The Great Big Exhibit Resource List

This list started as a way to keep track of "trusted sources" for museum exhibit development and fabrication, and to share it with colleagues. The List continues to grow, so if you have additions, corrections, or comments, send them to: paul@orselli.net

LOCAL SOURCES

1. Visit your local stores, and set up accounts; you may get contractor’s rates.

Check out plumbing and electrical and hardware and lumber and paint supply stores. Sometimes places like plumbing supply stores will let you behind the counters to look in their bins. Most stores are very supportive of local non-profit organizations, and enjoy the challenges of helping you when you are doing weird things in building exhibits.

2. Find out when it is quiet to get extra suggestions—not first thing in the morning when contractors are getting the parts they need for the day.

3. Never categorize or stereotype your stores—in exhibit fabrication you may well find what you need at strange, unexpected places. So visit, and see what is in stock at auto supply places (12 volt fans for your hand-powered generator, for instance) floor covering, fabric stores, office supply places, etc.

THE BIG THREE NATIONAL SOURCES

(If you don’t have these catalogs, get them! These suppliers have local branches throughout the country. Check the phone book or the website to locate your nearest outlet. Note: Addresses and telephone numbers often change! Use websites to confirm contact information.)

McMaster-Carr: www.mcmaster.com 3500 pages of hardware, plumbing (including clear PVC pipe and fittings), electrical, materials (metal, plastics, etc. delivered the next day usually. AMAZING collection.

Grainger: www.grainger.com/
MSC: www.mscdirect.com

ASSISTIVE DEVICES

Enabling Devices: http://www.enablingdevices.com
385 Warburton Avenue
Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706
(800) 832-8697

Flaghouse: www.flaghouse.com
601 FlagHouse Drive
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604
(800) 793-7900

Maxi-Aids: www.maxiaids.com
42 Executive Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(800) 522-6294

Sammons Preston: www.sammonspreston.com
4 Sammons Court
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
(630) 226-1300 Fax: 630-226-1389

Special Needs Toys: http://www.specialneedstoys.com/usa/index.asp
4537 Gibsonia Road
Gibsonia, PA15044
(800) 467-6222

BOOK BINDING

Perma-Bound: http://www.perma-bound.com/PermaBound
617 E.Vandalia Road,
Jacksonville, Illinois 62650
(800) 637-6581

San Val Incorporated: http://www.sanval.com/
895 Frisco Street
Steelville, MO 65565
(800) 325-4465

CHEMICALS AND LAB EQUIPMENT

Cole-Palmer: www.coleparmer.com
625 East Bunker Court
Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061
(800) 323-4340

Fisher: www.fisherscientific.com
Liberty Lane
Hampton, NH 03842
(603) 926-5911 Fax: (603) 929-2379

Flinn Scientific: www.flinnsci.com
P.O. Box 219
Batavia, IL 60510
(800) 452-1261 Fax: (866) 452-1436

Lab Safety Supply: www.labsafety.com    Materials handling, safety,
55 gal drums, storage units, etc.

Sargent-Welch: http://www.sargentwelch.com/
P.O. Box 5229
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
(800) 727-4368 Fax: (800) 676-2540

Sigma-Aldrich: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com    Unusual chemicals.

DIGITAL AUDIO AND VIDEO PLAYBACK DEVICES

Eletech Electronics: http://www.eletech.com
16025 Kaplan Avenue
City of Industry, CA 91744
(626)333-6394

Medeawiz: http://www.medeawiz.com/e-catalog/index.htm
933 Canada Ct.
City of Industry, CA 91748
(626) 839-1488

DIGITAL IMAGES

Corbis: www.Corbis.com
Foto Search Stock Photography: www.fotosearch.com
21155 Watertown Road
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 717-0740 (800)827-3920

Getty Images: www.Gettyimages.com

Stockphoto.com: http://istockphoto.com/index.php

Shutterstock: http://www.shutterstock.com/

LuckyOliver: http://www.luckyoliver.com/

>> back to top

EDUCATIONAL /CLASSROOM SUPPLIERS

(Visit your local schools- they have lots of catalogs!)
Acorn Naturalists: http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/
Good source of animal footprints and casts, plus lots of other biology and botany stuff.

Childcraft: www.childcrafteducation.com
P.O. Box 3239
Lancaster, PA 17604
(800) 631-5652

Creative Health Products: www.chponline.com   Weight scales, other health products.
5148 Saddle Ridge Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
(800) 742-4478

Creative Publications: http://www.wrightgroup.com/index.php/

Discount School Supply http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/

Educational Innovations: www.teachersource.com
362 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 229-0730 Fax: (203) 229-0740

Edmund Scientific: www.edsci.com   Magnets, polarizing sheet, all kinds of science stuff.

Edmund Industrial Optics: www.edmundoptics.com   lenses, optical parts.

ETA/Cuisenaire: www.etacuisenaire.com   Math manipulatives, posters.
500 Greenview Court
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
(800) 875-9643

Health Edco: www.healthedco.com

Lakeshore: www.lakeshorelearning.com   Early childhood materials.

TC Timber: http://www.haba.de/T_C_Timber.903.0.html

Woodworks Ltd. http://www.craftparts.com
4521 Anderson Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76117
(817) 581-5230

ELECTRONICS

Allied: www.alliedelec.com
7410 Pebble Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76118

Anatek: www.anatekcorp.com   Video and TV related electronics.
P.O. Box 1200
100 Merrimack Road
Amherst, NH 03031
(603)673-4342 Fax: (603)314-0350

Digi-key: www.digikey.com
River Falls, MN 56

Happ Controls: www.happcontrols.com    Pushbuttons, pinball accessories, etc.
106 Garlisch Drive
Elk Grove, IL 60007
(888) BUY-HAPP

Hosfelt Electronics: http://www.hosfelt.com
2700 Sunset Blvd.
Steubenville, OH 43952
(888) 264-6464 Fax: (800) 524-5414

Jameco: www.jameco.com
1355 Shoreway Road
Belmont, CA 94002
(800) 831-4242

Mouser: www.mouser.com
1000 North Main Street
Mansfield, Texas 76063
(800) 346-6873

Newark: www.newark.com
4801 N. Ravenswood
Chicago, IL 60640-4496
(773) 784-5100 Fax: (888) 551-4801

Markertek: http://www.markertek.com   Cameras, cables, tools, audio equipment.
Great source for video production equipment and unusual stuff.
812 Kings Highway PO Box 397
Saugerties, New York 12477
(800) 522-2025 Fax: (845)246-1757

Radio Shack: www.radioshack.com

Ramsey Electronics: http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/
Good source of electronics kits that can be turned into exhibits.
590 Fishers Station Dr.
Victor, NY 14564
(800) 446-2295 Fax: (585)924-4886

Solid State Advanced Controls: http://www.ssac.com/
Sometimes the only source for hard-to find electronic timers and other modules that do switching, current measuring, etc. generally for 120VAC circuits.

String Pots: http://www.stringpot.com/
String Potentiometers = Potentiometer + Spring-Loaded Pulley.

Supercircuits: http://207.207.29.130/store/home.asp   Video and security equipment.
One Supercircuits Plaza
Liberty Hill, Texas 78642

Tapeswitch: http://www.tapeswitch.com/

100 Schmitt Boulevard
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(631) 630-0442

FAKE FOODS

Barnard, Ltd: www.themedecor.com   Decorations, displays, and props.
375 W. Erie
Chicago, IL 60610
(888) 5-THEMES
Fax (312) 475-0215

Fake-Foods.com: www.fake-foods.com
204 North El Camino Real, #432
Encinitas, CA 92024

Hubert: www.hubert.com Display supplies.

Incredible Inedibles: www.incredibleinedibles.net

Iwasaki Images: www.iwasaki-images.com
630 Maple Ave.
Torrance, CA 90503
(800) 323-9921 Fax: (310) 618-0876

Forbex: www.forbex.com   Fake grass.

Real Faux Foods: http://www.realfauxfoods.com/

(Childcraft also sells inexpensive collections of fake foods.)

FIBERGLASS AND MOLDMAKING

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty: http://www.aircraft-spruce.com/

Fiberglass supplies, Kevlar, aviation instruments, the entire world of aviation

fasteners.
1-877-4-SPRUCE

Fiberglass Coatings: http://www.fgci.com/ (in St. Petersburg, FL) a great source for
fiberglassing supplies, casting resins, and knowledge.
3201 28th Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(727) 327-8117 Fax: (727) 327-6691

Fibre Glast: http://www.fibreglast.com/
95 Mosier Pkwy Brookville, OH 45309
800-330-6368 Fax: 937-833-6555

Polytek: http://www.polytek.com/   Rubber moldmaking supplies, casting materials.

FLOORING

Gerbert Limited: http://www.gerbertltd.com/   Recycled flooring materials.
715 Fountain Ave.
P.O. Box 4944
Lancaster, PA 17604-4944
(800) 828-9461

Lees Carpets: http://www.leescarpets.com/site/index.asp

Many sustainable flooring choices. NeoFloor is especially good for children’s areas.
500 TownPark Lane
Suite #400
Kennesaw, GA 30144
(800) 523-5647

Pirelli Flooring: http://www.artigo.com/   Interesting flooring products.

FRAMING AND MOUNTING MATERIALS

Get Smart Products: www.pfile.com
Super cheap frames!

IKEA: www.ikea.com
It’s hard to find more attractive and inexpensive frames than those from IKEA.

Light Impressions: www.lightimpressionsdirect.com
P.O. Box 787
Brea, CA 92822
(800) 828-6216

Pictureframes.com: http://www.pictureframes.com/
2103 Brentwood Street
High Point, NC 27263
(800) 332-8884

FURNITURE

ATD-AMERICAN: www.atd.com
135 Greenwood Ave.
Wyncote, PA 19095
(215) 576-1000

Gaylord library supplies: http://www.gaylord.com/
Kid-sized furniture.
(800) 448-6160

Highland Park: http://www.highlandparkfurniture.com/ip.asp
505 Laurel Avenue, Suite 102
Highland Park, IL 60035
(866) HPFurniture (473-8764)

Mockett: http://www.mockett.com/default.asp?ID=2
Hardware, pulls, wire grommets.

Worthington Direct: http://www.worthingtondirect.com/
6301 Gaston Ave., Suite 670
Dallas, TX 75214
(800) 599-6636 Fax: (800) 943-6687

GEARS, CLUTCHES, SHAFTS

Atlanta Belting: http://www.atlbelt.com/    Conveyor belt-- smooth, textured.
Boston Gear: www.bostongear.com
14 Hayward Street
Quincy, MA 02171
(888) 999-9860 Fax: (800)752-4327

Emerson/Morse/Browning: www.emerson-ept.com
WM Berg: www.wmberg.com
499 Ocean Avenue
East Rockaway, NY 11518(800)232-BERG Fax: (800) 455-BERG

GLOW-IN-THE-DARK STUFF

ABET Laminati: http://www.abet-laminati.it/ Lumiphos laminate material.

Educational Innovations: www.teachersource.com    Check out their glow-in-the-dark pigments.
362 Main Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851
(203) 229-0730 Fax: (203) 229-0740

Flinn Scientific: www.flinnsci.com   Small sheets and paint.
P.O. Box 219
Batavia, IL 60510
(800) 452-1261 Fax: (866) 452-1436

Glow Inc: http://glowinc.com/

Hanovia: http://www.hanovia-uv.com/
825 Lehigh Avenue
Union, NJ 07083
(800) 229-3666

Shannon Luminous Materials: www.blacklite.com
304 A North Townsend
Santa Ana, CA 92703
(800) 543-4485

GRAVITY WELLS

Divnik International: www.SpiralWishingWells.com
321 Alexandersville Road
Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
(937) 384-0003

GREEN BUILDING AND MATERIALS

Build it Green: http://builditgreen.org/

Environmental Home Store: http://www.environmentalhomestore.com
The Environmental Home Store
550 Carpenter Lane at Greene Street
Philadelphia, PA 19119
(215) 844-GREEN

Green Exhibits: http://www.greenexhibits.org
Center for Neighborhood Technology, Green building resources:
http://building.cnt.org/resources/

Yemm & Hart www.yemmhart.com Recycled building materials.
1417 Madison
Marquand, MO 63655
(573) 783-5434 FAX (573) 783-7544

HARDWARE AND TOOLS

2SQ: http://www.2sq.com/   Huge bits, tools, supplies.

Ballew Tool and Saw: http://www.ballewtools.com/   Sharpens saw blades, sells blades and bits.
325 S. Kimbrough
Springfield, MO 65806
(800) 288-7483

Carbide.com: http://www.carbide.com/   Router bits, etc.

Cherry Tree: www.cherrytree-online.com   Wood balls, parts.
408 S Jefferson Street
Belmont, OH 43718
(800) 848-4363

Enco Tools: www.use-enco.com   Tools, general selection & large tools.

Fastenal: http://www.fastenal.com/   Industrial and construction supplies.

2001 Theurer Blvd.
Winona, Minnesota 55987
(507) 454-5374 Fax: (507) 453-8049

FastCap: http://www.fastcap.com/   Check out "speed tape".

Grizzly: http://www.grizzly.com/   Large and small tools, bits, supplies, wood samples.

Hafele: www.hafeleonline.com
Huge assortment of hardware for furniture making.

Harbor Freight: www.harborfreight.com
Inexpensive tools ,variable quality on some brands.

JC Whitney: www.jcwhitney.com Automotive supplies.

Klingspor: http://www.klingspor.com/

Woodworking: sandpaper in bulk (belts, drums, disks, sheets.)

Lee Valley: www.leevalley.com   Woodworking tools, also cheap source for small neodymium magnets.
P.O. Box 1780
Ogdensburg, NY 13669
(800) 871-8158

Lehman’s: http://www.lehmans.com/   Old time tools, blacksmithing supplies.
One Lehman Circle
P.O. Box 321
Kidron, OH 44636
(888) 438-5346

Northern Tools: www.NorthernTool.com
2800 Southcross Drive West
Burnsville, Minnesota 55306
(800) 221-0516 Fax: (952) 882-6927

Roberts Plywood: www.getwood.com   Curved plywood, large wooden tubes.

Small Parts Inc: http://www.smallparts.com/   Bearings, hardware, small tools.
13980 N.W. 58th Court
P.O. Box 4650
Miami Lakes, FL 33014
(800) 220-4242

Southco: www.southco.com   Latches, cabinet hardware.

Tool Parts Direct: www.toolpartsdirect.com    Parts for tools- with diagrams for identifying the part!
6620 F Street
Omaha, NE 68117
(866) 597-3850

West Marine: http://www.westmarine.com/   Marine supplies.

Woodcraft: www.woodcraft.com   Tools and supplies.
(800) 535-4482

Woodworker's Supply: http://woodworker.com/

LIGHTING AND LIGHTS

Bulbs.com: http://www.bulbs.com/
40 Jackson Street
Worcester, MA 01608
(888) 455-2800

Bulbman: www.bulbman.com

Interlight: http://www.interlight.biz/
7939 New Jersey Avenue
Hammond, IN 46323
(800) 743-0005

Topbulb: http://www.topbulb.com/
5204 Indianapolis Boulevard
East Chicago, IN 46312
(866) TOP-BULB

UV SYSTEMS: http://www.uvsystems.com/   A great source for UV lighting and components.
16605 127th Avenue SE
Renton, WA 98058-5549

(425)228-9988

MAGNETS

Adams Magnetic: http://www.adamsmagnetic.com/

Dowling-Miner: http://www.dowlingmagnets.com/

Kling Magnetics: www.kling.com Magnetic Paint.
343 Rt. 295 - PO Box 348
Chatham, NY 12037
(518) 392-4000 Fax: (518) 392-8191

Force Field: www.wondermagnet.com
2606 West Vine Dr.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
(877) 944-6247

METALS

McNichols: http://www.mcnichols.com/   Perforated sheet metal, steel grating.
5505 West Gray Street
Tampa, FL 33609-1007
(813) 282-3828 x 2100 Fax: (813) 287-1066

Murphy-Nolan: www.murphynolan.com

Nolan Supply: http://www.nolansupply.com/
111-115 Leo Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13206
(877) 529-6846

MISCELLANEOUS

Archie McPhee / Accoutrements: http://www.mcphee.com/   Wacky products!
2428 NW Market Street
Seattle, WA 98107
(206) 297-0240

Displays 2 Go:   Small sign holders, stands, displays.
55 Broad Common Road
Bristol, RI 02809
(800) 572-2194

Ecospheres: www.eco-sphere.com   Self-contained ecosystem spheres.
4421 N. Romero Rd
Tucson, Arizona 85705
(800) 729-9870

Fake Earth: http://www.polypavement.com

Freund Cans: www.freundcontainer.com   Containers of all sorts.
11535 S. Central Avenue
Alsip, IL 60803
(800)363-9822

Hobby People: http://www.hobbypeople.net   Small motors, controllers for models.

Hobby-Lobby International: http://www.hobby-lobby.com
5614 Franklin Pike Cr.
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 373-1444 Fax: (615) 377-6948

GestureTek (formerly Vivid Group): http://www.gesturetek.com/
Virtual reality games and supplies.

JML Direct Optics: www.jmloptical.com   Parabolic mirrors.
76 Fernwood Ave.
Rochester, NY 14621
(585) 342-8900 Fax: (585) 342-6125

Large Plastic Gears with Magnetic Bases:
John Bowditch c/o Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
220 E. Ann St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 995.5439
jbowditch@aahom.org

Library of Congress: American Environmental Photographshttp://memory.loc.gov/ammem/award97/icuhtml/

Light Stick Art: http://www.subliminaryartworks.com/
Bill Bell
139 Davis Ave
Brookline MA 02445
(617) 277-4719
billbell@subliminaryartworks.com

M. Jacobs & Sons: http://www.mjacobandsons.com/   All sorts of bottles and jars.
31700 Middlebelt Rd., Suite 165
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
(248) 737-9440

Oriental Trading Company: www.orientaltrading.com   Cheap multiples. Craft and party items.

Rheoscopic Fluid: http://www.kalliroscope.com/

Rhode Island Novelty: www.rinovelty.com
19 Industrial Lane
Johnston, RI 02919
(800) 528-5599

Sand & Solutions: http://waupacasand.com/rubber_mulch_products.htm
Rubber mulch. (For clean “sandboxes” and playgrounds.)
(715) 258-8566

Scent Machines: http://www.scentair.com/index_flash.html

Stella Color: www.stellacolor.com   Images on carpet; interesting mural wallpaper.

Strapworks: http://www.strapworks.com/
All kinds of webbing, strapping ropes, etc.
3170 Elmira Rd.
Eugene, OR 97402
(541) 741-0658

Toysmith: www.toysmith.com

Ultrasonic Mistmakers: www.mainlandmart.com/foggers.html

MainlandMart.com
2535 Durfee Ave.
El Monte, CA 91732
(626) 258-2928

PLASTICS

AIN Plastics: www.tincna.com
22355 West 11 Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48034 - 4735
(248) 233-5600 Fax: (248) 233-5699

Curbell Plastic: www.curbell.com
7 Cobham Drive
Orchard Park, NY 14127
(716) 667-3377

Outwater Plastics: www.outwater.com
Weird architectural stuff, tee molding in all sizes and shapes and colors, etc.
4 Passaic Street, Wood-Ridge, N.J. 07075
1-888-OUTWATER (688-9283) FAX: 1-800-888-3315

United States Plastic: http://www.usplastic.com/
Lots of plumbing parts, tubing.
1390 Neubrecht Rd.
Lima, Ohio 45801-3196
1-800-809-4217 Fax 1-800-854-5498

SAFETY RESOURCES AND MATERIALS

MSDS on line: http://www.msdssearch.com/
Arts, Crafts & Theater Safety: http://www.artscraftstheatersafety.org/

SCIENCE MATERIALS SUPPLIERS

Acorn Naturalists: http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/
Good source of animal footprints and casts, plus lots of other biology and botany stuff.

American 3B Scientific: http://www.a3bs.com/
2189 Flintstone Drive, Unit O
Tucker, GA 30084
(770) 492-9111

Arbor Scientific: http://www.arborsci.com/
PO Box 2750
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
(800) 367-6695 Fax: (734) 477-9373

C&A Scientific: http://www.cnascientific.com/
7241 Gabe Court
Manassas, VA 20109
(703) 330-1413 Fax: 703-330-7510

Carolina Biological: www.carolina.com    Microscope slides, fruit flies and
other critters, lots more.

Copernicus Toys: http://www.copernicustoys.com/
1012 C Druid Ave
Charlottesville VA 22902
(800) 424-3950

Kelvin Scientific: www.kelvin.com/
280 Adams Blvd.
Farmingdale, NY 11735
(800) 535-8469

NASCO: www.nascofa.com/   A site for multiple supply catalogs.

PASCO: www.pasco.com   Excellent physics supplies.

10101 Foothills Blvd.
Roseville, CA 95747
(800) 772-8700

Pitsco: www.pitsco.com   Kits, meters, etc.
915 E. Jefferson
P.O. Box 1708
Pittsburg, KS 66762
(800) 835-0686

Science Kit & Boreal Laboratories: www.sciencekit.com

SEIDAM: http://www.seidam.com/
Kelvin Building
University of Glasgow
University Avenue
Glasgow, SCOTLAND
G12 8QQ
+44 (0)141 330 2047

Steve Spangler Science: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/
4400 South Federal Blvd
Englewood, CO 80110
(800) 223-9080

Ward’s Natural Science: www.wardsci.com
PO Box 92912
Rochester, NY 14692
(800) 962-2660

SCROLLING IMAGE SIGNS AND LIGHTBOXES

Bowman Displays: http://www.bowmandisplays.com/
648 Progress Avenue
Munster, IN 46321
(800) 922-9250

Dick Blick: http://www.dickblick.com/
P.O. Box 1267
Galesburg, IL 61402
(800) 828-4548

Warwick Products Company: http://www.warwickproducts.com/displays.htm   Store fixtures, displays.

SURPLUS SUPPLIERS

American Science and Surplus: www.sciplus.com   Weird collection of small parts.
P.O. Box 1030
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 647-0011

Herbach and Rademan: www.herbach.com   Cheap motors, blowers, power supplies etc.
353 Crider Avenue
Moorestown, NJ 08057
(800) 848-8001

Retail Closeout Mall: http://www.retailcloseoutmall.com/
11632 Frankstown Road #310
Pittsburgh, PA 15235
(412)734-5849

Surplus Shed: http://www.surplusshed.com/
1050 Maidencreek Road
Fleetwood, PA 19522
(877) 7-SURPLUS

THEATRICAL SUPPLIES/FABRICS

Ahh.biz: http://www.ahh.biz/index.htm   Specialized Textile Outfitters.
American Home & Habitat
Route 4, Box 86
Squires, MO 65755
(417) 683-1838

Dazian Fabrics: www.dazian.com/   Theatrical and Outdoor Fabrics
Pro Sound & Stage Lighting: http://www.pssl.com Audio, video, party lights.
11070 Valley View Street
Cypress, CA. 90630
1-800-268-5520

Rosco: www.rosco.com   Specialized lighting fixtures and gels (colored mylar sheets), hardware.

Rose Brand: http://www.rosebrand.com/ Theatrical Supplies

Sam Ash: http://www.samash.com/home/   Musical Instruments, Sound equipment.
(800) 4-SAMASH

Seattle Fabrics: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/   Theatrical and Outdoor Fabrics
Seattle, WA. 98103
(206) 525-0670 Fax (206) 525-0779