Suggested Supplies?

Do you have a technical question that doesn't really fit a specific console? Want some general info on electronics, hacking, making cookies, etc? Here's the place to ask! Go nuts.

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Supreme Dirt
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Suggested Supplies?

Post by Supreme Dirt » Fri May 01, 2009 4:52 pm

Alrighty, I've decided to get into hardware hacking, and I have no real idea on where to start. I'm going to be ordering Ben's book, but can someone give me a general list of tools and such that I should get?

*EDIT* My first project is going to be an SNESp - which I intend to power off "conventional" batteries - so if there are any tools that are specific to dealing with it, please tell.

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eurddrue
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Re: Suggested Supplies?

Post by eurddrue » Fri May 01, 2009 4:56 pm

All of the things you will need are in the book. :D
Banned indefinitely if you desperately need to contact me STOPPHONESPAMPLOX Please dont be a dick and call for something random like "HEY YURDRUE DOO U HAZ SPAM?"
wallydawg wrote:
chainfire95 wrote:220V I believe
I think we should check to see if you can withstand 220 volts

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XCVG
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Re: Suggested Supplies?

Post by XCVG » Fri May 01, 2009 5:30 pm

Okay, this could take a while.

Must-have, Critical, Essential Tools:
-Soldering Iron (get a good one like a Weller WP25)
-multimeter (get one that does DC volts, continuity, and resistance)
-wire strippers (cheapy ones are fine)
-needle-nose pliers (4 or 5 inch serrated tips are preferable)
-screwdrivers (a multi-mini screwdriver like a Retract-a-bit mimi works for 90% of jobs. a set of "precision" screwdrivers is good too)
-tweezers (don't have to be fancy)
-solder sucker (for sucking)
-knife (most people say x-acto but I find a utility knife more useful)
Recommended Tools:
-files (a cheap set of mini or needle files)
-Dremel tool (not absolutely essential, but speeds up work)
-helping hands (for holding circuit boards)
-bigger pliers (for that grab-and-rip action)
-hacksaw (a mini one is 1000 times more useful than a big one)
-hot glue gun (VERY useful, almost made the essential list)
-wire cutters (you can cut with most strippers BUT this is way better)
-scissors (a no brainer, you probably have these)
-tin snips (good for cutting metal)
Recommended Supplies (* means ESSENTIAL):
-solder (.8mm is the standard)*
-glues (epoxy, hot glue sticks, CA [krazy glue], so many kinds)*
-wire (scrounge or buy, get at least 22AWG stranded, 24AWG solid, and 14-18AWG stranded)*
-electrical tape (in fact get duct tape and masking tape too)*
-shrinkwrap (get a pack from radio shack!)
-perfboard (for building stuff on)
-Bondo (only necessary for case making)
-flux (usually only necessary for SMT work)

Keep in mind that you probably already have most of this, and you may not need it all. My collection of stuff has been built up over time.

EDIT: Also keep on the lookout of scavengeable parts. There's all sorts of useful things in VCRs, for example. Scrounge, scrounge, scrounge. If you break something, hack it or salvage it for parts.

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