Actions
Engagement
  • Author Author: dougw
  • Date Created: Date Created
  • Last Updated Last Updated:
  • Views 5724 views
  • Likes 2 likes
  • Comments 66 comments
Related
Recommended

Wish List Preferences

I am curious if other makers have similar views to me...

What instrument is highest on your wish list?

What prize would you find most motivating in a design challenge?

Which instrument would you most like to road test?

If you comment, perhaps you could list your top 3 wish list instruments.

Parents

  • A desktop CNC mill would probably be at the top of the list.

     

    A PCB printer has always been desirable, however it's now a lot easier these days to get small batches of custom PCBs made by mail order supply.

     

    Scope and function generator are high on the list, however entry level ones are now much more affordable. I think the hardest decision there is sometimes trying to match a product to one's actual needs.

     

    A decent camera for documenting projects, sharp close-ups of circuit boards, connectors etc.  

Comment

  • A desktop CNC mill would probably be at the top of the list.

     

    A PCB printer has always been desirable, however it's now a lot easier these days to get small batches of custom PCBs made by mail order supply.

     

    Scope and function generator are high on the list, however entry level ones are now much more affordable. I think the hardest decision there is sometimes trying to match a product to one's actual needs.

     

    A decent camera for documenting projects, sharp close-ups of circuit boards, connectors etc.  

Children
  • in reply to beacon_dave

    PCB from outsource has always the problem of time. And cost increase if you should correct them. So launching a mail order small quantity supply batch after a bare prototype has been tested remain preferable in my opinion.

     

    Enrico

  • in reply to beacon_dave

    CNC is great idea - I would have included it if I had thought of it.

    This poll is a wish list question - not so much a "what can you afford?" question...

  • in reply to balearicdynamics

    PCB from outsource has always the problem of time. And cost increase if you should correct them.

    I agree, maybe in the US it's easy and quick (and cheap shipping), but in Canada it gets fairly costly partly because of the shipping involved.

     

    The least expensive I've found is from China at about $10 a batch, with $30 shipping. So that gets close to $60 Canadian. The shipping only takes a few days in that case though.

     

    I see the printer being a great hobbyist option for sure - all those little one-off circuits that really aren't worth the $60 for a PCB, but would sure be nice as a PCB.

     

    For professional purposes it's probably worth it to go with professional PCBs though.