Looking For Help Upgrading Home Lab Equipment For College Student - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: SpicyMargarin
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 05:31:11 am
content: Hello, all! I am a sophomore electrical engineering student looking to upgrade my lackluster lab and was hoping to get some guidance from the pros. I want to get more into analog circuits and PCB design so I am hoping to get lab equipment good enough for sensitive circuits as well as advanced projects. I am also looking for buy-for-life equipment (although I will gladly take input on if there are better ways to spend my money). I believe my oscilloscope is good and my multimeter is sufficient, but my soldering station is tolerable at best and my power station works but is very old. For this reason, I am primarily looking into a new soldering station or power supply since I don't know what else I would get. For reference, my current tools are as follows:Oscilloscope: Siglent SDS 1104X-EMultimeter: Klein Tools MM720Solder Station: Hakko FX888-DPower Supply: MPJA HY5003Amscope microscope for solderingCheap hotplate for reflow solderingWhen it comes to buying a new power supply, I am looking at purchasing one of the following:E36300 Keysight - Same supply as the one in my internship but it is VERY expensive and I have heard mixed reviews about Keysight support and the UI. Is the huge price worth it for brand name?Siglent SPD4306X - I like Siglent and it looks more than good enough for what I will use it for but longevity concerns me since I don't want to need another power supply for a long time.For soldering stations, I have heard nothing but praise for JBC and Metcal and so have been looking into them almost exclusively.For JBC, I am considering the DDE-1C modular system which will nearly bankrupt my budget but will also let me add on more as I go. I also haven't heard a single bad thing about JBC other than price.On Metcal's side I am looking at the MFR-2210 station which is much cheaper but the lack of temperature control concerns me since I heard that becomes very important on sensitive componentsIf anybody has input on any of my choices, I would love to hear it. And if there are better ways to spend my money to upgrade my lab capabilities, please let me know. Thank you all!

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 08:14:03 am
content: .. small is good too (bench / workspace friendly). Re that expensive (probably big) power supply.recently i have been using my RS135 calibrator - a cheap source measure unithttps://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/multi-function-calibrators/1749557?msockid=1526ec2c52de64af24bafdf556de62f8

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 09:11:10 am
content: Quote from: armandine2 on July 22, 2025, 08:14:03 amYou need to note with that, if you're using it as a power supply, the DC sourcing is only rated to 24mA. So not much use as a general purpose power supply. It is what it claims to be, a calibrator.Personally, there's no way that I'd be spending Keysight E36300 money on a home setup. Especially since Keysight don't want your business as a private user, nor will they support you as such.My own home lab is populated, PSU-wise, with second hand HP/Agilent PSUs, which are more than fit for purpose (even if requiring some occasional maintenance). If I wanted new, I'd go with Siglent.The 'oddity' in my lab is the Miniware MDP-P906. It has surprisingly good regulation and ripple (when running off batteries), and takes up no more space than a tin of sardines. UI/UX isn't great but it's very useful for the money involved and can floated, so two can provide split rail.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 10:59:35 am
content: clearly not a substitute for a bench power - but useful even if you never calibrate a 4-20ma process device

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 11:36:10 am
content: QuoteSod the test gear, at your age the only thing money was for was partying and having fun, do it know before you get bogged down with a career mortgage and responsibility.

author: armandine2
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 11:50:08 am
content: ..more than one way to change your life?

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 01:18:42 pm
content: People will hate me for saying this. But JBC is old technology, going on 10 years soon. Get Aixun soldering station and hot air, 3 handles in one, hot air is good enough to separate engine ECU housings, and with adapter from atten it can use older style nozzles for BGA.As far as power supply, I'm against your choice, I'd go with Siglent SPD3303X instead. But both choices are expensive and over the top. As you can see I have two SPE3103 and that is plenty good for laptop and iPhone repair. Even if you have an expensive linear power supply you'd still be running it through XY-PDS100 or WITRN C5 most of the time.adapter from atten and older style BGA nozzle

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 01:36:32 pm
content: Now as far as microscope, you have similar to what I have. It's good enough, until you go for a clone of Leica from aliexpress or an actual Leica. But otherwise it's good and effective, minus sometimes not being able to see burned resistors here and there, especially from the side. Main thing here is lighting. Definitely need a polarized light and two auxiliary lights. Camera is also a must, because of social media self advertising. Main takeaway here is good lighting, these microscope's have older construction, not many photons reach your eyes, so the more lighting the better.On photos, eye piece extendershttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4995024my face is planted into eye pieces, very comfortable and auxilary light holderhttps://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5124819Instead of your choice of PSU and solder station, I'd go for a clone head of Leica from aliexpress, I can give you link. They are amazing. Just the head will run you for $500 something.

author: u666sa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 01:46:04 pm
content: The most important tool though is your lighting. You must have 5 office squares LEDs on top of you, or if it's double squares, then two. No desktop lamps, because your pupils will extract and contract and lead to eventual blindness and eyeglass prescription.

author: tunk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 02:01:39 pm
content: Bench multimeter? Or another handheld multimeter if you want measure voltage and current at the same time.

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 02:10:19 pm
content: Scope:I've got a Siglent SDS 1104X-E myself and it's a good scope, but it's now already quite old and everybody (Including Siglent) is moving towards 12-bit scopes. Siglent SDS804X HD is about the same price as the 1104.For the DMM. Just get a Brymen. They're quite good, have probably the best performance to price ratio. I would not even consider a DMM without data output myself. (that can be read by a uC) just in case you want to plot a little graph, or log data for a while. You will probably buy at least 3 DMM's over time, so you can keep track of multiple measurements (for example current and voltage) while still having a DMM available to do ad-hoc measurements.Soldering station. JBC is good, but expensive. C245 is one of their most popular tip sizes, and there are many clones of controllers and handles that are compatible with it. JBC tips cost EUR30, while clones are around EUR10. You can start with a bunch of cheap tips, so you've got variety, and buy JBC tips for the models that wear out quickly. You can also buy bare controller boards (for around EUR 25) for these, and firmware is on github.Power supply HY5003 seems to be an el cheapo 30V 3A power supply. Over time you'll also want more then one power supply, but you will rarely need that much current and voltage. Power supplies are a very good candidate to DIY. The "0-30V 2mA - 2A" kit costs around EUR 10 these days, and it's a usable power supply that costs around EUR 10 as a kit. It's not the greatest and has issues (lots to read about it), but it's cheap and usable.There are very many power supplies in all sorts of price categories. For most tasks 20V 2A is plenty, and this makes it easier to DIY. "precision" power supplies are nice.I've also got an Amprobe (clone?) stereo microscope. Highly recommended. If you're good with DIY, you can just buy the head and make the stand yoursef (for example with MGN12 rails) This way you can make a better quality stand for less money. The stands are relatively expensive (Weight, much Aluminimum / steel and shipping costs (size)). Without the barlow lens, work distance is a bit short, but with the standard 0.5x barlow lens it's quite high above your desk and I have trouble reaching the eye pieces. A 0.7x Barlow lens would be ideal for me. Also buy a decent quality ring light for it with a glass plate, Especially if you want to use it without a barlow lens.Hotplate. Yes probably a good idea. Sometimes I think of DIY from a clothes iron or coffee maker, but it's barely worth it to DIY. Soldering ovens based on toaster ovens are also popular, but with a hot plate you can also pre-heat and keep working on a PCB. Also put one of those hot-air blowers on your list.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 02:11:36 pm
content: For power supplies, look at Instek … cheaper than Keysight. I have a couple for my bench along with an HP. Have been reliable performers. Missing from your list: DC load, function generator, and LCR meter … I use these enough, especially the load, that it was worthwhile buying them. Should also get a calibration reference like DMMCheck.eBay can be a good source of equipment at lower cost … but you need to be very careful there.Mike

author: shabaz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 03:02:15 pm
content: Quote from: armandine2 on July 22, 2025, 08:14:03 amIt's an underrated test tool. Personally I have no desire to buy a large SMU for a home lab, and yet a calibrator will allow me to experiment with devices and circuits at a fraction of the cost, and with good precision. It's good enough to explore quite a lot of subtle detail in devices and circuits. And such devices stow away in a small drawer.Quote from: SpicyMargarinSome people have an obsession of maintaining a wall of test equipment in their home but mentally might be better off without some of it. Sure you could do with a few bits of additional kit as people mention, but with your current equipment, I'd have expected you would be able to experiment and design all manner of things and then buy as needed.Quote from: u666saNo, they wouldn't be doing that. OP mentions wishing to do analog circuit design work, so yes, they would be better off with a linear PSU most likely, so I can see why they are considering the Keysight instrument, although that's excessive for a student.I have several PSUs, but never as low-noise as I've wanted. A while back I purchased a very old but low-noise PSU that had a digital control panel, at extremely low cost. I took it apart, and it had an unusual protocol connection inside. I fitted some optocouplers and a little microcontroller to interwork to SCPI (I just copied a typical Rigol PSU SCPI instruction set, since that was the first PSU user guide I randomly found online) so now it's fully remotely controllable, meets my low noise needs, and was just a quick weekend project. Obviously you won't always want to DIY your way through all your test equipment needs.Quote from: SpicyMargarinI can't see why you need a microscope for soldering, if you're a young student, your eyesight might be good enough. If not, at least try a head-mount magnifier, see if it meets your needs. Takes up little space, and way more practical than a microscope and stand if you're a little mobile until you settle down. I doubt anything you consider now will be what you still want in 20 years time, so it won't be "buy it for life".I'm now considering selling my (decent) Japanese desktop microscope that I rarely used, since I now have an almost pocket-sized portable microscope (with built-in controllable LED lighting), which I find excellent for PCB inspection. I use my head-mount magnifier when soldering. I could also ditch my machine-vision camera and lens, since times have moved on, and for the price that all that cost, you can get a high-end lens for a DSLR or mirrorless camera, which gets far more usage for non-electronics purposes too; I use my photo camera almost daily, and the machine vision camera not even once a year any more as a result.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 04:10:59 pm
content: the Siglent SDS 1104X-E scope can gain some value, it is hackable, just need higher bw probes, thread here about it.12 bits is a trend, sure it can help BUT, it does not mean you absolutely need it, unless you poke faint signals or other thing WHO absolutely require 12 bits, if it works fine keep it ?your solder station: if they work fine and you CAN STILL FIND tips or heaters etc ... keep it, it may outlive many modern ones who are not of the same quality and durabilityin all of this : evaluate your real needs ... for the present and ahead, not the pressure you place yourself in ... seeing this and that lollLogic analyzer, hot air station, hot plate, lcr, bench or handheld dmm ...same thoughts as other previous comments, Ebay or else with caution, you may be able to snatch good stuff, to upgrade at lesser cost(s)

author: Doctorandus_P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 06:46:58 pm
content: Quote from: coromonadalix on July 22, 2025, 04:10:59 pmWhen I checked yesterday Siglent SDS 1104X-E cost more then the SDS804X HD. I also think that hacking is overrated. I rather keep my warranty then risk bricking. And for >95% of all my measurements I turn on the 20MHz bandwidth filter to reduce noise, and to reduce inductance though the long GND lead. If you want to measure reliably >50MHz then probing becomes a huge issue. And about 2 or 3 generations of technicians grew up with hardly anything better then 20MHz being affordable.So, is there any reason left to buy the 1104 instead of the 804 (Except the color)?

author: Sideways
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 11:14:47 pm
content: As a sophomore student, doesn't your college have a decently equipped lab ? As a young man I could never have afforded equipment anywhere near as good as I had access to in college and then company labs. The soldering station and hand tools I was issued with on my first day at work lasted me 20+ years.Spend your money on books, travel, and growing up. Not in that order :-)

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 10:45:05 pm
content: You can never have enough power supplies....I don't know what you want to do but you may need a bigger 12 V PS for testing some equipment in addition to the lab supply.How about hanging out at Hamfests? The last one I went to had TWO HP 3456 volt ohm meters for $40 for both. They turned on , I didn't check any further because I already have two. Just an example of bargains you can get.Lab grade PS usually go for cheap, but most I see at hamfests are strictly old school, which you may want because they are not switching.Anyway, just a suggestion. Go to ARRL Hamfest on giggle for events in your area.

author: Smokey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 24, 2025, 11:30:15 pm
content: Quote from: Wallace Gasiewicz on July 24, 2025, 10:45:05 pmFact. Still, the go-to general supply for me is a DP832.If you don't have a load, you can get both in an HP6632b.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2025, 12:34:31 pm
content: Quote from: SpicyMargarin on July 22, 2025, 05:31:11 amDon't. You will be spending your parent's hard earned money, not your own.Your university has labs that are better equipped than yours. It also has an endless supply of projects and a very valuable supply of guidance. Go to one of your teacher that you like, who teaches electronics or related stuff. Tell him/her that you want to do more, and learn more. And volunteer for a project. He will either help you, or guide you to someone else who needs help. Not only are you going to have access to a lab that's a lot more equipped, you will also learn a bunch more than on the courses, get one-on-one tutoring. Plus people get to know you.

author: Wallace Gasiewicz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2025, 01:28:30 pm
content: If you choose to do some projects in the University lab, you may find that they discard equipment that is still pretty good and you may have an opportunity to save that stuff from the bin.

author: abeyer
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2025, 07:47:25 pm
content: Quote from: SpicyMargarin on July 22, 2025, 05:31:11 amI'm the last to saynotto buy more test equipment... but if you don't know what you would need, perhaps it means you don't need anything else right now? And waiting until you do know would mean you could save the money until you know better what would be of value and invest in that.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2025, 11:43:46 pm
content: Quote from: Doctorandus_P on July 22, 2025, 06:46:58 pmNone at all and the reason why we have mainlined on the SDS800X HD series as our entry level DSO's.While there is some disparity in X-E vs 800X HD pricing the the USA due to import tariffs the difference here in NZ for SDS1104X-E vs SDS814X HD is just 10 USD making the 800X HD series a no brainer for the additional new features they offer.

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2025, 05:01:46 pm
content: To me, 'student' implies mobility. I would want to do most of my work at Starbucks...Mobility implies portability and a bench full of equipment (while desirable) doesn't fill the bill.I would give due consideration to the Digilent Analog Discovery 3 and probably the Student Bundle (bottom of page)https://digilent.com/shop/analog-discovery-3/Or the Pro Bundle. Some of the add-ons are fairly useful as well.There's nothing wrong with a dual channel scope, dual channel AWG, dual channel PS and a bunch of digital IO (including protocol handlers) that fits in a backpack along with the required laptop.There's a 15% discount for verified students.Note: You may have to 'scale' the homework problems. You will be working with mW, not MW.You might want to work through Digilent's "Real Analog" course:https://digilent.com/reference/learn/courses/real-analog/start