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Favorite New Tools of 2020!?!?!?!?

Started by peAk, December 22, 2020, 08:00:34 PM

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peAk

Maybe this could be cool to do at the end of each year. I know I like to see tools people use. Try to keep it more towards DIY audio stuff.

I'll start with something pretty simple that I didnt think too much of when purchasing them but now I can't go without. I have used everything to tighten pedal hardware and while this falls into the line of "nice to have".....for me it's now a "must have"

https://lovemyswitches.com/rocket-sockets-pedal-building-socket-set/


EBK

These are the tools I bought in 2020:

a deburring tool and a solder sucker.

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)

The deburring tool is nice too.  Saves some time cleaning up drill holes.  Not life  changing, but helpful.
"There is a pestilence upon this land. Nothing is sacred. Even those who arrange and design shrubberies are under considerable economic stress in this period in history." --Roger the Shrubber

MTK

#2
Do homemade tools count?



I made this in January and it's been great. Before I made this, I was using my breadboard and the in/out/ground/power of boards kept falling out, it was an overall pain. That's my favorite of this year, hands down.

Bio77

Quote from: EBK on December 22, 2020, 08:19:11 PM
These are the tools I bought in 2020:

a deburring tool and a solder sucker.

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)

The deburring tool is nice too.  Saves some time cleaning up drill holes.  Not life  changing, but helpful.

I got that same solder sucker because of a thread this year.  I also love it.  I had a cheap one, this one really improves building.

This center punch has been a game changer for me:

Aentons

Quote from: Bio77 on December 22, 2020, 09:19:17 PM
Quote from: EBK on December 22, 2020, 08:19:11 PM
These are the tools I bought in 2020:

a deburring tool and a solder sucker.

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)


I got that same solder sucker because of a thread this year.  I also love it.  I had a cheap one, this one really improves building.

Same here. It is super fantastic. I also got a Chip Quik flux pen and life is good.

Caedarn

Quote from: EBK on December 22, 2020, 08:19:11 PM

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)


I just got this recently also and completely agree - its a game changer

PapaKev

Quote from: peAk on December 22, 2020, 08:00:34 PM
Maybe this could be cool to do at the end of each year. I know I like to see tools people use. Try to keep it more towards DIY audio stuff.

I'll start with something pretty simple that I didnt think too much of when purchasing them but now I can't go without. I have used everything to tighten pedal hardware and while this falls into the line of "nice to have".....for me it's now a "must have"

https://lovemyswitches.com/rocket-sockets-pedal-building-socket-set/

I've seen those around, but never did a deep dive to find them. Thanks for posting. They are on their way.

Aentons

#7
Quote from: HootyHoo on December 23, 2020, 03:26:05 AM
Quote from: peAk on December 22, 2020, 08:00:34 PM
Maybe this could be cool to do at the end of each year. I know I like to see tools people use. Try to keep it more towards DIY audio stuff.

I'll start with something pretty simple that I didnt think too much of when purchasing them but now I can't go without. I have used everything to tighten pedal hardware and while this falls into the line of "nice to have".....for me it's now a "must have"

https://lovemyswitches.com/rocket-sockets-pedal-building-socket-set/

I've seen those around, but never did a deep dive to find them. Thanks for posting. They are on their way.

I almost got those too. But I went with a set of the color-coded, chromed, deep sockets from my local store.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/sockets/14-in-drive-metric-color-coded-deep-socket-set-10-pc-67868.html

PapaKev

Quote from: Aentons on December 23, 2020, 03:41:43 AM
Quote from: HootyHoo on December 23, 2020, 03:26:05 AM
Quote from: peAk on December 22, 2020, 08:00:34 PM
Maybe this could be cool to do at the end of each year. I know I like to see tools people use. Try to keep it more towards DIY audio stuff.

I'll start with something pretty simple that I didnt think too much of when purchasing them but now I can't go without. I have used everything to tighten pedal hardware and while this falls into the line of "nice to have".....for me it's now a "must have"

https://lovemyswitches.com/rocket-sockets-pedal-building-socket-set/

I've seen those around, but never did a deep dive to find them. Thanks for posting. They are on their way.

I almost got those too. But I went with a set of the color-coded, chromed, deep sockets from my local store.
https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/sockets/14-in-drive-metric-color-coded-deep-socket-set-10-pc-67868.html


I have sockets, but was looking for something to take the risk of scratching the surface out of play. I like those though.

jimilee

Quote from: EBK on December 22, 2020, 08:19:11 PM
These are the tools I bought in 2020:

a deburring tool and a solder sucker.

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)

The deburring tool is nice too.  Saves some time cleaning up drill holes.  Not life  changing, but helpful.
Well dammit, can a brother get a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pedal building is like the opposite of sex.  All the fun stuff happens before you get in the box.

davent

The issue with sockets/nut drivers is the beveled inner edge and thin hardware, they'll slip. I've  gronnd down the ends on nut drivers so the inner face is flat and will grab onto the nuts. Those plastic rockets look to have no inner bevel.

My Engineer solder sucker and deburring tool are old and i'd get them both again if the need ever arose. Had to put a new piece of tubing on the sucker recently and discovered you need to use a piece only as long as allows the plunger to just come through.

Quote from: jimilee on December 23, 2020, 04:35:36 AM

Well dammit, can a brother get a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Digikey has the solder sucker.

dave
"If you always do what you always did- you always get what you always got." - Unknown

If my photos are missing again... they're hosted by photobucket... and as of 06/2017 being held hostage... to be continued?

Aentons

#11
Quote from: jimilee on December 23, 2020, 04:35:36 AM
Quote from: EBK on December 22, 2020, 08:19:11 PM
These are the tools I bought in 2020:

a deburring tool and a solder sucker.

The solder sucker has been a life changer for me.  Before I got this, desoldering often involved burning the heck out of things while using copper braid.  Not fun.  This is simple.  Heat the solder, push the button, and the solder is gone.  8)

The deburring tool is nice too.  Saves some time cleaning up drill holes.  Not life  changing, but helpful.
Well dammit, can a brother get a link?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Adafruit is the cheapest but they are out of stock. They also sell them thru Digikey. It's an Engineer SS-02
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1597

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/1597/7244942

Mouser is out of stock at the moment too.
Mouser #:485-1597
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Adafruit/1597/?qs=%2Fha2pyFaduhNmwFKKfs2J%2FHLOOd68059wtAZ0EOXOc0RnaRI5wF5xQ%3D%3D

gordo

Need to take a look over at Digikey.

I like the rocket sockets just cuz they're cool.  You can't over tighten stuff and they don't scratch enclosures (which is pretty much my calling card).
Gordy Power
How loud is too loud?  What?

mattc

Quote from: Aentons on December 23, 2020, 04:42:04 AM

Adafruit is the cheapest but they are out of stock. They also sell them thru Digikey. It's an Engineer SS-02
https://www.adafruit.com/product/1597

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/1597/7244942

I suspect digikey is going to be out of stock soon, too!  I just ordered one, thanks for the tip.