Absolute beginer kit... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 09:42:07 am
content: Hello,Dave did a starter kit video:That's great, but I don't know many students that can afford 1550$...Or hobbyists that can get 1550$ past the "significant" other stumbling block.I would be great to have a list of stuff you positively are going to need to start out, but limited to 250€/250$ Aus.It's really hard to but the proper tools when so many vendors circle the "new guys" like vultures...All they want to do is flog you an el crapo WangHungLow shit for 5/10 times its "worth" that will be a molten mess in a landfill within a year .The idea would be to get low end starter kit, but good stuff that will serve you for years:I've started doing this for myself and got to this point:- 1 low price RMS multimeter (UT61B+ etc). 70€- 1 cheap multimeter (UT136B etc) because you always need to measure 2 things - 30€- 1 Basic but good welding station 60€- 1 antistatic mat/bracelet 40€- Bit and bobs (bread boards, solder, solder wick etc) 50€.Then "make" the rest of the basics with projects/kits, that whatever your future interests, should be done - and equip your lab:- 1 to 10 mOhm resistor.- Bench power supply- etc.Hell, if Dave did "Dave's approved EEVblog student starter kit", I quit the soul-searching, and buy that!G.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 12:18:13 pm
content: Sounds like all you need are some parts, and you're ready to start building projects.Even modest quality is getting expensive generally speaking IMHO, so I find the best bargains tend to be in the used market. Not exclusively of course, but most. NOS is also attractive if it's not overpriced. Brymen and Rigol are particularly attractive to the hobbyist community for new gear by a lot of members' standards.YMMV with kits. DIY is attractive, particularly if you can scavenge things like enclosures, heat sinks, and transformers (where the costs tend to be).

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 04:53:46 pm
content: As far as scopes are concerned, I will do my "poor puppy tear filled eyes" routine until I can score an old analog for 50€ or less. As a student I can't afford more right now.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 05:03:44 pm
content: Quote from: gildasd on June 18, 2014, 04:53:46 pmI would save the 70€ of the first multimeter for this purpose or a power supply. You can go long way with a single 30€ multimeter.

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 05:52:08 pm
content: Yes, but the USB data logging can be very handy for a student: in my branch we get to do funky things with 380 volt motors. Being able to plot breakdown torque etc, is a great plus.The max would be 40 amps per phase.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 06:32:32 pm
content: $16 Hakko 936 knockoff Yihua 936 from Hobby King.$36.99 Digitek DT-4000ZC / TekPower TP4000ZC Data Logging Multimeter with Temperaturehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/Digitek-DT-4000ZC-TekPower-TP4000ZC-Data-Logging-Multimeter-with-Temperature-/200912705694(havent tested this myself but comes recommended by forum members here)Free parts from the trashbin. I know not everyone has dumpster room full of stuff, but few weeks and some sweat later finding free stuff for parts is easy and free. Don't be afraid to open up old CRT monitor or microwave oven, just remember to discharge anything dangerous. Never throw away old ATX power supplies if you have room to store them. Actually never directly throw away anything. Maybe also add cheapest hot air gun from the store to strip any pcb of parts. I recommend alway getting the cheap tool/gear first if you don't know if you need it. Cheap doesn't necessarily mean total crap. Make your own bench power supply from old ATX PSU.

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 08:55:21 pm
content: As for the welding station, Gotron, here in Belgium offer own brand stuff that's ok for a first kit.www.gotron.be/en/soldeerstation-48w-150-450-c.htmlBut I can probably get better second hand.The good thing about Gotron is that they are 10 minutes away from my house... So I can throw things through their shop windows if it's crap.As for power supply, I'll be building a kit just to learn more.Transformers and related circuitry are what I must become good at for my next job!

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 09:04:12 pm
content: That is a crap solder station - it's not sensing tip temperature, you just adjust the voltage going into the heating element. It's not worth the 22 euro it costs. You're better off going to Hobbyking and get one of those Hakko 936 clones... Dave did a video about those:

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 09:14:59 pm
content: Yes, I agree.That was one of the 1st videos I checked outThere is another shop a bit further that has those (or similar) for a couple of euros more than the internet price if you include shipping.I'll just check - and ask for - temperature sensing.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 09:45:09 pm
content: Quote from: gildasd on June 18, 2014, 08:55:21 pmThey do not manufacture that stuff. It is a Chinese Zhongdihttp://www.china-zhongdi.com/manager/upload/pic/20131025143519probigpic.jpg

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2014, 10:00:38 pm
content: Yes I know thatNearly none of what Gotron (or it's competitors) sell is made in Europe.They were one of my main suppliers in a previous job, so I think I still can get a hefty discount

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 07:56:42 am
content: Better continue on this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/the-$250-electrnoics-lab-a-suggested-setup-for-beginners/