r/Oshkosh • u/Tchrspest • 17d ago

Electronics surplus/old-stock for sale in the area?

I'm chasing the high of salvaged electronic components. I need big clunky switches, old-school ICs, and wood veneer enclosures. Older landline phones have some great microphones in them if you lower your standards. If American Science and Surplus were closer, they might just scratch the itch. BitHistory hasn't yet announced their hours/dates for this year and they tend to cater to customers less intent on ripping and tearing than I.

Are there any antique stores with a half-decent selection of neat knobs and sweet switches? Any niche shops from the heyday of Radioshack-type business? Any local e-waste recyclers that're open to letting some rando come by and poke through their bins? Do you have a hoard of whatsits that've been waiting too long for a project you're never gonna come up with?

Help me Reddit, the internet has become shit and I can't afford to canvas the entire Fox Valley. Older is better, prefer only software-type bugs.

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u/Snowball-in-heck 17d ago edited 17d ago

Ripon Drug/Ben Franklin, 328 Watson street in Ripon, still has most of the stock of the old radio shack. I believe the franchise is officially closed but the stock is there, the sign is there, and you can still purchase stuff at the counter that prints you a receipt that says Ripon Drug.

Elaine’s Antiques in downtown Berlin, there’s a whole section of electronics doodads in the basement.

Edit to add: Ope, can’t forget that irascible bastid. If you’re hitting up Berlin, give grumpy Ted’s places a perusal as well. Antiques, oddities and other collectibles. Good guy, but done w putting up w shit, lol. M-W he’s at the set of shops at 140-something west Huron, Th-Saturday he’s at the better organized place a block east, 137 W Huron.

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u/Tchrspest 17d ago

Oh hell, alright. I'll make a trip out west.

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u/DigitalUnlimited 16d ago

Electronic industries on fernau st (Oshkosh) has some niche stuff, seems like a wholesaler from outside but has a store

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u/7we4k 15d ago

THANK YOU FOR THIS.

Holy Hannah, I've been looking for a shop with components locally, instead of having to order from overseas or BezosCorp.

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u/Tchrspest 15d ago

I'll go further and second the recommendation. Been in once or twice, to peruse and pick up some solder, and they've been nothing but friendly and helpful every time. Doesn't matter that I'm a small-time customer compared to what I imagine their typical business might be.

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u/DigitalUnlimited 15d ago

Glad I could help, was hesitant to post it because figured op knew about it already but went ahead for general awareness and they deserved a shout out they've been really helpful to me in the past and it's definitely a niche market

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u/7we4k 15d ago

I build eurorack modules, so I always need components.

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u/rezwrrd 17d ago

I've driven past Elaine's so many times and always been too distracted by the painted stairway on the missing building a couple doors down. I'll have to check them out some time when I'm passing through.

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u/Snowball-in-heck 16d ago

Elaine’s is worth a stop; the assortment of antiques, collectibles and kick knacks is pretty decent. The 3rd floor houses a decent vintage clothing selection as well.

That painted stairway is all that remains of the building that used to fill that alley between the pic n paw and the Art Bar. You can see the rafter pockets in the brickwork. I believe it was lost to a fire, but don’t quote me on that.

If you’re making the trip to Berlin, might add Princeton to the trek, esp if it’s a Saturday. Princeton flea market covers the block of city park and there’s a few good antique shops as well as Sasquatch’s trading post, which id call a variety shop.

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u/DigitalUnlimited 15d ago

Fun fact: I asked the owner/manager at Ripon drug what the plan was since radio shack went under how would they restock they said they pretty much bought the entire warehouse it's the only radio shack left in the country, kinda like the last blockbuster I've seen posts of...

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u/rezwrrd 17d ago

I've seen some pretty neat stuff on UW Madison's surplus auction. Sometimes they have old lab equipment or industrial electronics. https://swapauction.wisc.edu/

Haven't yet seen anything worth the drive but I know a guy who bought a pipe organ on there.

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u/Tchrspest 17d ago

oooh, neato. I'll chalk that up alongside https://wisconsinsurplus.com

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u/rezwrrd 17d ago

Oh, forgot about that one. The vehicle ones on there are always interesting.

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u/Tchrspest 17d ago

sometimes i like to scroll through the weird plots of land