Electronics Lab for $2000 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2011, 02:38:14 am
content: Starting Electronics Workshop and other ideasHello I think it is a good idea to make a video of necessary tools and components down to the manufacture, model and price to get a working electronics workshop for around $2000.Stuff that I would really like to see:*Multimeter - (fluke 87?)*Oscilloscope*Function Generator*Bench Power Supply*Demo boards - PIC, AVR, ext*Soldering Station/iron - I have not found a how to solder video from you, maybe that is a good idea for a video...*Other tools (measuring tools, wire strippers)A lot of these issues have been talked about a lot of this stuff already but not as a package deal type thing. Basically, if you where to start a beginning electronics lab, given 2000 what could you make happen? (or any dollar amount, maybe as low as 500) It will be OK if not everything is covered, in fact I would be surprised if you can find everything in this price range*Also what suppliers are good to go though to get your components? I hear Digikey come up a lot in the vlog which is a good company (Based in northern Minnesota, i live in Minnesota) but I find they are (at least for hobbyist) a little high priced. I personally like Jameco, do you have any other venders that you like for hobbyist?*Software packages - Free or paid what programs do you like to use to design on. I have used MultiSim and UltiBoard which are of course paid programs. I hear that you use Altium Designer, why this package. I also know Eagle is big, but I find it buggy at times, but what do you think?

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2011, 06:04:53 am
content: Well as you have noticed this has been discussed before, and you may have also noticed that the answer has always been: there's no prepacked set of kit you should get and it all depends on exactly what you want to do. Don't buy stuff until you need it or you will not know what to get and may be wasting money that could be better spent on other stuff to start with. As for manufacturers etc forgive me but you have to do some homework yourself. As you may have also noticed the best bang for buck manufacturers are always changing and you can get some good second hand deals. When I got my scope Rigol was all the rage for cheap but useful scopes, now from what I hear putting my ear to the ground there are others that are comparable if not better although rigol are still a key player in this field.So what exactly are you looking to do with your "lab" ?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 11, 2011, 08:27:07 am
content: I do plan on doing a video on this.Here is the essential stuff, here is the more optional stuff etc.But really, it's as Simon said (no pun intended!), and really I think it's kind of a pointless video, but a lot of people have asked for it...Dave.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2011, 11:10:13 am
content: Concur with Simon and Dave. Choosing the gear yourself piecemeal rather than being spoon-fed will require the buyer to read, and understand, the specs. Eventually it will come down to a group of items to choose from that seem identical upfront, so choosing can be confusing. A good answer then requires the experience of actual owners with the brand, that the forum can provide.

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 02:53:05 am
content: Don't get me wrong, yes you need to pick and choose what is best for you and what you want to do.In this video I am not so much looking for components, even though I did list them as a subject to talk about, I mostly am just looking for equipment.I am not meaning for this to be a shopping list but I for one have been assembling my own list, and i am curious what other people thinkFluke 87 - 314.44 (amazon)Dremel 8000-03 - 69.99 (amazon)Weller WESD51 Digital Soldering Station - 173.00 (amazon)Fluke 62 mini Infrared Thermometer - 88.95 (amazon)Fluke TL81A Test Lead Set, Deluxe Electronic - 120.50 (amazon)Fluke 1AC-A1-II Volt-Alert AC Non-Contact Voltage Tester - 21.19 (amazon)Rigol DS1052E 50MHz DSO - 399.00 (amazon)Dg 1022 20MHz Function Generator - 199.95 (Saelig)EXTECH ELECTRONICS LRC meter - 199.95 (Jameco)Total: 1886.02this leaves a little over 100 for storage bins and other accessories.This is just a short list, and a tenitive one, i buy things when I have the money (College student) and when I need them, if anything this is more of a $2000 wish listI already have an analog scope a couple of DMMs (looking for a decent analog one though, Simpson would be nice)

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 03:59:50 am
content: A Hakko iron is half the price of the weller.IR Thermometer would not be on my basics list, but if you need it you need it.Test leads - nice but expensive.The DG1022 function gen is $500, not $200The other stuff I'd agree on.Dave.

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 04:28:10 am
content: The Weller is just one example, yes i have several cheaper models in mind, i just choose Weller because i know they are easy to find parts for and they are a nice unit... I will check into the Hakko ironidk why but i have always liked IR thermometers, and i do find uses for them for odds and ends... necessary probably not...yea the test leads are very expensive, I probably wont end up getting them, but hey its my wish list I thought I would add them inand typo on the DG1022 it is 499.

author: TheEENerd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 11:58:35 am
content: My home lab, just show off of course

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 12:42:43 pm
content: Hakko FX888, from tequipment.net at ~$90For a function generator consider the Hantek DDS 3x25 that's a steal for $170 that Mechatrommer here has vasty improved, see the thread on eevblog, and/or Instek SFG 1003 for a precision waveform source to 3 MHz.Dremel is a great tool if you use it a lot, but for just projects [ not double duty as general non-electronics tool as it doesn't have the speed or quality] there is a Harbor Freight copy for $8, complete with 50 attachments, until you decide you really the real thing. It'll get the job done, see the reviews on Harbor Freight.

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 12:49:42 pm
content: @tony:so DG1022 and Extech cost $700? a bit more than a pc based FG, and a PC (or a netbook). just a 2cnts thought@nerdy:lucky you have plenty of space therei love my casio calculatori thought that radio is extinct@saturation:not everybody like digital knob with mouse, and lines of codes. and their pc is not as close as mine to my awg.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 12:51:33 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on April 12, 2011, 12:42:43 pmThat Instek looks like a bargain at $150. FPGA inside huh, hmm, I smell mod...

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 01:01:09 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on April 12, 2011, 12:42:43 pmPerhaps another show...

author: bilko
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2011, 10:58:21 pm
content: I don't see a bench PSU, I couldn't work without one.

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2011, 02:59:52 am
content: Quote from: yachtronics on April 12, 2011, 10:58:21 pmGood call, but as for me I already have one, however now that you bring it up, a dual supply one would be nice, exp when working with OpAmps and other kinds of amplifiers or any electronic that uses both a positive and negative voltage.

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2011, 01:54:08 am
content: somewhat related, I always lusted after those combo DMM/Soldering Station/power supply dealies that they sell at like jameco and on Ebay. If I had to start a kit for bare minimum dollars, it would include one of those things along with a MCU programmer and some LED's, Resistors, Opamps and some other sundry items.

author: Tony R
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2011, 05:14:24 am
content: Quote from: smackaay on April 18, 2011, 01:54:08 amyou would be referring to:http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&productId=695025&catalogId=10001&freeText=695025&app.products.maxperpage=15&storeId=10001&search_type=jamecoall&ddkey=http:StoreCatalogDrillDownViewI would save your money...*The DMM have an AC and DC range of 200mV to 600V not very low when dealing with fine electronics*DC current range is 200uA to 10A, not a range that i look for, i would say if it went down to 10uA it would be worth a better look.*Resistance, a minimum of 200 Ohm, I have done projects where 200 Ohm would have dissipated to much power*This unit also features diode, transistor and continuity tester.It also is CAT I (600V) and CAT II (300V) complaint... however i would not put 300V in that thing let alone 600.It also is not auto ranging... why the heck not?You can also check out your transistors in it... but if you remember Dave's rant on cheep DMMs you will know that means nothing.you also need to put in a 9V battery... and have it plug into the wall?? they have the 9V power supply right next to it, why cant they feed that power into the DMM?It also uses glass fusesIt also is not true RMS*The Power Supply has set ranges, 3 4.5,6,7.5,9 and 12V... nice if your working on a project that will be ran on batteries, but sometimes you need to test to see how it will run on low batteries, it would be nice if i could select 3.25V, other times it is nice to see when something happens at what voltage if it happens at 3.25 you wont know unless you hook up a pot to measure it.*The specs say it has "Low Ripple" Well its a DC power supply, it should have almost no ripple (on the order of uV to less then 10 mV)*It also supports up to 1.5A, that's not badThe soldering iron... 150C to 450C, a very nice range, but how good is the iron? can you find replacement tips? how good is the plating on the tips? will the tip last? I once had a friend who bought a cheep soldering iron with a cheep tip, when the chip was made the metal had an air bubble in it, when the tip got hot the air expanded and blew the tip into shrapnel, my friend was lucky and no harm was done, to him other then a few minor burns from being hit with hot metal, nothing big. but it could have been worst (side note, always ware safety glasses)Although the price tag is amazingly cheep... but cheep usually means to good to be true.Basically, this unit (IMO) is not worth it you may be getting 3 devices which could be very expensive, but none of them are worth itI use a Fluke 87V before I got that I used an old Fluke 77, it works fine and i really like it and still use it. you can get one online for about 90USD on ebay used that is where I got mine 3 years ago, brought it into the lab to test if it was still accurate with more expensive equipment. and although it is like 15+ years old, it works like a charm.I have a radio shack digital soldering station.http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3132686I am looking for a new one but mine has served me well thus far however the tips where hard to find but they are out there from a company called Madell. (they make the iron with out the radio shack logo on it for a little cheaperIf you want a soldering iron similar to what you see in this product, it would be easy to make. you can use a LM317 linear regulators (or find switching regulators) you can find samples of them though TI, get a nice transformer and some bridge rectifiers along with some nice caps and pots you can have the same thing but better and have the pride of making it yourself. (add a 337 and you can take pride in making a dual output +/- power supply.wow i wrote a lot more then I expected point is don't buy it its not worth it.

author: smackaay
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2011, 07:19:50 pm
content: lol, yes. It's not a great buy and I have a pretty wide range of tools now on my bench. But when I was first starting with electronics I lusted after it. I still think that despite it's flaws you could still get stuff done with it, it's compact and it probably works adequately.Personally I would never do without my two big power supplys, irons, test equipment. But if I were a kid again, these things would be a real treat, especially on a small desk.