What else do I need?

HooRU

For pedal making, and non mains circuitry?

I have an old scope, a soldering station with blower, wire in line splicing holders, soldering mat, iFixit drivers and spundger kit (the nice one), transistor tester that will also test zeners, a modest multimeter with different problems, solder holder, work lamp, magnifier loup, braid, sucker, side cutters, some box wrench coming, small pic board spinning holder, hands holder, 3 hand, brass pad…

Also, considering that my kits come all jumbled up and I have to meter check and short out components and make them, what is a good way to put them (caps and resistors) in order when checking the BOM for missing part, pre-build?

Sparkchaser

HooRU Also, considering that my kits come all jumbled up and I have to meter check and short out components and make them, what is a good way to put them (caps and resistors) in order when checking the BOM for missing part, pre-build?

Is that sort out? What you mean make them? Are they color coded?

Sounds like you have enough tools.

dave

I need a magnifying visor even for 0.1″ pitch work. You can get a cheap but effective one for around $20. No need for anything fancy.

Apart from that, you’ve got more than the basics.

I don’t attempt to ‘sort’ components into order when building - I just figure out each one as I need it (read device markings if possible, else meter check, but my meter is useless for small capacitors). I do try and install ‘all components having the same value’ at the same time, at least for Rs and Cs.

For BOM checks, it’s just work through the pile, checking them off as I go.

Sparkchaser

dave I need a magnifying visor even for 0.1″ pitch work. You can get a cheap but effective one for around $20. No need for anything fancy.

Yes, been using one for about 40 yrs. 🙂

dave

Another thing just occurred to me (since I am about to wire up a half-built device) – tweezers. I just used mine to position some labels on the back side of the panel, to (fingers crossed) keep me from getting confused between which of the 5 pots is which.

Drug store tweezers are fine. Get pointed-tip and wide (_¼″) tip.

MacLeech

HooRU Large silicon work mat, many have small parts bins around the edges.
Liquid or paste flux and brush.
Clamp on heat sink, so your solder heat doesn’t travel too far up the lead and burn delicate components.
Small zip ties or wax lacing to dress in wiring harnesses.
Heatshrink tubing to insulate/protect splices and close parts from shorting or rubbing damage.

HooRU

I have the flux, but need a brush. I have the mat, I need the heat sink, and I have heat shrink. So I need zip ties, a brush, and a couple heat sinks. Thank you Mac!

I also just got a dream guitar yesterday, it needs a lot of work as it is a 1966 Vintage instrument.

The next pedal I’m building is complicate, a Leslie Pedal.

Then I’m going to do a Synth pedal and finally an OC2 knockoff.

dave

I’d wait until you need a thing before buying it, rather than attempt to line up a perfect tool kit in advance.

As far as shunting heat during soldering is concerned, if you’re reasonably fast, the only times I might worry about a heat shunt is if (1) dealing with germanium components - which you might do; pedal guys are fond of germanium, (2) dealing with some rare semiconductor device.

HooRU

I ordered 2 aluminum sinks for 6 bucks and 20 brushes for the same. I do have zip ties. I agree with only getting things as I need, but stuff like this is being prepared for the next build.

At some point I want to build a tube amp, a really good one with 2 × 12″, a 40+ water. There are some kits out there.

Sparkchaser

I’d refrain from using a silicon mat because of ESD concerns.

An alligator clip works as a heat sink when soldering.

dave

What are you guys doing with liquid flux? For most through-hole new work, cored solder by itself works fine. A little extra flux helps with rework, I guess - but I find the syringe packaging useful for that. (I bought it, along with solder paste, for my so-far disastrous attempts to do a little SMD work)

HooRU

SMD stuff is hard.

Sparkchaser

No one ever mentioned my comment on ESD and mats so….. 😉
Here’s one. Not pushing Amazon but it was the easiest place to get a link.

https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Electronic-Wristband-Grounding-HPFIX/dp/B07X7VL7VR

HooRU

I wish my apartment HAD ground! It’s only in the kitchen and bathroom.

At some point I’ll move to a better but smaller place, but I can’t afford it right now. I’m paying quite a bit less than a grand.

Sparkchaser

HooRU

HooRU I wish my apartment HAD ground!

The outlets are just 2 prong?

I have one of these

And it doesn’t take much to drain off the charge. You just want to make sure you are not using something that will build up the charge.

Sparkchaser

Somehow, in my last company, one of the things I got involved in was ESD, took seminars, etc. I think I have “sucker” stamped on my forehead. 😃

HooRU

They are 3 prong but no ground.

Sparkchaser

HooRU

Is this not the case??

HooRU

I’m a former electrician’s assistant. Yes, Hot is the smallest plug, Neutral is the larger slot and ground is the hump.

Realize that in a 2 wire household, people can still use a three pin jack and not hook up ground as there is none. It’s common and wrong practice.

In my opinion, landlords should be required to retrofit safe grounding throughout a home.

One thing I could do is that we have gas heat and baseboard water, but I’m not sure if that is dangerous for the gas line.

It’s obvious that they did the shortcut here and added ground in the kitchen and bathroom, why they didn’t do it all is stupid. Also, there is a real shortage of outlets in here to begin with and EVERYTHING is on only one breaker, how’s that for crap?

But my rent is really cheap as this place is substandard, it’s the only reason I can afford an apartment right now.

Sparkchaser

HooRU

What I was trying to say is, if you have the 3 prong outlet you can use this

It comes with the ESD mat.

You could also use the hot water heat pipe.