Products > Test Equipment
I am building brand new, 5K$ lab for a small startup, Judge my choices
Placeholder:
So, I deeply appreciate everyone's contribution,
I will be making some deep changes to the list, and I will have some specific answers to specific users to justify my decisions.
One absolute key fact that must be stated again is that I do have access, for relatively cheap price, to extremely advanced lab, so my lab is just to cover the 95% of the time I spend.
how advanced lab? SDA 816Zi-B, Vaporphase reflow, ERSA automatic rework, EMC chamber, R&S spectrum analyser for 100K eur, basically anything... So if I ever get in trouble because of equipment I can always save myself with this option -- and / or, use it when it doesn't make sense to buy it for myself
Here are the following changes to my own lab
—————————————————————
Soldering irons replaced Aixun + Genuine JBC tips
Microscope will be found replacement of
Rework station will be found a better replacement of
The clamp meter will be completely disregarded for now
(and increase the budget to accommodate the changes)
and I will just dynamically adjust to needs, but for now, I can start.
Once again, thank you all
watchmaker:
This thread will likely be read by others building labs for a variety of purposes.
What is the aversion to quality used equipment for small labs (budget or not)?
I am not involved in commercial development, nor do I need NIST traceability. Just need reliability and I want accuracy down to .1 mV or so. Not doing RF.
I do not need CATIII, and I am comfortable with well designed pre "Cat" instruments. I know how to probe CRTs but I do not work above 240VAC, and that only for wiring to motors that require it (like mills and lathes).
Having said that:
2Fluke 8880af s for less than $125 @ (New VFDs $40 @)
Fluke 45 for $90 (dimming display but still bright enough)
HP 3457A ($90)
Siglent 1204 for $350 new
Thurlby TSX PSU ($100)
Sony AFG 320 AWG ($130)
Kikisui 100 Mhz, Dual timebase scope ($90) Just because
GW Instek Digital 4 channel PSU ($125)
Weller soldering station ($125 new)
I had no issues returning equipment that was not suitable for me. Just buy from sellers who have 30 day returns. Use ohms law to verify the first DMM; then check the first DMM against the second one purchased. If you have three that agree, you can be assured that the measurements are valid. I bought the HP to validate against a different design.
All DMMs agree within the last digit. The AFG looks good on all canned functions on the siglent.
The PSUs provide stable output, with in-spec ripple. I use DMMs to set ouptput but the Instek is dead on.
And for the really cash strapped, An Analog Discovery plus external PSU and maybe a Fluke 27/FM is enough.
For magnification, I use a GLASS 3x magnifier lamp from Amazon for $100. Any more and you lose working distance. The plastic lenses provide way too much distortion for me. I use optical stereo scopes routinely in my watch work. AO SZ 580s at benches and a B&L SZ7 for inspections. These were 10 cents on the dollar during the transition to digital imaging. I do not find working while looking at a screen very productive.
Just the thoughts of a very parsimonious (cheap?) amateur.
MF-jockey:
In the discussion so far, I miss an isolating transformer. This is very important for your own health when troubleshooting power supplies.
I use it in combination with a variable transformer and a U-I-P measuring device.
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