★ PROJECT HEXAPOD ★ INTERNAL
Shop — DIY Electronics.
SUPPLIER LIST · CAPE TOWN · ONLINE NATIONWIDE
01 · What this list is
DIY Electronics (diyelectronics.co.za) is Cape Town-based but ships nationwide in 2–4 days. Strong catalogue on servo drivers, development boards, and 3D-printing accessories.
Sections below: primary (we chose DIY Electronics for this item by default), fallback (buy here only if the first-choice supplier is out of stock), and bench kit (consumables / tools you might also pick up in the same order).
Prices are approximate April 2026 rand, VAT included. Confirm at checkout.
02 · Summary
Primary lines (buy here by default)
1 items · R120
Fallback lines (only if primary supplier is out)
5 items
Bench kit (optional tools)
3 items · R580
BOM items from DIY Electronics already checked off: 0 / 1
03 · Primary · always buy here
PRIMARYM3 heat-set threaded inserts (brass, ~50 pack)
qty 1 · approx R120 each · line R120
Search:
heat set insert M3Counter ask:'M3 brass heat-set threaded inserts for plastic / 3D prints, 5 mm OD, 5 mm deep.'
Note:Required if using Nachum Twersky STLs. Strongly recommended for Antdroid mount points that see repeat screw-in/out. You'll need a chisel-tip soldering iron to install them (~250 °C).
R120
04 · Fallbacks · only if primary supplier is out
▲Check primary supplier first
DIY Electronics stocks PCA9685, MG996R servos, and the ESP32-CAM programmer. These are listed as fallbacks because the primary suppliers (Micro Robotics, PiShop) are usually cheaper or have faster shipping to Jo'burg. Only order these lines from DIY Electronics if the primary source is out on shopping day.
●Buck converter — read first
The 300 W 20 A buck converter MUST be the dual-MOSFET design. If DIY Electronics only has single-chip XL4016 modules, do NOT substitute — they are genuinely 5 A / 200 W despite the labels. See docs/11_PRIOR_ERRORS.md. Wait for stock or order from Micro Robotics.
FALLBACKPCA9685 16-channel 12-bit PWM driver
qty 2 · approx R140 each · line R280
Counter ask:'PCA9685 16-channel 12-bit I²C PWM servo driver module. Two units.'
Note:Micro Robotics is primary. DIY Electronics is the listed fallback and typically has stock. Confirm price at checkout.
R280
FALLBACKMG996R metal-gear servo (bulk)
qty 18 · approx R125 each · line R2 250
Search:
MG996R servoCounter ask:'MG996R metal-gear high-torque servo. 18 + 2 spares. Bulk pricing?'
Note:Fallback to PiShop / Communica. DIY Electronics sometimes has them at R115–R130 each. Ask about bulk pricing above qty 10.
R2 250
FALLBACKESP32-CAM MB micro-USB programmer shield
qty 1 · approx R90 each · line R90
Search:
ESP32-CAM MB programmerCounter ask:'ESP32-CAM MB shield — the micro-USB programmer board for AI-Thinker ESP32-CAM.'
Note:Primary is PiShop. DIY Electronics occasionally stocks this too. Phase 3+ item — no rush.
R90
FALLBACK300 W 20 A buck converter (dual-MOSFET)
qty 1 · approx R160 each · line R160
Search:
300W 20A buck converterCounter ask:'300 W, 20 A step-down buck converter. TWO MOSFETs visible. NOT an XL4016.'
Note:Read 11_PRIOR_ERRORS before substituting. If the module has one chip (XL4016), REFUSE IT — it is genuinely 5 A, not 20 A, despite ratings plates. Primary source is Micro Robotics.
R160
FALLBACKM3 cap-head screw assortment (fallback to Communica)
qty 1 · approx R150 each · line R150
Search:
M3 screw assortmentCounter ask:'M3 stainless/zinc assortment, 6–25 mm, with washers.'
Note:Only if Communica is out. DIY Electronics has smaller selections but decent quality.
R150
05 · Bench kit · tools + extras
Optional bench-kit items you might add to the order to save shipping on a second run.
BENCH KITSoldering iron (temperature-controlled, if you don't own one)
qty 1 · approx R500 each · line R500
Search:
soldering iron temperature controlledCounter ask:'Temperature-controlled soldering station, at least 60 W, with chisel + fine conical tips.'
Note:Optional — Greg likely already has one. A non-temp-controlled iron will struggle with heat-set inserts and thick power wires.
R500
BENCH KITBreakaway male + female header strips
qty 2 · approx R20 each · line R40
Search:
header pins 40 pinCounter ask:'40-pin 2.54 mm male AND female breakaway header strips. Two of each.'
Note:Some PCA9685 boards ship without headers. Have spares on hand regardless.
R40
BENCH KITPrototype / perfboard (small)
qty 1 · approx R40 each · line R40
Search:
perfboard 5x7 prototypeCounter ask:'Prototyping perfboard, 5x7 cm or 7x9 cm, with tinned pads.'
Note:Useful for a clean battery-monitor divider and buzzer driver. One small board covers everything.
R40
06 · How to order
Online: diyelectronics.co.za, good category tree. The servo-driver section has direct links for the PCA9685.
Shipping: ~R100 nationwide, 2–4 working days to Jo'burg. Add everything you need in one order.
Support: email support is responsive; if something's out of stock, they'll often tell you when restock is expected.
07 · See also