Must have tools for circuit testing bench 12

[machmech]

Hello Folks

I am curious and would like to see a short and simple list,( I will research the options) or ask questions regarding preference if necessary.

Basically, What are your favorite and or must have tools on your work bench? Just in case it is inappropriate to mention name brands (I don't want to advertise or offend anyone) we can refrain from this, Those in the field know what is quality . Although Minimums and maximum requirements are good.

Your input is appreciated

Thanks, Chuck

 

[zappedagain]

Here's a quick list

- A variable power supply ($$$ but oh so handy)

- A decent soldering iron (variable temperature ($100), or one with tips that set the temperature) with solder, flux (and maybe remover), solder wick.

- A multimeter - high end ones are very nice ($200-$400), low end ones are okay for hobby; check your local electronics or radio store ($30-$90).

- Hand tools - Small and large cutters, small and large pliers, tweezers, x-acto knife

and if you start working on surface mount electronics

- A magnifying glass (watch out for the cheap ones, they either have weak hardware or poor quality glass)

- A small vice, and 'magic fingers'

 

[VEBill]

- A large hammer.

 

[zappedagain]

- and a small one!

 

[itsmoked]

One of these!!

I use it more than anything else period!

The fully isolated channels make it a dream to use.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[ScottyUK]

A hammer with isolated channels?


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I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...

 

[Skogsgurra]

No Scotty,

Smoked was talking about one of these:



Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

 

[itsmoked]

HAHHAHAHAHAHA what a mahroon...

That PLC must be giving me drain bamage.
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http://www.tek.com/site/ps/0,,3M-10566-INTRO_EN,00.html

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Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[TurboXS]

Depends on whether you are doing this as a hobby or professionally. It also depends on what you want to do. Audio design has different needs to microcontroller design.

If you are just starting out or on a budget then building your own test equipment such as power supply and signal generator can be good experience.

Zappedagain has a good list.

My nice to have list would be;

Variable dual power supply with current limiting and digital meters monitoring voltage and current.

Signal generator with sine and squarewave plus TTL output.

Digital multimeter (Cat II or better) 2 or more of these.

Oscilloscope (4 channel 100MHz+ DSO if you have the money)

Soldering Iron.

PC with multiple serial and USB ports.

Various hand tools.

Leads.

Anti-static mat.

Safety glasses.

Assorted general components.

A good work area at the right height and with good lighting with lots of power outlets. Ideally with a shelf to place your test equipment on.

regards
Pete

 

[jimkirk]

Depending on what you're doing (power supplies or audio power amplifiers, for example), a hefty variable transformer. Mine is mounted on an old one gallon paint can. Outlet on the side, handy handle.

And it's hard to have too many digital multimeters.

 

[ScottyUK]

Current probe - one of the LEM or Chauvin Arnoux ones if you aren't wealthy, one of the Tektronix AM503B's if you have money to burn.



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I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...

 

[OperaHouse]

A 100W LIGHT BULB!

A friend of mine who went to work for LAMP DIVISION cringes when I call them a bulb, he says they are lamps.

Anyway, back in the 60's EICO had an add that said all you needed to test thier amplifier kit was a lamp. And I have been using this piece of equipment ever since. An AC cord with a lamp in series with the test socket. Saved me many times after workin long hours and slipping with a probe and a lot of fuses. A lamp has a resistance about 10 times higher when hot than cold. This lets many devices operate normally, but when a short or high current condition occurs limit current to a safe level. You can operate shorted equipment and diagnose the problem. Also works for the wiggle test and phasing transformers. I use it at least a couple times a week which is far more than a lot of my other test equipment.

 

[Warpspeed]

Opera, also known by some in this part of the world as light globes.

The thread definitely says tools, and NOT test instruments. They are somewhat different.

I am thinking of soldering iron, large range of screwdrivers, range of pliers and cutters, small spanners, alan keys, steel ruler tweezers, a stamp loupe, needle files, nutdrivers, medical forceps, medical scalpel, anti static wrist strap, and a steel toolbox with a lock to put it all into.

Larger stuff, bench vise, illuminated magnifier, set of drills, set of files, hacksaw, HAMMER, vacuum desoldering equipment, tinsnips, hot air gun, hot melt glue gun, very high wattage monster soldering iron, a source of compressed air can be handy.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Don't forget Twinkies or Ho-Hos... a must-have tool for those late night debugging sessions!


Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[itsmoked]

And those pink zoo animal cookies!!! We actually got them a corporate part number!

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[machmech]

zappedagain - one vote for variable power supply your not kidding I have been looking the good ones are not cheap!, small vice and magic fingers...since they are losing the magic and I have run out of ferry dust I use those locking surgeons pliers (forceps?) very handy! A magnifying glass
for sure nice list good advice.

ve1bll - Copy that, we call it a BFH! enough said there.

Keith - Although you had a little trouble finding it, That is one special piece of equipment, Sort of reminds me of the This Old House show every week Norm would come up with some shiny new tool, when it comes to electronics He has nothing on you...I'll be using my old scope for a while.

skogsgurra - Your work bench has an echo!

Turboxs - Currently I am a Machine tech often times a control card or circuit board goes bad, many just purchase a new board I have repaired a few and saved money I would like to do more of this.
Two votes for variable power supply, PC for sure, anti static mat and safety glasses really good advice.

jimkirk - Oh yes I have four multimeters...never could explain why I need four to the wife ("Honey some things your better off not knowing") but I have a good reason honest!

scottyUK - Will look into current probe.

OperaHouse - Super trick of the Trade very resourceful.

Warpspeed - Although my perspective of tool meant test equipment also, You for sure get an A+ for detail you are correct! Vacuum desoldering tool I use the bulb type only if I must otherwise hook a shop vac to a small tube, compressed air...Nice Idea!

macgyvers2000 - I need to stay away from those...I don't like to exercise.

Keith - pink zoo animal cookies with a corporate part number?!?!?!
Do they allow alcohol at your company functions? I'm jealous.

Thanks All for your replies, Chuck

 

[Warpspeed]

A power vacuum desoldering tool is absolutely fantastic to use. The commercial units are unreasonably expensive, so I made my own.

I was fortunate enough to salvage a fairly powerful 240v ac diaphragm pump out of a piece of discarded medical equipment. I then hooked it up to a foot operated switch and purchased the proper commercial (de)soldering iron with the hollow tip and built in filter.

I have seen very similar looking 12v dc diaphragm pumps at the automotive parts stores. These are supposed to be able to inflate tyres amongst other things. It could possibly make the basis of a homemade desoldering station for a fraction of the cost of a genuine bought one.

To be effective, massive suction is required to "blast" the solder out from around component leads, so the bigger and more powerful the vacuum pump the more effective it will be to use. It will not block so readily either. My pump is about the size of a loaf of bread,

It really sucks !!!

 

[zappedagain]

Just for the record, I'm not talking about my magic fingers (although they do come in handy sometimes). Magic fingers are also known as 'a third hand':

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/st...storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=26690

 

[itsmoked]

Hey hey!! My scope is not a left handed biscuit cutter! It is just a battery power-able digital with reasonable speed. (and an obscene price) But if it broke tomorrow I would sell my car and get another one!

Variable power supply with good value?
These guys!
They were the first to do it right. Really amazing after others were in that market for eons before them.

http://www.bkprecision.com/

http://www/np_searchmodel7.asp?lf=Single+Output+DC+Power+Supplies

They figured out they could make higher power supplies cheap by a nifty trick. They multi-tap the transformer about 10 times. As you turn up the voltage the transformer ocassionally tapswitches. This lets them use much smaller regulators and small heat sinks because the regulators don't have to dump a ton of waste energy. Slick.

As for a solder sucka. I commend you Warp. You will be one of those people surviving in a cave after the astroid hits.
Me? I use one of these. It is the best of any I have ever used and I have used a bunch of them. One's run by compressed air, motors, manual, etc.

http://www.hakkousa.com/products.asp?PID=808&Page=1

Cookies:

http://www.fhsu.edu/biology/Eberle/AnimalCookies.html

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[ScottyUK]

If you afford them, some of the nicest soldering / desoldering tools are made by Pace.

http://www.paceworldwide.com/productHome.asp

Something else which can be invaluable is an analogue multimeter. If you are looking for a trend or watching a slow signal, the constant range shifting of the digital ones can be a pain in the rear.

On a safety note, if you are playing with mains powered equipment, either use an isolation transformer or use an RCD (I think the US knows them as GFCI's). The isolation transformer is worthwhile if you're playing with switchmode PSU's which directly rectify the line voltage, or mess around with TV sets. Rectified UK mains is about 340V DC, and some of the active PFC front ends boost it to nearly 400V. More than enough to ruin your day.

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I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy it...