My "lab" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 05:42:20 pm
content: Hi allJust going to post these notes here so I can edit them and see them everywhere, and get advice from you guys!I have:Multimeter: Extech EX330 (£40)Scope: Tektronix 2215 60 MHz (Free, need more leads and stuff though)I need:Bench power supply, Dual output 0-30v, 2amp maybe?Function gen, Would those cheap chinese 3-5Mhz ones do?Soldering iron, probably going to get a cheap one OR import from Dealextreme a Hakko. Already got a cheap one but its bad.2nd Multimeter: Some cheap chinese one (not urgent), OR a uni-t bench top meter and a cheapo £10 pocket meterCan you think of anything else?

author: Jad.z
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:04:21 pm
content: Quote from: Christopher on July 12, 2012, 05:42:20 pmSure,1- Proper Lighting2- Decent CameraIf you haven't already, watch EEVBlog #168LinkGood luck, and most importantly have fun!

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:11:52 pm
content: Lighting - I have 3 halogen bulbs under the first shelf which looks nice! Also going to pickup one of those magnifier lamp things which can move about.Camera - No need at the moment, webcam and mobile phone are fine. Will get something if it comes along though.I've got a load of general tools, Im not a complete beginner.

author: Flávio V
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:15:54 pm
content: I would recommend a JBC soldering iron,their irons and stations are very good,comparing to other's than i could use...a JBC iron can be better than a cheap/no-brand soldering station...The reason to have a JBC is than it does't is made in china(made in spain),has a good temperature raise and control and their tips have a very large lifetime...over 3-5 times the "other brands"(has advertised by JBC)And, of course than JBC has some pretty bad thinks, the price does't is the low one,but not that expensive, and their tips are a large pain to change(regular ones,not small and SMD ones)But i can tell than they are very worth it to have...For a decent cheap camera i can recommend the canon SX40,very cheap and it does't is compact(so it isn't a toy),personally i don't have it but i have tryed it and it is good for the price, of course than it does't beats my old canon 500d...

author: RRobot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:18:42 pm
content: Get a hardcover (bound, not spiral spine) log book and make notes on the things you work on.Just yesterday I saved probably 2 hours dicking around when I picked up a project that I dropped 6 months ago and merely had to review my notes to get back on track.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:33:16 pm
content: Quote from: Flávio V on July 12, 2012, 06:15:54 pmJBC = too pricey for a beginner. Still too pricey when it's absolutely overkill at a home lab, a hakko would do VERY WELLA good all rounder camera will be the D3100 or the D3200D3100 = 100$ cheaper 14.2MegapixelsD3200 = 24.2Megapixels much better low light performance, which matches mid-range DSLR's

author: KTP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 06:43:14 pm
content: The most used thing at my workbench other than my soldering iron and antistatic mat/wriststrap is a cheapy but usable binocular microscope for working on smt (everything now is smt almost).I just finished soldering 144 PLCC-6 smt leds, 6 TSSOP 24 pin chips and a slew of 0805 resistors and caps...with zero mistakes or solder bridges. I would die without that $200 microscope. One time I managed to solder over twenty 30 gauge wires to a 0.64mm pitch chip and made teepees out of 0402 resistors because the correct values were not on hand....love that microscope!

author: Pickers
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 07:40:35 pm
content: Component trays with assorted components to fill said trays!

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 07:49:16 pm
content: Quote from: KTP on July 12, 2012, 06:43:14 pmKTP: What microscope do you have?

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 07:52:11 pm
content: Quote from: RRobot on July 12, 2012, 06:18:42 pmI do this, but I love my spiral bound notebook, because it lies flat on the desk. Hardbound books I always have to press on the spine, and they eventually crack.Tell me why you have a preference for hardbound books over spiral bound.

author: KTP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:12:13 pm
content: Quote from: deephaven on July 12, 2012, 07:49:16 pmI have no clue what the model is or manufacturer....The only label says "#1 good microslope, made in China". It has 1x and 3x objective and 10x eyepieces. I mostly use the total 10x magnification doing smt.I really shouldn't be so down on it....even if the screws are some patented offcenter version of a phillips head, it still has served me quite well for like 9 years.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:25:43 pm
content: Quote from: KTP on July 12, 2012, 08:12:13 pmTorq-set?

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:28:30 pm
content: Quote from: KTP on July 12, 2012, 08:12:13 pmThanks. I like the label! I've always used X4 and X7 eye magnifiers and often wonder if a microscope would be better.

author: KTP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:50:46 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on July 12, 2012, 08:25:43 pmIs there really a screw done like that on purpose? These are supposed to be phillips actually, but they were machined by a blind monkey being chased by a panda.

author: KTP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:53:59 pm
content: Quote from: deephaven on July 12, 2012, 08:28:30 pmThe best writing/label from China I have ever seen was in a manual for a bench lathe we bought at my old company. I kid you not, here is what it said "Please not to put lathe in place where sun don't shine"I wish I had taken that manual with me or photocopied it.Get a microscope...you will wonder how you ever soldered before.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:56:44 pm
content: Quote from: KTP on July 12, 2012, 08:50:46 pmYes, actually. They're designed for aerospace applications, and are designed for precise torque setting (hence the name).

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 08:59:05 pm
content: Quote from: KTP on July 12, 2012, 08:53:59 pmLove it! Many years ago I was on a sales trip in Hong Kong. There was a song contest going on on the TV. The winning song was titled "I've got you on the backside of my mind".

author: RRobot
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2012, 11:31:59 pm
content: Quote from: codeboy2k on July 12, 2012, 07:52:11 pmProbably force of habit.Every engineering place I've worked (except one hell hole) issued black HC notebooks. The idea is no pages can be torn out or go missing and the books are property of employer when you leave. If they are good quality, the spine shouldn't be splitting or cracking and they should lay fairly flat after they wear in. Since you carry the thing with you all day, they need to be durable. Never worked at a place that issued spiral notebooks for log books. The other thing is I am left handed and the spiral makes writing a bit more awkward. I use the same sort of notebooks at home. I probably go through 2 or 3 a year. Never lost a page.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2012, 12:18:06 am
content: Quote from: RRobot on July 12, 2012, 11:31:59 pmYeah my company did that too, they were bound tightly, and they do wear in. Top quality note books. The spines were double re-inforced, they never cracked.At home I only use the cheap spiral log books

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2012, 01:01:55 am
content: Quote from: DaveXRT on July 12, 2012, 06:33:16 pmSlightly offtopic of course, but any SLR is a waste of money for electronics purposes.A simple compact camera with macro range is much more useful for photos in electronics context, which is mostly about macros. Because of their smaller sensors, these compacts have much greater depth of field. An SLR with (expensive) macro lens produces a very narrow DOF and is also quite troublesome wrt flash because the stupid lens tends to get in the way.Had a D70S with all the bells and whistles - lenses actually, but for electronics documentation purposes I'm much more happy with my Panasonic ZX1. And it probably costed less than any of the lenses I had with the D70...

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2012, 02:26:10 pm
content: Quote from: Short Circuit on July 13, 2012, 01:01:55 amI had a superzoom AND i had enough of it. Noise. My greatest enemy

author: JBC Tools
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 05:36:05 am
content: Thank you for recommendingJBC!Our range of soldering irons includes from the most precise NT105, perfect to work under a microscope, until the powerful T470. The short distance between the tip and the handle enables to obtain the highest precision. JBC tools are currently the smallest, the lightest and the most ergonomic.More info:www.jbctools.comWe try to make your job easier.

author: DeanA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 07:59:16 am
content: My Lab,Named Spark,3 years old.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 12:14:53 pm
content: A small small vice attached to the desk is absolutely invaluable (there is also a thread about it/helping hands somewhere). A lot of component storage containers! Also some small storage containers for parts while building/breaking stuff. Cigarette lighter (you never know when a flame will be useful). Hot glue gun and glue sticks. A fan to ventillate and one to cool things that may need cooling.Lots more!Storage doesnt seem important now but youll regret it later if you dont have it.

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 08:29:14 pm
content: @Christopher: Is your bench an Ikea Fredrik? If so, what are your thoughts on build quality?

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2012, 09:21:29 pm
content: Quote from: JBC Tools on July 18, 2012, 05:36:05 amUsually, I only buy oranges from Spain, but if you send me one, I will reviews it for you

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2012, 01:38:41 pm
content: Quote from: slateraptor on July 18, 2012, 08:29:14 pmYep. Very very nice, although the shelves were a bit of a pain in the arse to put in.Shelves are solid as a rock with scopes etc on, because of the metal bar under it.Bought it 2nd hand for £40!

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 04:49:05 am
content: Quote from: DeanA on July 18, 2012, 07:59:16 am"Best in show!"

author: slateraptor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2012, 08:51:46 am
content: Quote from: Christopher on July 22, 2012, 01:38:41 pmThanks for the feedback. I've been contemplating them for a new personal setup, although they're quite difficult to acquire around here at a reasonable price; shipping costs make purpose-designed benches intended for the industrial market look like an attractive option.

author: JBC Tools
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 06:25:32 am
content: Quote from: bilko on July 18, 2012, 09:21:29 pmOf course, we kindly invite you to fill in the application form to ask for a demo, you will find the link at the home page.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 01:03:36 pm
content: Dunno how does it look in the UK, but in most of the eastern europe JBC equipment is prohibitively expensive. Ok, we have JBC stations at work, if my company is willing to put out that much money, it's not my problem. I generally can't justify putting out something like 1.5-2x my monthly sallary for a soldering station.I agree, that JBC qeuipment is very good in quality and extremly ergonomic (very light handles), but i can't actually think of a feature in soldering station that would make me pay that much money for it.

author: Astroplio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2012, 03:19:13 pm
content: Quote from: RRobot on July 12, 2012, 06:18:42 pmAh! That's some good advice! Thanks :-)