Where to buy capacitors in the UK - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

allanwinks · 19th Aug 2015, 5:56 pm

I am just getting into the restoration of valve equipment and was disappointed at the range of capacitors available on both the RS and Rapid web sites.
So where do you guys get caps of 4-500 volts from?
I would prefer to buy from one supplier to reduce postage costs, perhaps there is a business opportunity here for someone?

G6Tanuki · 19th Aug 2015, 6:40 pm

My prefered supplier is cpc.co.uk - get them in the right mood and there can be free postage on even very low-value orders.

Nickthedentist · 19th Aug 2015, 6:55 pm

I prefer Farnell: they do a good selection of Vishay-Roederstein MKT1817 axial polyester caps.

You can also get them from the BVWS if you're a member.

robin coleman · 19th Aug 2015, 7:37 pm

If you are a BVWS member, the BVWS shop has a good selection.
Regards
Robin

bikerhifinut · 19th Aug 2015, 7:50 pm

You will do a lot worse than using the BVWS stuff, They have most of the values you will ever need for a restoration on old valve radios and a lot of Audio kit.
All proper stuff too.
Join the BVWS and get a discount.

It's worth remembering that the 630V DC rating of the BVWS plastic caps means they are perfectly fine to use at any Voltage below that rating so you don't need to buy a range of working Voltages.
Similarly, the 500V rating of the electrolytics means they are perfectly good to use at any normal Valve HT below this level. Obviously for solid state stuff and gear working at voltages below 100V it's cheaper to get 100V or lower caps which are readily available.

I hope the more experienced guys will either agree or point where I got it wrong.

Andy.

paulsherwin · 19th Aug 2015, 8:19 pm

See this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=55701

Okto1984 · 19th Aug 2015, 8:25 pm

For film caps (including high voltage ones), I've been buying various NOS ones on eBay. A couple of good sellers I've bought from multiple times are based in Poland (hfo_poland and kriss_elektronik), but the items arrive soon enough in the post. eBay in general can turn up specific caps I'm looking for and haven't found elsewhere - but at the cost of paying postage for one or two items in some cases. Still, at least I can obtain the exact item I want.

ex seismic · 19th Aug 2015, 9:03 pm

You might have a look at justradios.com. They do kits for valve radios and despite being in Canada were cost effective when I needed to build up a stock a year or so ago.

Gordon

allanwinks · 19th Aug 2015, 9:15 pm

Thanks to everybody who responded so very quickly.
I will follow up all the suggestions.

19th Aug 2015, 5:56 pm	#1
allanwinks Triode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Shetland, Northern Isles, UK. Posts: 10	Where to buy capacitors in the UK I am just getting into the restoration of valve equipment and was disappointed at the range of capacitors available on both the RS and Rapid web sites. So where do you guys get caps of 4-500 volts from? I would prefer to buy from one supplier to reduce postage costs, perhaps there is a business opportunity here for someone?

19th Aug 2015, 6:40 pm	#2
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,007	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK My prefered supplier is cpc.co.uk - get them in the right mood and there can be free postage on even very low-value orders.

19th Aug 2015, 6:55 pm	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,864	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK I prefer Farnell: they do a good selection of Vishay-Roederstein MKT1817 axial polyester caps. You can also get them from the BVWS if you're a member.

19th Aug 2015, 7:37 pm	#4
robin coleman Hexode Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 354	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK If you are a BVWS member, the BVWS shop has a good selection. Regards Robin

19th Aug 2015, 7:50 pm	#5
bikerhifinut Octode Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Penrith, Cumbria, UK Posts: 1,993	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK You will do a lot worse than using the BVWS stuff, They have most of the values you will ever need for a restoration on old valve radios and a lot of Audio kit. All proper stuff too. Join the BVWS and get a discount. It's worth remembering that the 630V DC rating of the BVWS plastic caps means they are perfectly fine to use at any Voltage below that rating so you don't need to buy a range of working Voltages. Similarly, the 500V rating of the electrolytics means they are perfectly good to use at any normal Valve HT below this level. Obviously for solid state stuff and gear working at voltages below 100V it's cheaper to get 100V or lower caps which are readily available. I hope the more experienced guys will either agree or point where I got it wrong. Andy.

19th Aug 2015, 8:19 pm	#6
paulsherwin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 27,968	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK See this thread: https://www.vintage-radio.net/forum/...ad.php?t=55701

19th Aug 2015, 8:25 pm	#7
Okto1984 Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Winchester, Hampshire, UK Posts: 288	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK For film caps (including high voltage ones), I've been buying various NOS ones on eBay. A couple of good sellers I've bought from multiple times are based in Poland (hfo_poland and kriss_elektronik), but the items arrive soon enough in the post. eBay in general can turn up specific caps I'm looking for and haven't found elsewhere - but at the cost of paying postage for one or two items in some cases. Still, at least I can obtain the exact item I want.

19th Aug 2015, 9:03 pm	#8
ex seismic Heptode Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Tonbridge, Kent, UK. Posts: 687	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK You might have a look at justradios.com. They do kits for valve radios and despite being in Canada were cost effective when I needed to build up a stock a year or so ago. Gordon

19th Aug 2015, 9:15 pm	#9
allanwinks Triode Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Shetland, Northern Isles, UK. Posts: 10	Re: Where to buy capacitors in the UK Thanks to everybody who responded so very quickly. I will follow up all the suggestions.