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Author Topic: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")  (Read 25073 times)

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ChadTower

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #120 on: June 10, 2016, 01:26:59 pm »



That does look pretty handy and definitely worth a shot at that price point.  $15 isn't much these days.

Slippyblade

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #121 on: June 10, 2016, 01:28:51 pm »
You can make fun of me all you want but for $16, this Vacuum Desoldering Iron makes life pretty easy.

That looks great!  Does it hold heat well enough to desolder from a ground plane?  That was one of my biggest problems that the Hakko solved.  All my previous irons would just lose heat too fast when faced with a plane of copper, the Hakko just laughs.

ChadTower

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #122 on: June 10, 2016, 01:31:35 pm »



If it doesn't you could always add a little more heat with the Hakko.  I improved my soldering skills by quite a lot when I stopped thinking about managing solder and started thinking about managing heat.  If you visualize the heat movement from your iron into the joint, the pad, and the traces around it, it is a lot easier to get a feel on when enough is enough.  And more importantly when you need to pull away before damaging anything.  That small change in point of view was a major change in skill level for me.

BadMouth

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #123 on: September 26, 2016, 02:10:00 pm »
 :bump

Figured I'd bump this instead of starting a new thread.

Anyone have a multimeter that they absolutely love?

Right now I've got a $30 Sperry and an off brand mini analog that I've had since my late teens.
They do everything I need, except don't have a beep for continuity which would be nice.
I had a Harbor Freight one (free with coupon), but threw it away because the readings were so far off.
I'm starting to kick around ideas for my Christmas list and a new multimeter might end up on it.   ;D

Slippyblade

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #124 on: September 26, 2016, 02:17:08 pm »
Continuity beep is a must have, in my opinion.  It's the thing I use most on my meter. 

I've got a couple Harbor Freight freebies, they do the job.  Not well, but they do it.  Meter I use most though is just some little off-brand that I paid like $10 for.  Large display, kickstand on the back, continuity beep, decent battery life.

Tell you what I miss though...  back in high school I took several electronics classes and they had these AWESOME Fluke analog meters.  Big, brick-like things.  But they were accurate as hell and tough as all get out. 

lilshawn

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #125 on: September 26, 2016, 02:31:53 pm »
Fluke 87 all the way.

it's a literal FORTUNE (like 500+ buck) but it's the best there is and it shows and for the pro home user it will last forever)

I have three 87 series meters starting with the original 87, I replaced it with an 87 III, then replaced that with the 87V.

All of them still work and are accurate as fuuuuu.

the 87 is a little rough. it's been knocked about in a toolbox for probably 20 years now. it's currently in my mobile toolbox. the LCD is showing some signs of damage from being frozen to -40 for weeks at a time during the winter but it still works fine.

the 87III is currently in the shop at work. I've used it 10 times already today. I broke the negative lead connection for the banana jacks by dropping it. i unsoldered the unit and flipped it around 180 degrees and put it back in. I don't have uA current measuring capability now, but otherwise it works. besides, i have literally NEVER done uA measurements. mA and A still work just fine.

the 87V I bought for use at home. the only issue i've run into is that the current defaults to AC on the Mark V and not DC like the previous models. you have to press a button to switch to DC current. it's an extra thing to do, but not that big of a deal.


if you buy a used 80 series i recommend the Mark 3 or better. The original ones you had to disassemble the case to change the battery.... a real pain in the ass... and you also void your calibration cert by opening it.

newer models starting with the mark 3 have a battery door so you can replace the battery without voiding your calibration certification.

if you don't want to drop half a grand on a skookum quality meter, AvE said the "fluke 12e" (basically a fluke 115 clone made  for china only) is an awesome meter for 100 bucks.


HaRuMaN

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #126 on: September 26, 2016, 02:36:41 pm »
I use a HP 34401a.   It's a beast.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251822510795

lilshawn

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #127 on: September 26, 2016, 03:04:40 pm »
I use a HP 34401a.   It's a beast.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251822510795

the local technical university has a bunch of those that the just recently replaced with something new. (basically whole new labs)

I'm keeping a look out at the government surplus store for them. The desks and stuff have already run through...just waiting for the electronics. I'm on the hunt for a digital scope. but a nice HP/Agilent/keysight/whateverthaycallthemselvesnow meter would be good too.

Slippyblade

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #128 on: September 26, 2016, 03:05:24 pm »
Lilshawn, let us know if you see them go up for surplus!

lilshawn

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #129 on: September 26, 2016, 03:15:30 pm »
Lilshawn, let us know if you see them go up for surplus!

yeh, for sure I can do that. If people want this kind of thing and they go on for a good deal I'll pick up a couple and flip 'em.

BadMouth

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #130 on: September 26, 2016, 04:56:59 pm »
So people are either using $10 meters or $500+ professional meters?   :lol
The cheaper Fluke meters are geared more toward the electrician than the electronics hobbyist.

After some research, I ended up ordering the Uni-T UT139C. 
I watched EEVBlogs teardown and criticisms of the other Uni-T models, but the manufacturer must have been watching too because those issues seem to have been addressed on the UT139C (judging from a teardown video).

It's $40, has a backlight & temperature probe.  I think it is what I'm looking for.
The problem is that I went ahead and bought it instead of putting it on my Christmas list.  :-\

EDIT:I watched some more reviews on youtube.  Seems the backlight turns off 15 seconds after you turn it on which I'm sure will get annoying.  Still happy that I ordered it.  Not much else to knock about it unless you plan on working on super high voltage stuff.
« Last Edit: September 26, 2016, 10:25:59 pm by BadMouth »

Slippyblade

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #131 on: September 26, 2016, 05:25:40 pm »
Totally adding that to my Wish List.  A temp probe would be awesome, and the price is workable.  Reviews seem overall pretty darn good, too.

lilshawn

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #132 on: September 26, 2016, 06:07:10 pm »
the fluke comes with a type k temp probe, but in all honesty, i've used it once and really in that instance I could have just used my non-contact thermometer (which I use almost as often as my multimeter). I've never needed to measure temperature in excess of 500c anyways. I guess if I need to measure something 2000 degrees it will come in handy...but not really for anything I do. if a component is 2000 degrees, it becomes pretty obvious.


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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #133 on: December 26, 2016, 04:47:47 pm »
Saw this pop up on slickdeals.  Home Depot has a Magnetizer/Demagnetizer for $2.97 (free store pickup where in stock).  Not sure if that's a sale or the regular price, but it's about as cheap as you'll find one.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Precision-Magnetizer-Demagnetizer-3601H/204664387?cm_mmc=CJ-_-4485850-_-10368321&AID=10368321&PID=4485850&SID=1fffe02ecbb411e6a8aaee06bf98b0f50INT&cj=true



I paid double or so for a Wiha brand.  They look about the same.
It's been one of those "I should have got one of these years ago" type of tools.
Great addition to an electronics workbench if you don't already have one.


BadMouth

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #134 on: August 13, 2018, 04:29:58 pm »
This was a good old thread.  Going to bump it.

For anyone who doesn't have a workbench yet and wants something ready to assemble:
Walmart has a metal workbench with LED light on sale for $70 or a little less with the in store pickup credit.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-WORKPRO-Multi-Purpose-Workbench-with-Work-Light/47702077?u1=fe5f24e09f3611e8bc552ab9d51e9d180INT&id=lw9MynSeamY

Looks decent for the price.

lilshawn

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Re: Electronics workbench talk (was "Hakko 888D")
« Reply #135 on: August 13, 2018, 07:22:27 pm »
That's pretty sweet....great price too.

this is the best I can do in canada...for 325 canuckistan kopeks.

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/international-72-workbench-with-pegboard/6000189530873

 :badmood: