Question

What tools and supplies do you recommend?

Answer

Basic Tools

The table below lists a basic set of tools for constructing circuits using thru-hole components. For SMD circuits a different soldering iron would be preferable. Also additional tools like a magnifying lamp and tweezers are required.

Most of the component distributors carry tools (All • New • Digi • Mouse). A couple of other sources -- HMC Electronics and Jameco

Qty	Description	Mfg / Mfg PN	Price (Est)
1	Soldering Iron	Weller WES51 (Newark)	$99
		Weller WESD51 (HMC)	$129
		Hakko 936ESD
1	Smoke Absorber	Weller WSA350 (HMC)	$54
5	Smoke Absorber Filters	Weller WSA350F (3-pack)	$5.50
1	Vise Base Mount	Panavise 308	$29
1	Vise Base	Panavise 305
1	Vise Jaws	Panavise 366
1	Cutters	Cooper "Xcelite" 170M cutter	$6
1	Wire Stripper	Ideal T-6 16-26AWG	$11
1	Wire Stripper	Ideal T-8 8-16AWG	$11
1	X-Acto Knife	X-Acto x3201 No. 1
1	X-Acto Blades	X-Acto x411 No. 11 Fine Point Blade
1	Needle Nose Pliers
1	Lead Former	Jameco 801	$5
1	Meter	Extech EX330 Multimeter (HMC)	$55

Supplies

Qty	Description	Mfg / Mfg PN
1	Solder (Sn/Pb)	Kester 24-6337-6422
2	Flux Pen	Kester 2331-ZX Water Soluble
2	Solder Wick	Chemtronics 5-25L
1	Solder Wick	Chemtronics 10-25L
1	Wrist Strap	3M 2214
1	Anti-static Mat	3M 8214
1	24AWG Wire	Alpha 5854/7 BL005 100ft 24AWG Blue Wire, Teflon
1	24AWG Bus Wire	Alpha 299 SV005

Advanced Tools

These tools and supplies are for doing custom circuits not kits.

Description	Mfg / Mfg PN
Soldering Iron	Metcal SP200-11
Soldering Iron Tip	SSC-754A 30 deg bend, 20mil wide
Vector Board	Vector 169P84WE (unclad)
	Vector 169P84WEC1 (one side copper)
	Vector 169P84WEC2 (two sides copper)
Clips	Vector T42-1 Clips
Insertion Tool	Vector P149 insertion tool
Pins	Vector K24A Push pins
Bus Wire	Alpha 299/3 SV005 30AWG
Bench Supply	Extech Power Supply 382213
Magnifier	Luxo 17113, KRM Series, 3 diopter lense
Magnifying Visor	Bausch & Lomb 81-42-00 With 3 Lenses 1.8x, 2.2x, 2.6x Magnification Power