Tools of the trade

cdamm · Jan 2, 2014

great info.

this thread should get the 'sticky' treatment.

shadows · Jan 2, 2014

I've only had the 808 for a few months and I've only done one big project with it. I had to clean out the solder a couple of times when removing about 16 chips, but I did that within an hour while I was chatting. I have accidentally burned myself a few times with the tip cleaner, it's just a straight wire, if you touch anything but the little handle prepare for a scar.

Oh yea its easy to slip and have your fingers slide down onto that very hot piece of metal. Makes nice grooves on your fingers.
Hakko sells a tool to drill out clogs in the tip, Hakko B1303. I only used it once as a drill. But if you turn the drill bit around as to not scratch the inside of the tip and damage it, you get a nice sturdy cleaning tool.

skinny503 · Jan 2, 2014

What are you guys housing your tools in or on? Right now im having a hard time keeping all my tools in a larger size plastic tool box and have been looking around at some alternatives that will allow me to still keep it portable.

ApolloBoy · Jan 2, 2014

I'd love to have an 808 one of these days. Right now I'm using an Aoyue 474A+ desoldering station which gets the job done nicely, but it's fairly bulky and the tips wear out faster than I'd like.

xsq · Jan 2, 2014

skinny503 said:
What are you guys housing your tools in or on? Right now im having a hard time keeping all my tools in a larger size plastic tool box and have been looking around at some alternatives that will allow me to still keep it portable.

Pics of peoples workspaces would also be great...

ggallegos1 · Jan 2, 2014

this is a really helpful thread, I was always wondering what I would need for cab maintenance should I invest in a cab

Tyranix95 · Jan 2, 2014

What tips do you guys use with your WELLERs and HAKKOs?

skinny503 · Jan 2, 2014

Tyranix95 said:
What tips do you guys use with your WELLERs and HAKKOs?

the right one for the job :drool:

shadows · Jan 2, 2014

ggallegos1 said:
this is a really helpful thread, I was always wondering what I would need for cab maintenance should I invest in a cab

For general cab maintenance you only really need 3-4 tools. Multimeter, crimpers, soldering iron and a desoldering hand pump, though you could get away with using solder wick.

mainman · Jan 2, 2014

Lets not forget the second most vital tool that should be in your inventory, a trusting rotary tool.

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-...e=UTF8&qid=1388720587&sr=8-1&keywords=RTX-B+3

and drill set

http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-...711&sr=1-14&keywords=black+&+decker+drill+set

Vectorman0 · Jan 2, 2014

Can anyone recommend a nice high quality drill bit set? I could use a new set, and I want sharp ones for drilling holes in my powdercoated MV-2 cover. I want to generate as little heat as possible to hopefully minimize possible paint flaking.

I don't need 100 different bits, just a decent assortment.

goombakid · Jan 3, 2014

I really need to invest in an 808. ATM, all I have is my soldering iron/station (one from Sparkfun),a plunger solder sucker, and a desoldering braid.

All my tools are in 2 separate toolboxes right now, but I'm thinking I may need a bigger one, probably one with wheels and whatnot.

I also use this toolkit since I mainly work on consoles:

http://www.zoozen.com/cgi-bin/zoozen2/engine.pl?function=viewid&id=RKS00023&cat=MISC.-BASICS

It has all the tools for most, if not all, consoles.

shadows · Jan 3, 2014

Vectorman0 said:
Can anyone recommend a nice high quality drill bit set? I could use a new set, and I want sharp ones for drilling holes in my powdercoated MV-2 cover. I want to generate as little heat as possible to hopefully minimize possible paint flaking.

I don't need 100 different bits, just a decent assortment.

I got a few Titanium Irwin stepped drill bits, works great for metal. Not sure about the powder coating though.

Heinz · Jan 4, 2014

If anyone saw my tool box they'd probably wonder how the hell I do fucking anything.

Craig · Jan 4, 2014

Im not really an arcade tech but... As a professional wireman I swear by this shit.

Crimpers are kinda pricey at 400 bucks, but they rock... I wouldn't suggest unless you got deep pockets.

The auto wire strippers are pretty rad at around 25-30 bucks... I think Ideal also makes a decent set like this.

Little red nippers are good for cutting zip ties/ty wraps flush so there is no pointy sharp/pointy edges...

indierocklocks · Jan 5, 2014

cdamm said:
great info.

this thread should get the 'sticky' treatment.

I second this. Adding some items to the shopping list. Thanks for the tips guys.

GohanX · Jan 5, 2014

What kind of solder are you guys using? The stuff I got lay time sucks monkey balls

shadows · Jan 5, 2014

I use Kester SN63PB37 #50/245 .020 2463378807

bustedstr8 · Jan 5, 2014

Same here...Kester 63/37 RMA core

ApolloBoy · Jan 5, 2014

I use Kester 44 solder, which is a 60/40 blend and has non-corrosive flux.

Xian Xi · Jan 5, 2014

I use Kester silver. Amazing solder, glad I bought in bulk 5 years ago. Shit is so expensive now.

Xian Xi · Jan 5, 2014

Vectorman0 said:
Can anyone recommend a nice high quality drill bit set? I could use a new set, and I want sharp ones for drilling holes in my powdercoated MV-2 cover. I want to generate as little heat as possible to hopefully minimize possible paint flaking.

I don't need 100 different bits, just a decent assortment.

If the powdercoating was done right, it won't chip. It might get a slight orange peel look due to the heat though.

Yodd · Jan 5, 2014

My daily driver stuff is Kester 44 60/40 .031inch.

I also have some .015 stuff for SMD work.

I keep a small spool of lead free (yuck) on hand for when I need to work on anything newer. Thankfully that's pretty much never.