setting up a beginner lab - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: JustAnotherGuy999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2016, 11:43:08 pm
content: what are the best equipements i can get with the least prices (performance/$)(i know there are other threads on the subjet, but you know, the market changes frequently)

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 12:55:35 am
content: HiYour local market is unlikely to be quite the same as my local market. Here, high quality used gear is often your best bet for basic stuff.What you need:ComputerPower supply(s)DVM(s)maybe a ScopePast that it depends enormously on what you are planning to do. An RF bench is different than an audio bench. A digital project setup is different than an analog project setup. 3D printers or robots each have their own "stuff" that you need / want.What are you thinking about working on?Bob

author: JustAnotherGuy999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:03:37 am
content: Im just a beginner, and i think i might need at least a scope and an arb generator

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:09:38 am
content: HiWell, the power supplies and DVM(s) have to come first. Without them, you are pretty much stuck. The scope of choice these days seems to be the Rigol 1054Z. Generators are a bit more difficult. The Siglent 2042X just came out and is getting some buzz. I would hold off on the generator unless you really know you need one. There are other pieces of gear that may turn out to be a better thing to put your money into. There are way to many twists and turns to be able to chart a single path for everybody.Bob

author: JustAnotherGuy999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:14:10 am
content: u mean a Programmable power supply? or just an adjustable transformer with 1.5 3 4.5 ... voltsI already have a multimeter

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:17:40 am
content: Quote from: JustAnotherGuy999 on February 27, 2016, 01:14:10 amHiYou need a couple of good DC power supplies that have both voltage and current readouts. They need to have good voltage regulation and some sort of adjustable current limiting. The ones I use show up at very low prices when companies dump a bunch of used ones. After the flood hits the market, prices go back up 10X.Bob

author: JustAnotherGuy999
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:20:37 am
content: thanks bob

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:24:12 am
content: HiJust for the record, the supplies I'm looking at are GW GPS-3030's. They are no better or worse than a few dozen others out there. They are on my bench simply because "the price was right" when I found them used. Both the Rigol scope and Siglent generator are also sitting here on the bench. I've been typing while the generator warms up (as in I just brought it in from the cold front porch in it's brand new box).Bob

author: Shadetreeprops
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:29:03 am
content: Quote from: JustAnotherGuy999 on February 26, 2016, 11:43:08 pmWell most of my stuff was given to me.1. Soldering Iron (given)2. Fly fish maker, or those holder with the dragon clips to hold small parts while you work.3. MULTIMETER!!! do not skimp here get a decent one not a 300-400 dollar one but something decent 50 or so bucks +4. Power supply variable or adjustable..if you cant afford one make one, real easy and several tutorials on how to do it.5. a scope if you got that kind of money..i sure do not and have no scope..but one day maybe6. A solder sucker, for desoldering parts, i find it works much better than the solder wick.7. if you are teaching yourself like i am..(ELECTRONICS ALL-IN-ONE for DUMMIES) this will make things very simplistic and makes good reference.8. Notebook, or engineering notebook 98 cents at a dollar store10. think of electricity like plumbing, to make yourself more comfortable, resistors are flow regulators <aka valves, pipes are wires, capacitors are water tanks, ETC ETC ETC but it will help you think..thats how i started.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 01:51:01 am
content: This might be helpfulhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/from-no-parts-to-decent-stockpile-best-approach/

author: Renegade
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 04:33:33 am
content: Quote from: Shadetreeprops on February 27, 2016, 01:29:03 amLike this?http://www.basspro.com/White-River-Fly-Shop-TwoTone-WREmerger-Fly-Tying-Bench/product/1301151640/Here's a page of equipment:http://www.mudhole.com/lure-making/fly-tying/fly-tying-tools?show=48Some of those tools? Which ones?Or did you mean a third hand like this:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9317Can you elucidate a bit on the fly fish maker? That's fine work, so I can see how repurposing that kind of equipment could help.

author: ade
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 04:49:00 am
content: Watch Dave's videos! Some of the models have changed but the basic ideas still hold:

author: MSO
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 05:25:00 am
content: I had a 'third-hand' that lasted maybe a month. It simply didn't earn its space on the bench.

author: meerweten
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:00:38 am
content: well, the things you need depends on the work you are going to do.My setup on the bottom.but besides that here is a list of need to have for all work:Atleast 1 decent multimetersome sort of adjustable PSUa soldering iron/station, depends on smd work or notComponents, lots of themif you go with trhough hole stuff a few breadboards and perf boards are verry usefull.Try to stay away from the chinees market as much as possible. i only get some components there like some resistors that don't realy neede to be that aaccurate.Recommandations:Multimeters like the uni-T are great for beginners, and good bang per buck if you get a UT61 ish thing. but there are others that have great (cheap) multimeters.http://uni-trend.com/UT61D.htmla beginners power supply can be as easy as just a 12V power brick from some sort of gear you already have around. if you go digital a cheap converter circuit could do the job just fine.for an adjustable supply you could try to make one yourself. there are a lot of good schematics out there. i you would buy one, take one with a dual display that has both voltage and curent limiting, your components will love you for that :pMy setup:Main multimeter: UT-61D (70€)2nd: UT136B (16$ on ebay)3th: UT136D(16$ on ebay)Spare(first one i got): Velleman DVM870 (20€ local store)some sort of soldering iron/stationA breadboard (actualy 6 of them)Home made PSUDS1052E Digital OscilloscopeAnalog scope (PM3055)Home made 'signal gen',not all that accurate i do sayLots of componentsand ofc some home made development boards (smd)

author: MrSlack
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 11:49:16 am
content: Don't forget test leads! Killer purchase for me was a few Pomona 4mm stackable banana plugs to minigrabber leads. I use them instead of DMM probes and for power supplies etc. Has saved me hours of awkwardly poking at things with two hands.+1 for the UT-61 series. I've got a UT-61E and I rather like it.

author: meerweten
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 07:03:51 pm
content: Quote from: MrSlack on February 27, 2016, 11:49:16 amo jhe forgot about that, and also a bunch of solid core wire that fits into your breadboards :pthe ut61 series is a nice multimeter for its price, tought i would love to get my hands on a fluke :p

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 27, 2016, 10:44:38 pm
content: HiOk, you can get stuff nice and quick that is brand new. That's very satisfying and warranties can come in handy (maybe). I would not recommend equipping a bench exclusively with new gear unless money is not an issue. Auction site used gear at 2% of it's original price is still a deal after you pay as much to ship it (or more) than you just bought it for.Bob