RacerX

Some of the best hand tools you can buy. Awesome customer service. More likely if you are having trouble removing a bolt, stud, nut, etc, with a brand other than Snap-on if you get a snap-on version you won't. Broke a flywheel wrench the other day, shipped me a new one overnight with just an email picture of the broken one.

Strengths: Great Automotive Tools

Needs to improve: None

One of my favorite brands for tweezers. Their choice of alloys and heat treatment produce ultra fine tipped tweezers which don't bend even with prolonged production use. Often more cost effective than less expensive brands because they are so durable.

Strengths: Awesome Tweezers

Needs to improve: None

Solid reliable label printers that meet the requirements for medical devices. Programming can take some time and requires some expertise. Once programmed printing is very reliable. They have RFID label stock to aid in inventory management.

Strengths: Labeling Printers

Needs to improve: None

I have a engine driven Stick Welder. It must be 15 years old. Still works great. Miller technical support and customer service is great. I can still get parts when needed. I use a Miller 220v MIG at work. Solid dependable machine. Great controls let me always achieve a nice weld. I never have any issues with the wire feed drive.

Strengths: Welders

Needs to improve: None

Great high quality welding helmets, from fixed lenses to auto dimming variable shade. I have an auto dimming variable shade helmet. Aways works, great battery life. The helmet is light enough that I don't get fatigued when wearing it for hours. The variable shade settings are light enough for low amperage TIG and dark enough for high Stick Arc.

Strengths: Great Welding Safety Equipment

Needs to improve: None

Some of the Best Microscopes around. When you compare Leica Microscopes to others, side by side, you find them to have higher clarity, brighter view and better depth of field. The only downside is cost, typically 25% more or higher. For lab/prototype work it can be justified, but in production environment where you may need many scopes, it can be more difficult to justify the added cost when compared to scopes like Meiji.

Strengths: Microscopes and Optics

Needs to improve: None

Great vendor for medical grade polymer colorants. Will work with you to make sure the required safety data is available for Regulatory submissions. Responsive and Helpful. Custom colors are available.

Strengths: Polymer Colorants

Needs to improve: None

Sparkfun is a good source for Arduino, Raspberry Pi and other similar mini cpu boards. Extremely helpful for building mfg equipment or prototyping. Components may be found other places for less money, but their inventory and wide assortment make it an easy one stop shop.

Strengths: Arduino and other embedded computers

Needs to improve: None

I routinely use Mitutoyo Micrometers, Calipers, Dial Indicators and Thickness Gages (Snap Gages). Durable, Dependable and Accurate. They more cost effective than some other brands, yet just as accurate. Gages with data ports are nice for logging into SPC programs.

Strengths: Contact Measurement Equipment

Needs to improve: None

MADCO has great customer service. I've used them for welding supplies and safety equipment. Extremely knowledgeable staff. In addition to "welding" supplies, I've used MADCO for their inert gasses. I've used their gasses to create oxygen free environments while heat treating special metals. Their delivery service makes it painless, and they can also supply the pressure regulators and flow meters.

Strengths: Customer Service, Inventory

Needs to improve: None

Great Patient Monitoring equipment. Solid and Reliable with data acquisition capabilities. Automated upload of patient data. Great for clinical trials. We use their Blood Pressure Monitoring equipment. Solid customer service and technical staff.

Strengths: Patient Monitoring Equipment

Needs to improve: None

Applied Plastics has a PTFE coating/process which is second to none. It's extremely durable. I've used their coating on both products and manufacturing tooling. The manufacturing tooling lasts and lasts. We have a maintenance schedule for replacement of the tooling that we keep extending as to the PTFE coatings don't appear to wear. Great Stuff

Strengths: Awesome PTFE coating.

Needs to improve: None

Generally Good Product. Does not appear as responsive as other vendors. Pricing is typically higher than others. Typical impressions were they wanted big orders, but to get the bigger orders you need to start with the smaller ones.

Strengths: Laser Cutting & Electropolishing of Medical Devices

Needs to improve: Speed and Price

Before 80/20 there was Bosch. Both systems are similar, with Bosch having some accessories not available in 80/20 and visa versa. I think the linear slides are better from Bosch. Overall a great framing system.

Strengths: Extruded Aluminum Building System

Needs to improve: None

Jameco is great source of electronic components especially if you are local to the SF Bay Area. They have a great will call, so if you need the parts immediately you can order online and pick up. If not, they usually ship same day.

Strengths: Inventory of Electrical Components instock.

Needs to improve: None

So common and reliable in my company word Molex has become much like Kleenex means tissue, a reliable connector to be used for all forms of electrical connections. "Put a Molex on it"

Strengths: Electrical Connectors

Needs to improve: None

Solid reliable electrical connectors. Work well in high vibration, hot and dirty environments. Large selection of connectors from PCB to Automotive.

Strengths: Electrical Connectors

Needs to improve: None

Great Stuff. It's like an Erector Set for Adults. The modular components allow you to build any form of structure. From Tables to Jigs to enclosures. They also have linear bearings to allow you to build moving equipment.

Strengths: Modular Components for Building Structures

Needs to improve: None

If you are building prototype equipment, you just want to roam this place for ideas. The variety of stuff they carry continuously changes and it provides an endless supply of ideas. From Motors to old floppy drives to batteries they have it.

Strengths: Electronic Components and More

Needs to improve: There's only one

Cintas clean room supplies are of good quality. Service is reliable. But you have to be careful regarding product stuffing. At two small startups, they serviced our First Aid Kits. Each month they would come by to check and refill our Kits. Given the small number of people the first aid kits were rarely used. Yet the Cintas person would stuff the kits with new/extra items, that weren't needed and bill us for them.

Strengths: Clean room and Safety Supplies

Needs to improve: Price & Product Stuffing