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College Home Hardware
Category: Shopping Home & Garden Hardware Stores Hardware Stores [Edit]
306 College StToronto, ON M5T 1S3
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 922-1158
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
2 reviews for College Home Hardware
2 reviews in English
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Review from Randy G.
Toronto, ON
4/7/2009 2 Check-ins Here
In the beginning, there was... well, I'm not sure. Hopefully a set of instructions or something, or the universe is likely to fall apart like an Ikea bookcase put together without tools. This is not at all relevant, so let's just hit fast-forward on the great VCR of the Universe.
Going forward a few billion years (with the requisite "You're looking at now, now" moment), we arrive at the early 21st century, when Supremetronic and Active Surplus reigned, uh, supreme for electronics in the downtown area. Located in immensely sketchy buildings with a bar located conveniently in between, it was a one-stop shop for engineering students and generally geeky types.
Eventually Active moved next door and upstairs, and their old buildings were torn down. Then Supremetronic moved up to cohabitate with Honson Computers at College and Spadina, to make way for a hotel that still isn't built yet years later. One person from Supremetronic also broke out on his own, opening Creatron, a truly wonderful store (see my review). That was the way things were until recently, when the contents of Honson / Supremetronic moved into the Home Hardware across the street, making for the most ridiculous addition to a hardware store since Jimmy Hoffa was re-buried in the foundation of a Home Depot in Detroit*. This also bringing us up to current times.
I can't speak to the current state of the normal hardware store part of this store - I only really visited it once when that was its primary purpose, and it's been mostly taken over by the more gadgety stuff these days. As that's where my primary interests lie... let me tell you, it's a fun place. You'll find a wide assortment of component drawers containing various kinds of capacitors, resistors, ICs, switches, buttons, connectors, circuit boards... the main component drawer area has to be 20 feet long or so, at least six feet high, and double-sided. A lot of the stuff is of dubious age - some of them looked like pulls, others older than I am, but others looked brand new. As the old cartoon said, use caution when apprehending.
All of the components are well priced, though not necessarily in a logical or even proper place. There are a few kits, but less in the way of fun, new stuff like Creatron up the street. Aside from a very few PICs, I think the only microcontroller I found in there was a pre-programmed Arduino ATMEGA168, at a price that made me look three times to be sure. There's a much wider selection of batteries though, so if you're looking for that "miracle" $10 repair to a $100 cordless phone, check here. A surprisingly decent selection of gel cells are ideal for your (planned to be heavy) robot project.
There's some computer stuff too, but not much. Other highlights include a selection of multimeters and test equipment (glass case, near the counter; some used stuff on the far wall, past the connectors and cables), some cheap UHF antennas for over-the-air HDTV reception (better picture quality than Satellite OR Cable, for no money), and a bunch of high-brightness LEDs and flashlights (behind or near the counter). The sales staff are friendly and usually remember me, which is nice (buying crazy quantities of stuff helps), and any that offer to help you on the Electronics side are usually pretty knowledgeable. A solid place to go overall, but could definitely do with a more up-to-date kit and part selection.
* - I may have said too much...Listed in: Greater Tech Emporia of the…
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Review from Paul S.
Toronto, ON
8/6/2010 14 Check-ins Here
I always feel like I've walked in on a personal conversation when I walk in here. You get that "Shit, we have to work" glare. These old guys have been working here since at least the early 90's when I first shopped here. If you happen to see something in their flyer or online at http://homehardware.ca, you'd best call to see if they have stock or not. I was also told that "not all Home Hardwares are the same" by one old dude, when asking about a fan in their flyer. What are you telling me? That you're an independent store? Hey, that's fine & all the power to ya. I simply asked a question. Please resume your conversation about whether it's going to rain or not. See ya.
