(This is what the driveway looks like from the street...)
(...and this is the actual storefront)
| Store Name: | Cascade Surplus Electronics, aka 'Da Lode' |
| Address: |
Portland, OR 97236 |
| Phone: | (503) 285-0832 |
| Hours: | 10:00 - 17:00 Thurs-Sat. |
| Web Site? | |
| Primary Line: | Electronic Components, passives, actives, electromechanical, hardware, fans, computer parts. |
| Secondary Line: | Test Equipment, some radio gear, subassemblies. |
| Pricing (Primary Line): | B |
| Pricing (Secondary Line): | B |
| Variety Grade: | C+ |
| Customer Service Grade: | A |
| Overall Grade: | B- |
(Last Review: 17-Aug-06)
Like R5-D3, Cascade has a rich and colorful history in the Oregon surplus scene. They go back 35 or so years, and their inventory reflects much of that time span. I've seen everything from vacuum tubes and 1960's-style resistors, capacitors, and electromechanicals on up to recent (within the last decade) computer hardware.
Now for the bad news: In terms of physical size, Cascade has shrunken dramatically in comparison with their former location, and there has been a sharp reduction of inventory as a result. The amount of test gear, for example, is practically zilch. They did have a few noteworthy bits of network gear while I was there, but the pricing for such seemed a bit high for what said gear was.
A brief note on finding the place: They're not easily visible from the street. The driveway and food store, shown in the top photo, is on the SOUTH side of Division, and their big sign is the most prominent feature. Be careful about how fast you approach and turn.
The Bottom Line: Cascade is still worth a stop, especially if you're repairing older gear. They still have a decent assortment of small components (IC's, resistors, caps, switches, relays, fans, etc.), and they're the only surplus place I've seen in Oregon besides R5-D3 that has vacuum tubes. However, they are a faint shadow of the huge store I remember from prior years. Temper your expectations accordingly.