Types of tool's to get/use for certain projects - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Code_004
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 03:35:52 am
content: So I recently purchased a new set of tool's for electronics and there great so the types of tool's every beginner needs are wire cutters, side cutters with a flat sided cutter, screwdriver with multiple heads so you can void the warranty of anything your trying to take apart, needle nose pliers fine and regular sized, fat pliers smaller and regular size, if you need it a tape measure at least 25 feet for convenience, a multimeter without a doubt a fluke is a good brand and sperry it's a great brand I don't know if there as rugged as the flukes but I like them, oscilloscope there great, a power supply with a dial so you can change the voltage, safety goggles and last but not least a soldering iron don't need to spend a hundred get a hakko that's a good brand I don't have any specific models but yes this is a good tool list if you want more in depth go to the EEvblog YouTube and search laboratory on his channel and a video will pop up for this type of stuff.

author: SuzyC
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 11:34:43 am
content: I don't like to criticize people who use English as a second language, but you could also do well to get a book to study grammar and how to write to communicate more clearly.People might take what you write more seriously if its better organized and your comments show a respect for good grammar and spelling.I donno whatcha talk'n 'bout so much!

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 12:57:55 pm
content: Quote from: SuzyC on July 10, 2015, 11:34:43 amLooks like there's a surfeit of apostrophes and a deficit of full stops (aka periods) and carriage returns in his part of the world. Since, I'm feeling generous, here's a few I have lying around. PM me if you want more......

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 01:34:28 pm
content: Actually not bad for a 12 year old, I've seen worse from adults, so cut the kid some slack.But yeah, don't skip on grammar classes Code_004.And separating paragraphs is important for the readers of your posts.

author: Code_004
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 01:43:04 pm
content: Ok I will do that.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 01:43:49 pm
content: Quote from: SuzyC on July 10, 2015, 11:34:43 amNo apostrophe on "its"?

author: alsetalokin4017
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 02:33:39 pm
content: Wow... this is a tough crowd all right....One tool that I find indispensable on my bench is a small pair of needle-nosed pliers with the tip bent at about 30 degrees, and smooth jaws. The angled tip makes it easy to get into tough locations, and the smooth jaws are very useful for straightening/bending component leads, acting as a heatsink while soldering, etc.I've also made up some jumper leads with small smooth-jaw alligator clips, which grip small wires and component leads much better than the normal (Chinese) "toothed" clips.A good hot-air gun comes in handy for shrinking heat-shrink and removing components from old CRT monitor/TV circuit boards.The old SVGA cables that connected those old monitors to their computers are good sources for fine hookup wire and thin shielded coax. It's kind of a pain to take the cable apart but worth the effort, considering the price of hookup wire these days.A fine cutting-stripping pliers like Pro'sKit 8PK-3001D is also very handy, beats stripping wire with my teeth for sure. The serrated pliers tip is a good substitute for the fancy expensive crimpers for Molex pins and the like.A manual wire-wrap tool is handy for certain tasks, not just for wrapping wire! I have an old RS model that comes with a little stripper for the #30 Kynar wire concealed in the barrel.Whatever tools you get, remember the old mechanic's advice: Cheap tools are no bargain. Buy the best quality you can afford.

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 02:53:04 pm
content: I like to use spare old cat 5 network cable, specially for high speed signals since I now use cat 6 and have no use for the older ones anymore and they make great jump wires for pretty much free

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 03:42:36 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 10, 2015, 01:34:28 pmIf I knew their age, I would actively encourage them to become better at asking for help.How do you know their age? It isn't immediately visible on their profile.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 03:48:42 pm
content: Best advice for choosing tools is:don't buy until you have a requirement. Many things are bought "because they might be handy", and are never usedonce you have a requirement, you can work out what characteristics a toolneedsand what characteristics would beniceinclude the "lost opportunity cost" in your thinking. i.e. if you didn't spend the money on X, what else could you spend it ondevelop anengineering approachin which you think ofother waysyou can satisfy your requirements. With ingenuity, itis often possible to find faster and/or cheaper ways

author: miguelvp
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 03:59:08 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on July 10, 2015, 03:42:36 pmI knew because of another thread where Dave mentioned that he is 12 and asked him permission to ask on the forum for a scope.Yeah, I do read every post

author: sarepairman2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 04:32:57 pm
content: Quote from: tggzzz on July 10, 2015, 03:48:42 pmi disagree, i think buying random things is nice because you eventually find a use for it or it inspires you to do some kind of experiment etc.

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2015, 04:55:56 pm
content: Quote from: miguelvp on July 10, 2015, 03:59:08 pmI've now spotted that post and left a, hopefully useful, comment.