What's in an electronics hobbyist's toolbox?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the contents of an electronics hobbyist's toolbox, exploring various tools, components, and equipment that participants recommend for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. The scope includes practical tools, measurement devices, and components used in electronics projects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Participants list essential tools such as multimeters, screwdrivers, pliers, and soldering stations, with some specifying brands and models.
  • Some contributors mention additional items like variable voltage power supplies, crimpers, and various electronic components (e.g., resistors, capacitors, transistors).
  • There are suggestions for specialized tools like dental picks for scraping and ratcheting hemostats for heat-sinking during soldering.
  • Several participants emphasize the importance of having multiple multimeters for simultaneous measurements and circuit design software for testing ideas.
  • Some participants share personal anecdotes about older tools and equipment, highlighting their continued usefulness.
  • Discussion includes the mention of microcontrollers and communication tools, with some participants advocating for specific models like Arduino and Ardvaark.
  • One participant introduces a specific CPLD Evaluation Board as a valuable resource for prototyping and learning.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

While many participants agree on the importance of certain basic tools, there are multiple competing views on what constitutes an essential toolbox, with no consensus on a definitive list of items. Some participants suggest additional tools that others may not consider necessary.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying levels of experience and preferences, which may influence their recommendations. Some items mentioned may depend on specific project needs or personal working styles.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for electronics hobbyists, students starting in electronics, and anyone interested in building or refining their own toolbox for electronics projects.

  • #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.
 
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  • #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.
 
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  • #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:
 
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  • #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...
 
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