Buliding up my workshop
RICoder
Posts: 91
USUAL DISCLAIMER: I am very new to circuitry but a professional programmer.
I'm extending my current workshop to include an area for electronics work (right now it is purely woodworking), and whilst I build up my tool base, I'm trying to figure out what sort of tools I should get.
Normal hardware I have (all sorts of screwdrivers and the like), but I'm thinking more in terms of osciliscopes and multimeter's. From experience, I know I am going to be working on a project someday soon, and find myself needing some piece of equipment to debug my project and not have it (and it is going to be 2am so I can't just run out and get it). I'm trying to avoid that.
What would you guys suggest for good tools? Links and brand names and product #s would be helpful, so I don't get the wrong stuff.
Thanks.
I'm extending my current workshop to include an area for electronics work (right now it is purely woodworking), and whilst I build up my tool base, I'm trying to figure out what sort of tools I should get.
Normal hardware I have (all sorts of screwdrivers and the like), but I'm thinking more in terms of osciliscopes and multimeter's. From experience, I know I am going to be working on a project someday soon, and find myself needing some piece of equipment to debug my project and not have it (and it is going to be 2am so I can't just run out and get it). I'm trying to avoid that.
What would you guys suggest for good tools? Links and brand names and product #s would be helpful, so I don't get the wrong stuff.
Thanks.
Comments
For soldering irons, I like the Weller's digital model (Link here to a picture). It works well, and it's pretty comfortable. Note: the one listed is 50W. I'm not sure what the rating is on the one that I use, just that it has really fast heatup time.
A bench top multimeter is nice to have.
Don't forget to add a power strip to your workbench, along with a couple of wall warts that you can plug quickly into boards.
I like the parallax oscilloscope, but I never do any high frequency projects so I've never looked at a faster one.
I suppose that you have a drill press. Always handy.
Finally, a desoldering iron is very handy (I find it's almost essential), and a regular plastic desoldering tool is handy too.
Also, if you're sharing space with an active woodshop, you will definitely want to isolate your electronics area from sawdust. Otherwise, you'll constantly be shop-vaccing a fine, cellulosic patina from your projects and work area.
-Phil
A stand or vice is handy for soldering with. I also use my mini-anvil to hold boards in place.
A solder smoke fan/filter is pretty nice to have. I'm not sure that the lead free stuff will hurt you, but it doesn't smell too good.
A book shelf for the electronics books and binders of datasheets.
@Phil
Do those chip safes hold things like a)datalogger, b)RFID reader, c) RF modules? What I'm getting at is, does it hold the flat electronics that aren't necessarily a simple package like the DIP propeller?
Second vote for a drill press, If you have one nearby you can get them cheap at Harbor Freight, if not they have flat rate shipping, you can order one shipped for under $100 You can't run a production line with Harbor Freight stuff, but my garage is full of cheap harbor tools
Plenty of 4-40 hardware, nuts bolts, and standoffs.
A "third hand" ie: a magnifier with clamps
Metal L Brackets, Strait brackets, and metal stock
Hobby size wood stock, I know you said you had a wood shop, but hobby sizes are great for fabricating quick and dirty parts if you don't want to play with metal. 1/8 plywood and some sticks of hardwood are great. Get it at your local hobby shop.
plenty of 5 minute epoxy..my favorite, acid brushes and stolen plastic condiment cups from a fast food joint make for easy mixing and cleanup!
A rolling stool
Frig for beer
plenty of resistors/caps/jumpers/breadboard
batteries and holders
clipboard and graph paper
I know some of the above are not "tools" but they go good in any electronics shop
Post Edited (KB3JJG) : 1/8/2009 5:51:25 AM GMT
The Chip Safes work best with DIPs. Some SIPs, like TO220s and 15-pin power packs, also work. The best way I've found to store active SMD devices is is their original DigiKey static bags, organized by category into Ziploc bags. Passive devices can be stored in small, snap-lid bead containers.
-Phil
A) Parallax forums is my new favorite home. You guys nailed exactly what I was asking.
C) Any thoughts on other materials for quick fab? I don't have, nor really want, the tools for doing metal fab, so that is out. Wood + electronics is not my favorite combo. I have some UHMW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_high_molecular_weight_polyethylene) around from some jigs I made, and it seems to me this would be ideal (if slightly expensive) as it machines like wood.
As for plastics, I like styrene. It's found most commonly in hobby shops for model railroading, and it's a pretty easy to work. I comes in various shapes and sizes of bar stock, and sheets are available too. If you get it, be sure to get a nice x-acto knife set and a large, self-healing cutting mat along with a metal straight edge. Another plastic I've heard about but haven't had a chance to try yet is called ShapeLock.
In addition to lots of 4-40 hardware, some 6-32 is useful too, along with long, threaded rods that you can cut to size.
A small lathe like the Taig is very useful. I've used mine for precision drilling with the milling attachment.
Making your own PCBs is quite easy, I do it all the time.
Leon
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Amateur radio callsign: G1HSM
Suzuki SV1000S motorcycle
wire cutters, and a mechanical wire stripper. About 12 test leads (jumper wires with alligator clips). Its a good idea to have an anti-
static mat or wrist strap to wear when working with sensitive devices. Resistive and capacitive substitution boxes are quite handy. If
you get an oscilloscope get an isolation transformer to use with any 120 AC work, and parts drawers, something to sort and
organize all of the hundreds and thousands of small parts you will eventually just have to get, why buy one when you can get 2 at
twice the cost! I also have a label maker to mark all of those drawers otherwise you will spend a lot of time opening each one
looking for the item you are searching for.
Some things I find very helpful:
20MHz analog oscilloscope (tektronics from ebay) (or PC scope)
Selection of good angled pliers and good cutters
Decent, yet economical soldering iron ($50)
Drill press & a dremel tool
Parallax professional development boards (have original and Propeller version)
Several cheap low voltage power supplies (PS-28 from MPJA.COM 3-12 volts (probably an LM317 circuit you could make) )
a PANAVISE that holds a circuit board
"helping hands' device
Lots of cabinets with multiple plastic drawers
Lots of passive components (I bought some grab bags (switches, displays, LEDs) & componentF kits (resistors/caps/Linear ICs etc from Jameco that include a cabinet)
Make sure you have a good selection of voltage regulators (3.3,variable,5,12v), lots of LEDs, diodes, transistors etc so you don't need to go shopping for every schematic you come across.
I second the fridge w/beer!
3 ring binders with printouts of data sheets, references and Parallax educational books (can be downloaded)
Finally,
A cheap computer. Consider a two monitor set up so you can display your programming environment one one screen and a PDF of a book or schematic on the other. (My second monitor also doubles as a propeller display)
Best of luck!
(Im going to follow SRLMs advice on buying Al angle iron, this was a very constructive thread!)
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Thomas Talbot, MD
Gunpowder, MD, USA
Small wall mounted wet/dry vac with extra long hose.
Those magnifying glasses that you wear on your head and make you look uber geeky.
Hot glue gun
Digital calipers
4 axis CNC milling machine. www.sherline.com - the fourth axis is a rotary table.
An alternative to plastic for light duty construction is Depron. Sold at hobby shops, very easy to work with, very light and fairly stiff - it is like foam board without the paper.
But all in all...get a collection of DIP sockets. I refuse to proto (even the final version) anything without chip carriers....it just seems to be too much of a PITA to unsolder a chip and solder a new one it! IF it isn't a vibration mechanism....don't solder it!
RE: PC scope, you may find that you want a 2nd machine to run the scope software while the other machine is talking to your stamp/SX/Propellor.
Some jumper wires are good...alligator clips, and some old solid core phone wire to use for interconnect wires.
A large breadboard! I swear when I run out of room on my BOE's breadboard.
Lots of room....I like to spread out!
Be organized...the bins will help! (see my wall of trays!)
Lots of light!
A comfortable chair!
Internet access! Oops, lost that datasheet....google here I come!
something to clip schematics up on....I like working from paper, so clip up my schematic so I can work from it. Use a solid back (not just a free floating piece of paper) so you can cross off each connection you make on the breadboard!
Heat gun and heat shrink!
Solder sucker/pump and good sponge's (use distilled water).
Cheers!
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<FONT>Steve
What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!
The PDB and PPDB are wonders! So much room to experiment, so much room to play! I rarely use my BOE or Propeller Demo Board anymore for quick prototyping since I got the larger boards.
Some sort of security would be good, if you're going to have $1000's worth of electronics in there. Just look at what happened to the Oregon University robot: stolen right out from under their noses!
I just got a new laptop (Dell XPS M1730 pimptacular). I'll most likely use that for software development (not chip stuff). I have more computers than I know what to do with, and already have one in my show for doing CAD work, so I'll probably just rebuild an older one for the actual chip programming and/or console whilst using the CAD one for a scope (when/if I get one).
Having just finished my first BoE-Bot, modifying it, and writing some serial comms with my PC, I already see the need for certain things.
Next on my list is a good multimeter, and THAT is my question for you boys (and girls?). Say $100-$200ish, digital, and can preferably connect to a PC (and meets your standards for quality).
The extra computers are a Big plus to Your work shop.As I'm sure You now that CAD and the like software "GCode" use so many interrupts its hard to run anything else on these older computers and a lot of the free ware wont run on XP or Vista and the need for a Parallel port and a DB9 jack makes these older computers very useful.
In My opinion Weller makes the best irons.
The Parallax Oscope will run fine on that new laptop, I have a Dell with a Dual core Duo Intel and the Parallax Oscope v5.1.1 runs just as good if not better than some Bench top Oscopes I've used
Multimeter;I'd get a Fluke 8060 or 87series.Look closely at the 87's they offer different accessory's(87I,87II,87III,87IV,87V) They aren't cheap But You get what You pay for. This will pay off in the end.
One last thing I consider, is a good power supply. You could buy one or modify a large computer surplus power supply as I have done.
_____Welcome to the hobby___________$WMc%_________
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Post Edited ($WMc%) : 1/16/2009 2:11:47 AM GMT
- a PC there for those last minute coding changes and tests
- a PDB for my Basic Stamps plus a Pic Programmer
- a HEAP of jumper wire and breadboards
- my good ol' bits drawers (caps, pots, transistors, resistors, etc) if you put them in the drawers, you'll save your sanity
- a few sheets of heat mouldable plastic (my favorite for working with in robotics)
- Good strong Epoxy (as mentioned earlier, 5 minute epoxy is awesome)
- A good superglue
- a nibbler (tool used to cut plastic and metal)
- a wire stripper
- good set of screwdrivers (i have around 60 different types and sizes, just coz you never know)
- good set of pliers (different types are good to have)
- various tweezers (for those little annoying bits)
- diagonal cutters
- sturdy pair of scissors
- a decent quality multitool (I have used a Gerber Suspension now for years and it serves me well)
- I prefer a battery powered soldering iron since I hate the cable dragging at me. Gives me more freedom
- Nice multimeter with a desk stand
- Soldering iron tip cleaner
- desoldering pump
- hot glue gun
- variable power supply
- lots of power points (you'll always run out, no matter how many you have, so best to get as many as possible) but make sure it has a good surge protector. I use a battery backup UPS for mine.
- LOTS of light. I agree with SRLM. It really is a must.
- make sure you have a good set of safety glasses, and for worst case scenarios I like to have a low density gas mask lying around
- I keep a little sports drink bottle filled with water near me, too. Just in case of emergencies
- a power drill with lots of bits
- a really comfy, adjustable chair with nice lumbar support
- good ventilation
- a lava lamp, plasma ball or lightning disk. sounds silly, I know, but after staring at small circuits all day, it's nice to have something interesting and moving to look at.
So there's my two cents. I've probably forgotten some things, but I'm at work at the moment and not at my workbench!!!
Keep this on the D.L. But I almost forgot the most important part of the workshop/workroom. It involves a RFID tag and reader that only You have and ware as a neckless under your shirt. This prevents the stereo from BLARING some killer hair band acid rock music when the door is opened from anyone but Your self to the workshop or workroom. This will detour even the most curios of wifes/girl friends from going into Your work space. And You wont have to here that "You need to clean up that darn MESS.", This is usually followed with "OR ELSE I WILL", This means She'll throw every thing out and want to add flowers and pictures of the family that She didn't like But You should to Your work bench.
It's this strategy that makes for a robust work area!
_______________$WMc%_______________
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I built the new workbench (8x3 MDF surface) and got some cabinets, but need to afix a perforated hardboard back to it to hang tools from still. When its all done, I'll post pictures. Luckily my birthday is next week and people keep asking me what I want, so I just pointed them to a wishlist which has a lot of the stuff discussed here on it.
I wouldn't worry about having one to connect to your PC....if you have a USB O-scope, it'll work just the same (just at lower voltages).
However, I would say that an analog meter has it's benefits! While a DMM is busy trying to average/display/rerange it's reading an analog meter will have shown the "blip" and settled again.
I'll use an analog meter to throw on a serial line to see that things are pulsing (watch your polarity though).
There is an old thread on the site with pictures of other people's workshops....I don't like using the search function, so will have to rely on someone else to reference it!
Cheers
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<FONT>Steve
What's the best thing to do in a lightning storm? "take a one iron out the bag and hold it straight up above your head, even God cant hit a one iron!"
Lee Travino after the second time being hit by lightning!
" 10-4 "
__Happy Birthday______________$WMc%___
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The Truth is out there·········································· E=$WMc%2
http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?p=531809
I'm not quite sure why electrical engineers like to have messy desks... I did that for several years, and recently converted to cleaning every night and getting lots of organization. What a relief! Anyway...
You have been given plenty of good ideas and hopefully I don't repeat anything.
You could always get a few additional ideas from this book :
www.amazon.com/Build-Electronics-Workshop-Technician-Library/dp/0071447245
A few additional ideas (I think) would be:
- long power receptacles strips to run the length of your work bench.
- I love having a stereo microscope for soldering SMD devices and to check for bad solder joints generally, among other things.
- Florescent or LED Magnifying light on a swivel bracket.
- 7 LED (or more) flashlight . Most likely it will work when you need it.
- Capacitor conversion chart.(try a Google search)
- Start a Tech library on your computer and organize it well. As you learn add tech PDF files to your library for future reference. Also add schematics, etc.
- A 8GB or more flash card to back up your library
- Make a list of common components and stock them when you can. I.e common capacitor values, resistors, LED's, general purpose transistors(2n2222, 2n3055 , 2N3904 3+5 volt regulators etc...)
- Make a list of online electronic suppliers such as www.goldmine-elec.com/
Have fun!
Bob
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Aka: CosmicBob
The dual monitor thing is great, I just bought a video card and 2nd monitor. I don't know how I lived without it!
The one thing I haven't seen, and excuse me if its been overlooked, -music- in which ever form you like.
Mike 2545
Well, thats a given! How is it possible to engineer something without music? [noparse]:)[/noparse]
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