It’s Christmas Season once again and George and Jeremy are back to discuss gift ideas for your workbench!
This week, we’re joined by previous guests Nick KN6NK, Rod VA3ON, and Smitty KR6ZY. This inspiring discussion will give you plenty of ideas for tools, test equipment, supplies, and stocking stuffers to add to your holiday workbench wish list!
Twitter Workbench Picture Thread - https://twitter.com/smittyhalibut/status/931740952690958336
Double Cross Antenna - http://w7dbo.net/MARTES_Double_Cross_Antenna.pdf
Mount Panavise Jr. to an Arm! - https://twitter.com/CyberQueenMara/status/931560219125063680
Hand Tools
Weller ML100 Magna-Lite Micro Torch $10
Hakko CHP 170 Diagonal Micro Cutters $6
Stainless tweezers (curved, straight) $25 each, or super cheap set ($9)
Slotted head ceramic driver/adjustment set ($14) - for tweaking trimpots without shorting stuff out
iFixit 64-bit screwdriver kit ($30)
Hakko flush cutters ($5)
PowerPole crimper ($50)
Wiha System 4 Precision Modular screwdrivers
Knipex mini Pliers set Of two with Parallel jaws
Soldering Tools and Accessories
Aoyue soldering iron and hot air rework station $150
Entry Level Hot Air Rework $75
Aven Circuit Board Holder $12
PanaVise Jr $27
MetCal Soldering PS2E $175 USED
MetCal Soldering MX500 $250
How the MetCal works (youtube video)
WES-51 or FX-888 soldering iron ($100)
TS100 portable iron (requires external DC power) ($50-$80) Hackaday review Video review
Hot-air reflow station ($60)
Controleo toaster reflow controller ($109)
Tiny desk fan ($20) and solder fume extractor ($25-$50)
Solder reel stand ($10-$20)
Ceramic floor tile (12”x12” or larger), $1-$2
Workbench Accessories
Pluggable USB Microscope $35
Stereo microscope ($190) with 5x/10x, 10x/15x, or 10x/20x
Prusa i3 MK3 3D Printer $999 Assembled
CNC router ($400+)
MillRight CNC Router Kits
Laser cutter ($500ish)
Storage and Organization
Organization/storage tool rack $11
Global Industrial storage boxes (~$30-$70 per 100 boxes, mine are 4”W x 12”D x 4.5”H)
Lift-N-Lok tool box (seem to not be available anymore)
Veto Pro Pac Tool bag
Mechanics tool drawers (with organizers and Ptouch labels for the OCD crowd)
DYMO LabelManager 160 Label Maker $15
AKRO MILS
AKRO-MILS Small Parts Bins $30
AKRO-MILS Mixed Parts Bins $30
AKRO-MILS Large Parts Bins $30
Consumables and Supplies
Bag of powerpole connectors - 10 pairs for $9.99 free shipping
Hatchbox 3D Printing Filament
Box o’ Resistors! $7
USB Cables! Especially Anker Powerline for anything that is doing power
RF Adapters (You use one for a project, and it lives with that project forever.)
