Essential Tools For An Electronics Lab

Essential Tools For An Electronics Lab

Let’s set up the new electronics lab and see where you should be allocating your tool budget and where you can skimp a bit.

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πŸ› πŸ›  Hand tools πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ Stanley screwdriver set https://amzn.to/3Bgg5L1
β€’ Precision screwdriver set https://amzn.to/3RE3q9M
β€’ Wera screwdriver set https://amzn.to/3TKbFTx
β€’ Schmitz pliers https://amzn.to/3cM0WHP
β€’ Hakko cutters https://amzn.to/3TINx3R
β€’ Tweezers set https://amzn.to/3BgJu7u

πŸ› πŸ›  Multimeter πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ CircuitSpecialists https://www.circuitspecialists.com/digital-multimeter-csi2010.html
β€’ UNI-T https://amzn.to/3ASK9KX
β€’ Kaiweets KM601 https://amzn.to/3KNjsfj
β€’ Fluke 117 https://amzn.to/3BfWiLG
β€’ Bside A10 https://amzn.to/3cJ77fP

πŸ› πŸ›  Soldering πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ ToAuto DS90 solder station https://amzn.to/3edDxPI
β€’ Desoldering pump https://amzn.to/3RzgQUE
β€’ Kester solder https://amzn.to/3REeQdE
β€’ United Static Control ESD mat https://www.ultrastatinc.com/Bench_options_electratherm.html

πŸ› πŸ›  Oscilloscope πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ Hantek DS5202P https://www.circuitspecialists.com/hantek-200mhz-digital-storage-oscilloscope-dso5202p.html
β€’ Hantek 2D42 handheld https://amzn.to/3RvGSby
β€’ Hantek 6022BE USB https://amzn.to/3CZpyHD

πŸ› πŸ›  Desoldering πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ ZD 915 desoldering station https://amzn.to/3BcXsaI
β€’ 858D hot air station https://amzn.to/3QqKkDm

πŸ› πŸ›  Power supply πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ Siglent SPD3303X-E https://amzn.to/3cRxksn
β€’ Korad PSU https://amzn.to/3RHx9Pn

πŸ› πŸ›  Magnifying tools πŸ› πŸ› 
β€’ Light with 5X magnifying glass https://amzn.to/3cIthik
β€’ Magnifying glasses https://amzn.to/3TLNfsO
β€’ Andonstar AD249MS https://amzn.to/3RlfCMW
β€’ Andonstar ADSM302 https://amzn.to/3wTCNpu

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
00:39 Work surface
02:14 Hand tools
05:14 #notsponsored
05:26 Multimeters
09:50 Solder station
13:22 ESD mat
16:49 Oscilloscopes
20:19 Desoldering
21:51 Bench power supply
23:05 Magnifying tools
25:16 Monitor and computer
26:19 Conclusion

Music tracks:
Funky Stars by McKlain https://mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/funky-stars-amstrad-cpc-true-8bit-version
Battro OST by McKlain https://mcklain.bandcamp.com/track/battro-ost
More awesome music by McKlain: https://www.mcklain.com

πŸ›  Tools I use ➀ https://noelsretrolab.com/tools.html

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Mailing list ➀ https://noelsretrolab.com

#electronics #tools

50 Comments

  1. @Mack_Dingo on June 26, 2025 at 6:49 pm

    I think hi-quality tweezers are a must. Cheap ones bend so easily and nothing is worse than trying to pick something up with bent tips.

  2. @techluvin7691 on June 26, 2025 at 6:52 pm

    Actually……good wire strippers make a world of difference compared to the cheapos.

  3. @Janak-p1t on June 26, 2025 at 6:53 pm

    Very important hints video for starting of electronic in education

  4. @helikopterconni1597 on June 26, 2025 at 6:54 pm

    What do you tools nees?

  5. @PersisElectric on June 26, 2025 at 6:54 pm

    Awesome, it did really help.

  6. @julesl6910 on June 26, 2025 at 6:55 pm

    Why not wire your entire station with an isolation transformer? That is the smarter and safer solution. Then you can use an OLFA cutting mat. This is what professionals do. An isolation transformer will save your life in many circumstances, so why not just completely remove ground?

  7. @Oli00ps on June 26, 2025 at 6:57 pm

    These days I would add a USB, Ethernet, and HDMI cable tester.

  8. @Ares-vh9qz on June 26, 2025 at 6:58 pm

    "what do you tools need" AHAHAH
    This HAS to be intentional

  9. @hillbilly4christ638 on June 26, 2025 at 6:58 pm

    Just about anything Germany is going to be high quality. Flush cutting tools are a big plus.

  10. @thatoks6498 on June 26, 2025 at 6:59 pm

    What Voltage Wattage is needed to power a desktop pc

  11. @arealious25 on June 26, 2025 at 6:59 pm

    You forgot one essential…….skills lol.

  12. @MrDoneboy on June 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm

    Signal generator?

  13. @smitthakor4419 on June 26, 2025 at 7:00 pm

    function genrater will be great thing to have

  14. @MohamedDIYelectronics-ei5wy on June 26, 2025 at 7:01 pm

    I can recommend aliexpress. Very cheap but real good stuff outta there

  15. @Duke_22 on June 26, 2025 at 7:02 pm

    bro you could just use wood instead of that mat

  16. @NickArcade on June 26, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    What do you tools need?

  17. @sparktite on June 26, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    Cant you just touch the silicone mat to discharge it properly, then just discharge yourself on anything bare metal that will…. Ive yet to find any logical explanation that has made any sense as to why i would want an esd mat. I threw mine away and the armbands decades ago when i first started building computers.

    Funny side note ive heard of people putting their pc motherboards on the ‘antistatic’ bags they come in. Then they wind up shorting the board when they should have just used the cardboard box the mobo came in. The bag never seemed safe or worth anything to me so i was lucky to never do this but apparently its because while the inside is anti static due to how that works it means the opposite side is going to be conductive or at least hold charge very easily lol.

    I use a silicone mat and have never had it build a charge to my knowledge but i touch it before i ever do anything even if i dont intend to.

  18. @scottscopters7 on June 26, 2025 at 7:04 pm

    I wish the hot air station was "$15 or $20" but unfortunately its currently 60. had a feeling that was too good to be true

  19. @SpenceReam on June 26, 2025 at 7:05 pm

    Nice kandi 😎

    *PLUR*

  20. @gabrielhollar7446 on June 26, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    How do I become friends with Scott?

  21. @h7opolo on June 26, 2025 at 7:12 pm

    Where did you procure that desk from?

  22. @odongjeanmarie5810 on June 26, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    Hi Noel. My name is Jean and I am from Uganda. I really want to delve into the world of electronics repair. One thing I keep thinking about is how to source electronics components for my own use. And I would prefer getting genuine things from outside Uganda. That would be more possible if I could get better contact with you or your kind

  23. @colindawson4818 on June 26, 2025 at 7:18 pm

    I’d add a fume extractor. Also tool wise, an IR Camera will help with figuring out if there’s a shorted component.

  24. @saeedsobhani1981 on June 26, 2025 at 7:18 pm

    You missed, the basic electronics components and chemicals and anti static wire strap

  25. @mahmoodh7767 on June 26, 2025 at 7:19 pm

    πŸ™πŸ™πŸ‘ŒπŸ‘ŒπŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ’™πŸ’™πŸ’™

  26. @emdo843 on June 26, 2025 at 7:20 pm

    Ive only had success with flashrom on linux

  27. @YoussifTheMAKKER on June 26, 2025 at 7:21 pm

    I’m happy with my 12v and 20a power supply and multimeter and good soldering tool

  28. @robertbryan2511 on June 26, 2025 at 7:22 pm

    There’s some great suggestions in some of these other comments. I would add a good search presser for all the outlets, good

  29. @umesh.kumar.naik278 on June 26, 2025 at 7:22 pm

    Great video ❀❀❀.
    I think u should add a printer for printing datasheet and a 3d printer…. By the way verry nice video… thank you sir

  30. @turkalpkucur on June 26, 2025 at 7:23 pm

    perfect video thanks. In addition Network analyzer, logic analyzer, spectrum analyzer aaaand a siemens coffee machine!…

  31. @daitedve1984 on June 26, 2025 at 7:24 pm

    Your "essential" very depends from what you’re making. If you’re in the edges of Arduino, you need PC, a few wires, stripper, solder and any DC source. Done. πŸ™‚

  32. @ChrisJackson-js8rd on June 26, 2025 at 7:25 pm

    One thing to remember about oscilloscope sampling rates is that you aren’t always going to be looking for signals when repairing equipment – sometimes you will want to see transient bugs that can be several/many times the rate of the signal. Especially if you are dealing with devices that have a lot of power supplies on the board. I would argue something like 5x the signal rate is a better rule of thumb than the Nyquist rate.

    This will depend a lot on what exactly you work on and what you use your scope for, so definitely take your own use case into consideration.

    Cheers!

  33. @JudeClarke-j4z on June 26, 2025 at 7:27 pm

    I have that exact same Toauto soldering station and I can attest to the fact that it is actually a pretty decent and cheap soldering station.

  34. @anthonysunay7916 on June 26, 2025 at 7:29 pm

    No the bandwidth is 200 mhz the sample rate is 1 gig for first channel

  35. @svenpetersen1965 on June 26, 2025 at 7:30 pm

    I prefer my optical stereo microscope over the digital, by far. Soldering in 3D is much easier and the eye has a much better dynamic range, than the best camera in the world. I haven’t used my digital microscope a lot, the optical all the time.

    The most important tool is my head band magnifier. After about 45, my eyes got old.

    For SMD soldering, I really like hot plates. I have a 20cm x 20cm one for board assembly and a 3cm x 3cm one for repairs. It is much easier than hot air.

  36. @andisandis1059 on June 26, 2025 at 7:31 pm

    Great video for me as aspiring electronics guru ( joking) You forgot bottle of Whiskey for steady hands πŸ˜‰

  37. @ahsokatano6059 on June 26, 2025 at 7:32 pm

    lol what tools do you need? yes, all of them!!

  38. @hipihei on June 26, 2025 at 7:32 pm

    I’d say one *very* important thing in this video/lab is missing!! Isolation transformer of some kind! I don’t know the electrical code in Your country, but in my country it must be used if one will handle mains powered products with open covers.. Also it’s not very good for one’s oscilloscope or the appliance (rectifier most often if one present) under inspection if one tries to measure something in the mains side with oscilloscope (they are typically equipped with protective earth) πŸ’₯ πŸ˜… However, if the lab is only for mains isolated work (powered from power supplies/batteries/etc.) then of course there is no reason to get isolation transformer..!

  39. @sushantgupta9336 on June 26, 2025 at 7:32 pm

    Most lovable video i was waiting since childhood. I m made for electronic 😊

  40. @luispineros9897 on June 26, 2025 at 7:33 pm

    Hello, first I would like to know of a soldering station of equal quality to the one shown in the video (ToAuto DS90 solder station) but that Amazon sells in South America? Second, I know that there are more modern technologies with the C210 and C245 tips, but good stations are expensive (JBC, Hakko). What good quality alternatives are there that you recommend? Thank you very much.

  41. @bryancunningham1095 on June 26, 2025 at 7:33 pm

    You might be able to place a section of the silicon on top of your grounded blue mat. Great video learned a few things.

  42. @SEAComponentsGmbH on June 26, 2025 at 7:38 pm

    Your expertise really shine throughβ€”great work! πŸ‘βš‘

  43. @AQUA-Mannie on June 26, 2025 at 7:40 pm

    Cheapo sig gen. (Someone has probably said this already…)

  44. @Darryl.M on June 26, 2025 at 7:41 pm

    soLdering

  45. @retroanderson on June 26, 2025 at 7:44 pm

    Things that i find great to supplement your list is: a logic analyser, a variac for international power bricks, a signal generator.

  46. @robertlackey7212 on June 26, 2025 at 7:44 pm

    I listened to 7 minutes and disagreed with virtually everything you said , How could my experiences (19 years and counting) be so different than yours ? For example I am constantly encountering screws that are both stuck and made from a very soft material my expensive PB Smith screwdrivers have features like parallel flanks on slotted drivers that make the difference between removing the screw and destroying the screw . My BK multimeter gives me reliable measurements that don’t drive me crazy by randomly changing or vanishing , I could go on , crappy tools waste time and energy . The only thing I do agree with you on is the importance of hand tools.

  47. @CHIBA280CRV on June 26, 2025 at 7:45 pm

    Very informative gracias πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌπŸ‘πŸΌ

  48. @glensingleton1815 on June 26, 2025 at 7:46 pm

    What about a power strip/ surge protector? Are there any recommendations as to what kind to use, and do you have any links to some good ones. I’ve been recently searching for something where the strip has individual circuit breakers for each outlet, but the only things I can find are ones that have individual switches. I would hope I could find something like this eventually but have had no success. Maybe I’m just wording my searches wrong. I did find ESD power strips and the outlets are nicely spaced out but don’t have individual switches or circuit breaker function for each outlet. Let me know what you think, and if you have any links that would be helpful! 😁

  49. @jim_cathymcclendon6091 on June 26, 2025 at 7:46 pm

    can you build your own test equipment

  50. @kashi2843 on June 26, 2025 at 7:47 pm

    excellent. what about exhaust system to suck all that solder smoke ?

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