What to buy and where to buy it #
This page is a guide to sourcing components and tools that you might need in your studies. This is not a list of things you need, rather a list of suggested items and suppliers of items.
Suggested Toolkit #
While we do have tools in the lab such as screwdrivers, hex keys, scissors etc, these are typically in very high demand around deadlines and degree shows.
Screwdriver Kit #
The best £5 you can possibly spend to make your time using the lab and working on projects a good one is to invest in a screwdriver set. You will use many many screws and bolts over the course of your studies so having a good screwdriver with different bits for different bolts and screws will be very useful.
IKEA Trixig 25 Piece Screwdriver Set - £5
USB-C Dongle #
You will also be expected to connect your laptop to a wide range of different devices over the course of your studies. At minimum you should be able to connect your laptop to:
- USB A (Regular Rectangle USB)
- HDMI (TV Plug)
- Ethernet (Internet Plug)
Think of your dongle as a critical tool. It is often a single point of failure for your entire project. Therefore we highly reccomend buying one from a reputable brand:
These are both around £30 but these are not provided by the university, and you will use them one way or another in almost every class.
Recommended sources of commonly purhcased items #
| Item | Supplier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic/ Plywood/ Other laserable materials | Hindleys | They supply many more colours and sizes of laserable acrylic than we do. Fast Delivery. |
| 3D Printer Filament - we only print with PLA, speak with HatchLabs Technicians before purchasing | Filamentive | Good choice of recycled filament. Only HatchLabs Technicians can install filament in the printers. |
| Electronic Parts / Sensors | Pimoroni | Good selection of components. Fast Delivery. |
| Electronic Parts / Sensors | ThePiHut | Simmilar to Pimoroni. |
| Aluminium extrusion/ extrusion accessories | Ooznest | Useful for building modular structures/ DIY drawing machines etc. - very helpful customer support, get in touch with them with project ideas |
| Bolts/ nuts/ threaded rods/ huge range of hardware | Accu | We have a limited number of bolts/ nuts available for use in HatchLabs, Accu have a much wider range and can provide in larger amounts |
| Wood Sheets / Wood Products | Jennor Timber | Speak with HatchLabs Technicians to see the educational price guide and costings. |
| Wood / Other Building Supplies | Wickes | Closest building supply store, just past Deptford Bridge DLR. |