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Cool Tools To Giveaway for a Blog Review

rscasny

I kind of figured that anyone who considers him or herself a maker has a toolbox or a bench of tools they treasure. When I did technical work, I had my big tool box and a briefcase of my go-to tools, including a multimeter, driver set, sockets, extender magnet, etc. These were my cool tools. What are yours?

 

We are launching a cool tools campaign at element14 where we roadtest and giveaway some tools we think are pretty cool.

 

Cool Tools Giveaway for a Blog Review

Would you like to get any of these tools, play around with them, and write a blog review? I'm looking for a few members who are really into tools to do the reviews. Below are the tools I have to offer. If you are interested, drop me a line in the comments below. Tell me about your cool tools and persuade me to send you off any of these tools. And all you need to do for it is write a blog review on element14.


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Milwaukee Tool 60-piece Shockwave Series Impact Driver Set

 

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Leatherman 14 in 1 Multitool

 

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Bit Set, Zyklop Mini Series

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Peak Electronics ESR Meter (Capacitance)

 

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Duratool PC Maintenance Tool Kit

  • in reply to ipv1

    My be you should write a small blog about it. image

  • in reply to gordonmx

    Next on my useful tool list would have to be PC board vise (PanaVise makes a number of varieties) 

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    Or a “3rd Hand” vise,

    imageimage

     

      

    Or maybe a combination vise (AdaFruit),

     

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    For holding things in place while you “operating” of your circuit, maybe a set of surgical of dental clamps.  I found mine at a yard sale.

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    Regards, Gordon

  • The link to the Wera Zyklops Wera ZyklopsWera Zyklops actually goes to the MILWAUKEE TOOL set MILWAUKEE TOOL 48-32-4029 - Bit Set, Driver, Shockwave Series, 60 PieceMILWAUKEE TOOL 48-32-4029 - Bit Set, Driver, Shockwave Series, 60 Piece

    I was eyeing the zyklops FYI image

  • in reply to gordonmx

    Now for everyone who have nicked a wire while stripping the insulation, then re-cutting the wire only to come up a 1/4 inch (or 6.35 mm) too short, next on my useful tool list, a good wire stripper (WS) is important.   My 1st WS was similar to the one shown below.  I was a poor student and these were the least expensive.  Ironically they also doubled as my wire cutter, sometimes unintentionally.

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    Frustration drove me to my next pair, but one downside is that you had to have 2 or more sets to cover the range of wire sizes.

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    The next pair I found at a yard sale (aren’t yard sales great) and included a little weight screw cutter and climper.  One downside is making sure you don’t smash your fingers try to cut larger screws.

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    All the before mentioned wire strippers I have used for my personal projects, but are work I have had occasional opportunities to borrow more reliable (and repeatable) WS like the ones below.

     

    or imageimage

     

    Now if someone could make a manual combination wire cutter and stripper for a reasonable price, that would be great (and blog-able)

     

    Regards, Gordon

  • Randy,

     

    OK I could continue with my useful tool list, and I may in the future, but instead let me suggest a product to blog about.  In Randy's lead-in he mentioned the Peak Electronics ESR Meter (Capacitance).  May I suggest another instrument from Peak Electonics, the Atlas LCR45 Passive component impedance meter (http://www.newark.com/peak/72-12830/lcr-meter-hand-held-200khz/dp/56Y1285 ).  This handheld device not only measures LCR, but displays complex impedance and magnitude/phase measurements. There are many aspects to blog about including accuracy, ease of use, battery life (uses a single 9V cell), display visibility, accuracy over temperature, the effect of in-circuit measurements and the list goes on.  Personally I have never owned a LCR meter, but have used them at work.  I have thought about building one, but other tasks have always popped up.  In a pinch, I have always ended up building a special fixture and using my other test equipment to measure components.   Well Randy, how about it?  What do other folks think?  Maybe this could be a future roadtest.

     

    Regards, Gordon

    LCR45 - LCR Meter, Hand Held, 200 kHz, 10 H, 10 mF, 2 Mohm

  • I just had my glue gun out to add some strain relief out to some connections and realized that nobody had listed that as a favorite tool yet.  I don't know if it is my favorite but I sure use it a lot.  Here is an airplane costume under construction a while back held together with hot glue...

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  • in reply to fmilburn

    A glue gun (or just a glue stick and a hot soldering iron) is great for tacking wires down.  Gordon

  • in reply to mcb1

      wrote:

     

    Wera 18 Piece insulated interchangeable screwdriver set.

    I have a Wiha 3809 with interchangable bits inside the handle.

    https://www.ispybuy.com/assets/alt_1/3809.jpg

    It's handy but I find the end a bit large in some situations.

     

     

     

    Yes, I have found that style of bit holder make access awkward on occasion. I have overcome some of the issues by purchasing long series bits.

     

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    The only problem with these is that the bits have the notch for the locking style holder and do wobble a biting a magnetic holder.

     

    Kind regards

  • in reply to gordonmx

    They are definitely useful, the battery powered ones available now stop you getting in a mess with the flex as well.

     

    Kind regards

  • in reply to gordonmx

    Magnification is indeed a benefit with SMD. I have only just started working on this to any great extent and actually use a little USB microscope.

     

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    I currently have a Teslong MS100, but have found it that useful I am looking to upgrade to a better unit.

     

    Kind regards