Useful, Uncommon or Unusual tools you couldn't live without - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 10:11:32 am
content: It occurred to me the other day that there are a few tools that I just couldn't live without because they make things so much easier.I'm sure lots of people will already own these things but if we can build a large list I'm sure we can all discover a few we didn't know about or didn't realise just how useful they would be.So post any uncommon, obscure or unusual items you use for electronics that really makes your life easier.Here's 5 items I find really useful-Nibblers. Great for cutting square/rectangular holes in metal panels for switches etc.-Step drills. Very useful for cutting large round holes in bigger sizes than your standard drill bits. Very good value too, 8 sizes for the price of 1. (You really need a slow speed drill, highspeed will destroy them)-Paint brushes. Excellent for cleaning out electronic gearYou dont need a pic of that-Wire brushes. Despite many other good uses they're the quickest way to fix a scratched metal front panel - Scratch it EVERYWHERE and you have a nice clean brushed aluminium look that totally hides the original scratches-Peak atlas semiconductor analyser. I got one of these in a kit. I wanted their LCR meter and figured, 'what the hell', I'll get the kit with the semi-analyser too and carry case. Kit costs about NZ$230+pnp from peakelec.co.uk (half the farnell price!).I found I was using the semi-analyser far more often than the LCRIt makes checking diodes/transistors/fets and figuring out their pins so easy and quick.

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 11:14:43 am
content: great idea! i almost started this same thread over on RCG in the diy electronics section. anywho...1. fiberglass pen2. kimwipes3. cordless dremel4. klean-strip ''green'' denatured alcohol5. nitrile gloves6. various loupes

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 04:38:56 pm
content: One of the tool that is becoming very helpful not only for electronics but for many other stuff is my microscope. By the age I'm loosing more and more my vision and then this little thing is a great helper on fixing stuff, I never imagined how useful it could be.I have another great helper, is the pick up grabber, I bought from at Harbor Freight Tools at $1.99 and this little thing has been very useful to reach and pick up stuff behind the washer machine, behind the stove, to reach things under the bed, etc etc. (The picture is not the actual unit, but it's just for reference)

author: DavidDLC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 04:40:07 pm
content: Ups here is the microscope:

author: Rhythmtech
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 05:13:10 pm
content: I suppose these are not really that unique, but none the less...The venerable 3rd handPanavise Jr.Solder Fume Absorber

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 05:54:42 pm
content: hot air rework stationhttp://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=76

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 07:51:03 pm
content: Cotton swabs (Q-Tips) and Denatured/isopropyl/rubbing alcohol for cleaning contacts and such.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2010, 11:00:10 pm
content: I have used a pair of "swiss army pliers" a lot back in computer repair class.I found out that most wire used in breadboard prototyping can be stripped by running fingernails back and forth (like a saw blade) until they cut through the insulation.A bicycle pump can be used for cleaning electronics. Much cheaper than cans of compressed air.

author: semaphore
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 01:33:20 am
content: Lead Bender, Lead formingTransparency Solderless Breadboard

author: TopherTheME
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 01:59:13 am
content: Rocket launcher.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 02:27:31 am
content: Quote from: TopherTheME on September 29, 2010, 01:59:13 amLOLsomeone (else, not me) is going angry at you at posting nonsense postyou forgot that perpetual 3 in 1 (Casio probably) Watch that the senator Arnie wore

author: Kiriakos-GR
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 02:48:31 am
content: I am an practical man , and so I love any screwdriver with magnetic head , I really do ..

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 05:25:07 am
content: Seriously. I gotta have music or life (and work) sucks.

author: Hypernova
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 05:29:20 am
content: I guess this would counthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=1287.msg18070#msg18070

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 08:11:34 am
content: A big lump of blu-takVery handy for holding small boards & connectors still whilst soldering - quicker than a vice!A small bit on the end of a dental pick type tool also makes a cheap "vacuum" pickup for QFPs.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 10:03:59 am
content: ....................................................

author: logictom
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 29, 2010, 09:31:49 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on September 28, 2010, 10:11:32 amHow do you find the LCR meter? Saw one of these the other day that had a damaged lead for £20 - wasn't sure how/if that would effect it if I soldered it back together, can the leads be replaced?Does anyone know where to get a Panavise cheap in the UK?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2010, 01:45:17 am
content: Quote from: logictom on September 29, 2010, 09:31:49 pmI imagine you could just replace a lead without problems. Maybe try to get the same thickness cable and length so the resistance/inductance/capacitance is the same as the original.It does have screws, and you are supposed to open it up to change the battery, so i don't see any problem getting inside to change a wire.I mainly got my lcr so i could wind my own inductors for switchmode power supplys.Here's what it looks like inside

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2010, 08:47:56 am
content: I've got the semiconductor analyser which I find very useful.I didn't get the LCR meter because I didn't think it was worth it.

author: Zyvek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2010, 03:47:39 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on September 30, 2010, 08:47:56 amI have their LCR, ESR70 & the SCA as well. Good stuff.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2010, 06:26:58 pm
content: For those of usof a certain age,a loop comes in very handy when reading numbers off chips, checking solder joints, etc. The picture is a cheap version (US$1.50) but nice ones are only a little more.

author: Time
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2010, 07:45:11 pm
content: My eyes are still young and I still love my loop!

author: MrPlacid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 05:09:22 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 29, 2010, 08:11:34 amThank you, mike, for the heads up. I went out and bought Elmer's Tack instead, similar stuff I think. And it sure was useful on the very first day. Just used it to hold down AAA batteries while I checked their voltage usually they roll around my desk while I chase them with the probes. Ahh... one problem finally solved.Thank you.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 05:17:46 am
content: Quote from: MrPlacid on October 01, 2010, 05:09:22 ami'll use common stuffs to do uncommon task to solve itbut that "white shit" looking stuff, is quite handy from the way it looks and explained, i gotta find it somewhere. if i want to give an award for the most unusual thing so far, that "white shit" is the winner

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 05:35:16 am
content: I have modified a $10 security camera to focus very close to the lens (just take off the first lens element and play with the focus) and connected it to a monitor. It makes a very useful microscope for inspecting PCBs.

author: McPete
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 11:03:07 am
content: A De-burring tool. If you're doing any drilling, give this a quick flick around the freshly drilled hole to clean up any mess- Especially handy when drilling plastic enclosure lids.They're also pretty good for slightly enlarging holes when you haven't got quite the right drill bit.A fountain pen. I'll use a ballpoint when convenience demands it (i.e, on site, writing on non-paper surfaces), but a fountain pen is more or less mandatory when I'm at my desk.

author: Jon Chandler
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 11:45:14 am
content: By the way, we should correct the spelling to loupe. The spelling was nagging at me when I posted it but I didn't bother to check.You know engineers can't spell...at this this one has problems

author: sonicj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 05:03:00 pm
content: Quote from: McPete on October 01, 2010, 11:03:07 amyep, i need one of those!that reminds me...7. Pin Vise8. Sharp Awl9. Needle FIle Set

author: Veramacor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2010, 06:31:03 pm
content: Quote from: TopherTheME on September 29, 2010, 01:59:13 amI do believe it is pronounced:"Rocket Laoooowwwncha"

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2010, 10:56:09 am
content: Here is a VERY handy tool you can make quite cheaply.http://mondo-technology.com/Just click on the superprobe link at the left hand side

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2010, 12:08:06 pm
content: Quote from: FreeThinker on October 03, 2010, 10:56:09 amLooks handy.Here's a link to the actual page:http://mondo-technology.com/super.html

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 03, 2010, 01:08:50 pm
content: Quote from: Hero999 on October 03, 2010, 12:08:06 pmI Knew that!...Just thought the peebs might like to check out the other links too, Resurecting the Furby or reprogramming billy the bass (What EXACTLY does he say now?) Lol. LoveIT