sometimes use is vinyl hosing. I cut off the amount I need as I go and allow for a little compression since it is only semi-rigid.


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goodrevdoc



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 3:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

HaHaHa Laughing !!! I just ordered some 1.75" standoffs for a project I've got going and was mortified at the cost. My local hardware store has what amount to metal stanoffs on the cheap, but they are bulky and only available in 1" increments. I like the idea of the vynil hose, that stuff is pennies per foot down at the auto parts store.
-justin
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para



Joined: Oct 16, 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

so far the absolute cheapest i have found is allelectronics :

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category/577/Spacers_&_Standoffs.html

they have some other stuff cheap as well to justify shipping costs, like these which aren't bad at all

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/CB-352/117/2%22#39;_CABLE,_MONO_3.5MM_PHONE_PLUGS_BOTH_ENDS_.html


steven
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Dan Lavin



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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 5:47 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Yeah, I'm the original electronic music cheapsake. Actually I discovered vinyl tubing when I made a Roland Octapad clone about 12 years ago. I needed standoffs for the pads that would mechanically isolate the pad from the base. Unfortunately, it didn't work well for that, but it did solve the pcb standoff problem. THe best part is that you don't have to stock various lengths: just cut off exactly what you need when you need it.
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Parsa



Joined: Apr 13, 2007
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Location: Escondido, CA

PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:35 pm    Post subject: balloon sticks Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

You know those rigid plastic tubes they stick mylar balloons to? I have no idea what they call them (balloon sticks?), but I think they would make nice standoffs for small self tapping screws if you cut them up.

Parsa
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Parsa



Joined: Apr 13, 2007
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 7:44 pm    Post subject: Yeah Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

I just googled:

plastic "balloon sticks"

... and that's what they are called! Not sure if they are all hollow, but I bet any party store would have them for you to check out. Online they go for about 100 for $8. They're long, too.

Parsa
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Uncle Krunkus
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PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

The amount of markup on electronics components and hardware etc. is really variable. I used to work at Jaycar Electronics, and we had a staff discount which was cost plus 10%. Man! did I learn a thing or two about markups that year! Shocked
Before I left, I decided that I'd stock up on some stuff, so I made a list which was a whole load of stuff we sold, retail price, staff price, and the percentage saved by getting the staff discount! Wish I still had that list! Laughing
Re-writable CDs for example were no cheaper with the staff discount, because we were selling them at cost +5%! Otherwise they wouldn't sell. Other things were completely different! For example: -
5mm high brightness LEDs - Retail $3-4 each - Staff $0.50 each!
Digital multimeter - Retail $300 - Staff $180
Hardware gets worse: -
Gold plated PCB pins pkt500 - Retail $20 - Staff $4
Anyway, you get the idea.

And, yes, a packet of 100 3mm tapped metal PCB standoffs was on my list, and purchased before I left! Laughing Cool

BTW I just remembered the biggest markup we had, was on a 80mm wide piece of shrinkwrap for making your own battery packs. We sold a 300mm piece in a plastic bag for $4. The staff price was like $0.20! That's where they make their money! Laughing

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mark_olson



Joined: Oct 26, 2006
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Location: Lawrence, Kansas

PostPosted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 1:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

The local hardware stores have a lot of good standoff candidates in the "Servalite" section. Both metal and nylon, even some threaded ones. Many lengths.

I've also noticed that among the thousands of plastic beads my three daughters have there are some that look like they could easily be pressed into service in a pinch - about 6 mm high with a hole that would accommodate a #6 screw.
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richardc64



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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Another possibility for spacers is the tubes in pump-type spray cleaner bottles. They tend to be narrow, but you might find one that accommodates a #4 or 6 screw.
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Parsa



Joined: Apr 13, 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Escondido, CA

PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

mark_olson wrote:
The local hardware stores have a lot of good standoff candidates in the "Servalite" section. Both metal and nylon, even some threaded ones. Many lengths.

I've also noticed that among the thousands of plastic beads my three daughters have there are some that look like they could easily be pressed into service in a pinch - about 6 mm high with a hole that would accommodate a #6 screw.


Yeah, drywall anchors. I thought of that after my last post. those things are cheap. You could either use a self tapping screw on each end, or use a thin machine screw, a nut, and some washers if you just want it as a spacer.

BTW, where is a good source of #4 hardware (4-40 screws etc.) in the USA? Should I get it from the electronics companies, or look for a hardware supplier. I bought a big brass bolt to fit into a camera socket at a local place called Ababa Bolt. Maybe I should look into a place like that. I'd prefer stainless steel to zinc coated stuff. Also, I now avoid all those fasteners at Home Depot in the little bags. They are garbage. Every time I even use a hand screwdriver it strips the heads. The last time I needed wood screws I bought a few boxes of the ones for contractors (much better quality).

Parsa
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mark_olson



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PostPosted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote  Mark this post and the followings unread

Parsa wrote:
Quote:
BTW, where is a good source of #4 hardware (4-40 screws etc.) in the USA?


At one of our local Ace Hardware stores I looked in what I thought was the right place but #6 was the smallest. Not so easily discouraged, I asked a sales person who showed me where the #4 stuff was and agreed it made no sense that they weren't where I'd been looking.
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