Day to Day we deal with a lot of companies. From couriers at our door, to factories in China, or the lovely Arduino folks in Italy and Spain. Some of these interactions are complicated/stress inducing (Parcel Force we’re looking at you), while others are lovely. What never ceases to amaze us is how often the lovely interactions are with fellow Yorkshire based companies. Here are three of our favourite retail level Yorkshire companies. (all with great maker Christmas gift options).
If you’re looking to get one tool to your take your Maker workshop from meh to magnificent, it’s hard to argue with the addition of a laser cutter. With these guys offering a desktop sized unit (here) for less than a nice laptop, delivery from UK stock and a “Buy Now” button we have a feeling many a maker wish list may need to have another item penciled in, and a few tabletops cleared off.
(our relationship: We’ve visited and their a lovely bunch, we’re also taking delivery of one of their larger units in the new year)
Abolutly Shaw – (OLFA cutters)
Be it prototyping a new design, collapsing a box, or slicing up some paper snap off cutters are indespensible around oomlout hq. While you can pick one up at B & Q for less than a pound high quality ones make all the difference. Here’s a lovely company that imports a load of OLFA products from Japan. Our recomendations are the “Black Max” replacement blades (they really do last longer) (here LBB-10) , and the truly amazing high angle mini blades (here SAB-10) (offering all the niceness of the super pointy Exacto knife’s with the convenience of a snap off format). They’re also a little fun as you have to e-mail or fax in an order, making it feel a little bit like the 1990’s
(our relationship: we purchase all our replacement blades through them)
Farnell – (Everything Electronic)
While Digikey and Mouser may be bigger in terms of service Farnell is impossible to beat. They also have several maker friendly features, with free site wide next day shipping (in the UK), and a site that is navigatable without putting a day into figuring out how it works. They’re by far our favorite distributor. Great for stocking stuffers like loads of resistors, or a few chips to play with on Boxing Day.
(our relationship: one of our main suppliers we place orders/visit several times a week, they have yet to make a mistake, and if ordered before 8pm in the evening there is a 9 times out of 10 chance it’ll be at your door the next day)
(full disclosure: these are companies we like, none of them are paying or otherwise compensating us for being placed here)
