My fiancé wants to buy me something nice... need help!

[UF8FF]

Hey everyone!

It has been a while since I’ve posted here but it’s mainly because I’ve been learning a lot from videos and the blog! To make it short, my birthday is coming up and my fiancé wants to be a bit spendy because she is doing pretty well in her professional career now. I made a wishlist on amazon and she told me “hey if you want that $500 thing for your birthday we can do that.”

The $500 thing she’s talking about is a JBC station! Now, that being said, that’s my dream station; but, I don’t know if I need it.

Here’s my setup:

Hakko FX-888D
Hakko fume extractor
Desco ESD Safe Mat and Cables
Hakko 808 desoldering gun
Older Tenma multimeter

The things she is willing to get me and my cliff notes below:

• JBC CD-BE (I work mainly with early 2000s boards but want to start repairing more modern products.)
• Amscope Microscope for around 300-400 (this I feel like I want to spend enough to get a simul-focal microscope in case I ever want to stream/record while working. I’d hate to spend $300-$400 on a trifocal and regret it within a year)
• Quick 861 DW hot air station (for reworking when I get to doing that)
• BK Precision Multimeter and a power supply. Just a good upgrade for my multimeter and a power supply for testing for shorts etc.)

Obviously this is a nice problem to have. What do you guys think? I feel like I’ll get the most use out of the station because I use my iron more than anything, but the other tools may open up new opportunities to learn. But they’re also cheaper and probably easier to swing buying sooner rather than later.

[RoGeorge]

she told me “hey if you want that $500 thing for your birthday we can do that.”
...
What do you guys think?

Careful mate, it's a trap!

[UF8FF]

she told me “hey if you want that $500 thing for your birthday we can do that.”
...
What do you guys think?

Careful mate, it's a trap!

Hahaha man we’re getting married, I’m already trapped. Lol I think she feels guilty because I bought her an apple watch for her birthday. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[digsys]

... I think she feels guilty because I bought her an apple watch for her birthday ...

Try and get her to sign a "get out of jail free" card in exchange. That will be a HECK of a lot more valuable one day in the future !!!
On a serious note - I have several JBCs, and a sheetload of special tips. Totally invaluable to me. They have an incredible range, and damn fast heat, even the HDD ones.

[OwO]

Why not just save/invest the excess money and then when you actually need something for a project go and buy it?

[VK5RC]

Buy quality for the tools you use often - for me soldering iron, snips, pliers, vision magnification - you won't regret it. Very happy with my JBC, I use it in preference to a Metcal and my first good iron (much older) a Weller.

[EEVblog]

Thermal imaging camera?

[JVR]

Thermal imaging camera?

Dude's not married yet, I'm sure he knows where her hotspots are...

[nctnico]

A thermal imaging camera is a very useful tools for finding faults. I often use it as a first smoke test to find broken components and as a general check. Last week I had a short in a board which was found in seconds using a thermal camera.

[FERCSA]

+1 I would choose the thermal camera too and if he really want to go into smd soldering/repair just get a cheap hot air station to get familiar with the whole process. Later on he can get a Quick, but I would go with a microscope instead as a next step. For a hobbist I think it's not really necessary a quick, just to much.

btw. Congrats!

[chickenHeadKnob]

I don't see an oscilloscope on any list? It is like being a blind man without one.

[UF8FF]

I don't see an oscilloscope on any list? It is like being a blind man without one.

It’s on “a” list. I’m looking to grab one of those second hand, but definitely on a list.

Thermal imaging is a good idea. And the sentiments about the hot air station may be right that I don’t need a quick just yet.

[Gyro]

she told me “hey if you want that $500 thing for your birthday we can do that.”
...
What do you guys think?

Careful mate, it's a trap!

Hahaha man we’re getting married, I’m already trapped. Lol I think she feels guilty because I bought her an apple watch for her birthday. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

You're clearly not thinking this through deeply enough. The apple watch was 'just tech'. She's expecting you to turn it round and purchase something lacey and minimalist (funny how the less there is the more it costs) for her that you will enjoy.  Any other action will almost certainly lead to resentment and damage your long term relationship!

[UF8FF]

Lol happily I can say she’s not that way. She just has more money than I do and she wants to get me something I really want. She’s pretty rad.

[Gyro]

Definitely a 'keeper' then. Use it to move the wedding forward!