what investment in our hobby has really paid off for you guys.
mine would be a samsung 310 series laser printer. it makes awesome transfer artwork for etching, and flawless waterslide decals that don't need clearcoat prior to apllication. got it at office max on clearance for $59!!!
a peak atlas semiconductor analyzer. for finding out gains and pinouts of transistors. specs on diodes etc. really has saved my but on a few debugs. openhaus I'm looking at you.
and my panavise swiveling pcb holder. I've driven my soldering iron into my right thigh while wearing shorts for the last time. I really wish iwas joking about that one.
I'd love to hear what some of you guys have come up with.
De-soldering station, hands down. Makes my life a lot easier!
Great question CJ... I want more details on that de-soldering station Bean.
I think mine is my soldering iron. It's not very expensive, nor is it very powerful, but I'm very happy with it. Weller WP25.
Jacob
This one is pretty close to the one I have...might be the same model: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-Function-Soldering-Desoldering-Station/dp/B000KSRS9S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1315073942&sr=8-1
So far my Hakko 936. Love that thing..well as much as you can love a soldering iron ;)
I'd love to get one of those atlas dca55's one day.
Josh
Great topic. I have to agree about the soldering iron but since I want to add something to the topic I have to say that little thing(sorry can't remember the name) that straights the Ic legs, I use it every time I build a board.
Quote from: jimmybjj on September 03, 2011, 06:35:37 PM
Great topic. I have to agree about the soldering iron but since I want to add something to the topic I have to say that little thing(sorry can't remember the name) that straights the Ic legs, I use it every time I build a board.
I gotta get one of those.
Hmm... I think for me it's been my Xytronic 379 soldering station (couldn't even finish my first build with a cheap RadioShack iron). After that it would probably be everything I've bought to etch boards (band saw, drill press, laminator). And of cource, reverse action tweezers for those IC sockets.
Ian
Fluke Multimeter, since I'm building amps too. I must check everything at least 3 times before firing it up and this thing makes it a breeze.
Quote from: jighead81 on September 04, 2011, 05:39:53 AM
Fluke Multimeter, since I'm building amps too. I must check everything at least 3 times before firing it up and this thing makes it a breeze.
I bet. I wish I could splurge on something like that. My multimeter sucks...
Can I borrow yours when I build an amp?
Jacob
(kidding... unless you're okay with that...)
I would give a vote for my Xytronics 379 too, but I have another tool that deserves recognition, my BK Precision 875B LCR meter. I have other nice tools, like a Tektronix Bench DMM and Function Generator and Oscilloscope, but that LCR meter is always in use (constant companion to my DMM).
I use a lot of pulled caps and other components I have been harvesting from a 70's Lowerey organ, something I wouldn't feel as comfortable doing if I couldn't verify the value of every cap pulled. It is nice to verify that modern caps coming from the east are truly the values printed on them as well.
I mod and repair wahs on a routine basis (my bread and butter), and it is really useful to be able to make a note of the inductor and cap values. I have been able to generate a set of specs for what I consider to be a nice sounding wah, as well as what values work better for metal vs. funk etc.
Yes the panavise swirvel PCB holder has helped me sooo much! I recently bought a lb of kester solder in a small diameter and I absolutely love it. Wets super quick making it easy as cake most of the time. I've been gassing for those atlas semiconductor checker for awhile now.
I'm gonna have to ask you how you get such great decals from your samsung Cjkbug, I believe I have the same model.
I just do em up in photoshop, and print at the highest quality on the glossy photopaper setting. Make sure you turn the printer on just before you print. If you run the printer too long the roller will get too hot and the decal paper will stick to the roller destroying the printer. guess how I found that out?
Good stuff here 8) Really like my Weller WES51 Soldering Station. After using a "good" (cough) Shack iron, this was a dream to use. Nice, small and lightweight pencil and the thing heats from dead cold to ready too use in 30 seconds. Haven't had the need too get a Fluke but they seem to be real nice. I'm prolly going to get a decent used analog meter first and keep my Shack meter a while longer.
Without being too much of a smart-ass, the best investment I've made was a dead/broken $5 laptop.
I spent countless hours studying the PCBs and assembly/engineering procedures that went into making that thing. Best $5 I've spent outside a good happy hour.
8)
I think the best investment I made was taking the time to shift a load of crap out of the garage and make a workstation area for my pedal building stuff.
It means I can just pop into the garage for an hour and the missus doesn't get annoyed with all the mess!
Quote from: cjkbug on September 03, 2011, 05:43:09 PM
mine would be a samsung 310 series laser printer. it makes awesome transfer artwork for etching, and flawless waterslide decals that don't need clearcoat prior to apllication. got it at office max on clearance for $59!!!
I can't find the Samsung 310 online. Does this link look like the same printer, perhaps the newer version? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112238&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Printer+-+Laser+Printers-_-SAMSUNG-_-28112238 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112238&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Printer+-+Laser+Printers-_-SAMSUNG-_-28112238)
If I had to pick one thing, it would be the Xytronic soldering station I bought last year. What a well-made piece of equipment. :)
After that, I'd say that the sort of cheap DMM I bought several years ago is the next best thing. It measures damn near everything.
Then I'd say the following are my favorite/most useful bits of gear:
• Peak Atlas: DCA and LCR. Both are awesome.
• Solder-sucker: the spring loaded kind.
• IC puller
• LED tester
Quote from: keysandguitars on September 10, 2011, 09:27:04 PM
Quote from: cjkbug on September 03, 2011, 05:43:09 PM
mine would be a samsung 310 series laser printer. it makes awesome transfer artwork for etching, and flawless waterslide decals that don't need clearcoat prior to apllication. got it at office max on clearance for $59!!!
I can't find the Samsung 310 online. Does this link look like the same printer, perhaps the newer version? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112238&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Printer+-+Laser+Printers-_-SAMSUNG-_-28112238 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16828112238&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Printer+-+Laser+Printers-_-SAMSUNG-_-28112238)
that's it more or less, mines the 315, I believe it's discontinued now that's why I got it for $60
Thanks cjkbug. My laser printer died in my office so I'm thinking I can get the company to buy a new one...maybe I'd kick in a few bucks if needed and pick that one up :)
culturejam: what LED tester did you buy, where'd you get it? I could use one...unless it's easy/cheaper to build one.
A good iron! I was going thru 2 or 3 wally world irons a month, with less than ideal results.
Second is....*ghasp* a multimeter! Had one from the beginning and couldn't imagine life without it.
Next on the list an o-scope/function generator, I think its about that time.
And for Samsung guys (or any laser printers really), just in case you don't, before you print change the setting to "thick paper" if you're using photo stock!
Quote from: tyronethebig on September 16, 2011, 04:31:46 AM
And for Samsung guys (or any laser printers really), just in case you don't, before you print change the setting to "thick paper" if you're using photo stock!
I do that with Pnp, maybe that's what I did wrong with the waterslide decals?
Taking it a different direction and being fairly new to this, my TIME is the best investment and the most precious. By that I mean I've spent the time reading on a particular forum, countless hours, in an effort to learn. I could have taken the easy way out and just posted question after question but I knew my questions have been asked before. Now, that doens't mean I didn't ask some questions I'm still embarrassed about to this day :-[
If I was to go with something physical, the Hakko I got a few months back I suppose.
Does anybody have any suggestions for a decent printer? Currently I do not have one and don't know squat about them.
Quote from: crash on September 22, 2011, 12:19:16 AM
Does anybody have any suggestions for a decent printer? Currently I do not have one and don't know squat about them.
I can only atest to my inkjet which prints up killer water slide decals etc.. without a hitch. It is an HP Photosmart. Forget the actual model/number though.
TNblueshawk, what kind/brand of clear do you use for your inkjet? If you recall or get the model number that'd be sweet. I have access to a bunch of HP inkjets and am currently debating if I should buy a color laser printer or just use inkjet.
Hey Key, it is a Photosmart Premium 310 series and it is out of magenta ink right now :(
I use these water slides, both clear and white http://www.texascraft.com/hps/home.php?cat=250
They were recommended to me by some others and I am so pleased with them I really have not tried elsewhere. I suppose maybe they could be found cheaper especially if you can avoid shipping and go locally , dunno.
I just got me one of those "automatic" wire strippers - the kind that pulls the stripped end off as you squeeze. Seriously, get one. Seriously. Now I'm talking like Homestar Runner...
-Josh
Quote from: jprizz on September 26, 2011, 02:52:22 AM
I just got me one of those "automatic" wire strippers - the kind that pulls the stripped end off as you squeeze. Seriously, get one. Seriously. Now I'm talking like Homestar Runner...
-Josh
I have one but it doesn't work with teflon wire >:(
Quote from: jprizz on September 26, 2011, 02:52:22 AM
I just got me one of those "automatic" wire strippers - the kind that pulls the stripped end off as you squeeze. Seriously, get one. Seriously. Now I'm talking like Homestar Runner...
-Josh
Do you have a link or brand? I have a pair and they mar the wire up to much for my liking.
I bought this pair at Sears to make life easier building an Allen Amp Kit. I love 'em. They've worked flawlessly.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200333609_200333609 (http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200333609_200333609)
I got mine from Home Depot - Klein Tools: Katapult p/n11063. Sorry I don't know what they cost. I've been using mine for my Trinity Lightning kit I've been putting together. I haven't tried it on 22 or smaller though, I think the smallest I've gotten to is 20 but its good down to 22GA. it says.
Decent soldering iron.