i just finish watching the eevblog #168 on youtube and here is dave's conclusions :
[] two multimeter - stick to the brand names like bk precision , amprobe , uni-t , extech , must have uA range , nice to have temperature option(get thermocouple) - 50$ each
[]pocket multimeter - 20$
[] voltage dectector - if you work with the mains.
[] oscilloscope - don't get near USB scope and nano scope just digital bench one , still recommand the rigol ds1052e - 400$ ,
[]analog scope- recommand also to have analog scope as well, 20mhz dual channel.
[]function generator - 2hz-5mhz freq. range, instek 1003 is a bargain- 150$
[]bench power supply 15v@1A - at least two or get dual rail PS , get one with variable voltage and current with 10 turn pot NOT single turn or with fine and corse - 100$
[]soldering station - stick to brands name - hakko , metcal ,pace , weller ... , get a chisel tip not the conical, get one with variable temperature - 100$ + 20$ (tips)
[]hot air station - nice to have if you got a need for it for melting heatshrink and smd rework -60$
[]solder - get the 60/40 not the lead free , rusin core flux get 0.5mm or 0.02" and under diameter - 20$
[] solder spool holder - nice to have.
[]solder wick - 2.2mm for general use , get quality brand - 20$
[]solder sucker pump - 5$
[]flux pen - for smd use - 5$
[]fine Straight tweezers - important to get anti magnetic and stainless -10$
[]fume extractor & safty goggles - you can get the full size one with the filter but they're expensive so you can just take a fan that blows air and keep the fume away - 20$
[]magnifier device - don't need to get high end microscope you can buy hand magnifier with 4x - 10x magnification to inspect soldering joints and to read parts numbers on ICs you can buy
head magnifier as well , you can also get the magnifier lamps .
[]interconnects - BNC to banana and vice versa , bnc splitter etc.. - 20$
[]side cutters - make sure that the under side of the blade is flat - 10$
[]pliers - niddle nose,blunt nose - 10$
[]wire strippers - auto adjustable one are nice or you can use your side cutters - 10$
[]allen key and spanner kits - for pots and general use - 10$
[]hot glue gun - 10$
[]set of files - you can get nibbler if you want to make holes in a front panel - 15$
[]X-Acto knife or utility knife - with replaceable blades - 10$
[]ruler and digital caliper - 30$
[]screwdrivers and screwdrivers sets - all bunch of screwdriver - plat head , philips , hex etc... - 50$
[]magnet -to magnetize or demagnetize you screwdriver
[] plastic screwdriver - if you doing a lot of trim pots and capactior pots.
[]dave cad
- self adhesive paper notes - 5$
[]heatshrinks in different sizes and crimp terminals kit is nice too - 10$
[]leads and alot of them - alligetor to spade , bnc to banana , alligetor to alligetor , bnc to alligetor , bnc to bnc , banana to alligtor , alligetor for you multimeter... - 50$
[]tapes - electrical tape , duct tape , double side tape , masking tape... - 15$
[]wires - solid core 30awg , ribbon cable , power cables etc... - 50$
[]bread board - two will be better , double size is good , buy jumper wires or buy a spool and cut you own - 30$
[]vera board or strip board - if you into vera board prototyping get vera board cutter to cut off a copper strips - 30$
[]spray - electronic cleaning solvent and compressed air
[]dremel of other Rotary tool - if you can afford one.
[]electronics components - through hole and smd , resistors , inductors , leds , voltage regulators , transistrors etc... - 50$
[]esd mat - with wrist strap - 50$
[]bin to throw away all you failed projects
i think you need also :
*a vise to hold the PCB while soldering
*a bottle of alcohole 90% or more to clean stuff
*good light sourse
*some oil spray like WD-40 to freeup somw stuck bolts
*esr meter
*capacitor meter
what do you think?
Ido
p.s. i'm sorry if i got spelling errors , english isn't my mother language.