Useful tools

[Haberdasher]

In case anyone is planning a purchase from Harbor Freight in the next few days, here is a printable *20% off a single item* coupon that expires on the 23rd (March).

COUPON

cheers

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

This last weekend they had a parking lot sale with stuff up to 80% off!!! Total insanity!

[crash]

Please, for your own safety, do not buy anything electrical or pneumatic from Harbor Freight.  Most of that type of equipment does not meet the various UL/ANSI safety standards.  That is why you do not see a UL, ETL, CSA logo on most of their equipment.

Screwdrivers and wrenches are fine to buy from there and that's about it.

[Smeero]

If you have .net on you puter, this Aximer software is very useful. Ignore the aerospace stuff that we don't need and focus on the Electronics tab.

http://www.mediafire.com/?82z8eaf7x4la3ml

it has a tool for electronic metric conversions of volts, amps, farads, ohms, etc. An electric circuit formula calculator. A  Resistor color code chart and a circuit solver.

[Smeero]

actual tools

The panavise circuit boad holder is sweet and not that pricey.


I use one of these drill press stands from milescraft


with one of these  (rtx is cheaper,stronger motor than dremel but can use all the dremel attachments)


and a step bit
to make holes.

[junkemail86]

I use this guy for easy holes in plastic or aluminum.  The largest punch can fit a pot or jack, but not the DC jacks or 3PDT's, so I finish it off with a drill.  I'm satisfied.  Main drawback is on metal enclosures, you have to use the screw-on bottom as the top plate in order to make holes for the pots and switch.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_16698_16698

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

That circuit board holder looks snazzy!! Where did you get that from?
I've been wanting to get a dremel tool for awhile but have waited cause I wanted to do some research first. Looking at the one you posted(B&D RTX-B?) seems like a good alternative and 10 bucks cheaper. The stand I'm questioning a little bit. It's also 10 bucks cheaper than the dremel version but the dremel version appears to be set-able at more angles and a little more versatile. Thanks for posting those though.


Just found the circuit board holder on amazon. They have 2 models one is $30 and the other $80. I'm guessing you got the $30 model?

[Smeero]

That circuit board holder looks snazzy!! Where did you get that from?
I've been wanting to get a dremel tool for awhile but have waited cause I wanted to do some research first. Looking at the one you posted(B&D RTX-B?) seems like a good alternative and 10 bucks cheaper. The stand I'm questioning a little bit. It's also 10 bucks cheaper than the dremel version but the dremel version appears to be set-able at more angles and a little more versatile. Thanks for posting those though.


Just found the circuit board holder on amazon. They have 2 models one is $30 and the other $80. I'm guessing you got the $30 model?

Be careful , you may be looking at one without the base.  (they sell em separate). I paid around $65. Which was worth it. Here's a used one you could screw into a bread board/cutting board:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PanaVise-Circuit-Board-Holding-Vise-Base-/290554165536?_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D10%26pmod%3D170627153272%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8712960671264207565

[CRBMoA]

I can't remember what I paid for my board holder. I think the clip was $0.50. The wood and the screws I had lying around.

[jimmybjj]

I can't remember what I paid for my board holder. I think the clip was $0.50. The wood and the screws I had lying around.

I have a panavise and helping hands (same concept as the picture above) I use the cheaper alligator clip type device more often. the twisting of the panavise requires more effort and time than the clips. Just my two cents.

[bigmufffuzzwizz]

I can't remember what I paid for my board holder. I think the clip was $0.50. The wood and the screws I had lying around.

Now that's a genius idea for a setup!! Bravo

[mattpoole]

i am definitely stealing that idea!

[gtr2]

I'm more interested in the beauty in the back left. 

[CRBMoA]

I'm more interested in the beauty in the back left. 

That was my Agile AL 2000 (paid for completely with builds - NO $$ out of the checking account!).

I later replaced the pups with some meatier Duncan Design HBs, and upgraded to a Schaller roller bridge. Took a little drill and dowel work to make the bridge happen, but I couldn't be happier!

[jkokura]

Love the mouse symbol on the pickguard Chris.

Jacob