What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[Kjelt]

I used something like those in the old days to open up the holes on the pcbs.
First cut off the component, heat the left wire, pull wires out.
Now a lot of those holes would still be closed with tin.
You heat the pad with the tin and insert the appropriate size pin, let cool down, pull out pin and done.

[mdijkens]

[rsjsouza]

I have a license of Second Copy. It is a convenient and configurable package that automates regular file copies, even performs data verification. However, I use it for my Outlook mailbox + working files and, if it finds a locked or temporary file, it spins forever chasing its own tail and requiring a terminate via Task Manager. This happens even if the option to "attempt to copy files in use" is disabled. I still use it but it clearly requires some babysitting.

I use Veeam Agent for Windows. It is free, mature and very stable. (and won't trip over an in-use file because it uses volume shadow copy)
https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html
Single file restore through to full bare metal restore.

At work, we have been using its big brother Veeam Backup and Replication.
We have been using it for 6 years - Backup, replication and restore testing - flawless, it has never let us down.
The Veeam Agent uses the same underlying technology.

I am not associated with Veeam, just a very happy user.

Thanks for the tip; I will give it a try.

Perhaps I should have prefaced my post with the fact I am using Windows 10 Pro with Second Copy, which may well be the source of its problems.

[Jeroen3]

Unsoldering tubes, remembering the old times when using syringe needles.

Aha. Desoldering needles. Googling for unsoldering tubes does not provide EE soldering, but plumbing soldering.

[Specmaster]

I have a license of Second Copy. It is a convenient and configurable package that automates regular file copies, even performs data verification. However, I use it for my Outlook mailbox + working files and, if it finds a locked or temporary file, it spins forever chasing its own tail and requiring a terminate via Task Manager. This happens even if the option to "attempt to copy files in use" is disabled. I still use it but it clearly requires some babysitting.

I use Veeam Agent for Windows. It is free, mature and very stable. (and won't trip over an in-use file because it uses volume shadow copy)
https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html
Single file restore through to full bare metal restore.

At work, we have been using its big brother Veeam Backup and Replication.
We have been using it for 6 years - Backup, replication and restore testing - flawless, it has never let us down.
The Veeam Agent uses the same underlying technology.

I am not associated with Veeam, just a very happy user.

Thanks for the tip; I will give it a try.

Perhaps I should have prefaced my post with the fact I am using Windows 10 Pro with Second Copy, which may well be the source of its problems.

Is it free?
The site refers to a 30day free trail period?

[McBryce]

Unsoldering tubes, remembering the old times when using syringe needles.

Aha. Desoldering needles. Googling for unsoldering tubes does not provide EE soldering, but plumbing soldering.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/8PCS-Lots-Hollow-needles-desoldering-tool-electronic-components-Stainless-steel/232656221250

McBryce.

[rsjsouza]

I have a license of Second Copy. It is a convenient and configurable package that automates regular file copies, even performs data verification. However, I use it for my Outlook mailbox + working files and, if it finds a locked or temporary file, it spins forever chasing its own tail and requiring a terminate via Task Manager. This happens even if the option to "attempt to copy files in use" is disabled. I still use it but it clearly requires some babysitting.

I use Veeam Agent for Windows. It is free, mature and very stable. (and won't trip over an in-use file because it uses volume shadow copy)
https://www.veeam.com/windows-endpoint-server-backup-free.html
Single file restore through to full bare metal restore.

At work, we have been using its big brother Veeam Backup and Replication.
We have been using it for 6 years - Backup, replication and restore testing - flawless, it has never let us down.
The Veeam Agent uses the same underlying technology.

I am not associated with Veeam, just a very happy user.

Thanks for the tip; I will give it a try.

Perhaps I should have prefaced my post with the fact I am using Windows 10 Pro with Second Copy, which may well be the source of its problems.

Is it free?
The site refers to a 30day free trail period?

No, it is not. My dad and I had previous good experiences with it and I got a license a while ago.

[FrankE]

In the post today I received a Makita DHP 481Z brushless. Body only was around £135 delivered.
I'm wondering if it's even worth folk putting their old drills in for service and if I should fix up my BDF451 and BHP451 as loaners / hackspace drills.

When I've done the urgent jobs I bought it for - like fixing the shed roof that blew off - I'd sure like to get scope probes on it to see the comms between the battery and drill.

[gamalot]

I have been Bunnings last Sunday. 

[bitseeker]

You remove the main volume of solder from the joint using your preferred method, then you heat the joint again and push the metal tube of the tool over the pin, seperating the pin from the copper trace in the hole. It doesn't do the entire de-solder, it's just a method to free the component pin inside the hole.

Yep. They're also handy for clearing stubborn plated through holes such as those on large traces in power supplies with tons of solder on them. Just push the solder out of the way instead of wasting lots of wick.

[Mr.B]

Is it free?
The site refers to a 30day free trail period?

Veeam Agent for Windows is free.
SecondCopy is not.

[Specmaster]

Is it free?
The site refers to a 30day free trail period?

Veeam Agent for Windows is free.
SecondCopy is not.

+If its free, why then do I need to register in order to download it and there is 100% defo a 30 day free trail, why would they refer to it thus if it was free? Something not adding up here me thinks.

Not installed it yet as I'm still having problems rebuilding the NAS from the other drives. 

[hscade]

Is it free?
The site refers to a 30day free trail period?

Veeam Agent for Windows is free.
SecondCopy is not.

https://blog.bacula.org/ free for all. Recovery procedure could be easier, but we are happy with it.

[Mr.B]

+If its free, why then do I need to register in order to download it and there is 100% defo a 30 day free trail, why would they refer to it thus if it was free? Something not adding up here me thinks.

I cannot see where you are referring to a 30 day trial.
Their cloud repository support comes with a 30 day trial, but you don't need that if you are backing up to local NAS or removable drive.
The registration is not an issue, just use a disposable email address.
I registered using my real email address and they only send me marketing hype a couple of times a year at most.
Entirely up to you.

[paulca]

You remove the main volume of solder from the joint using your preferred method, then you heat the joint again and push the metal tube of the tool over the pin, seperating the pin from the copper trace in the hole. It doesn't do the entire de-solder, it's just a method to free the component pin inside the hole.

Removing the pin often isn't the hard part.  Getting rid of the solder plug in the hole is.  I used to use a dupont breadboard wire, heat the pad, push it through.  That was until I lifted pad off a board.  Got away with it as I could use another pin for the job, but... I have now moved to the heavy guns and a 1mm drill bit!  Not sure which is worse.

I might try these solder tube needles things to see if it helps.

[Specmaster]

You remove the main volume of solder from the joint using your preferred method, then you heat the joint again and push the metal tube of the tool over the pin, seperating the pin from the copper trace in the hole. It doesn't do the entire de-solder, it's just a method to free the component pin inside the hole.

Removing the pin often isn't the hard part.  Getting rid of the solder plug in the hole is.  I used to use a dupont breadboard wire, heat the pad, push it through.  That was until I lifted pad off a board.  Got away with it as I could use another pin for the job, but... I have now moved to the heavy guns and a 1mm drill bit!  Not sure which is worse.

I might try these solder tube needles things to see if it helps.

I just use a powered desoldering station that sucks away the solder, so far not had any issues at all with that.

[Specmaster]

+If its free, why then do I need to register in order to download it and there is 100% defo a 30 day free trail, why would they refer to it thus if it was free? Something not adding up here me thinks.

I cannot see where you are referring to a 30 day trial.
Their cloud repository support comes with a 30 day trial, but you don't need that if you are backing up to local NAS or removable drive.
The registration is not an issue, just use a disposable email address.
I registered using my real email address and they only send me marketing hype a couple of times a year at most.
Entirely up to you.

Well I have to admit that I have not yet installed it or even read up about it, still trying to rebuilt the new drive in my NAS from the remaining 3 drives which does not seem to be going to well so I might just wipe the lot and start again.

[Tom10000]

I just purchased this for a nixie tube clock project

[beanflying]

Brought the bits to make UV developed boards for those times I need it yesterday Only so much can be done with protoboard or waiting for o/seas boards.

The last scratch made PCB's I made were with dalo pens or dry transfer

[Rolo]

Two probes, ESD mat with leads and wristband.

[GreyWoolfe]

Not today, but Monday.  8 GB of memory for my Dell Precision T5500 that I am building up.  That will give 16 GB for a cheap as chips build and is enough for me.  The memory should be here tomorrow.

[Tedro]

Two probes, ESD mat with leads and wristband.

Side note: Make sure to send Dave a couple extra wristband's for the mailbag... because you know how he loves them.

Fake edit: that is all

[GreyWoolfe]

Two probes, ESD mat with leads and wristband.

Side note: Make sure to send Dave a couple extra wristband's for the mailbag... because you know how he loves them.

Fake edit: that is all

Only the wireless ones. 

[TerraHertz]

Some concentrated sproing.

Thanks to don.r, for shipping me these very deadly and US-government restricted (not!) lengths of 0.002", blue tempered spring steel. That McMaster Carr had refused to ship overseas.
So now finally I can attempt cutting some for replacing lost old-style HP button springs. I did end up with enough original HP springs, thanks to some kind donations. But there's still the mystery of how to actually make those things, for future HP gear missing the button springs.

Once again, if anyone knows what the spring material actually used by HP was, please share. It was 0.002" thick, felt about as springy as this, did not deform when bent, but was silver-shiny color. It didn't rust. and I have a feeling this stuff will, but that remains to be seen.

Second picture is not something I bought, but rather a paper-wasps nest that bought it. Bug sprayed at night, after I had three stings over the last couple of weeks from these guys. You just walk anywhere within a few meters of their nest, and they attack. Will follow you quite a distance. There were maybe 50 wasps sleeping on the nest, but most of them fell in long grass.

[gamalot]

Yet another fan.