Electronics > Beginners
Starting up a lab
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james_s:
I actually stopped using sockets years ago except when dealing with parts that are likely to need to be pulled multiple times such as EPROMs or parts with high failure rates like old SRAMs and buffers that interface directly with things like buttons and joysticks on arcade boards. Desoldering ICs is trivial so long as the correctly sized tip is used and the tool is clean and maintained, I haven't had much trouble with that but I have had many problems caused by flaky IC sockets. I've fixed several boards where the only problem was IC sockets.
rstofer:
It certainly doesn't pay to use the cheapest sockets on the market but there are some very good sockets available.  I haven't used many DIPs in recent years but back in the '70s and '80s, wire-wrap was king and sockets were required.  I used to buy gold plated sockets from Vector Electronics.  I remember having to pay a gold surcharge!  They don't sell them any more.  Mouser has only 8 pin wire-wrap sockets.  Good thing I'm out of that game!

I stayed with sockets when I started doing PCBs.  I haven't had any problems with sockets and they do make it possible to pull one output pin to the side for testing without a load on the pin.  Is the pin defective or is there a short circuit?  That kind of thing...

I just want to avoid any possibility of having to desolder anything.  It doesn't always work out but the idea is good.  There's a reason I have the Hakko desoldering tool, a hot air tool and multiple sizes of Solder Wick.
EEVblog:

--- Quote from: james_s on October 22, 2019, 05:03:58 pm ---There's some middle ground too, some of the Hakko stations are decent for around $100 or so, and I'm sure there are others.

--- End quote ---

You can get a rip-off Hakko for under $20

james_s:
I wouldn't buy a fake Hakko, they're no better than any other crazy cheap generic Chinese thing and I don't like to support the companies that just blatantly try to clone something like that.
Jwillis:
 You can get away with a simple 60W soldering iron from your local hardware store .Weller has a long lasting reputation of descent quality . Then later on work your way into either a DIY kit or a full adjustable station. Most learners will likely start with through hole components so having super precision soldering stations aren't necessary.Just remember to use sockets for your microchips .It's just easier to test connections and saves your chips from excessive soldering heat.
 Any Rosin  soldering paste will  be fine. 1mm or 0.5mm solder will be fine for most through hole circuits. Because of possible heavy metal exposure like lead. get a soldering fan or build yourself one  with a large computer fan and some sort of carbon filter.Fish tank carbon filter pads will work.
Get a good solder sucker and some solder wick.
 Any CAT III /CAT IV multi meter will work. Look for auto ranging . Better to get 2 moderate priced ones than one expensive one. If you want to monitor the voltage of something and check the current at the same time it's just easier to use 2 multi meters. As a beginner, an expensive unit won't tell you much more than any moderately priced one.This also leaves money for other cool testers like LCR meters and transistor testers which can be acquired fairly inexpensively from Aliexpress,Amazon,Bang good or Ebay.
 Component  kits can be acquired from any of the previous mentioned sources really cheap. You don't need to buy every component ever made right off.Your inventory will build .
Salvaging components from used electronics from local  flea markets is another good source and sometimes you stumble on something really cool that may be reparable.
Usually you can get started electronics under a couple hundred bucks and slower build your lab up to the direction of electronics your interested in the most.
Be it Digital Logic ,Audio, Radio,Power,Electric Mechanical you've found yourself a very rewarding hobby indeed.You can find a compendium of knowledge on the internet and here. No such thing as a stupid question so don't be afraid to ask.Lots of folks here are very knowledgeable and helpful. And if you make a mistake, no big deal .That's part of the learning experience.   
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