Tools and Supplies Questions

[runamuck]

I am about to order 2 J99 kits. I have been reading assembly instructions and many of the posts here. I have a limited amount of experience with soldering and like others, feel it would be a good idea to do a fair amount of practicing before commiting to a real project.

So, it's time to order a soldering tool, solder, and the other tools necessary to complete a kit.

Can anyone suggest a brand to look for when ordering a DMM?

I know that Tim recommends a Hakko soldering iron. Are there other suggestions that have worked well and are less expensive?

Solder. Is Eutectic a brand or a type?

Is Mouser Electronics as good a place to order this stuff as any?


Thanks for your help

Jim

[tpryan]

Can anyone suggest a brand to look for when ordering a DMM?

Fluke is hard to beat, but there are many others that will work well. B&K, Extech, Meterman, and Tenma are some lower cost brands.

I know that Tim recommends a Hakko soldering iron. Are there other suggestions that have worked well and are less expensive?

Buying cheap tools is a false economy, IMO. Try http://www.kiesub.com/ for the best price for a Hakko 936 I've found. You might want to order a slightly smaller tip such as the 900M-T-B to use on your kits.

Solder. Is Eutectic a brand or a type?

It's a type. Eutectic (63/37) solder transitions from a liquid to a solid faster than other alloys which makes it harder to screw up, generally speaking.

Is Mouser Electronics as good a place to order this stuff as any?

They have good pricing and no minimum order, but they don't have everything. Other big stocking distributors to check are DigiKey, Newark, and Allied.

[runamuck]

TIM,

Thanks so much. I didn't expect YOU to respond!

Jim

[Royce]

I was a first time person too.. I've now completed 2 N72 kits.

I really like the Hakko soldeing station. I didn't even know Tim was recommending it. I just found it through my own research. Nice to know I chose wisely.

For a DMM, Fluke's are the "pro" meters that you hear about. To save some $$ I instead went with a mid-grade model from SEARS similar to this one for $50 and it does all I need.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=03482170000