Things you're gonna need for your basic electronics lab
I have been slowly gathering basic tools and components for my electronics lab and I thought that maybe sharing the list would be helpful to someone else!
What you're gonna need
Tools
Electrical Tools
- A multimeter: 50$ minimum. No more than 100$. You might want to get two, because sometimes you need to read both volts and amps at the same time.
- An oscilloscope: You can get an old CRT one for cheap. If you get a newer USB model, make sure it has proper USB isolation.
- A power supply: Consider making this one yourself as one of your first electronics project.
- A function generator: Generate waveforms, provide test signals.
- A soldering iron: Get one that has a temperature-controlled station.
- A Fume extractor: At the very least, get the fumes out of your face.
- A Glue gun: 'nuff said.
- Microscope: You can get a digital (USB) microscope for pretty cheap.
Hand tools
- Breadboards: You test circuits with these.
- Magnifier: Get a self-standing one with clips.
- Tweezers
- Cable Cutters
- Pliers
Hardware
Items
- Tip cleaner: For cleaning you soldering iron as you go.
- Solder: You probably want 0.4 mm.
- Glue sticks: For the glue gun.
- Flux pen: (As opposed to flux paste or liquid flux with a syringe). More convenient for beginners, requires less maintenance, and is easier to store.
- Jumper wire: For the breadboard.
- Hook-up wire: For the perboards.
- Wire wrap: Electrical tape can do the job but this is more convenient!
- Perfboards (DOT PCB): You build permanent circuits on these.
Components
You can get all of these in kits for pretty cheap.
- Resistors
- Capacitors
- Inductors
- Transistors
- Diodes
- LEDs
- Buck converters
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