Learning the names of hardware pieces

[Eithman]

Hi guys. Often times when thinking of a design for a robot, I can think of a piece of hardware that I need, but usually I do not know the name of the piece. Thus I can't search and find it. In your experience, have any of you found a good database of pieces and names that could help me become familiar with hardware? I am learning them from time to time when I see them on a website or on tv shows, but a database of them would really help.

[newInRobotics]

Why not to complete few basic electronics tutorials and familiarize with components that way?

[Eithman]

I am familiar with those types of components(transistor, jumper, resistor, etc). I am thinking more like rivets, ball bearings, screws, etc.

[vinito]

I think browsing a catalog might work well.
McMaster Carr, Grainger or MSC Industrial are all good sources for hardware and more.
They are all good sources, but for whatever reason McMaster Carr is my go-to place for hardware. Shipping is extremely fast and they carry an amazing array of stuff. Anyway, their online catalog is well-organized and have pictures for it all:
http://www.mcmaster.com

Their printed catalog is great and has a lot of explanations and various information that I don't think their online catalog has, but I'm not sure about that and it might be worth browsing for info as well as stuff. The bad news is that their printed catalog is hard to get as they don't just send it to anyone. But Grainger and MSC catalogs will be sent to you for the asking. The MSC book is just huge.
http://www1.mscdirect.com/content/specials/catalogshome.html?cm_re=tpnv-_-order-_-cathm