Hi all, Looking for kits -- SMD and throughhole

[Thor214]

Hi everybody!

First time on the forum, long time YT channel viewer. I am looking for some simple (or even slightly complex) kits to get my soldering skills up a little bit.

I understand the soldering process and the basic physics involved, as well as replacing caps on a glut of free computer monitors, and soldering a shit load of audio and DMX lighting cables (TRS/TR, XLR3/XLR5). I really just want some experience putting some stuff together (plus it'll give me something to do on those days I just have no clue about what I want to do).

Thanks for the anticipated feedback, and I look forward to your replies!

-Thor

[duskglow]

OK, some other people here might bash me for this, but there are some reasonably priced kits for things to put together at Radio Shack and Fry's.  Not EXCELLENTLY priced, but not too bad.

This is a good kit:  http://www.ladyada.net/make/ybox2/

And I think you can find others there and at adafruit too.

[Thor214]

OK, some other people here might bash me for this, but there are some reasonably priced kits for things to put together at Radio Shack and Fry's.  Not EXCELLENTLY priced, but not too bad.

This is a good kit:  http://www.ladyada.net/make/ybox2/

And I think you can find others there and at adafruit too.

That looks like a very interesting kit. I will have to look into it.

Thanks!

[johnboxall]

Hi everybody!

First time on the forum, long time YT channel viewer. I am looking for some simple (or even slightly complex) kits to get my soldering skills up a little bit.
-Thor

I've built and reviewed a few kits - http://tronixstuff.wordpress.com/kitreviews/

[KarlMonster]

I was building this kit when I reached a soldering breakthrough of my own. The current version is different than that pictured. If you plan on working with inductors in the future, this is quite handy.

http://electronics-diy.com/lc_meter.php

Alas, I haven't finished mine yet. I'm still fussing about what to do with the 2 header pins for test leads, and the two header pins for power. [The kit offers no guidance for either.] I want mine to run on batteries or from a power supply, and I'm designing a pair of static clips instead of test leads - so that curves in the leads don't add to measured inductance.

For my next project, I'm considering the DMMCheck Plus.

[notsob]

Try and make some items that will be of use later. As you have already been repairing monitors, perhaps an ESR meter, here's an analog display ESR meter.
http://www.users.on.net/~endsodds/esr.htm

(if you want the parts kit try Aztronics in Adelaide SA.
http://shop.aztronics.com.au/

Also lots of details here on test type equipment you can make.
http://www.users.on.net/~endsodds/

[Thor214]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I ordered a $25 kit, and now have to wait until my paycheck clears (supposed to this morning at midnight) to order a good soldering station.

Thanks!

[ben_r_]

What kit did you order and what soldering station are you thinking of getting? How much do you have to spend on one?

[TerminalJack505]

OK, some other people here might bash me for this, but there are some reasonably priced kits for things to put together at Radio Shack and Fry's.  Not EXCELLENTLY priced, but not too bad.

This is a good kit:  http://www.ladyada.net/make/ybox2/

And I think you can find others there and at adafruit too.

Last time I was in Radio Shack they had several kits on clearance.  Pretty reasonably priced.  A lot of the Arduino shields were on clearance as well.

You might even be able to pick one up "on the house."  Apparently there was a class action lawsuit against Radio Shack and they are making $10 vouchers available as part of the settlement.

[Thor214]

What kit did you order and what soldering station are you thinking of getting? How much do you have to spend on one?

I got this kit http://jimmieprodgers.com/kits/apc/ because I am a sucker for audio stuff (live/recording audio is my speciality), and am looking at something along these lines for a soldering station http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-FX888-FX-888-Soldering-Station/dp/B004M3U0VU/ .

I appreciate any thoughts and suggestions. (Also, USA based, since shipping from Australia ain't cheap)

[notsob]

Probably would be a good idea to change your profile to being located in the USA so we know where you are.

[Thor214]

Probably would be a good idea to change your profile to being located in the USA so we know where you are.

That sounds like an excellent idea. Thank you.

[Thor214]

What kit did you order and what soldering station are you thinking of getting? How much do you have to spend on one?

I purchased an analogue Hakko FX888 before they were hard to get (it was still $10 (USD) more than the digital version). How I wish I had one back when our concert venue first opened. I soldered way too many 5-pin and 3-pin XLR cables with a $10 Weller iron to count. That and a set of helping hands or a tiny vice would have been great back then, too.

My advice to anyone looking at the Hakko irons: Based upon slight dislike for the digital interface, spend the extra $20 or so to get an analogue version. They've been discontinued, but there are still some for sale out there.

[ben_r_]

What kit did you order and what soldering station are you thinking of getting? How much do you have to spend on one?

I purchased an analogue Hakko FX888 before they were hard to get (it was still $10 (USD) more than the digital version). How I wish I had one back when our concert venue first opened. I soldered way too many 5-pin and 3-pin XLR cables with a $10 Weller iron to count. That and a set of helping hands or a tiny vice would have been great back then, too.

My advice to anyone looking at the Hakko irons: Based upon slight dislike for the digital interface, spend the extra $20 or so to get an analogue version. They've been discontinued, but there are still some for sale out there.

Good choice! Now put that bad boy to work!