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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).

  • in reply to Andrew J

    One side inserts pins from the back by encircling the wire and pushing the pin past the retention ring until they seat with their retention tabs sprung out.

    The other side removes pins by inserting the tool from the front - it then squeezes the retention tabs so they can pass by the retainer ring as the pin is puled from the back.

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    I had always considered USB scopes to be cumbersome (if you include the computer they require a lot of cables and space) and I didn't like waiting for a computer to boot, but I hadn't considered the documentation aspect. My main computer is nowhere near my workbenches but I may need to reconsider using a USB scope.

  • in reply to dougw

    Oh I see - so it’s a tool for actually inserting/extracting the pins into the Sub-D body rather than aiding with wiring up pre-formed ones.

  • in reply to fmilburn

    Yes, I suppose I do too.  I have a laptop on my bench but I use an iMac for a lot of research, schematic and PCB work and any hard-core dev work, by which I mean extended dev sessions rather than tweaks and bug fixes which I might do on the bench.

    Also for distraction Grinning

  • in reply to Jan Cumps

    Seeing your magnifier reminds me that I use my nerd goggles a lot, and a handheld magnifier.

  • 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.

  • in reply to shabaz

    I thought ratcheting crimpers were designed to click down a position that holds the pin with no wire, then that frees up a hand to insert and hold the wire while the crimp is completed.