What's in an electronics hobbyist's toolbox?

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The discussion revolves around essential tools and components for an electronics hobbyist's toolbox. Key items mentioned include multimeters, various screwdrivers, soldering stations, and a range of hand tools like pliers and tweezers. Participants emphasize the importance of having a good collection of components, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, along with power supplies and breadboards for prototyping. Many contributors also highlight the value of specialized tools like magnifying glasses and oscilloscopes for detailed work and troubleshooting. Overall, the conversation underscores the necessity of a well-rounded toolkit for effective electronics experimentation and repair.
  • #61
Don't forget:
Small 4vdc power driver drill with bits for the many cabinet and case screws you will come across.
Zip ties in asst sizes
Grounding bracelet
Asst fuzes
A small set of band aides
 
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  • #62
I also have a battery operated transmitter and flash light. An additional set of safety ware.
 
  • #63
I also have a battery operated transmitter

that needs further clarification

what sort of transmitter, what do you use it for ?


Dave
 
  • #64
I was just wondering if any of you have a brazing torch in your toolkit, and if you would recommend it (interest in robotics --construction and everything). I'm just generally curious. Thanks !
 
  • #65
MATLABdude said:
I've occasionally been asked by some of the students I've mentored or TA'd over the years, "What's in your toolbox? What do you recommend for someone who's just starting off to put in their toolbox?" I thought it might be fun / helpful to list some of your contents / essentials!

In my (electronics) toolbox (and piled on top/around it), I have:
  • multimeter (Meterman 37XR, purchased after a few lower-quality multimeters gave up)
  • bits of wire made into various probing bits for the above
  • nice multi-bit screwdriver (Megalok)
  • multi-bit mini-screwdriver set (think jeweller's tools)
  • allen key set on a handle (so you don't lose any)
  • several pairs of needle nose pliers (regular to really, really narrow)
  • several pairs of side cutters (in various stages of being chewed up)
  • Greenlee inductive probe
  • needle- and blunt-tipped tweezers
  • spring-loaded mini grabber thingamajig
  • fancy self-adjusting wire strippers (I had an employee discount)
  • breadboard + a small roll of 22 gauge solid-core wire
  • adjustable-temperature Weller soldering station, fine (lead) solder, and braid
  • hot glue gun
  • hot air gun
  • small box-cutter
  • pair of handy-hands

Plus some assorted components / odds-and-ends I haven't file away into the appropriate storage case.
My latest science project has required that I invest in some surface mount soldering equipment. I figured I was going to be old, blind, and dead before I had to do this stuff. Turns out I'm a lot better at this than most electronics whippersnappers. :)
 
  • #66
Binocular microscope and micropositioning table. Actually you CAN do surface mount soldering without these, but is sure makes it a lot more fun. :)
 
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  • #67
This is a great thread! I'm fresh out of school and hoping to break into the Controls, Calibration and Electronics field and I never could get an exhaustive list of what I would need. Usually the only answer I get is "DMM and wire strippers". Thanks everyone for the replies and insight.
 
  • #68
How about a first aid kit? and a defibrillator for those times when you overshock the system?
 
  • #69
LOL :-)
 
  • #70
jedishrfu said:
How about a first aid kit? and a defibrillator for those times when you overshock the system?
For those kind of problems, if I lived near berkeman, I'd just call him.
 
  • #71
dlgoff said:
For those kind of problems, if I lived near berkeman, I'd just call him.
I wonder that only a few people have an oscilloscope in their "toolbox". This is one of the most important tools in electronics. For little money (starting at about 100 USD) there are meanwhile USB oscilloscopes available which also include digital channels, function generator or even protocol analysis functions. This should be sufficient for debugging even most mixed-signal designs. A product overview of low end USB oscilloscopes was published recently here: http://oscopes.info/market/2256-usb-oscilloscopes-product-overview-low-end
 
  • #72
the times thay are a-changin'...

It has become necessary to have a set of so called "Security Bits" (aka tamper-proof) to disassemble things nowadays.

My stupid microwave was put together with Torx-head screws having a little bump in center that keeps you from inserting an everyday Torx.
Neighbor's drill press switch broke. I went to pillage the switch out of a junk coffeemaker and found IT assembled with similarly "bumped" slotted screws.
Who ever heard of a three-wing Phillips screw head? Wall warts have them now...
Why? It's not as if Handymen are into espionage.

Life is frustrating enough without these intentional and nefarious implements of torture.
image_21405.jpg


See the Torx and Allens with hole for the security bump?
Set is ten bucks at chinese import junk-tool store..
I keep 'em in the grandfather clock so i know where they are.
 
  • #73
Probably my age , magnifier goes without saying;but an analog multirange meter with a large dial an analog scope a range of chip resistors and ceramic capacitors, finally a
the real bargins are cheap 4GHz frequency (counter) with signal level indication A PC with LTspice loaded.
 
  • #74
A set of hemostats for heat sinking and maybe a fluke 87 for reading rms voltage. A digital multi meter that tests transistors and capacitors is handy.
 
  • #75
Start with a nice computer with an internet connection. Order what you need for your project. Digikey has most everything, but at a price. Shop around if your budget is limited.

You can drop thousands of dollars on stuff you'll never use.

You might consider velcro tape to hold subassemblies in place. Use surface mount parts. These are small enough you will need some magnifying system (a nice glass, or loop, or bright lights) and some skill with a nice soldering iron (Weller). You can cut copper boards with a dremmel including removing copper (instead of photoresist). For more complex work, just draw your board on a CAD and order it online. They are cheap ($30 or so for the first 4 or so; cheaper the more you order).

There's a site called Find Chips which will sometimes allow you to identify ICs. Don't discount software and time spent on the computer. Plan on spending most of your time thinking and planning. Engineering paper and a good mechanical pencil (I like a 0.5 mm with 2B lead to make it dark).

Some minimum things you will need are needlenose, cutters, a scribe (pick), wire, breadboard, multimeter, two power supplies, a signal generator, an O-scope, and some heatshrink tubing, a computer cord/powerstrip with lots of plugs.

There are multimeters and O-scopes that work in computers, but good equipment is worth the price if you are rich or going to be using it a lot.

I can't imagine not having a vector network analyzer, but I did lots of antenna work.
 
  • #76
c289_pocket_ref_4th_ed.jpg
 
  • #77
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  • #78
Wow --- that's one heck of a signal generation/analysis system for $279. The analog parts kit is an additional $65. Seems to have pretty good reviews.
 
  • #79
Lots of good stuff posted, and lots I can only drool about having
OK, so I don't have everything I'd like and have on this list...
Multimeters? 1 quality analog with a big dial, and an LRC capable digital one (too many times it's too hard to read numbers on ceramic caps and inducers)

Oscilloscope (not optional, even if it's not fancy!). the more features the merrier, but there's lots you can do with a 1960's 2 channel unit if you're not doing HF stuff

I also find having an Arduino in the toolbox very handy.. they're so cheap now if you need any sort of digital sequencing, analog monitoring, etc they're indispenable.. Add a few prototyping shields, an LCD display, and you're set

A dremel with a good set of carbide bits, drills, wire wheels

One thing I haven't seen posted as an essential tool is a hammer! Percussive maintenance is often neglected!
 
  • #80
Without knowing what someone is working on it is a bit hard to say too much. I work on tube amps so I need things that will work with high voltage.

Here is a list of what I consider mistakes and what I am really glad I bought.

Mistakes:
Too many low end DMM's
Junk tools from Harbor Freight...You can buy a 12 pound hammer from them that works really well for relieving stress...lol
Trying to get by with a cheaper solder rework station
I have a high quality tube tester...it was a waist of money...better to spend money on good tubes from a known source

The right stuff:
Xcelite tools...I spent around $400 or more on this kind of stuff
Best quality DeWalt drills...$235 for a set of two
Fluke 179 DMM..This should have been my first DMM, fast and easy to use...around $300
Simpson 260 analog multimeter...This you should not buy until you have a need for it...Don't remember cost, had one for fourty years
All the lights you can afford and LED lighting if you can afford it...something around $200 should get you going
A really comfortable chair if you are spending much time working
A really wonderful wife who will make coffee for you
A large computer screen so you can read the crap schematics you will wind up working with...add two inches per 10 years past 40...lol
Some of the made in China stuff actually works well, such as a varac, 60VDC power supply
I am happy with the Owan 100meg scope I got new for around $400 also a Owan function generator for around $300
A good solid work bench that you should build yourself to fit what you need...perhaps around $200...a chop saw for around $150 and a cordless drill will let you build most anything from wood without needing very much skill in woodworking
Basic electronics parts...you will never have enough...lol...If you need one opamp order at least six, that way you will build up some stock. 1% resistors assortments from China are a good deal and I have had no issues with them. I buy the largest lots they sell.

Cheers,

Billy
 
  • #81
OH, and I forgot to mention the downside of buying another new, really cool-looking gadget in a desperate search for a problem to solve.
 
  • #83
jedishrfu said:
And the downside is the going into debt?

Well...yes debt could be an issue but the wasted time in the "desperate search" is more to the point...lol

I have to admit I have a few useless gadgets...lol
 
  • #85
Why waste space in the toolbox. Keep it on the bench where you can use it. :kiss:

28955173836_629a415a74_b_d.jpg
 
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  • #86
That's my bench! :biggrin:
 
  • #87
What's in the grey plastic box in the middle of the top shelf? A current probe? A diff probe?

And the wood box to the right of it -- is it a VNA calibration kit? :smile:
 
  • #88
berkeman said:
What's in the grey plastic box in the middle of the top shelf? A current probe? A diff probe?

And the wood box to the right of it -- is it a VNA calibration kit? :smile:

Grey box is a logic monitor (behind it, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00011UYJU/?tag=pfamazon01-20) and the wood box is in the wrong place. That's a mil-spec pin extractor set for ITT cannon connectors.

I just cleaned it so at least 25% of the work-space is being wasted.
 
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  • #89
Nobody ever mentions latex/nitrile gloves for keeping finger grease off of copper wires (apologies in advance for the post I overlooked that someone will inevitably quote :oops:). Also, coil jigs and lathes. High power stuff with fun-yet-inefficient sparks, arcs and "magnety" stuff is what drew me to physics, and ultimately electronics, in the first place. It's much better for a hobbyist to actually learn how to assemble an inductor from raw materials anyway. I think recent developments such as raspberry pi are removing the self-rewarding aspect of learning how components work at a fundamental level. A hobbyist should suffer for their art. :mad:
 
  • #90
Alex163 said:
I think recent developments such as raspberry pi are removing the self-rewarding aspect of learning how components work at a fundamental level. A hobbyist should suffer for their art. :mad:

I don't see it that way. Those with the natural talent for building don't suffer. The joys of burning components while learning is such sweet nirvana.
 
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