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  • Author Author: dougw
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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.

  • 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 koudelad

    Good points. There are lots of pros and cons for any access-to-technology model. It is very common in shared access environments to have problems with tools getting abused, broken or disappearing. It is also pretty tough if you have to go through a big learning curve for an instrument or tool that ceases to be available. I find the lack of convenience to be a major issue since I am often working at 3:00AM. But those are just my biases - this poll is all about discovering other points of view.

  • A laser cutter is currently on top of my list image

  • 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

  • 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.  

  • As an amateur, I see the most difficult part (for both time and price) in learning why should I need such a tool and learning how to interpret the results (measurement instruments) or what to create (3D printer, PCB maker...) image Price of the tool itself is then actually cheaper than knowing all the things around.

     

    I find fascinating all the tools in Ben Hack's lab. Especially 3D printers and a laser cutter. However, the more tools, the less time to use them - this is why I like the idea of shared workshops / maker spaces.