[TriLUG] Parts Store

[Rick DeNatale]

On 8/1/05, Mark Freeze <mfreeze at gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks to everyone for the info...  I am very familiar with Graybar.
> I used them a lot when I lived in Birmingham, AL.  What is Intrex?  Is
> it a computer store or an electronics store?  Also, I had no idea that
> Home Depot would carry that kind of stuff.  Is this a recent addition
> for them?  I'm pretty sure that the ones in Alabama didn't carry
> computer wiring supplies.  Or, if they did, the stock was very limited
> in scope and supply.

Intrex is a computer store. They also have a discount for card
carrying Trilug members. I don't know how much they carry in the way
of bulk cable and the like, which I assume you are looking for since
you are looking for things like wall plates and punch-down blocks. 
I've been very happy with them for other computer parts like disk
drives and pc cards.

Someone also mentioned connect-it, which is my favorite place to get
finished cables. If you're looking for ethernet patch cables, printer
cables etc. their prices are much better than in computer stores or
office supply places.  I've never looked for bulk in-wall wiring stuff
there.

ADI carries the stuff you seem to be looking for, they also have a
selection of various structured wiring systems, or at least used to. I
prefer systems which use standard RJ-45 connectors and the like at the
"home base" instead of punch-down blocks. When we built our house a
few years ago, we ran cat-5 and RG-6 just about everywhere, and now we
can enable ports and even change wall ports between ethernet and phone
by replugging cables in the wiring closet. Of course it still doesn't
help when I realize I want an outlet where I didn't put one before.

Home Director used to be the best at such reconfigurable structured
wiring systems but I don't think that they are around anymore, I think
that some of the other structured wiring systems like OnQ have it as
an option now.