Basic/Advanced Tools & Materials for Electronics

In this video I will show you the most basic tools and materials you will need to rebuild electronics projects from other people. But I will also talk about more advanced tools. This way you can start your own electronics projects.

Music:
Ecstatic Wave by Jens Kiilstofte
2011 Lookalike by Bartlebeats

[pangpengmaster]

A very useful thing all EE students should remember; "German tools, Chinese components"

[Zombiesareuponus]

that awkward moment where he points out your exact multimeter and says it's really bad lol

[Mr.Engine]

I fully agree with most of your suggestions. I would also add:

Wire cutter It's a bit brutal sometimes but always works

A magnifying glass. Even if you have perfect vision, it always helps to zoom in to see better.

Soldering flux. It makes soldering soooo much easier, put it in a small syringe so that you don't make a mess or use more than it's needed (it stinks but only when burned and is not good to breathe)

Acetone and an old toothbrush. They help a lot with cleaning the mess that comes with soldering especially while using flux.

If you don't have a heat gun, use a lighter to shrink heat shrink tubing. It needs a bit of practice to learn not to burn it. A jet lighter works very well. Too well, even with a normal one I'm now fine with not having a heat gun

Solder pump (this thing that sucks melted solder with the press of a button). It has saved me tons of time and it was less than two bucks there's no reason not to have it when you need it

If you can't afford a lab bench power supply, get a variable voltage transformer. It looks like a normal transformer but at the bottom it was a knob to choose between 3, 4.5, 5, 6, 9, and 12 volts. It's dead cheap (around 12€) and works flawlessly

Helping clamps (they hold the circuit in place while you're soldering). I can't live without them after I got them for less than 10€

A ruler is also handy to have around along with a marker.

[LM]

I grab an old oscilloscope (made in France, in 1986 !) from my electronic teacher, it's doesn't cost me anything and it's work fine. The retro style is very classy, a nice stuff to have ^^. Great video as always !

[metacustomcomputers]

The tools I use the most:

Electro tools:
-Proxxon FBS 240/E
-Makita electric drill
-Makita electric jigsaw
-Makita electric buzzsaw
(Got all of those Makita tools with a Makita LED-flashlight and radio, loading-station, 3 spare batteries and a lot of accessories in a nifty carrying-bag for 320€, tax included because that set was an exhibition piece at my local wholesaler :D )
-Pattex hot glue pistol
-Ersa soldering iron

Normal tools:
-Knipex Automatic Insulation Stripper (Like yours, only from Knipex)
-Knipex ESD-certified flush cutter Super Knips
-Format flush cutter
-Gosumodz crimping tool
-B&D Piranha drill-bit set
-iFixit Classic Pro Tech Toolkit

Kind regards,
Meta Custom Computers

[bitelaserkhalif]

tbh, i use nail clipper as wire stripper.

[massimookissed]

Get a multimeter with auto power off, else you will forget sometime & leave it on until the battery dies.
Totally agree about those cheap automatic wire strippers. I've had one break the first time I used it.
Mini drills are super-useful.
Favourite, most-used tool of all time: Vernier calipers. (Doesn't need batteries, always works.)

[DheerajKumar-dk]

Soldering Flux, Desoldering Wick, Cleaning agents, PCB cleaner, ESD brush, various types of Tweezers, essential connectors, Third Hand, Magnifier, Bright Torch, ESD mat, Various types of Nuts, Bolts, Spacer, Hooks etc. Hence you may add those on your next necessary tools video!

[c_yrslf]

I know this is old but if there are new people like me watching, it's still worth chipping in for them to read.
I've been doing projects and working on things for awhile and have got a nice inventory of tools so here is what I would recommend. (I'm from Canada so I didn't exactly recognize most tool brands on the video but made in germany is a solid argument for tools!)

First, the multimeter, I have bought about 2 now and used 4-5 (given to me) and if you're going inexpensive, it's a question of time before they get inaccurate like for a 40$ one, about 2-3years worth then the readings are gonna get inaccurate.

An automatic wire stripper is a must, but I found that if you're working with 20awg wire or smaller, most automatic stripper will pull the rest of the cables isolation.(Pinch the side you want to use with pliers and it'll work fine like that)

For electric tools, I personally found Bosch to make very descent equipment, but most importantly, the batteries are not locked to a certain amount of charges (about 400 or so I've heard) like makita's which do make excellent electric tools too. Dewalt is a very good quality brand also to think of during your buying process!

For a soldering station, I just bought one since gettin into electronics. I've found on amazon.ca a 60cad$ Weller station and wouldn't suggest anything else, some chinese weller copies of 200$ models are actually decent for the same price as the 60$ one. But might as well get Weller. DO NOT GET CHEAP DIRECT PLUG IN THE WALL OPTIONS, I've had some in the past and they are horrible.


I am also in the pc world and for other tools like screwdrivers, I would suggest an iFixit kit as it is very practical and versatile on top of what GreatScott! mentionned.

One last thing, you never had enough tools or wires! or screws.. or bolts.. or nuts or cableties or connectors etc etc get ready to run to the store or salvage very often!

[victorduran]

Something that I always find extremely useful is a transistor tester. These are very cheap and can check a wide variety of components with incredible accuracy.

[IvanWang-eizy]

I am only 13, I highly recommend Bosch, I used their drill for over seven years old without a problem!!

[mnbakken]

I am only 13 but I love your videos!
soin I will build your variable lab bench power supply.
thank you really much because of you I really like electronic and electricity

[EndrChe]

I use the 20v Dewalt in industrial maintenance, but for round the house/electronics/small jobs, the 12v is beautiful. Just perfect.

[kingsofbots]

My favorite tool



Knife to drill
Fire for hot glue
1 half discharged battery 9v
Hand for soldering

[undertheradar]

you should do a DIY video for a multimeter. it's a good way for beginners to get an understanding of a voltage dividing circuit.

[aaronletchford]

Nice video mate I have a Weller soldering iron 50w bit hot for some jobs but bought it used but never let the down

[seancusack]

Parkside have good quality and usually cheap tools, I got a solder station, drill and a rotary tool, which i had for a while and haven't given me any problems

[alexhoyos]

Holy cow! Thank you so much! I was looking not only for this but for projects to do as I begin my junior year! Much respect!!

[saucebosspl]

Rotating PCB holder can really help with assembly, great little tool.
Additional, separate flux is a neccesity!
Solder wick to save SMD.
The thing that sucks solder with vacuum.
IPA and cleaning tools, absolutely essential.
Silver plated connection wire and Kynar.
Tweezers of many types.

[ian]

I have a bunch of Xuron tools. They were all quite expensive, but they work really nicely. For a variable power supply there are now some nice units from Ruideng/Riden. Not as easy to use as a proper supply with knobs, but they work and they're much cheaper. For soldering there are now the KSGER and other similar ones. For screwdrivers I have a couple of Wiha ones, but what I actually use the most are a kit I bought from iFixit and another that was branded Rolson. Not the highest quality, but relatively cheap for a wide range of bits and they work without issues.

I've also got a couple of those crimping tools that include a set of dies. Again not professional quality, but they make good crimps and they were affordable. Plus some wire strippers of unknown brand. They're ancient and stick a bit, but still work.

The other thing I've found really handy is a board holder. Mine's branded Pro's Kit, but the same one is available under multiple names.

My glue gun is horrible. It messes glue everywhere. I don't if they're all like that as this was a cheap one. What I've found works in using hot air to melt the hot glue.