Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

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Tube amp and guitar tones straight from 1958… amazing how believable the sounds were back then, even without the modellers...

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by FuzzMonkey »

Bg wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 4:30 pm Personally I wouldn't recommend an oscilloscope to a beginner, a good dvm will help no end. I've lived my life by Fluke, the chinese ones won't kill a budget and piss way above their height.

Can I just, once again, mention that I have a valve oscilliscope for no other reason than its a guitar forum and guitarists like valves, and its inaccurate to fuck. I should bin it once and for all but sentimental I am.
I wouldn't either. And yes, a good DMM will help no end. Just saying that I would put my money into a oscilloscope rather than a DMM given the choice.
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Bg »

sizzlingbadger wrote: Wed Jan 19, 2022 5:12 pm I have an old Gould CRT transistorised oscilloscope which is pretty useful but its big.
I admire its size, but does it have valves?

I like to wait for the crt to warm up and then that extra minute or two for the bottles to get glowing....

I prefer the bloom from the display.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

Surely a newbie doesn't need an oscilloscope ?? Isn't that more if you're designing pedals?

I get by with a soldering iron (with temp control and replaceable tips!) and a budget mulitmeter ($30 at Repco).

One tool I'd highly recommend is a decent pair of flat-faced pliers (can't remember the proper term sorry but they are long nose but with no teeth?) for bending components and holding wires and stuff. Plus some bent-nose tweezers, and a wire stripper. These are essentials.

The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Cdog »

Miza wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:51 am The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
This one is all right https://www.jaycar.co.nz/stainless-stee ... c590189566
But if youve bought a few, what have you tried? I still use side cutters a lot of the time

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by FuzzMonkey »

Miza wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:51 am The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
I got a pair of these are a few years back and love them.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/fuller-self- ... m_p0234687

But also use side-cutters in a pinch.
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

FuzzMonkey wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:14 pm
Miza wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:51 am The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
I got a pair of these are a few years back and love them.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/fuller-self- ... m_p0234687

But also use side-cutters in a pinch.
Tried a pair of those, they just end up cutting thru too much copper. Seems like they're designed for thicker wire.

Might try a pair like CDog posted next. They must have a 24AWG setting though!

These are what I currently use, they're ok:
20220120_184556.jpg
20220120_184556.jpg (2.97 MiB) Viewed 2362 times
Nothing to see here.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

They work like this:
20220120_184551.jpg
20220120_184551.jpg (2.47 MiB) Viewed 2362 times
You need to set the whole size, so ok if you're sticking to one size wire.
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

These are the flat-nose pliers I was talking about. Most used tool for sure!
20220120_184629.jpg
20220120_184629.jpg (4.06 MiB) Viewed 2360 times
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Bg »

FuzzMonkey wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:14 pm
Miza wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:51 am The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
I got a pair of these are a few years back and love them.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/fuller-self- ... m_p0234687

But also use side-cutters in a pinch.
I've used those, they're great but wear down after a few years.

I've used this type for forty years or so, they're great for everything but the thinnest gauge, thats where you cultivate the gap in your teeth.

Image
https://www.topmaq.co.nz/automatic-wire ... s-hapl5670
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by jeremyb »

Bg wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 6:17 pm
FuzzMonkey wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 4:14 pm
Miza wrote: Thu Jan 20, 2022 11:51 am The wire stripper is the one tool I've bought a few of and I still can't find one I like. Any recommendations?
I got a pair of these are a few years back and love them.

https://www.bunnings.co.nz/fuller-self- ... m_p0234687

But also use side-cutters in a pinch.
I've used those, they're great but wear down after a few years.

I've used this type for forty years or so, they're great for everything but the thinnest gauge, thats where you cultivate the gap in your teeth.

Image
https://www.topmaq.co.nz/automatic-wire ... s-hapl5670
Thats the type I have, bought them 20+ years ago and still going strong!
Slowy wrote: That's the problem; everything rewarding is just such hard work. Regret takes much less effort.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Bg »

I lost my first set just before I came to nz, lovely ones from rs components, you can even change the jaws on them. The latest set, I don't remember where I bought them but I've had 21 years out of them.

They work on the same principle that stripping machines in professional electronic factories do. Only hand driven.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

In terms of more essential tools. I reckon a set of digital calipers for measuring up the enclosure for drilling
20220127_175129.jpg
20220127_175129.jpg (3.09 MiB) Viewed 2022 times
And a step drill bit
20220127_175144.jpg
20220127_175144.jpg (2.57 MiB) Viewed 2022 times
Complete with my patented "dont go past this mark" system.
Nothing to see here.

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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by FuzzMonkey »

Miza wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:39 pm In terms of more essential tools. I reckon a set of digital calipers for measuring up the enclosure for drilling

And a step drill bit

Complete with my patented "dont go past this mark" system.
I cheat and get my enclosures pre-drilled by Tayda despite owning both those things.
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Re: Complete beginner to electronics - recommended resources

Post by Miza »

FuzzMonkey wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 7:01 pm
Miza wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 6:39 pm In terms of more essential tools. I reckon a set of digital calipers for measuring up the enclosure for drilling

And a step drill bit

Complete with my patented "dont go past this mark" system.
I cheat and get my enclosures pre-drilled by Tayda despite owning both those things.
Fair enough. Sometimes its hard to get the holes lined up, not matter how careful you are!

How much extra $ is it for pre drilled?
Nothing to see here.

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