Please Help Me - 50th Birthday Ideas - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 08:27:38 am
content: Hi guys,My dad is turning 50!He loves making circuit boards, programming his own chips in basic. Creating different devices like automatic door openers, remote controlled vehicles and all sorts of wacky things! He designs and creates his own circuit boards - although i am not sure how he does it (I don't think he has any special equipment for it)He already has:Soldering equipment (iron, sucker, solder)OscilloscopeTools (screw drivers, etc)A bench top power supply unitA multimeterWhat is the most important piece of equipment you use when making your circuit boards?Budget of under $150 - $200Edit:Is any of this stuff suitable? if so, what does it do & how important is it to make circuit boards?Frequency CountersHantek Test EquipmentSiglent Test EquipmentRF Test EquipmentFunction GeneratorsProgrammable DC Electronic LoadsTo get an idea of what my Dad builds, check out his video showing off a piece of equipment he made:https://youtu.be/ghZABut2jQw(Hope he doesn't see this thread haha )

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 08:59:43 am
content: Hi, ...and welcome.That's a nice idea.Are you sure that's a complete list of what he has? Does he have a multimeter for instance? After an Oscilloscope I would probably put a decent bench power supply as a priority, unless he has something home built.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 09:13:24 am
content: Welcome to the forum Blue TongueIn the days when I was accumulating TE the thing I yearned for was a FG, any FG and old basic function gens can be picked up quite cheap these days, however they are no match for a modern AWG.Good luck with finding something for Pop.

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:21:31 am
content: Quote from: Gyro on May 28, 2016, 08:59:43 amHi,Yes sorry he does have a multimeter and also he just finished building a home made power supply. I live far from home, so I am relying on memory and my memory does not serve me very well haha.Thanks for the suggestions, is there anything else that could be helpful?

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:23:07 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 28, 2016, 09:13:24 amHi, sorry I don't actually know what any of this abbreviations mean. Can you please use the full names?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:26:23 am
content: QuoteMy best bet would be "a better multimeter".What brand/model is his current multimeter? If it's a cheapie then get him something like a Fluke 17B+.PS: It might be a good idea to take some photos of his current stuff for us to look at.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:28:19 am
content: Quote from: BobtailLizard on May 28, 2016, 10:23:07 amTE = Test EquipmentFG = Function GeneratorAWG = Arbitrary Waveform Generator= modern FGEditBlue Tongue Lizard ~= Bob Tail Lizardhttps://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/images/documents/plants-animals/licences-permits/Fauna/advice-sheets/bluetongues_bobtails.pdf

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:33:32 am
content: If he still has uses a old analog oscilloscope with a CRT screen then i am sure he would really appreciate a modern digital oscilloscope since they offer a great deal of extra functionality.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:34:12 am
content: Hey BobtailIs Pop an EEVblog fan?I see you're in Sydney, maybe with some support from other memberswe can get him (and you) a quick tour through Dave's lab.Whatdaya think guys?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:34:35 am
content: Quote from: Berni on May 28, 2016, 10:33:32 amYes, but even a cheapie DS1054Z is twice the budget.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:37:44 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 28, 2016, 10:34:12 amLet's hope not - because he'll be reading this!

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:51:40 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 28, 2016, 10:26:23 amUnfortunately I am in a different city so I am not sure what his stuff is. From memory it looked like a decent multimeter.

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:53:11 am
content: Quote from: Berni on May 28, 2016, 10:33:32 amHi,He bought his oscilloscope recently, so it is a modern one (quite a good one) - might even have other features like testing, but I am not too sure.

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 10:54:33 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 28, 2016, 10:34:12 amHi,That would be amazing, but I actually don't live in Sydney. I put Sydney as my city to throw off my dad, if he ends up reading this thread haha

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 11:00:11 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 28, 2016, 10:28:19 amWhat do you think is the most important thing to have, out of the TE, FG and AWG?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 11:08:14 am
content: Quote from: BobtailLizard on May 28, 2016, 10:54:33 amBugger, always the best plan fails.There's only a few here that I would buy.http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=function+generator+au&_sacat=0

author: ian.rees
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 11:44:02 am
content: Hot air rework station? If he doesn't have one of those already, it could be a big win and could be enough under budget to combine with other things (I've got one of the Aliexpress 858D+ ones and prefer it to the fancier though older Hakko at work).Maybe a more modern embedded platform to get away from Basic? Something like an Arduino Zero or Beaglebone Black and maybe a book to go with it.Electronics kit for a home made 3D printer?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 12:36:22 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 28, 2016, 11:38:12 am+1Dave's got a good little DMM he might be selling cheap:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-884-eevblog-bm235-multimeter-repair/Yep, they're a good little DMM, nicely featured, watch the vid.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 12:37:00 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 28, 2016, 11:38:12 amYou can never have too many multimeters.But... from what you've said above it sounds like he already has quite a good setup. He probably has a decent multimeter and things could start to get expensive if you go for big-ticket items.How about a uCurrent?https://www.eevblog.com/projects/ucurrent/(are they in stock?)And a precision reference box:http://www.ebay.com/itm/271812347232Any electronics hobbyist who already has a working setup would be happy to receive those two items IMHO.

author: Circlotron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2016, 02:10:31 pm
content: Seeing he likes boiling up stuff on the stove, how about a thermocouple temperature meter?http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R3.TR6.TRC1.A0.H1.Xthermocouple.TRS0&_nkw=thermocouple+thermometer&_sacat=0

author: Priestblood
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 06:52:06 am
content: Quote from: BobtailLizard on May 28, 2016, 08:27:38 amMy kids bought me a jewelers drill best gift ever for making pcb'shttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SE-97511MDP-3-Speed-Mini-Drill-Press-Bench-for-Jewelers-Hobbyists-/201587920726?hash=item2eef938f56:g:Cl4AAOSwXBFXPnhFits a small bench drill ideal for making your own pcb

author: julian1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 08:23:10 am
content: LCR meter?https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/der-ee-de-5000-unboxing-and-teardown/About $150 AUD from ebay - but it will take a couple of weeks to have it posted from Japan.It would be concerned to make sure not to inadvertently buy some piece of kit that he already has. For example some Rigol oscilloscopes (1074z-s) come with signal generators/awg.Are there any vendors that do gift-cards? Otherwise is there a way to ask him semi-discretely, if there's anything equipment related that might be holding him back in his hobby?

author: tggzzz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 08:41:27 am
content: Yours is a nice thoughtful idea, but as with any present there's a significant chance it might end up as a white elephant.Possible ways to avoid that are toknowwhat he will need on hisnextproject - but he probably doesn't know that himself! Or to get a small and not too expensive nice-to-have luxury item, a precision voltage or frequency source, for example.If you are spending a lot of money (whatever that means) it might be wise possible and even desirable to involve him in the decision. Yes you lose the surprise element, but he would get something that he will use and therefore will repeatedly remember why he's got it.

author: Tandy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:01:25 am
content: Does he subscribe to an electronics magazine, perhaps you could buy him a subscription to Silicon Chip or the equivalent where you are as part of the gift?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 09:57:38 am
content: Does he have a nice pair of wire strippers?When i say 'nice' i mean the type that look like thisDon'tget the shitty china ones that look like this below

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 10:59:36 am
content: Quote from: Psi on May 29, 2016, 09:57:38 amWhats the problem with V Wire stripper? I have been using them since I started with electronics and they are excellent:They are much cheaper and last forever compare to others.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 11:19:19 am
content: once you use a proper pair of wire strippers you never want to use anything else.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 11:25:21 am
content: Quote from: ZeTeX on May 29, 2016, 10:59:36 amNo they aren't .To work properly they need love and care for every wire you strip. Careful aim, just the right amount of pressure...I prefer these:Just insert wire and squeeze. Works every time, any wire thickness, you can even do three or four wires at once (ribbon cable!). I bought a pair in Radio Shack back in the early 1990s and they still work like new.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 11:40:01 am
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 29, 2016, 11:25:21 amnope, you just need to strip 10 wire with them to get the fell, I don't think I ever cutted a wire accidentally (even extremely thin wire) with those, sure you might cut a wire your first time using it but never later, and they are nice and small to carry around. for people who are a little bit cheap and still want something quality I think they are great thing.

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 11:47:04 am
content: Anyone that has been into electronics for a while would love one of these:http://www.evilmadscientist.com/2013/555-kit/orhttp://shop.evilmadscientist.com/productsmenu/762alternatively, if you're handy, or know someone helpful that is:http://www.instructables.com/id/Giant-555-Footstool/( The 555 and 741 chips are two of the most well-known ICs out there, and basically everything one would build about 10 to 30 years ago had at least one of them in there. EEs have a lot of fond memories of those chips )

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 11:54:09 am
content: Quote from: stmdude on May 29, 2016, 11:47:04 amYep, I would definitely go for something fun/interesting/quirky rather than some serious piece of test gear. He's probably happy with his existing setup.Quote from: stmdude on May 29, 2016, 11:47:04 amAmongst old codgers, yes. The younger generation have never heard of them.Quote from: stmdude on May 29, 2016, 11:47:04 amWhat I said.PS: I'm 50 and I used a 555 timer or two to make LED flashers in my 20s, but ... they were on the way out even then. I think you probably need to be older than 50 to have "fond memories".

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:04:21 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 29, 2016, 11:54:09 amAre you calling me old, you whippersnapper?Quote from: Fungus on May 29, 2016, 11:54:09 amOh... I'm 37, and _I_ have fond memories of building my first kits and non-working projects using 555s..Maybe you're younger than me "at heart" ?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:07:08 pm
content: Quote from: Fungus on May 29, 2016, 11:25:21 amI bought a pair of those once, thinking they looked decent.Unfortunately no, the insulation cutting surface was terrible and looked like this (click below) after 1 week of use.And no i didn't strip oversized wire, and Yes after 1 week! probably less than 30 wires stripped.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:19:06 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on May 29, 2016, 12:07:08 pmWoah! I don't know what brand you bought, but... don't buy it again.I just picked that picture at random off the 'net. My Radio Shack ones have blue handles and definitely work. Cutting edge is still perfect.Here they are:

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:51:43 pm
content: How about an Andonstar USB digital microscope camera?Not too expensive, unlikely he already has it,very useful even if having good eyesight.Yours - Messtechniker

author: Messtechniker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2016, 12:55:35 pm
content: plus - come to think of it - the infamous Transistor Tester!Should make your dad really happy.Yours - Messtechniker

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 12:29:49 am
content: Don't forget to tell us what you got him.My vote goes to the kits.

author: sanman
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:08:17 am
content: FLIR ONE!

author: BU508A
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 06:02:14 am
content: Hi,if he likes doing his own PCBs, what about something like this:http://www.proxxon.com/en/micromot/27006.php?listwith the Diamond blade of course

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 06:53:27 am
content: Quote from: BU508A on May 30, 2016, 06:02:14 amA nice idea, but I'd be worried about the dust a little saw like that might create when cutting pcb material. Lots of dust and little fibres tend to do nasty things to lungs.

author: tombi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 07:16:50 am
content: Hope I'm not too late - did someone suggest an ESR meter?Or (guessing his eyesight is going south) a microscope for surface mount stuff.http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AmScope-10X-20X-LED-Binocular-Stereo-Microscope-Boom-Arm-with-Gooseneck-Light-/400429192095?hash=item5d3b70939f:g:Pw4AAOSwbdpWYnDhThis ebay seller (darksage) had a 5.5 digit (so high precision) but old multimeter in your price range ($250) and in Australia (so cheap shipping). Not sure if it sold but is no longer listed. Could contact them. It was a HP3478A bench multimeter.http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/darksage191?_trksid=p2056016.l2559Tom

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 07:40:33 am
content: Thinkingbackto my 50th I have very fond memories of the V8 Experience in a 400KW Commodore of half a dozen laps around Auckland's Pukekohe race track, a present from my 3 kids.Sure you have nothing to take home but what a buzzzzzzzz.http://www.holden-race-experience.co.nz/

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 03:58:59 pm
content: I'd pass on the wire cutters if he still has his teeth.

author: ZeTeX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 04:03:16 pm
content: Quote from: steverino on May 30, 2016, 03:58:59 pmI used to do this when I did not have a wire stripper, but only for pretty thin wire.ever stripped 16AWG wire with your teeth? you will probably take the teeth with the wire.(PVC Wire not silicon, silicon wire you can strip with your nails.)

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 30, 2016, 06:21:12 pm
content: Quote from: ZeTeX on May 30, 2016, 04:03:16 pmYou're right, of course (looks like he's chomping on 14-12 awg wire). It was meant as a joke. I have a strong aversion to emoji characters. :-)

author: BobtailLizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 04:57:33 am
content: Quote from: wilfred on May 28, 2016, 11:38:12 amQuote from: Messtechniker on May 29, 2016, 12:51:43 pmHi,Thanks for all the great suggestions guys!My dads eyesight is not very good and I think some kind of magnifier would be really great - he is always complaining about not being able to see!Do any of you have any suggestions for magnification equipment?Are there magnifiers designed specifically for electronics in mind?A lot of you are recommending a second multimeter. I think my Dad does have a few of these already and the one he usually uses looks quite expensiveGerman_EE that is a nice suggestion, unfortunately my Dad doesn't like magazines.julian1 I am not sure what an LCR meter is and I don't know if that's something he would needI wish I knew a bit more about electronics to really understand what would be suitable as a gift haha.Well I just finished researching all the stuff on the first page of this thread, then I found out there's a second page! This community so alive, loving all the discussion guys!All the people recommending wire cutters, sorry he already has a few pairs. Actually he has a lot of tools, too many to mention so I think tools are pretty much coveredEEVblog That cake looks amazing! That is a really awesome idea, I might give that one a shot too !Thanks everyone

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:10:23 am
content: Either of these are handy but no substitute for professional solutions.http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Tools-%26-Soldering/Magnifiers/Other-Magnifiers/LED-Headband-Magnifier/p/QM3511http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Tools-%26-Soldering/Magnifiers/Desktop/Desktop-LED-Magnifying-Lamp/p/QM3544

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2016, 05:42:01 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 31, 2016, 05:10:23 amAs an old man with bad eyes - NO ( I have these)If someone were going to give me a present something like dental loupes is what I would wantthis is a "low" grade onehttp://www.amazon.com/Easyinsmile-Surgical-Binocular-Loupes-Aluminum/dp/B015GRRDVK/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1464673061&sr=8-1&keywords=dental+loupesthere have been topics on this forum about these. Good ones go for $400, I would not pay less than $100If you get these for your dad and he is happy, I also would be happy to get a pair from you

author: Berni
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 05:08:51 am
content: Quote from: stmdude on May 29, 2016, 11:47:04 amDang it now i want to make my own 555 timer stool.