NPBTKD (New Pedal Building Tool Kit Day)

[warwick.hoy]

I'm not sure if this is off topic,...Sorry Grygrx if it is,...let me know if I'm out of line. I figured the effects forum has a community of trained EE's and casual tinkerers that would appreciate this post. I'm excited to share this with you guys.



This was a surprise package from my pop who lives out on the east coast. He is a retired ET from the US Navy (and a current professor at DeVry) and some of these tools look familiar. These will go a long way to help in my EET program when I move up the waiting list. Half the stuff here I don't even know what to do with.

In the meantime I think my first build will be a latching footswitch for my SD-2.

Quick question though. Is it easy to source the sponge and the spring stand that come with Weller Solder Irons?

[RCCollins]

dangit i read the title as NKOTB and now i'm disappointed

especially because I wish I had all that in font of me

[B.C.]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I'm not sure if this is off topic,...Sorry Grygrx if it is,...let me know if I'm out of line. I figured the effects forum has a community of trained EE's and casual tinkerers that would appreciate this post. I'm excited to share this with you guys.



This was a surprise package from my pop who lives out on the east coast. He is a retired ET from the US Navy (and a current professor at DeVry) and some of these tools look familiar. These will go a long way to help in my EET program when I move up the waiting list. Half the stuff here I don't even know what to do with.

In the meantime I think my first build will be a latching footswitch for my SD-2.

Quick question though. Is it easy to source the sponge and the spring stand that come with Weller Solder Irons?

Very nice. That solder gun will be your friend, just keep a lot of ventilation(I learned that the hard way).

My only other suggestions are some breadboards(Radioshack) and copius amount of wire, the smaller the better(Radioshack again)

[karter2000]

I would also make sure the tip on the soldering iron is in good shape. I would even just replace it just to be sure. The tip being in good shape is critical for proper heat transfer. Nothing is more aggravating as far as getting a good solder joint than an iron that's not working properly (I found that out the hard way).

[warwick.hoy]

Thanks. Not pictured is a wire stripper and an assortment of needle nosed, flat nosed pliers and nippers.

I know what a breadboard is but what is it used for?

EDIT: Thanks Karter. The tip appears to have some carbon build on it but isn't damaged. I'm not sure what to look for.

[James Hart]

skip the sponge and get this http://www.amazon.com/Hakko-Cleaner-.../dp/B000PDQORU

Water is too shocking to the tip temp.

and here is a Weller iron stand http://www.amazon.com/Weller-PH60-Ir...8123138&sr=1-7

[Kooldac]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

I know what a breadboard is but what is it used for?

Breadboard is an easy way of building out and testing a circuit without any solder or PCB

[warwick.hoy]

Thanks for the heads up on the Hakko JH. I was hoping for a stand that is just the coil so I could attach it to the power supply. I'll do some research. I may find myself at Radioshack in the next few days.

RE: Breadboard,....Makes sense,...thanks Kooldac

[karter2000]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

EDIT: Thanks Karter. The tip appears to have some carbon build on it but isn't damaged. I'm not sure what to look for.

The tip has to be clean, and not oxidized. This increases the "wetability" of the tip and eases tinning. I know that Weller tips have a coating which increases the heat transfer. That coating can wear off due to use and/or filling, sanding, etc.

I found this article from Weller that looks helpful:

http://www.cooperhandtools.com/welle...rSoldering.pdf

[rustynuts]

I've got the Hakko tip cleaner and add a +1 to the recommendation.