Murphy’s Electronic & Industrial Surplus Warehouse

This is the place for electronic junk plus nuts, bolts and wire
Allen was very helpful
I could get lost for days at a time just looking and wondering what or how I could use this good junk
Someone posted the store was dark inside
Sorry I did not think so
I’ll be back

This place is great, unfortunately there are no longer many stores like this place that specialize in used industrial electronics. I get lost digging through power supplies and old vacuum tubes. They also have a good supply of cases and some non electronics gear. As a nerd /​hacker /​tinkerer I can spend hours on this place. Definitely stop by if you are in the area.

They are still in business as of June 2014. (There was an earlier review that incorrectly confused Murphy’s with the closed California Surplus next door.)
The place is what it is. and probably has the same stuff since you’ve been there last. That can be a good or bad thing — they don’t seem to have much influx of new things to browse around for parts or inspiration.
The bolt & nut collection continues to grow, and is now three aisles or so. Small screws to large bolts, nuts, washers, spacers, heatshrink, wire. They don’t have all the sizes, but what they have is cheap in bulk. If your needs measure into the pounds, it’s worth a look through the bins.
It seemed like they had more radio equipment and parts years ago. Now it’s pretty picked clean, more old, and there are more screws and nuts. Much of that comms gear is long past its useful second life as surplus and more into the museum status.
The place is large, and a bit dark, so go when the sun is bright.

Over the past few years I have purchased machine tooling, nuts, bolts, washers, nylon fittings, aircraft rated fasteners, electronic connectors, electronic components, optics, gears, motors (DC & AC. .. single and three phase). medical equipment, aircraft instruments, optical stuff (camera lenses, x-​ray focusing lenses, overhead projector lenses), wire, Delron, scrap alu., light fixtures, and sperciality widgets that I don’t even know the the names of.
I didn’t given them 5 stars because they don’t know the names of the stuff either. And you are prettly well left to yourself to find items. They may point you in the general direction, but will not get much more.
They will dicker on pricing. .. especially if volume is involved.
I have on a few occasions purchased items that immediately broke. They have always been willing to replace the item or provide a credit. They are honest and fair to deal with, and will treat you well with respect.

I like this place a lot, even though — or perhaps because — it’s dark and cluttered with mostly unrecognizable dusty old electronic and mechanical gear. I’ve found some good old Pelican cases, some Nixie stuff, various and sundry other doodads.
Some of the prices appear to be somewhat flexible, especially if you know what the thing is and/​or you’re buying more than one.

As good as it gets. If they don’t have it, you don’t need it (well, almost).
If you haven’t been here at least once, you are in for a treat.
Deals abound — especially if you know what you are looking for.

(Rob probably thinks I’m following him– LOL!)
Give Murphy’s four only because they are 20 miles away from me and it’s a bit more work (as opposed to indusrtrial liquidators) bagging your own hardware here. However if you are buying bulk it may make it cheaper, so… As in industrial liquidators if you are a creative project type this is one of the half dozen «gotta know about these guys» places in town. Hardware, fans, gauges, hydraulic and pneumatic stuff, though their main deal is military, especially comm stuff. Do the world a favor and don’t stop once a minute and yell at the guy in front «what the heck is this for…» when you didn’t want to buy it in the first place! Yeah they are friendly and courteous but the stuff is so cheap they practically give it away– if you don’t know what it is you almost certainly do not need it! During winter get there early, after 3 – 4 oclock you can’t see for **** in that big dark building. Worth the trip from ANYwhere as California electronic wholesale is a block away, and if you don’t see what you came for scramble across the street to the Hostess Bakery Outlet for some comfort food, and on your way out of El Cajon hit up Pat’s Tools. I always do Murphy’s FIRST however as he will be the best deal.

Huge stock, mostly military surplus communications gear. It’s all pretty specialized, so if you’re into that kind of thing it’s probably heaven. I need to get my brother in law (an ex-​Navy ham operator) there sometime. But their stuff is mostly too expensive and esoteric to strip down for parts, so there’s not much there to interest the general tinkerer.