PiDP-1 - Tools

Click on any icon image to see the larger photo.

I have a number of tools that I have used in electronics for many years now. The photos show the most common ones.

This first photo shows my small tools, from left to right: medium tweezers; a Strebeto screwdriver with bit and a nut driver bit to the right; solder sucker bulb with large safety pin to clear the nozzle; TAC 18650 flashlight; small side cutters; small needle-nose pliers; (above) small skill saw blade; diamond grit stainless nail file; emery paper; quality scissors; 1/4in drive sockets (10mm & 7/32). Above are solder (MG Chemicals, 63Sn/37Pb, .025in/23Ga, 2.2% RA flux) and low-tack frog tape. I only use this ultra-fine solder as it gets into tight spots very well.

This second photo shows my Weller WTCPT soldering station. This was purchased in Calgary in 1990 and has served me ever since. I recently had to purchase some new sponges, but otherwise it's been perfect. It is not adjustable but has a perfect temperature for soldering even delicate components. (the bag of pins came from the I/O panel LED cut off ends, used to make pins elsewhere in the kit build)

This third photo shows an overhead view of my twin OTT lights (battery power but normally plugged in), my magnifier and the other tools already mentioned. Using two OTT lamps, set at a low angle gives me the best illumination that I have found for soldering and assembly.

This fourth photo shows my magnifier. I bought this off Amazon many years ago. It is battery powered (2xAA) with a ring of LEDs outside the lens. The handle can be converted into a stand which I rarely use. Normally I turn on the LEDs and then use it to inspect all my solder joints before (and after) cutting off the ends. The small circle in the lens is a 10X magnifier for really close-up details.

A LED tester constructed from a Sparkfun Inventor's Kit Arduino, also shown in the unboxing page.