Free Electronic Samples

Did you know that some manufactures and suppliers will give away some free samples of their produces to customers and engineers to test them on their projects?

They are some rules you should know before you start getting free samples from the companies:

• You should never ask for more than you need, because you are not going to use the extra parts you are given, that means don't be greedy.
• Taking free samples from the companies and selling them on places like ebay to make your self an profit is an absolute no-no (unless the company says you can do it). Those parts are meant to be used for your projects, NOT for resale.
• Just to be fair to the companies where you got your samples from, buy some of their products.

There is another instructable that is similar to this, check it out! List Of **FREE STUFF** For your projects, it has a lot of useful information about some companies that give away free samples, and tells you how to get free samples.

There is also a helpful site you should check out to! ladyada.net, there is a lot more helpful information about the free sample sites.

Also big thanks to Wesley666 for finding many manufactures and suppliers that will give away free samples!

What Wesley666 has to say:
Will try to update each step into companies that ship to ONLY North America and ones that ship World Wide to help ppl order samples from anywhere ASAP.

If you find any of our links, they don't work or you cant order samples, I will fix them as soon as possible. And I do try to check my comments at least once a day.

Yes, and I will try to update sites as often as possible when I find new places to sample from!

Don't be greedy and try to lie as little as possible

*Also look for the sample buttons because they are hard to spot sometimes but if you can't then you should send an E-mail!*

Step 1: LED's

Light emitting diodes, the most amazing and energy efficient lighting technology yet available.

Marktech | LED's
Bivar | LED's and PCB Packaging
SunLED | LED's and Displays
SunLED USA | LED's
Sensitron | LED's
Marl | LED's -- (This company give samples to engineers only. Sorry students.)
Philip's Lumileds | LED's, High Power LED's

Comments

[ronakasolanki]

I have a question that i live in India and if i order samples from a US website, will they charge me for shipping of the materials, i am in need of some 2-3 resistors, a relay, a 555 timer and some transistors?

[Nickson Yap]

Integrated Device Technology
www.idt.com/
They provide free samples.
Requires a valid company email address.


Analog & RF
Audio Products
Clocks & Timing
Data Converters
Interface & Connectivity
Memory & Logic
Power Management
Touch & User Interface

[Nickson Yap]

Oh, and some silicon oscillators.

[z1rc0n]

Tayda are good and cheap. Much faster than Futurlec.

[puddingpet]

Anyone know what honeycomb is used for/proper name for it, and which place I could get a small amount really quick? I need it for an art project, and I am not sure where I can find it(perfectibility in Toronto) or where I could order it? I got it from a sample pack asking for semiconductors a few years back, but I lost their catalog and samples.

Thanks x_x

this stuff http://www.forkstudio.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/softbox_0017.jpg

[jbaker22]

How do I get free relay samples from elesta?

[Dewoitine]

I requested some items to Keystone from Mexico and they promised to send me the samples with their distributor in Mexico. They were very polite.
See if I get my stuff!

[marshall_lee]

I have had a great experience with Samtec. I was able to get some really nice USB ports from them for free, no questions asked. And the best part --free next day air shipping! But only get what you need so we can all use their wonderful service. 

http://www.samtec.com/SuddenService/samples/samples.aspx

[mattccc]

http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/samples.html

[powerman666]

Schmartboard is giving away samples too. http://www.schmartboard.com/index.asp?page=schmartland_samples

[Smtty09]

Keystone also has battery connections and holders. I sent a request in at 9:00 and by 10:30 had an email saying they will ship tomorrow.

Hello Dustin,

Thank you for contacting Keystone Electronics. The samples you requested below will ship today.

In the meantime, should you require any further information, please feel free to contact me.

Best Regards

(Removed her personal information)


You requested the following:

* Full line M60 Catalog

* Followup information on our Custom Department

Samples requested:

2 - 2477RB - PLASTIC BATTERY HOLDER (4 AA battery case

5 - 5040 - ALLIGATOR CLIP (Medium size with Black Case)

5 - 5039 - ALLIGATOR CLIP (Medium with red)

5 - 233 - 9 VOLT VINYL STRAP (9 Volt strap found in toys)

[Nman120]

did you get any thing completely free?(product & shipping) cause my first try WIMA capacitors does like discounted samples-not free.

[jj.inc]

free capacitors are hard to find, try out niccomp.com, I just sent in a request, but they look like I should get some samples out of them.

[oddWires]

You may not have heard of oddWires (oddwires.com) but we're an up and coming company specializing in Arduino, audio and low-cost component packs for hobbyists & professionals alike. Some unique offerings include the PT2322 audio processing ship with a library to enable you to control your 5.1 amp from your Arduino. Example sketch & library available. Authorized Arduino Distributor.

[nathanielg]

you have a great site

[Ihackedyouraccount]

I haven't requested any samples from here and I haven't gone through every page so I might have missed it but try http://www.powerint.com/

[powerman666]

I just got my sample switches from NKK Switches. I got 2 FR01KC16P Dip Rotary Hex Switches and 2 LW3122-E2FC-A Power Rocker/Illuminated Red and Green/ Snap-In switches!

[Ihackedyouraccount]

Is there an "annual usage" field you had to fill out if so what did you put?

[powerman666]

If there was I put 100.

[Ihackedyouraccount]

Ok

[powerman666]

From http://vcclite.com/SampleRequest I requested 1 Blue 10MM LED and got 6+ an LED mount sample pack. They have a rep call you and confirm the request. Also http://www.bhelectronics.com Personally delivered a sample 5v to 24v DC Transformer. I mean they didn't mail it, they actually came out to my office with it in their hands. Very cool! and NKK sent me 2 Green illuminated momentary switches. I will post pictures soon.

[Ihackedyouraccount]

What do I put in the estimated annual usage field? Is it how many Parts I need like quantity or is it something else? Please respond ASAP

[Schmidty16]

in need some push button switches and some computer and al lot of other stuff if u have and details how to get it help meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee plz message meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Ihackedyouraccount]

Where should I go for aluminum heatsinks and small computer fans

[Schmidty16]

maby go to a compuer store and ask politley

[Ihackedyouraccount]

Where can I find heatsinks and potentiometers thanks

[KingOfBritains]

I would like to point out that Bhel electronics sampling is now a dead link, and sadly, it seemed to be the only one that had transformer samples. :'(

[Dsanders2014]

How do ask? Lol I mean do you just email them "hey I want free stuff here's my address 1234 seaseme street".....obviously not like that lol but you get my point

[marselsipod]

where did you get teh resistors in the pic?

[Ecchin]

Maybe google images :P Thank you so much for the links Plasmana. Thankfully, most of them send to non US countries.

[Wesley666]

Nobody thx the collaborator...*sigh*..jks! But seriously that was my list...But I was too lazy to make my own Instructable!

[wolf996]

Well You Probaly Did Well Helpin

[nurdee1]

I am interested in getting free parts but I don't have a company email adress. All I have is a gmail adress. Are there any places where I can get free parts without a company email adress?

Thanks.

[80$man]

How 'flexible' are these companies to shipping to South Africa (its very far from USA/UK!) I would love some free samples, any comments would be gr8!

[drake221]

here http://www.dutchforce.com/~eforum/index.php?showtopic=13348

[jbend]

How can you get transformers from Bhel Electronics .

[drake221]

go here http://www.dutchforce.com/~eforum/index.php?showtopic=13348

[davej6694]

just sent a request in for apem... hope they respond!! i need some switches :o

[Ryutso]

How did you actually order a sample? There's no apparent "Sample Form" to fill out.

[HVahead]

click around a bit, it will be on the left hand side "online request" i just ordered some sensory capacitive switches (the kind you just touch, not press!) and led holders