Lab Stuff
Here's a list of stuff that's been useful. These aren't affiliate links.
Test Equipment
Microscope
AmScope SM-4 Series Simul-Focal Zoom Trinocular Stereo Microscope 3.5X-90X Magnification on Double Arm Boom Stand
| MFG | AmScope |
| MFG PN | SM-4TPZ |
| Supplier | AmScope |
| Supplier PN | SM-4TPZ |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Microscope Light
AmScope 144 LED Intensity-Adjustable Ring Light
| MFG | AmScope |
| MFG PN | LED-144B-ZK |
| Supplier | AmScope |
| Supplier PN | LED-144B-ZK |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Hand Tools
Flux Cleaning Brush
MG Chemicals Non-Abrasive Cleaning Brush for Electronics
Bristles stiff enough to remove flux, not so stiff as to damage components.
| MFG | MG Chemicals |
| MFG PN | 852 |
| Supplier | Amazon.ca |
| Supplier PN | N/A |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Soldering
Hot Air Station
Quick 957DW+ Hot Air Station (580 Watt)
Heats up fast, automatically turns off when handle is in holder.
| MFG | Quick |
| MFG PN | 957DW+ |
| Supplier | TEquipment |
| Supplier PN | Unknown |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Rosin Flux Pen
MG Chemicals 835 Rosin Flux Pen, 10mL
| MFG | MG Chemicals |
| MFG PN | 835-P |
| Supplier | Amazon.ca |
| Supplier PN | N/A |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Cables
Cable Rack
I found the slots on this one slightly too wide, so maybe try the 1508 instead.
| MFG | Pomona Electronics |
| MFG PN | 4408/POM |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 501-1113-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Grounding
Antistatic Mat
Put on your desk to have an ESD free work surface. This one is a bit too grippy.
| MFG | SCS |
| MFG PN | 770096 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | SCP765-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Mat Snap Kit
Adds a snap connection anywhere on an antistatic mat.
| MFG | Desco |
| MFG PN | 09864 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 16-1012-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Mat Ground Cable
Connects the antistatic mat to a ground point. Has a snap on the bottom.
| MFG | Desco |
| MFG PN | 09821 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 16-1429-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Wrist Strap and Cord
Grounds your body so you don't zap anything.
| MFG | Desco |
| MFG PN | 09085 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 16-1006-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Under Desk Ground Point
It's more convenient to connect your wrist strap under the desk than to have the cord stretch over your work surface to the ground point on the mat.
| MFG | Desco |
| MFG PN | 09740 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 16-1055-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Banana Plug
This one is stackable and has a screw that makes a solid connection. I trust this connector more than the ring terminal you're supposed to attach to an outlet faceplate. Sometimes paint makes the connection iffy.
| MFG | Pomona |
| MFG PN | 1825-5 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 501-1247-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Ground Adapter Mains Plug
Plugs into the wall and provides a banana jack that's safely connected to your house's ground.
| MFG | Desco |
| MFG PN | 09838 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | 16-1158-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Packaging
IC Tube
Antistatic Storage, IC, DIP, Tube, 0.35 ", 8.89 mm, 20 ", 508 mm
A bit larger that necessary for standard thickness ICs.
| MFG | MULTICOMP PRO |
| MFG PN | 030-0014 |
| Supplier | Newark |
| Supplier PN | 87P0216 |
| Supplier Link | Link |
IC Tube Pin
Antistatic Storage, Pin, Thumb-Tak, Tube, 0.3 ", 7.62 mm, 1 ", 25 mm
Use a 7/64" drill bit for its holes.
| MFG | MULTICOMP PRO |
| MFG PN | 030-0005 |
| Supplier | Newark |
| Supplier PN | 07WX7945 |
| Supplier Link | Link |
IC Tube End Plug
Antistatic Storage, End Plug, Tube, 0.3 ", 7.62 mm, 0.4 ", 10 mm
Too small for the above tubes.
| MFG | MULTICOMP PRO |
| MFG PN | 030-0007 |
| Supplier | Newark |
| Supplier PN | 87P0211 |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Antistatic Bag
BAG STATIC SHIELD MTL IN 4"X6"
| MFG | SCS |
| MFG PN | 30046 |
| Supplier | DigiKey |
| Supplier PN | SCP314-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Labels for Antistatic Bags
Avery White Rectangle Labels with Easy Peel, 1" x 2 ⅝", Permanent Adhesive, for Laser and Inkjet Printers
Example information layout. Download template (right click, save as)
| MFG | Avery |
| MFG PN | 05160 |
| Supplier | Amazon.ca |
| Supplier PN | N/A |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Storage Jars for Passives
24-Jar Bead Storage Container by Bead Landing
Enough to hold 2 decades of E12 values.
| MFG | Bead Landing |
| MFG PN | Unknown |
| Supplier | Michaels |
| Supplier PN | 10468280 |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Labels for Storage Jars
Premium Label Supply White Round Labels, 1.25" Circle, for Laser and Inkjet Printers
Example information layout. Download template (right click, save as)
| MFG | Premium Label Supply |
| MFG PN | PLS-615MW |
| Supplier | Amazon.ca |
| Supplier PN | N/A |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Storage Tray for Mechanical Parts
32-Compartment No Spill Bead Storage Organizer by Bead Landing
Compartments have curved bottoms. Lid has grooves to help prevent compartment migration. The latch is a bit lacklustre,
only holding in the center. 30 full size compartments.
| MFG | Bead Landing |
| MFG PN | Unknown |
| Supplier | Michaels |
| Supplier PN | 10468278 |
| Supplier Link | Link |
Component Sets
0603 5% Resistors
Some of the values included in these kits are mixed up.
Also, the full list of values in not available on thier Digikey pages. I had to email support to get it.
However, if you want a set of resistors, this is the cheapest way I've found so far.
Buy PHG2-KIT if you just want the E12 values or both if you want E24.
| Supplier | Digikey | Digikey |
| Supplier PN | PHG1-KIT-ND | PHG2-KIT-ND |
| Supplier Link | Link | Link |
Crimpers
JST EH: SN-01BM
KK2759: Handskit SN-02BM
| Headers | Housing | Crimp |
| KK6373 | KK2695 | KK2759 |
| KK7478 |