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Top 6 Tools

dougw

All makers are into tools but which tools are their go-to tools. I tried to analyze which half dozen tools I use most often and came up with a slightly surprising list. Obviously it varies from project to project, but some tools get used consistently more than others. I think it will be interesting to discover what others use.

Which half dozen tools do you use the most?

Here are the ones I came up as my top 6 most used tools - they hint at how much time I spend on 3D printing:

image

Some notables didn't quite make the list - soldering iron, stereo microscope and power supply (mostly because I don't always use the same supply).

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  • Thanks for starting this thread.  There have been a lot of great additions to this list.

    My top six tools match some of these entries, but also include a few new items.  So in no particular order here are my top 6 tools:

    1 - ATMEL AVRISP STK500 USB ISP PROGRAMMER - The vast majority of my designs include at least one microprocessor and my go to part is the ATmega328PB.  To program this part I use this programmer, so it is always at the ready on my workspace. Here it is connected to my latest project as I am putting the finishing touches on the firmware:

    image

    2 - PicoScope 5444D MSO - The combination of the multiple sources of capture (4 Analog and 16 Digital) this Oscilloscope has also earned a top spot on my workspace.  Bringing up hardware and writing/debugging often require being able to see what the firmware/hardware are actually doing and this scope is definitely able to handle all of my needs. Here it is connected to yet another project that I am working so I can observe the PWM/Servo outputs of this board:

    image

    3 - Nikon SMZ2 Microscope - I spend a lot of time assembling PCBs (projects and products), so for me having a microscope is a necessity.  This setup has been very useful and has made my soldering tasks far easier and of higher quality.

    image

    4 - Selection of tweezers - While soldering, the proper handling of components, comes down to having the right tweezers.  This trio of tweezers are my primary tools.image

    5 - Metcal PS-900 Soldering station - This soldering system has been a real game changer.  The wide range of tips and quick change system allows me to always have the correct tip while soldering a wide range of component types.

    image

    6 - Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer - Last but not least, this machine has been a dream come true.  The quality and features of this 3D printer have been absolutely amazing.  There have been far more successes that failures with this printer.  Once I learn the proper cleaning techniques for the build plate, I have not had a single print failure (over 50+ prints).

    image

  • in reply to genebren

    Nice tools. At first glance I'm wondering - Since when does Korg make an Atmel programmer? Then I took a closer look. Relaxed

  • in reply to dougw

    I had actually meant to call out the upper right hand corner of the image to locate the programmer, but I am multi-tasking at my workspace today attempting to finish up my Op-Amp-a-Palooza entry so nothing is getting my full and proper attention.

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