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Need to setup lab.. suggest equipment

mudz

Hi,

I am an independent designer/hobbyist. I am getting serious on few electronics stuff and need to setup my home lab. I am more inclined towards precision and digital stuff. Love technology of today, compact/handheld solutions. I have a budget of around $1500.

Kindly suggest me :

Multimeter

Oscilloscope

Any other stuff??
Power supply I wish to make myself but welcome opinions..

 

I already had a Fluke 115 True RMS meter but someone stole it.

 

Open to all suggestions.
Thank you

Parents

  • I did a tool blog that might help:

    The Magic Tool Kit

    There is a basic set of tools/instruments needed to tackle most projects:

    • bench
    • hand tools (pliers, cutters, screw drivers, tweezers, files)
    • adjustable DC power supply
    • DMM
    • temperature controlled soldering station

    There is a lot you can make with just this set.

    The next level gets more expensive:

    • oscilloscope
    • stereo microscope
    • vise
    • drill press
    • fume extractor
    • crimping tools
    • LC meter
    • signal generator

    These cover most of the basic hardware

    But you will also need a computer and software tools like:

    • ECAD
    • firmware IDEs
    • circuit simulation

    The third level starts to get into equipment that isn't used on every project:

    • spectrum analyzer
    • network analyzer
    • FPGA development tools
    • programmable load

    At each phase you will start to collect parts that will need a storage system.

    I haven't acquired anything from that third level yet, although I have a scope with built-in FFT ...

     

    I'm sure I missed some important tools that other members will suggest....

    When you decide what will be your next purchase, you can indicate your requirements, uses and price range and ask for advice on that specific instrument and get plenty of advice from the members.

Reply

  • I did a tool blog that might help:

    The Magic Tool Kit

    There is a basic set of tools/instruments needed to tackle most projects:

    • bench
    • hand tools (pliers, cutters, screw drivers, tweezers, files)
    • adjustable DC power supply
    • DMM
    • temperature controlled soldering station

    There is a lot you can make with just this set.

    The next level gets more expensive:

    • oscilloscope
    • stereo microscope
    • vise
    • drill press
    • fume extractor
    • crimping tools
    • LC meter
    • signal generator

    These cover most of the basic hardware

    But you will also need a computer and software tools like:

    • ECAD
    • firmware IDEs
    • circuit simulation

    The third level starts to get into equipment that isn't used on every project:

    • spectrum analyzer
    • network analyzer
    • FPGA development tools
    • programmable load

    At each phase you will start to collect parts that will need a storage system.

    I haven't acquired anything from that third level yet, although I have a scope with built-in FFT ...

     

    I'm sure I missed some important tools that other members will suggest....

    When you decide what will be your next purchase, you can indicate your requirements, uses and price range and ask for advice on that specific instrument and get plenty of advice from the members.

Children
  • in reply to dougw

    That is a good list!  I started out with the items in the basics set and over a period of years now have the items in the next level with the exception of a LC meter and signal generator.  As for additions, two DMMs are handy for measuring voltage and current simultaneously.  One item not listed that I use fairly frequently is an inexpensive logic analyzer (with sigroc software).  A 3D printer might fit in there somewhere also...