Introduction: How to Get Free Electronic Samples
This instructable will show you how to get free electronic parts. That's right 100% free electronic components sent right to your door. Some manufactures and suppliers give their parts away for free for people to test them. I will put all of the companies that sent samples to me under a category determined by what parts they offer. Towards the end I will put the companies that I recommend to avoid because they didn't send samples to me. But before you go ask for free samples from these companies there is one thing that you should know. Never sell free samples on the internet to make money. The companies are nice enough for giving you free parts for your projects so don't sell them on the internet. Other than that have fun as you start to receive shipments of your free parts.
I will be updating this with more companies as I receive more samples from them. This took me awhile to make so feel free to like, share, and don't forget to follow me.
Hope you like it
Step 1: Semiconductors/ Microcontrollers
Texas Instruments- Registration is required. Add items to cart and then checkout to order samples. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships FedEx Ground.
Zilog- Registration is required. . You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships FedEx 2nd Day Air.
Zilog- Registration is required. . You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships FedEx 2nd Day Air.
Step 2: Passive Components (Diodes, Capacitors, Resistors, Transformers, Etc.)
TE Connectivity (they also have heat shrink, cable ties, terminal blocks, etc.)- Registration is required. Add items to cart and then checkout to order samples. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It was easy with no questions asked. It ships FedEx Express.
Step 3: Connectors
Mill-Max (they also have transistor sockets, USB sockets, etc.)- Go to product and click sample button. No registration. You fill out a sample request form. It ships via UPS 2nd day air. You do not have to pay shipping and no corporate email address is required.
Molex (they also have cable ties, terminal blocks, etc.)- Go to product and click “Request Samples.” No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships 2nd Day Air. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
FCI Connect- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships FedEx 2nd Day Air. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
Molex (they also have cable ties, terminal blocks, etc.)- Go to product and click “Request Samples.” No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships 2nd Day Air. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
FCI Connect- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships FedEx 2nd Day Air. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
Step 4: Enclosures
Hammond Manufacturing- No registration is required. I contacted a sales rep. There is no sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships UPS Ground. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
Step 5: LED's/Switches
Purdy Electronic(LEDs, fans)- No registration is required. Click “Order Sample” button and then fill out a sample request form. A sales rep later contacted me with additional questions. No corporate email address was required. It ships UPS Ground. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
Lite On (LEDs)- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships UPS Ground.
Lite On (LEDs)- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships UPS Ground.
Step 6: Others/Misc.
Richco Inc (Plastic fasteners and plastic components)- Go to product and click “Sample Request” button. No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address is required. It ships UPS Ground. You don’t have to pay the shipping.
Keystone Electronics (Battery holders, fuses, terminal blocks)- (Battery holders, fuses, terminal blocks)- Go to product and click “Add to Sample Cart” to order. No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships UPS Ground. You do not have to pay the shipping.
Little Fuse (Fuses, Gas Tubes, etc.)- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships UPS 2nd Day Air.
Keystone Electronics (Battery holders, fuses, terminal blocks)- (Battery holders, fuses, terminal blocks)- Go to product and click “Add to Sample Cart” to order. No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. It ships UPS Ground. You do not have to pay the shipping.
Little Fuse (Fuses, Gas Tubes, etc.)- No registration is required. You fill out a sample request form. No corporate email address was required. You don’t have to pay the shipping. It ships UPS 2nd Day Air.
Step 7: Surplus Websites/ Suppliers
A few websites that I recommend for buying parts on are Tayda Electronics and All Electronics. These are some surplus sites that have very cheap prices. Tayda Electronics is definitely cheaper and the shipping costs are almost nothing but All Electronics selection of products is much much larger. Both are great sites to buy from. I haven't yet tried to order samples from these websites.
My #1 recommended supplier would be Digi Key. They wouldn't send me free samples but they have a huge selection of all types of electronics parts at fairly good prices.
My #1 recommended supplier would be Digi Key. They wouldn't send me free samples but they have a huge selection of all types of electronics parts at fairly good prices.
Step 8: Companies That Do NOT Send Free Samples
Here is a list of companies that would not send me free samples.
Vishay (Passive Components)- This website requires registration and they would not give me free samples.
Wima (Capacitors)- You fill out a sample request form and they refused to send me free samples.
AVX (Passive Components)- Fill out sample request form. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
Delevan (Transformers and Inductors)- No sample request form. I contacted a sales rep via email. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
MCI Transformer- No sample request form. I contacted a sales rep via email. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
Vishay (Passive Components)- This website requires registration and they would not give me free samples.
Wima (Capacitors)- You fill out a sample request form and they refused to send me free samples.
AVX (Passive Components)- Fill out sample request form. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
Delevan (Transformers and Inductors)- No sample request form. I contacted a sales rep via email. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
MCI Transformer- No sample request form. I contacted a sales rep via email. No registration required. They would not send free samples.
Step 9: Free Used Disposable Cameras
What many hobbyists do not know is that they can get free parts from used disposable flash cameras. Inside the camera you will find a small transformer, an small neon light bulb, some resistors, some small capacitors, a large (usually 330uF) electrolytic capacitor, a couple transistors, the xenon flash tube, and a pretty full AA or AAA battery on the circuit board. You will also find a lens and some gears in the camera.
To get free flash disposable cameras all you have to do is go to a store such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, or any store that has a photo department. Then go to the photo department in the store and ask for free used disposable cameras. Most of the time they will gladly give you how ever many you ask for.
If you have any website suggestions that worked for you then post it in the comments!
To get free flash disposable cameras all you have to do is go to a store such as Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, or any store that has a photo department. Then go to the photo department in the store and ask for free used disposable cameras. Most of the time they will gladly give you how ever many you ask for.
If you have any website suggestions that worked for you then post it in the comments!