[GAD]

I just got a new Hakko 936 - Man that's nice! I've only ever used your typical RS crap and a big ol' weller pistol-grip thing from about 40 years ago.

Anyway my kids are fascinated by me soldering, and they've expressed an interest in learning more. I'd like to build something simple with them like a small FM radio or something that they could actually use and show off after we build it.

When I was a kid, heathkit was the source. Anything like that these day?

Thanks,

GAD

 

[heatmizer]

velleman kits fm radio

http://www.vellemanusa.com/us/enu/pr...iew/?id=351280

 

[JackH]

There's also Ramsey...

http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/

They have pretty good instruction manuals... not like Heathkit, but the best I've seen recently.

 

[dBel84]

Hi GAD

If this is to get your kids interested, I can highly recommend solar powered bugs , you can pick up the handful of components you need at ratshack and have a lot of fun. I built 2 versions with my son and we had a blast. I couldn't find the pdf I downloaded with very detailed instructions, but this is the same web site. http://www.solarbug.com/tutorial.html If you would like the pdf, I would be more than happy to e-mail it to you.

Here is a site I stumbled on while looking for the solar bugs

http://www.neatsolarstuff.com/pages/...olarRobots.htm

enjoy the Hacko..dB

 

[BlizzofOZ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dBel84 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi GAD If this is to get your kids interested, I can highly recommend solar powered bugs , you can pick up the handful of components you need at ratshack and have a lot of fun. I built 2 versions with my son and we had a blast. I couldn't find the pdf I downloaded with very detailed instructions, but this is the same web site. http://www.solarbug.com/tutorial.html If you would like the pdf, I would be more than happy to e-mail it to you. Here is a site I stumbled on while looking for the solar bugs http://www.neatsolarstuff.com/pages/...olarRobots.htm enjoy the Hacko..dB

dBel84... just PM'd you.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Anyway my kids are fascinated by me soldering, and they've expressed an interest in learning more. I'd like to build something simple with them like a small FM radio or something that they could actually use and show off after we build it. When I was a kid, heathkit was the source. Anything like that these day? Thanks, GAD

How old are they? I just Googled "beginner electronic project kits" I found this:

http://www.hobbytron.com/ElectronicProjectKits.html

looks to be some good noob stuff.

edit: I love your avitar, Frink: "I have captured the signal and am presently triangulating the vectors and compressing the data down in order to express it as a function of my hand: - They're over there!"

 

[kipman725]

depends on how old they are, if very young get them to build something and expect to understanding to come later, if older then teach the theory first.

this site has some excellent course booklets for As and A2 electronics which are free and very good teaching tools for basic electronics:
http://www.ikes.freeserve.co.uk/found.htm

the maths behind basic electronics isn't very difficult so you should be able to teach anyone who has done work on fractions at least how to calculate the resistor values for LEDS.

Learning some theory allows for greater long term satisfaction

 

[GAD]

Oh they're very young. 6 and 7. This is more about encouraging their interest and making something they can show off. There will be no theory, maybe some beginning talk about electricity, and mostly time spent with daddy.

Thanks for the links all. I appreciate them.

And yeah - Frink rocks.

I like the professor from Futurama too - "Good news everyone!"

GAD

 

[kipman725]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD /img/forum/go_quote.gif Oh they're very young. 6 and 7. This is more about encouraging their interest and making something they can show off. There will be no theory, maybe some beginning talk about electricity, and mostly time spent with daddy. Thanks for the links all. I appreciate them. And yeah - Frink rocks. I like the professor from Futurama too - "Good news everyone!" GAD

ah I see I wouldn't go with theory at that age ethier, anything that makes a noise is good

 

[error401]

CanaKit is all I ever see at the local shops. They have some decent stuff.

Canadian though, I don't know how easy their kits are to get in the states.