These are the tools I usually use, the ones that are needed for what i do
*deep inhale, here goes*
----
Multimeter, i have more than one, but the one i depend on is a, for it's
capacity, cheap one, it's autoranging (no need to know exactly what "range" of
measurement you want), it does volt, ampere, ohm, transistors, diodes (and
continuity), and some frequencies
i traded for this, some puter help in trade for a present card for a store that
had it

Soldering station, notice, STATION, not iron.
so what's the differance?, well a station is usually protected against static
or "powersurges" going through the tip (the better ones are) it's also...
IMPORTANT...temperature regulating, and temperature can be set
these 2 latter ones are wonderful if you are into anything temp sensitive
(like 90 percent of the components in a computer, battery packs and so forth)

surgical clamps (large and small (scissor type and small ones)
these i use to hold stuff in place, but more importantly they are marvelous to
lead off heat from a soldering point to protect other components

pliars, assorted, bent, straigh, thin, thick

scalpel, this is way needed, get a good one with different blades
and keep it SHARP

needles, if naught else they are good to map pinout on a serial female *heh*

soldering vacuum (soldering cleaner)

soldering stand...wow this helps a LOT

screwdrivers, forceps, tweezers

flashlight (small focusable) 2xAA maglite is good

mirrors and magnifying glass

marker pens

the most important hardware, research (papers) and brain...yours

sog pliars (folding) (paratool) superb

black n decker small (dremmel like thingy)

and assorted other things

wlofie
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