What's in an electronics hobbyist's toolbox?

  • Thread starter Thread starter MATLABdude
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electronics
AI Thread Summary
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.
  • #151
swampwiz said:
...pinball machines, of both the electromechanical and digital vintage, ...
Digital pinball machines? Did not know such a thing existed. And I was around in the 80s, when electromechanical pinball machines and early video games coexisted for a while.
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
  • #152
Redbelly98 said:
Digital pinball machines? Did not know such a thing existed. And I was around in the 80s, when electromechanical pinball machines and early video games coexisted for a while.
Uh, digital pinball machines came out in 1977-79. No one has made an electromechanical pinball machine since 1978 (I am not counting bingo games).
 
  • #153
Rx7man said:
Do you follow Joe's classic arcade games on youtube? A lot of the old machines had very standard TTL/Cmos logic circuits that aren't too hard to fix.. really great channel https://www.youtube.com/@LyonsArcade
I would rather a freshly made board to an original; I wouldn't mind fixing such a new board, but the whole idea is that they are much more relaible.
 
  • #154
swampwiz said:
Uh, digital pinball machines came out in 1977-79. No one has made an electromechanical pinball machine since 1978 (I am not counting bingo games).
I'm just recalling what I was seeing in arcades and bars in the 80s. I specifically remember this one, which this site claims came out in 1987. That jives with my seeing and playing it around 1987-88.
 
  • #155
Redbelly98 said:
I'm just recalling what I was seeing in arcades and bars in the 80s. I specifically remember this one, which this site claims came out in 1987. That jives with my seeing and playing it around 1987-88.
Pinball machines had been digital since up to 10 years before this.
 
  • #156
nsaspook said:
View attachment 242030
I'd also continue the flow-chart under WD-40:

Is it still not moving?

No, it is now moving -> No Problem

Yes, it is still not moving ->

s-l640-4180082593.jpg
 
  • #157
swampwiz said:
Pinball machines had been digital since up to 10 years before this.
Were you seeing them yourself in widespread use?

I'm not saying they didn't exist, but it can take a while for new things to catch on. Or they can catch on in some parts of the country (or world) well before others.
 
Last edited:
  • #158
Redbelly98 said:
Were you seeing them yourself in widespread use?

I'm not saying they didn't exist, but it can take a while for new things to catch on. Or they can catch on in some parts of the country (or world) well before othersYesYes, I .
Yes, I remember playing digitals in late 70s; they had pretty much taken over everywhere.
 
  • #159
swampwiz said:
No, it is now moving -> No Problem
Well. I've just had a really bad case of WD40 'No Problem' recently

An old water pump got it's big dose of WD40 around a year ago, and yes, it started moving right away
The problem is, that WD40 is NOT a proper lubricant
It washed away all the grease from the bearings
Now that pump is stuck again, with hopelessly rusted bearings this time.

So, that flow chart is a good - joke, but only a joke:frown:

Once something what's supposed to move got its dose of WD40, you'll need to remove WD40 before carefully applying appropriate lubricant.

Now, we gotta get that pump disassembled and up from that narrow pump-well:oldcry:
 
Last edited:
  • #160
a drawer of wire of assorted lengths. (Futurama :) )
 
  • #161
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.
A cig lighter & heat shrink, cigarettes for break time...
 

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top