EEVblog #954 - How To Setup An Electronics Lab For $300 $500 did it in 2015!
I just realized: I want a purple multimeter!
"Flush side cutters"?
The very best tool for trimming component legs to the perfect height is:
PS: This thread is going to cause a lot of arguments...
Actually, I've always wondered how well those "jewelers/dentists" magnifiers work. Anyone have any comments on these ?
pretty much all dont ship to aus.
Actually, I've always wondered how well those "jewelers/dentists" magnifiers work. Anyone have any comments on these ?
I don't own either but if "jewelers/dentists" use them then they must work.
"Flush side cutters"?
The very best tool for trimming component legs to the perfect height is:
Agree with Fungus, nail clippers is what I use constantly. It doesn't last long if you have a lot to do, but is cheap and everywhere.
nail clippers is what I use constantly. It doesn't last long if you have a lot to do...
Neither do those $1.50 side cutters.
(PS: You can get better quality nail clippers...but they're never going to be tempered steel)
I would go for a meter that has K-Type thermocouple reading (ADM02 is the one I like and sell out of the cheap chinese meters, fuses on both ranges, backlight, auto off, temperature)
0.3mm solder is a bit small for my liking, especially with marginal flux content chinese stuff. 0.6-0.8 probably better. But that said I'm currently using a spool of "Best" brand 0.4mm which is fairly decent.
Flux pen... matter of preference perhaps, but I use syringe paste flux (knock off Amtech brand all over the usual pkaces).
Magnifier and microscope... I'd put those at the end of the list, if your vision is any good somebody who is "setting up an electronics lab" is probably not at the level where they are going to be using components small enough to need magnification beyond a magnifying glass from the local $2 shop.
I would take the money from the magnification stuff and put it towards a hot air station first (perhaps instead of the iron suggested, get one with hot air as well), far more essential and useful if dealing with surface mount, and even beginners are going to deal with surface mount (and should, because it's easier) - or at the very least, for shrinking heatshrink.
I would also try and squeeze out another $5 for a cheap 8ch logic analyzer, and use it with sigrok open source logic analyzer software. I get more use out of the LA than out of a scope, being digitally minded.
Actually, I've always wondered how well those "jewelers/dentists" magnifiers work. Anyone have any comments on these ?
Similar to those I use a lot, they have a second flip down lense that's great for detailed inspection and SMD. ~3x
Mine are more like the set below from in Daves link but without the LED, there where very few with LED's when I bought mine. Occasionally you need the additional roll down lense for reading poorly printed #'s on the likes of SOT-23.
The other type I was advised against as there's no horizontal adjustment to get the lenses adjusted to a proper stereo vision that at the higher magnifications you want.
From ez24's link:
Focal length can be the issue with these, these are not so bad @320mm but many are 400.
I've looked long and hard at these too but the only 3x or a little more is not enough for the very fine work when you want them.
Daves USB camera looks a better and cheaper solution for when you really need it.
Dave could do different price levels. Not everyone has the same budget. For example he could do one at the $500, $1000. $2000 etc levels
good idea
for more videos maybe have a best for digital or best for analog lab setup.
I just realized: I want a purple multimeter!
At first I was like
but then it kinda grew on me.
Actually, I've always wondered how well those "jewelers/dentists" magnifiers work. Anyone have any comments on these ?
My mate Doug Ford who you've seen on the show swears by them.
Not a huge fan myself, I find them annoying, but they kinda work.
I'm getting into electronics for DIY guitar pedal building and some amp stuff. Is the owon scope going to be ok for this? I did a search but saw some comments that it might be unsuitable. A cheap 2nd hand analog scope hasn't come my way yet.
I'm getting into electronics for DIY guitar pedal building and some amp stuff. Is the owon scope going to be ok for this? I did a search but saw some comments that it might be unsuitable. A cheap 2nd hand analog scope hasn't come my way yet.
Which model OWON?
I've got some old CRO's that might be OK for you but need fixing.
As a Kiwi (local) and an EEVblog member now I can probably do you a better deal on an entry level Siglent.
"Flush side cutters"?
The very best tool for trimming component legs to the perfect height is:
Agree with Fungus, nail clippers is what I use constantly. It doesn't last long if you have a lot to do, but is cheap and everywhere.
The Xuron 170 clones for $2 each look entertaining for cheap cutters. But flush cutters are the worst choice for someone starting out:
http://www.excelta.com/article/5506-types-of-cutsA semiflush or shear cut is much more appropriate for everyday use and will be far more robust, important when you aren't buying a hardened steel tool.
Focal length can be the issue with these, these are not so bad @320mm but many are 400.
I've looked long and hard at these too but the only 3x or a little more is not enough for the very fine work when you want them.
Daves USB camera looks a better and cheaper solution for when you really need it.
I've been using a magnifying glass on a flexible gooseneck. It is OK but without stereo it can take some adjustment to line up the solder the iron and the joint depths. Fine for my occasional work but I really would like to here more feedback about these stereo eyepieces. How they work over spectacles and what magnification and working distance is best since it might get tiring leaning down to the bench where the PCB is. If the working distance is too short.
I have CCFL lit gooseneck magnifier too, it's probably the same as yours......ex Jaycar but they don't do that model now. When I need additional light I use it but not often.
For nearly all use a headband unit is fine even for my aging eyes and just for fun I tried some $2 2x specs under them just now. Only the focal length seemed to change and for 1.5x (one lense) the range of focal length was much wider without specs (100-300mm). 2 lenses was a lot different, the focal length was 150-200mm, specs or not. But that might only apply for me, my long sight is still great, it's just my arms aren't long enough for close work now.
Actually, I've always wondered how well those "jewelers/dentists" magnifiers work. Anyone have any comments on these ?
My mate Doug Ford who you've seen on the show swears by them.
Not a huge fan myself, I find them annoying, but they kinda work.
Like anything optical - you generally get what you pay for. The super cheap ones are useless IME. The Donegon Optivisor brand for $40-50 is decent and what I often use. Bonus is the wide range of easily swapable lenses and optional LED lights.
If you have the money to spend, you can invest in a custom pair of surgical loupes with quality lenses - at a cost of $800 or so. Surgeons will tell you they're well worth the money. I've never been able to justify that expense myself.
Good flush cutters are the
Plato model 170 shears , these have nice thick blue handles, really comfy and a joy to use. They are pretty much the defacto assembly house standard in the US. You can usually buy packs of 5 used ones (ex assembly shops who turn them over every month regardless of use) with ~ 4 good as new , and with a few chips in it. Buy them from US surplus places e.g. Electronic Goldmine, MPJA, Alltronics, BGMicro etc , more here:
http://www.ladyada.net/library/procure/hobbyist.html