Essential tools to buy
Guys, I'm about to buy some tools for soldering and measuring, and I'd like your opinion, because I'm tired of buying cheap cr@p that lasts 1 week.
My budget is limited, so I cant keep buying "slightly better versions" just to see if they will work.
I'm asking you guys to suggest (if its not against server rules) the tools you like the most, like rework station, solder suction, aligator clips, ceramic tweezers, multimeter probes, power sources, banana plugs/wirings... etc.
I thought we could keep the answers short. Just a "why you like it" and maybe a picture would be enough. If you guys agree, later I'll make a condensed list and post it here on "resources, tutorials and more".
59 Replies
Nice, I use this one for now:
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005006144235719.html
It can be charged with USB C and has a freaking osciloscope and signal generator inside.
Its totally automatic (almost impossible to burn) and is cheap.
It suits me very well for repairs, but for projetcs, i'd suggest a real osciloscope.
Okay I need precision tools also. How long have you been using those?
yeah thats what I thought.
for a "good enough" soldering iron, this one is working well to me. Just buy professional tips.
a bed? 😅 thats something
For soldering iron, I'm waiting for experienced people suggest reworking stations. I've had one that was pretty good. Its all about easy of use and reliability.
@AARAVmakes I had many suction things. This is the best so far. Yet is too big for me.
So I'm pretty unhappy with solder suction.
@AARAVmakes I will buy these two
Yes mate, it is way better for your health. You can go without them, just by avoiding breathing the smoke, but it will stay in your room specially if you have curtains, sheets whatever.
I have 2 turbine exhaustor for the lab, I just didnt install them. But I have huge usage here. For hobby, pretty much any table fan with a filter will do.
This one looks good enough for you. The filters are removable and washable.
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005006244037675.html
As you can see its just a fan with a filter... you can make your own very easily.
thats probably just the filter... you have to select the whole bundle
But you can also do it yourself. Thats the point of this thread, to also get tips from experienced people on how not to expend too much on unecessary things.
Exactly. Thats up for you to decide. Its also an easy project for you to do and show-off on your youtube chanel.
I'll buy 2 of those hydra things
Those are amazing for organizing cables for measurement and holding things for soldering.
Exactly. A+ for you. You can salvage one of those and just buy a filter.
You dont even need a box.
You do need a 12V supply however
well done! it is perfect
Yes. The carbon activated filter is so cheap its not worth the hassle to build yourself one.
You can even wash them when then get dirty.
You know what would look nice? Build a small box around it. If you manage to make some funnel tabs to beter direct the smoke would be great. Just look at some expensive fume extractor design and do the same.
Pretty much any iron with temperature adjustment is good. I see it has some buttons. Even better, makes it easy to adjust and looks cool.
Also buy some good quality weld. Look for soft ones, they tend to have lead, but you dont need lead-free.
No I dont have any quick tips. But I'll make some myself later, and I'd like your tips 🙂
I also saw your post somewhere, I'll keep this conversation there, so we dont spam too much here.
Do you have an osciloscope?
Really? Why you think that?
I see. Well if you are really into electronics hobby, you may buy a cheap one, like a usb oscilloscope from hantek, you can see the waves more clearly on your computer screen. For now, I'd recomend you my portable osciloscope/multimeter/generator because it is very safe to use, even on AC applications because it is powered by bateries, so it is isolated.
I’m confused OP asked for tool recommendations. Then started recommending tools.
I think an NCV AC voltage detector might be usefull too
@SuWin read though here for some tools you might need
Making an LED tester DIY is quick and usefull
@alexsbmagalhaes what kind of precision tool do you need?
For precision tools I believe I'm good by now.
I'm mostly in need of some rework tools. Like hot air station, maybe infrared preheat, a nice powerful soldering iron. I know there are 3...4 in one stations. I had one but I sold it. Now I need another. What would you suggest @nis @Killed_By_Hydra
Yeh i dont have those so i would also like to take some suggestions 😅
Btw can i make a spot welder with a regular welder?
Welders are very dangerous... they are high power, blinding, industrial tools... I wouldnt go about DIY modifying them...
One can create a spot-welding tool, but I believe you are trying to create your own battery pack, and then it becomes dangerous. Even if it just consists of current pulse, sort of a spike, the current still need to be controled, because if you just shot the metal sheet you trying to spot weld with all the current you get, you would most certainly cut a hole in it. Also, just like Tuuli said, I wouldnt mess with welding tools for that, for many reasons, the first one being it is already a tool. Why would you break your tool to make another? Just buy or build another. Second they are not meant for it, most weld inverters will stop the arc to prevent electrode sticking, which is exactly what you are trying to do with spot welding, they are oposite machines. Third they are dangerous, their capacitors have enough energy and voltage to stop your heart... should I keep going? That said, you can find many cheap options that you just plug in the electrodes and a simple and safe lead-acid battery to it, if you really need spot welding.
Well i have a titanium welder
That has a whole bunch of features, and supports tig, stick, mig, flux
Adjustable current and voltage and feed for mig and flux
Its not, static to one kind of welding
Thats why i thought it was a possibility to set it up for spot
And ive seen people who made there own spot welders alot more diy than what i was thinking of
Oh gosh you saw them. I'm just not comfortable sharing those things here, kids may hurt themselves.
Yes you can do them, even with just capacitors after all... Specially if you just need to create battery packs (I do too) you may even find the exact capacitance you need for it to discharge without eating thru your battery. You may also place a series power resistor... I guess I said too much already lol
Calthecool
YouTube
How To Build An Ebike Battery Pack
Hope ya'll learn something and I didn't miss anything super important.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
00:00 Intro
00:20 How to determine cell configuration
03:35 How to keep your cells balanced
05:45 How I chose my cell configuration
07:15 Cells, spacers, nickel, and BMS
09:15 Decidin...
This guys electrode is held together by ductape
Yeah.. I dont think battery packs or welder DIY mods are good for this server. Just because of the hazards. Yaull can DM about it though 🙂
(lets just keep it on topic, this thread is not DYI, is about what tools you guys use and would recomend)
Thats alot more diy than just making something for my welder since everything about it is variable
K
You looking for a scope mate? I have good things to say about mid-tiers like:
- https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005007286374147.html (used for long time, I'd probably buy one later)
- https://mou.sr/3W1tQXs (they are old but gold, just dont go for "educational version")
And if you really cant afford those, there are low end ones (dont expect precision or long life-span):
- https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005009192760609.html (this just works... good for low speed signals)
- https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005003027347148.html (you need a computer to display the waves. On the limit of "good enough")
And if you are really desperate, buy this thing:
- https://discord.com/channels/420594746990526466/1424546670854803530/1424574452145983551 (it can mostly say "yes, theres a signal there")
You really shouldn't be buying 2 channel scopes in this day and age
4 channel is basically the same price
as for the rigol 1 its cheaper to buy it outside aliexpress
links links pls
also 100% agree, I really want more chanels, and another logic analiser. I had a sealae (or whatever the name is) clone, if you ask me if it was any good... it worked...
depends on where you live of course rigol has shops in EU and NA and distributors
its 219 on rigol EU shop
but you'd probably be better off getting DHO804
the one you linked is quite old by now
and salaea works fine they are quite expenisve and well known
Id really love to have one of those.
Guys this was my original question, I'd like your opinion on these reworking tools, please post only what you already worked with and would like to recomend. Among these links below I only had the gordak, pretty decent equipment, easy to repair, the other ones are here just to illustrate what I'm looking for.
desoldering station:
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005006394104325.html
rework station:
3x1 (gordak version - the only one I had)
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005001711285885.html
4x1 (yihua version)
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005008477470495.html
2x1 (ngl doesnt look too bad version)
https://pt.aliexpress.com/item/1005007551618920.html
if 1 thing breaks in your 2 in 1 or 4 in 1 or w/e you lose 2 or more tools
I already had to fix them, the thing is they are very maintenance friendly. At least the ones I showed you. Can you suggest anything better?
i'd highly suggest you buy seperate devices as it really sucks having your 4 devices suddenly break
its also usually beter to buy a machine focused on 1 thing rather than one on 4
The desoldering station you linked is pretty much all the same, dont know that one but 137 seems more than you'd have to pay for that
think i once paid like a 100
for hot air i;ve now had one of those cheap 50-60 euro ones 856 or something from yihua i think?
works alright
as for your 4 in 1 device i highly doubt you need a bga reballing station
for soldering irons people suggest the heater in the tip so T12 and T245 i believe?
i still have an older hakko one which works fine and tips are good quality so just depends on what your needs are
just stay away from stuff directly connected to mains
thats mostly cheap junk
should also mention your budget if you want recommendations
cool, can you share what you have?
There ya go, thats what i have at home for more than 7 years now
Works well enough
At work i use a 5000 euro jbc setup but i would say its not worth the money or quality improvement for that price
I will probably upgrade my soldering station one some point as i like to be able to switch tips on the fly and heat up quickly
@alexsbmagalhaes
I think this setup is about 200 euros?
Thank you very much chRis, this is exactly what I wanted to see from you guys. Helps alot. And 200 euros is about what I'm willing to pay for.
I don't solder or rework that much at home these days so this part is somewhat outdated i guess, mostly use measuring equipment
but it works
should also buy a microscope if it fits your budget
well thats exactly my original question, rework and measuring equipment. If you can, I would appreciate a picture of yours microscope. I'm inclined to buy the adonstar. But I also see benefit from a DIY setup for a camera.
I have an eakins microscope from china can do both manual adjustment and has a video output if you prefer that although i've never actually used that
if you mean something like this , i had one of those but sent it back the same day as it didnt really work that nicely for me but it depends on what you prefer
As for measuring equipment i have a lot
Yeah I'm more into screens than into lenses, neck hurts a lot sometimes. I guess I'll to try some. Maybe something like this can be also upgradable later.
Im also more into easy of use and image contrast so I can read the IC markings. You probably know what I'm talking about: those angled lights that makes the paint on the IC glow vivid, that makes so easy to read
Do you have a basic mutlimeter and bench supply?
yeah I'm good with those for now
@chRis how are those things called? those giant "pliers" they are really good I want some
you can find them on aliexpress Cleqee P5004
but only for low current stuff
wow thank you man, how about those banana pins? I used to make mine, but are there any good ones?
***that you know of on aliexpress ie ?
what do you mean?
this thing. I used to make mine with nice thick wires, and you can stack more than one on the same plug
this is trash
those are just standard banana plugs or cables
can also find themon aleixpress
this may not last a single experiment
yeah, the point of this thread of mine is to know what brands you guys already use and trust on aliexpress or similars
its just a cable its nothing special
works for most people and if you need something special you likely wont go on aliexpress to get it
to me the cable may be the most important thing of my test 😅 but I see what you mean, thanks!
what are you doing that the cable is so important?