Necessities for beginner DIY-er?

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Don't forget a multimeter. Helping hands, soldering iron, and solder, like you mentioned. a selection of heatshrink would be good. Wire strippers and scissors are also helpful.

This question has been asked so many times. To help all new DIY'ers I will accumulate all of the answers from this and previous threads in an attempt to compile a comprehensive list of suggestions and links. Once the list is compiled I'll post in a separate thread to obtain any final comments. I think this list would be a good addition to the DIY Big List & Rules section.

A wonderful source of information can be found at one of our members website http://www.tangentsoft.net In particular I suggest reading and understanding the information provided at these links:

• "Getting Started in Audio DIY"
• "How to Buy a Multimeter"
• "Tangent Tutorials" - (Getting Started Soldering and Test Equipment sections) very helpful - MUST VIEW

In addition to what has already been said, I would add needlenose pliers and/or anti-esd tweezers. A nice soldering iron can make things a lot easier, I have used and like both the weller wes51 or Hakko 936 (although I think this may have been replaced by a newer model?). I also like 63-37 solder better than 60-40 (tin-lead ratio) because I find it hardens more quickly and flows a little better. Some flux, in pen or brush form can be very useful for SMDs. I also use it on through plated PCBs. A magnifying glass or jewelers loupe can be helpful for inspecting solder joints in close quarters. Angled wire cutters are also very helpful for work in crowded areas or odd angles. Finally, I prefer a small bench top clamp to extra hands. They are more stable and can grip larger items like PCBs better. That's all I can think of right now. Obviously you don't need all of this to get started, but everything I mentioned has been helpful to me at some point.

In audio there are very few tools you will be using as often as a soldering iron. 

I would suggest allocating a good chunk of your budget towards a decent soldering iron station, like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Aoyue-937-Digital-Soldering-Station/dp/B000I30QBW/ref=pd_cp_hi_2

A high quality iron like that one will last you for years and years. The variable temperature is good for both leaded and lead-free solders. It also has a couple of other handy items included with it that just make DIY life a little easier. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcg27 

In addition to what has already been said, I would add needlenose pliers and/or anti-esd tweezers. A nice soldering iron can make things a lot easier, I have used and like both the weller wes51 or Hakko 936 (although I think this may have been replaced by a newer model?). I also like 63-37 solder better than 60-40 (tin-lead ratio) because I find it hardens more quickly and flows a little better. Some flux, in pen or brush form can be very useful for SMDs. I also use it on through plated PCBs. A magnifying glass or jewelers loupe can be helpful for inspecting solder joints in close quarters. Angled wire cutters are also very helpful for work in crowded areas or odd angles. Finally, I prefer a small bench top clamp to extra hands. They are more stable and can grip larger items like PCBs better. That's all I can think of right now. Obviously you don't need all of this to get started, but everything I mentioned has been helpful to me at some point.

I agree on the soldering station. I use the Weller WESD51 as it has a digital temperature setting (useful to adjust the temperature for the solder melting point). I always use eutectic solder. See the discussion at http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/234601/what-kind-of-solder-do-you-use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssavage 

Mdra let us do this together, shall we? 

 

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/538927/diy-lod-full-step-by-step-do-it-yourself-guide-with-pictures#post_7268580

I'm down for that, maybe when I need a new one... I have a LOD already... I was going to do one, then a CMOY or mini3.

Tag...

James

Band-aids and burn ointment.

Oh, and a fan that you can set a few feet away from you to *very* gently blow past you and take all the smoke away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armaegis 

Band-aids and burn ointment.

 

Oh, and a fan that you can set a few feet away from you to *very* gently blow past you and take all the smoke away.

No... I love the smell of solder in the morning

A heat-gun to shrink the heat shrink, also extra solder tips with smaller tips.

A good soldering station like a Hakko 936 with a Hakko  907 soldering iron.

It has a variable temp knob.

Here's a link on how to prep a cable and tools:

http://www.laventure.net/tourist/cables.htm#gauge

A high quality soldering station will make your work easier and help you complete projects successfully.  The Hakko 936 with the 907 iron is an excellent choice. This tool heats up quickly.  A multitude of tips are available at a reasonable price.