Tools and parts
March 21, 2014I posted the previous entry because I was talking to Phil about it, didn’t want to lose it to the depths of my folders.
He’s working on a tools list but there are a few existing as well.
Dangerous Prototypes has a parts list that describes what they commonly stock. It would have been helpful choosing parts for my little board. They also have an excellent tool list.
Adafruit has part finder (which I found slow to use) and a how to equip your lab note that sounds like what Phil was planning. They also sell a starter kit for $100. Finally, they offer advice on the tradeoffs of different soldering tools as you build your own setup.
Sparkfun also has similar beginner things and a ton of excellent tutorials. They sell a basic kit of parts and a deluxe tool kit (note there are also basic and intermediate).
As for kits of parts, search Amazon for the Elenco ones (i.e. caps and resistors). Even the cheap ones are pretty well organized.
(Post cancelled as I want to go do things. If this isn’t enough to get you started, well, MakerShed has a whole Intro to Electronic category. If you want to break into making a home lab, you can. Really!)