I wish I knew this when I was first starting...

[selfdestroyer]

T-Handle Reamer. $5 at HF tools.

Use it all the time to open up enclosure holes for tighter fit of LEDs and 9v jacks, etc

Exactly what I use also. Works great.

[TNblueshawk]

I would have gotten an electronics degree in college...

[GermanCdn]

1.  Build a kick ass testing/debugging rig.  Just finished one with some of Jacob's pcbs, will post a build report shortly.
2. If you think you're going to like a circuit even before you build it, buy two pcbs.  Build one stock and experiment with the second.  If you build it up and don't like it, you can always sell the second pcb.  And some of the disappear from production quicker than you'd think.
3.  Plan your orders carefully to minimize shipping costs and get familiar with a number of vendors.  I still order a lot of stuff from Europe even though I don't live there anymore, because the shipping rates to Canada are better than Smallbear and Mammoth.
4.  Scotchbrite pads - make great work surfaces when you're trying to hold components in, and can be used to buff up vero and etched boards.
5.  Invest in a good quality step bit, soldering iron, and diagonal cutter, they will make your life a lot easier.
6.  Accept the fact you won't love every circuit you build.
7. Buy an IC leg straightener.
8. Always wear glasses/safety glasses

[Jederino]

What, my brilliant plan to solder all those 5mm lengths I have left could have been avoided!?  LOL

- socket transistors, IC's, and anything the build report might suggest could be changed.

- when building you can get very familiar with the parts, so read through the scheme and you will learn so much more.

- get a DMM and learn how to use it.  There are tons of videos on YouTube.

-  start small, but something cool, so you have accomplishment you can hear.  No offense to the people who suggest a looper switch . . ahem, but a booster is just as easy.  Ha ha!

- don't throw that non working board against the wall

[drezdn]

Download build docs when you buy a board. Otherwise, you might have trouble in a few years when you get around to building something.

[snz728]

1uf multilayer ceramic capacitors make it easier than those big  box capacitors to close the lid of your 1590b box.
DMM with continuity tester and test for continuity again and again, it can find lots of problems.

[jimilee]

1uf multilayer ceramic transistors make it easier than those big  box transistors to close the lid of your 1590b box.
DMM with continuity tester and test for continuity again and again, it can find lots of problems.

I dont even know what a 1uf multilayer transistor is.is it a film cap a ceramic an electro or a tranny?

[snz728]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Pcs-1uF-Through-Hole-Multilayer-Ceramic-Capacitors-/321062768781?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac0d5108d

[Haberdasher]

never fry bacon naked.
that's all i got for now.

[pickdropper]

never fry bacon naked.
that's all i got for now.

Seems like a good place to start.

You may want to add soldering to your list.

[jkokura]

Don't pee on electric fences.

Jacob

[billstein]

never fry bacon naked.
that's all i got for now.

Seems like a good place to start.

You may want to add soldering to your list.

I think I see what you're saying. Haberdasher's list is a good starting place but maybe a little incomplete.

[jimilee]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Pcs-1uF-Through-Hole-Multilayer-Ceramic-Capacitors-/321062768781?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ac0d5108d

Sonofabitch! There you go. Now I HAVE seen everything.

[Haberdasher]

never fry bacon naked.
that's all i got for now.

Seems like a good place to start.

You may want to add soldering to your list.

Fair enough.  I may give up naked soldering for lent next year; i'll have to think about it.

[drezdn]

I need to put something on my testing rig like "are all the socket-ed components in? Did you check? Really? Check again. Are they all in?"