MOTM

At 05:59 PM 5/20/2002 -0400, Matt Hutchison wrote:
>I'm about to start building my first kits.  Up til now I've been a 
>software guy, not a hardware guy and I've never owned tools before... this 
>stuff is pretty new to me.  Can anyone suggest a place to buy the 
>following, preferably online?
>
>1) Clamping magnifier

I found one a Radio Shack that works reasonably well, although I find I 
don't use it much.  I prefer working with one of the magnifier florescent 
lights and a Panavise.

>2) Heat gun

www.mouser.com  -  $50 Weller heat gun Part# 578-1080.  While your there 
pick up a lead bending tool Part# 5166-801.  Best $2.95 I've spent in a 
long time.


-dave-

http://www.hylander.com

I find those "reading" glasses from the drugstore to be really helpful
and inexpensive. Get the strongest ones.

For clipping leads, the Plato 170 shear (only about $5) is a real sweet
tool! Try Contact East, (.com) among others....

Regards,
-----------------------------
John Blacet
Blacet Research
http://www.blacet.com

1) Clamping magnifier

I use the Luxo KFM from Techni-Tool, part #516LI115. This is about $200. But I use it 8hrs/day.
For "light duty" (pun alert!), maybe the 284LII104 $107 one is OK.


2) Heat gun

I use an Alpha FIT-GUN 3 from www.newark.com. Part #93F1914. They are $66. I got mine at a 40%
off sale 2yrs ago :)
You can also use the slightly cheaper Weller Model 1095 from Techni-Tool, part #812PR1095.

>> Can anyone suggest something specific in the way of chain nose pliers and diagonal cutters for
MOTM type work?

Techni-Tools! They have the best selection on the planet. EVERYONE call and get a free
catalog.800-832-4866.

Now, I am *VERY PICKY* about my diagonal cutters. Mine are medical-grade stainless steel with
tempered edges. About $92 (!!?!) but they do not rust and will literally cut a coat hanger in two
like butter. BUT...instead get the Techni-Tool 758PL173 at a stunning $9.65 :)

For pliers, get the Techni-Tool 294PL116 at a whopping $13.85.

STAY AWAY from "home department store" crap. Get the Techni-Tool catalog and geek out. How about
76 different kinds of tweezers??!?

Paul S.

Techni-Tool has a good online catalog too:

https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/index.jsp

Dan.

On Mon, 20 May 2002, Paul Schreiber wrote:

> 
> 1) Clamping magnifier
> 
> I use the Luxo KFM from Techni-Tool, part #516LI115. This is about $200. But I use it 8hrs/day.
> For "light duty" (pun alert!), maybe the 284LII104 $107 one is OK.
> 
> 
> 2) Heat gun
> 
> I use an Alpha FIT-GUN 3 from www.newark.com. Part #93F1914. They are $66. I got mine at a 40%
> off sale 2yrs ago :)
> You can also use the slightly cheaper Weller Model 1095 from Techni-Tool, part #812PR1095.
> 
> >> Can anyone suggest something specific in the way of chain nose pliers and diagonal cutters for
> MOTM type work?
> 
> Techni-Tools! They have the best selection on the planet. EVERYONE call and get a free
> catalog.800-832-4866.
> 
> Now, I am *VERY PICKY* about my diagonal cutters. Mine are medical-grade stainless steel with
> tempered edges. About $92 (!!?!) but they do not rust and will literally cut a coat hanger in two
> like butter. BUT...instead get the Techni-Tool 758PL173 at a stunning $9.65 :)
> 
> For pliers, get the Techni-Tool 294PL116 at a whopping $13.85.
> 
> STAY AWAY from "home department store" crap. Get the Techni-Tool catalog and geek out. How about
> 76 different kinds of tweezers??!?
> 
> Paul S.
> 
> 
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
> 
> 

-- 
yo cocino con george

> 2) Heat gun

One warning: I bought one from Jameco and I don't particularly like it. It
smokes when used on its higher setting, which I find disconcerting.

> Also, I tried buying some stuff from Sears, and I'm not sure if I should
> return it before I open it up because since I haven't started building yet and
> I don't know what the difference is between quality tools and crap.

The Craftsmen brand sold by Sears used to be very good, and the set of
crescent wrenches that I bought from them a year or two ago (not for MOTM
work) seems fine.
 
> Can 
> anyone suggest something specific in the way of chain nose pliers and diagonal
> cutters for MOTM type work?
 
For cutters or pliers, Xcelite makes great stuff. Get a pair of cutters that
have the narrow blades and flush cutting for trimming leads on PC boards. Go
to www.jameco.com and search for Jameco #146712. I've built about eight MOTM
kits with these. 

Got a good temperature-controlled soldering iron?

And yes, as everyone says, the $2.95 lead bender is a must-buy.

--Adam

At 08:08 PM 5/20/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>How about a solder sucker?  Forgot to ask about that one?

Get a SOLDAPULLT at https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/index.jsp works great.


-dave-

http://www.hylander.com

At 08:08 PM 5/20/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>How about a solder sucker?  Forgot to ask about that one?

Get a SOLDAPULLT at https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/index.jsp works great.


-dave-

http://www.hylander.com

> I prefer working with one of the magnifier florescent
> lights and a Panavise.

Oh yeah--definitely spring for a Panavise. I use mine constantly when
building MOTM modules. If you want to spend money on only one head, get the
wide-opening one because it's the most versatile. I have it as well as the
standard head and a circuit-board holder head, and I use all three in the
course of building one module. The weighted part tray base is really handy,
too.

(No, Panavise didn't pay me to say that. I'm just a happy customer.)

--Adam

In a message dated 5/20/02 7:25:02 PM Central Daylight Time, 
david@... writes:

> At 08:08 PM 5/20/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>  >How about a solder sucker?  Forgot to ask about that one?
>  
>  Get a SOLDAPULLT at https://webvia.techni-tool.com/VIA5/index.jsp works 
> great.
>  

 I'll second that! Also, of the ones that I've used throughout the years, I 
like the larger size models (techni-tool #330ed082). The smaller ones, and 
also the ones that have the extra bit of plastic on the side of the plunger 
(330ed370) I find harder to use . 

 Andrew Sanchez

At 08:46 PM 5/20/2002 -0400, ixqy@... wrote:
>I'll second that! Also, of the ones that I've used throughout the years, I
>like the larger size models (techni-tool #330ed082).

This is the model I like as well, although I use the static safe 
DS017LS.  You can get it directly from Edsyn, the manufacturer.  I did not 
see it on the Techni-tools site, and Edsyn has comparable prices. 
http://www.edsyn.com/main.asp?inc=view_product&id=259


-dave-

http://www.hylander.com