Have any helpful maker tips? Send them my way!

Essential Tips for Makers

Putting the electronics aspects aside slightly, you don't need the latest CNC machines or power tools to actually make stuff; however having those things does make the task simpler/stronger/more accurate/easier to mass produce.

So my combined tip is:

(1) Throw out very little. Scavenge materials and fixings from items being scrapped. Keep an assortment of sections of copper pipe, an old PC aluminium heatsink, piece of veroboard, some wires from a washing machine etc. Have an eye for cutting out the useful parts from something and scrapping the awkward, profiled or damaged sections. Caution: there is a fine line between keeping some useful materials and being a hoarder!

(2) Get some basic metal working tools. A hacksaw, some files, hammer, vice, hand drill and drill bits to start with. At first these can be from the local Saturday market or Pound/Dollar/Thrift shops just to get you going. Later you may realise the limitations of those cheap tools and prefer to buy better quality ones.

Now use your tools to craft items you need from (1)

Makers can do the same for the electronics aspects but some components are unmarked, desoldering is not the best pastime and lead lengths can be unusable. Personally I prefer to buy most components from new - exceptions being transformers or maybe a power transistor.

Rod

Hand Soldering - Component Alignment

When there are several connections to be made on a soldered component, for example 0.1" headers or ICs, then solder one corner/end pin first then check the other pins for alignment or that the part is perpendicular to the PCB. Then solder the opposite end or diagonally opposite corner for ICs. Check again. At this point if you are unhappy it usually isn't too much effort to make adjustments using solder braid.

If you are happy proceed to solder all the other pins properly and then resolder the two ends that have been 'tacked' initially.

Rod

A few screw-related tips:

When removing small machine screws of many different types from a piece of hardware (e.g. a laptop), stick little rolls of masking tape to a piece of printer paper sticky side out. You can stick the different groups/sizes of screws to the tape loops, and you can write down where they came from on the paper. This both helps to limit loss of tiny screws and keep parts organized and labelled for reassembly.

To avoid cross-threading or otherwise damaging existing screw/bolt/machine screw bushings and holes made from softer materials (e.g. brass or nylon) when reassembling something you've taken apart, start by turning the screw backwards while applying slight pressure towards the hole. When the threads line up, the screw will drop down towards the hole, and sometimes even make an audible click (depending on the materials.) You can then tighten the screw into place, knowing that the threads are properly aligned.

If you're using a cordless drill/driver, set the adjustable clutch to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the screw or mounting hole by applying too much torque.

OH NO!

There's missing something!

The FLUX CAPACITOR!

Happy tinkering!

Best Regards

Gerald

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Nice call.

A small piece of blue tack can keep a fixing on the end of your screwdriver as well if going into a tight spot. Sometimes the blue tack stays on the fastening though. Better than losing the fixing inside something.

Rod

It is great stuff : )

I use it too, for all through-hole parts and like that it doesn't matter if it gets too hot, it still comes off nicely.

I usually chop off leads excess length before soldering rather than after (habit, not needed for prototypes), so the blu-tack is indispensible for that.

If doing electrical repairs away from home, I take an old iron without a stand, and a piece of blu-tack attached to the side of the iron means I can place it on a table with no fear of it sliding off : )

Simple, basic. Blue tack. Blu Tack.  ( in the UK ). I worked there (UK) off and on for a few years and blue tack held up every drawing on the control room walls.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_Tack

Then I saw it in the soldering techniques videos, probably in a Pimoroni video.

https://learn.pimoroni.com/

who knew we had it in the US??  I didn’t until recently. But it’s called putty here.  Scotch brand(tm).

https://www.scotchbrand.com/3M/en_US/scotch-brand/products/catalog/~/?N=4335+3294529207+3294602205+3294857497&rt=rud

it really helps with my results. Straight attractive pin headers.  I bought it at my grocery store.

Absolutely, everyone needs to come home safe from work every day, including if they're working at home!

Great tips! They should be stuck on the wall as a reminder near tools.

I noticed this one in an office, also relevant : )

Safety

Daniel, did you want some less fun ideas as well?

Eye Safety

(1) If you purchase any high-power non-visible wavelength components then ensure they are kept marked up as such (and kept away from junior makers). A powerful IR diode can look identical to a visible wavelength version - you wouldn't want it shining into your eyes accidentally for sustained periods whilst working out why it hasn't illuminated.

(2) Be careful of long exposure or close proximity to 'decorative' LEDs such as the Neopixels/WS2812 e.g. whilst on the bench in front of you. They may not damage the eyes permanently but they can be uncomfortably bright.

(3) Whilst most maker tasks seem quite benign the wearing of eye protection should be a consideration: for anything that could involve flying particles of metal, molten solder or other chippings/materials. I've flicked molten solder in my face before from a multistrand cable I was desoldering as it released from the connector. Pounding a cold chisel really does 'work harden' then end until it shatters like glass - I've had bits fly off 30ft away. I've had many of the wires from an angle grinder's wire brush get flung out and embedded in my legs - it hurts but if that was in your eye it would blind you.

Respiratory Safety

(1) If sanding anything down - use a suitably rated protective mask and/or dust extraction.

(2) Soldering - solder fumes seem to get drawn towards the face (not sure why). At the very least aim for some cross-flow of ventilation. Get a cheap fan to blow it away, a cheap bathroom ventilation fan and ducting to pull the fumes away and to the outside, a fume extractor system. Even a basic kitchen cooker hood with carbon filter would help.

Ear Protection

(1) Probably not a huge issue for makers. But if you are generating a monotonous tone at medium levels you may find then affecting your short term hearing after a few hours of testing! A simple pair of ear defenders would mitigate against that.

Sharps

(1) Keep retractable knife blades retracted between uses. Keep fixed blades (eg scalpels) in a heavy pot with the blade pointing down.

(2) Take drill bits out of drill chucks (pillar drills and handheld drills) when not being used.

(3) Use a jam jar or tin for old worn out blades and other sharp items. When it is getting full, screw the lid on and dispose of safety into the dustbin.

Housekeeping

(1) A messy bench or desk can lead to injuries - often as cables get caught/burnt/knocking things over. A frequent tidy up helps.

(2) Keep chemicals in their original containers - label if required. Keep in a safe place if children are around.

Rod

And finally mark up your soldering iron with "hot end" / "cold end"