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Sourcing Parts

Written by Alex Ren for hwdocs.hackclub.dev

Welcome to part sourcing! This guide offers optimization tips for part selection and budgeting. Submit BOMs to #highway on Slack for community feedback.

Do's and Don'ts

Do:

  • Research parts thoroughly
  • Ask on Slack for advice on part selection

Don't:

  • Purchase expensive oscilloscopes ($100+)
  • Buy extra parts for future projects
  • Buy overpriced modules on Amazon when cheaper alternatives exist elsewhere

All parts should be compiled into a BOM with specific links.

Specific Parts

General: Reference parts from established projects like Adafruit to reduce unknowns.

Modules (TP4056, LED matrices, etc): AliExpress offers the cheapest pricing with typical 2–3 week shipping. Amazon is available for urgent needs.

SBCs (Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi, etc): Orange Pis are available via AliExpress. Consider repurposing old computers for non-space-sensitive applications.

Microcontrollers (Arduino, RP2040, etc): AliExpress is recommended. Note that Arduinos are outdated by current standards.

PCBs:

  • India: SEEED Studio Fusion Service (accepts HCB cards, cheapest option)
  • Other countries: JLCPCB (under $6 shipped for boards under 100x100mm)
  • US specifically: PCBWAY (roughly half JLCPCB's cost due to tariff avoidance)
  • ENIG is not permitted except for golden fingers, with case-by-case approval
  • Edge plating is only allowed if functional
  • Choose the cheapest option that yields working PCBs

Country-Specific Notes

Qatar

Parts & Tools:

  • Voltaat (Electronics and 3D printers. Gives discounts to Qatar University students. Same day delivery to most of Qatar. Also has a makerspace. Located in Doha)
  • SmartQat (Electronic components and tools and some chemistry things. Located in Al Rayan)
  • Al Annabi (Sells some electronics components. Located in Doha.)

3D Printing:

  • Voltaat (Offers 3D printing services)
  • SmartQat (Offers 3D printing training)

Egypt

Parts & Tools:

  • RAM Electronics (Cytron certified, significantly lower pricing. Located in Downtown Cairo)
  • Flux Electronix (3D printer parts and electronics. Located in Downtown Cairo)
  • Lampatronics (Very competitive pricing, in many times it's cheaper than RAM. Located in Downtown Cairo)
  • Free Electronics (Diverse stock of components and tools, good prices. Located in Downtown Cairo)
  • Makers Electronics (Very diverse stock of components and tools. Located in Alexandria, shipping to Cairo takes 3 days)
  • UGE One (Very good to find specific rare chips and components. Located in Nasr City, Cairo)
  • IC Hat (Good to find rare chips and spare parts. Located in Downtown Cairo)

PCBs:

  • Metanoia (affordable local PCB fab located in Cairo)
  • Free Electronics offers PCB design and fabrication.
  • UGE One offers PCB design and fabrication.

3D Printing:

  • Lampatronics offers 3D printing services.

India

Most vendors don't accept international cards (HCB falls into this category). Contact local vendors directly.

Vendors accepting HCB cards for electronic parts:

  • Silverline Electronics
  • RoboSap
  • RoboticsDNA
  • EBhoot
  • Electronicscomp
  • Sharvi Electronics
  • Novo3D

3D Printing Services:

  • 3Ding

AliExpress Tips

  • Welcome deals only apply once per account — don't budget assuming continued discounts
  • Monitor estimated shipment dates (generally reliable by region)
  • Compare total costs including shipping fees — low initial prices don't guarantee savings
  • Recommended vendors: AITXEM ROBOT (microcontrollers), Trianglelab (3D printer parts)