Gift Idea for $120 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 02:35:42 am
content: Well, someone in the family is looking to buy me a birthday gift, which is in a few days, and they have went ahead and asked me what I wanted. I have a $120 budget. Any suggestions? In case you didn't know, my lab has an oscilloscope, multimeter (decent), 2 power supplies, and a function generator.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 02:38:49 am
content: Hakko FX 888 + varieties of it's soldering tips ?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:10:25 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on February 14, 2014, 02:38:49 amI forgot to add that. Since the budget is now up to around 200, I would think a hot air station?

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:18:06 am
content: Get a "decent" soldering iron 1st if you don't have one, hot air comes later since it will not be used as often as the iron.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:24:13 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on February 14, 2014, 03:18:06 amNo I said I DO have a FX-888D sorry.

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:38:15 am
content: Get 2 soldering stations or a desoldering iron. Sell them. Use the money to buy whatever you want.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:49:04 am
content: Quote from: mariush on February 14, 2014, 03:38:15 amWell I am already basically doing the same thing, with a roughly 250 budget. I might get a fancy new DMM and pay the delta myself.

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:53:46 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 14, 2014, 03:49:04 amI managed to snag a Hakko FR802 on fleabay for $200, so I'd sell whatever they buy you and go for something like that. And one can never have too many power supplies.Edit: How about an LCR meter? Peak Atlas, DE-5000, something of the like?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:19:01 am
content: It's basically I pick what I want (specify model, where to buy, etc) and then I order and they pay.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:26:32 am
content: Quote from: TheBorg on February 14, 2014, 04:21:41 amYep. A better DMM would definitely be on the list. I'm waiting for a NOS Agilent U1252...

author: TheBorg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:32:35 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 14, 2014, 04:26:32 amYou must have a good paying job for all that equipment!Note to self: work more hours; get more toys.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:59:24 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 14, 2014, 04:26:32 amWhat is it you're after at this point, what is the budget (per item if more than one), and what's your priority?For example, are you really just after a new DMM only at this point or what?As per a U1252B on the cheap, not sure this is going to happen at this point. All theAmodels (super good deals) are long gone, and they don't seem to be offering any promotions on theBvariants anymore. Zero deals on eBay, and the only prices I'm seeing listed are all at $419 (=MSRP).A few phone calls to dealers could turn up a lower price though, so worth a shot IMHO.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:51:08 am
content: Isolation transformer?Or maybe this LCR DCA kit, its around US$200http://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_special_offers.htmlIt makes checking inductor/cap values and figuring out transistor/fet pinouts really easy.They make an ESR meter which is quite useful toohttp://www.peakelec.co.uk/acatalog/jz_esr70.html

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 06:02:37 am
content: Differential probes for your new Rigol scope.

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 06:04:52 am
content: Quote from: Psi on February 14, 2014, 05:51:08 amI have an ESR meter coming soon.The LCR kit looks fun though.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 06:12:52 am
content: What area in electronics are you interested? Micoprocessors, Audio, RF ?

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 06:46:08 am
content: Got an electronic load? IMHO they're a must have. Think of all those times you've soldered up a string of 20 5w 1ohm resistors as a load, and how much easier it would have been with an electronic load?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 03:50:41 pm
content: Quote from: peter.mitchell on February 14, 2014, 06:46:08 amOh god. Thank you for that suggestion. I will look into one. I see that Maynuo are the most widely reccomendwd?

author: dr.diesel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:03:31 pm
content: Hack on a few of these:https://www.tindie.com/products/arachnidlabs/reload-the-simple-robust-affordable-dummy-load/

author: Dongulus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:40:10 pm
content: Quote from: VK5RC on February 14, 2014, 06:12:52 amYeah, this is kind of important. Judging from some of your past posts, echen, you seem to already own enough general purpose equipment to have a well stocked lab.Why not order some fun kits?

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:50:13 pm
content: Perhaps a chainsaw or oxy-acethylene torch for your next teardown?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 04:57:27 pm
content: Quote from: Dongulus on February 14, 2014, 04:40:10 pmThat seems to be a good idea. Do you have any reccomendations for some of the better ones? Preferably SMD.

author: GreyWoolfe
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:04:36 pm
content: Quote from: BillyD on February 14, 2014, 04:50:13 pm. The torch is especially useful for loosening small setscrews put in place with high temp Lok-Tite!!! I actually do use a bernzomatic propane torch just for that reason.SWMBO doesn't know I use the propane torch in the office/workspace, the oxy-acetylene would truly freak her out. I complained to the engineer of the manufacturer who is basically our POC and who trained us on repairing the equipment. He is the one who uses the oxy-acetylene torch!!!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:09:20 pm
content: Quote from: GreyWoolfe on February 14, 2014, 05:04:36 pmHuh. This screw isn't coming out so I oxy-acetylened it, so now, the screw is gone but so is the whole damn oscilloscope.

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:12:59 pm
content: Don't turn it on, blow it apart!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2014, 05:22:43 pm
content: Quote from: c4757p on February 14, 2014, 05:12:59 pmThat should be my new motto! I just bought a new oscilloscope. Don't turn it on, blow it apart! *shoots 6kV though all inputs*

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 06:22:58 am
content: Quote from: dr.diesel on February 14, 2014, 04:03:31 pmDon't get me started on those...Mounting holes are UGHK, unnecessarily small traces, odd shaped poly pours, putting the heatsink mounting points THAT CLOSE to the edge of the board,Quote from: GreyWoolfe on February 14, 2014, 05:04:36 pmOn the subject of tools/mechanicals, do you have a dremel? a hobby knife? panavise/equiv?

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2014, 05:27:14 pm
content: I have a relatively sharp Japanese knife and dislike soldering with a board mount. I have tried one before, and couldn't get used to it. I just borrow my Grandpas dremel.

author: BillyD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2014, 09:47:42 pm
content: Actually how about a de-soldering pump? With one of these you could possibly build up a good stock of components from old kit.Dave reviewed one not too long ago and I was a bit jealous of him.But do refrain from using it on any of your good equipment!

author: Fireball XL5
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 06:47:01 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 14, 2014, 04:19:01 amHow about a kit you'd like to build (a nixie clock or something) and when you're done you give it to them as a present?OR maybe get a lot of stuff you're always running out of: solder, passives, pots... don't limit the gift to just equipment.BTW: Happy Birthday!

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2014, 05:02:48 pm
content: Quote from: Fireball XL5 on February 19, 2014, 06:47:01 amI'm going to purchase a good, fun kit that will hopefully take up more than one weekend to build and learn. Any reccomendations?

author: Fireball XL5
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2014, 05:43:27 am
content: Quote from: echen1024 on February 19, 2014, 05:02:48 pmNope. You've got it covered. Happy Birthday!