Tools needed.

[Goddard, Duncan]

good dvm is essential, and a nice soldering iron- I use a weller tcp which
actually chucks out about 50W but only if it's fitted with a hot tip (not
the sports type :-)); it can be equipped with cooler bits and the
curie-point switch does the rest.
I have a dvm that does freq and, more usefully in my view, a capacitance
function- this is useful if you're trying to match components aswell as
identify them in the first place. look for low ac ranges too- down to mV and
mA is harder to find for ac than dc.
moving-coil voltmeter is handy if you don't know what you're going to find
or for low-freq stuff.
solder sucker is essential.
pointy pliers.
proper spanners- don't use pliers!
nut-wrenches.
many, many screwdrivers, and don't get them all from one manufacturer
because they'll become a blur in y'r toolbox...... keep small hex keys and
jewellers' screwdrivers in their pouches. I have been lectured by an old
boss on the importance of using the correct cruciform screwdriver- you can
never have too many crossheads if you do any work on old equipment or
instruments, particularly if they've been gigged. a scribe or some sort of
sharp pointy thing can be a godsend when you get to that last crosshead that
won't budge and it's starting to tear up. if it's not countersunk, you can
get purchase on it's circumference using an old pair of sidecutters. replace
the screw/bolt with new afterwards, obviously.
funny looking tool for picking up small objects when a gaussed screwdriver
or one with blu-tack won't do. I have one of these things that extends three
wire hooks at 120 degrees to each other....
I use a stanley hand-drill for all but the (american synths esp.) 2-3mm
steel cases. a pcb drill can turn it's hand to all manner of polishing and
cutting jobs aswell as making tiny holes for components to sit in.
fine-point magic marker or paint pen.

the 'scope is great for seeing waveforms, and inventing new ones, but let
your ears be the final judge. some of the stuff I've seen on 'scopes has
absolutely no right to sound musical but it does.

wd40- I kid you not- it's great for cleaning things, especially that crap
they put on pcb's to "seal" them.

various lengths of flexible insulated cable with alligator clips at either
end- fab for adding components to a circuit temporarily etc.

bench power supply: current limiting, fixed 5's and 12's and +/- variables.

a little fostex or some other powered speaker that'd be easier to fix than
y'r console or hifi if a nasty noise accidentally goes through it.

I have all this and I don't even build stuff- I'm an inveterate
modifier/customiser.

d.


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