Better tools to work - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: R3tikus
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 22, 2011, 04:32:06 pm
content: I write this post because I've been searching and have not found it. It would be helpful to write a post with the best tools out there now, so people can order it for ChristmasWhat tools do you think is the best?-soldering station-multimeter-microchip programmer-function generator-power supply-oscilloscopeIf you think a few more tools, don`t hesitate to comment.

author: McMonster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2011, 05:05:49 pm
content: This is something you'd like to watch:http://www.eevblog.com/2011/04/30/eevblog-168-how-to-set-up-an-electronics-lab/

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 12:12:51 am
content: from my memory gathered from eevblog:soldering station = hakko et almultimeter = fluke, agilent, gossen et almicrochip programmer = pickitfunction generator = manypower supply = diy and manyoscilloscope = rigol, agilent, owon et aluse search function in eevblog forum main page.

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 02:01:34 am
content: There's best and there's best; what's the budget?I bet that narrows it down

author: robrenz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 03:18:47 am
content: Soldering station = definitely JBC

author: nzo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2011, 06:20:07 am
content: Hakko 888 soldering station. Good for conventional soldering as well as SMT. Great selection of tips. Won't break the bank.

author: ipman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 10:56:14 am
content: That recomandations will exceed hundreds of US dollars.Altough they are good tools (and of course good recomandations), there are also more budget-oriented tools which can be decent for beginers.

author: nzo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2011, 11:45:32 am
content: I've been down this path many times, with pottery, ceramics, web design, graphic design, electronics, diy...and wasted so much money and time on tools that didn't cut it, be they hardware or software. My advice to myself now is toget the best tools I can afford, and not to buy something because it will save me a few bucks. So far I've not regretted that, be it a weed-whacker for the farm or a soldering workstation. I did my research, listened to others and then made up my own damn mind.And that process hasneverled me to buy the most expensive stuff.

author: tbscope
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2011, 12:01:56 pm
content: Quote from: R3tikus on December 22, 2011, 04:32:06 pmIt really depends on what you want to do with it.What are the frequencies you need for your function generator and oscilloscope?What is the required power needed from your power supply?What kind of measurements do you want to make with your multimeter? General measurements or very precise measurements?Do you want to solder throughole components or also very small smd components?Example: For most of my measurements, a millivolt multimeter is good enough. But for a few specific cases I need to measure differences in microvolts. My multimeter can't do that (resolution of 0.1 mV and down at 0.1 mV I'm sure the meter isn't accurate). So I had to get a more expensive lab multimeter. Both are the best in what they do, but both do different jobs.

author: Zad
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2011, 03:17:33 pm
content: Is your hobby electronics, or electronics test gear? Don't get hung up on best best best. Good enough is good enough.As with most hobbies, there is a huge amount of marketing budget spent on getting people to upgrade their gear and spend a huge amount of money on it. At home I have a couple of Antex soldering irons that I have had for well over 20 years. Both are perfectly good for through-hole work and larger SMDs. My scope never goes beyond 10MHz, and I can't remember the last time I needed a signal generator.I would say buy what you want when you need it, and don't confuse what you need with what you want .