Electronic Tools Quiz

Overview of Common Tools for Working with Electronics

• Specialized tools have evolved for the electronics industry, some modified from common hardware store types and others designed from the outset to fulfill a specific need.

• For basic electronics work, common hardware tools are sufficient and odd-ball tools can be avoided.

• A selection of catalogs from companies such as Digikey and Mouser can provide ideas of available tools.

• Screwdrivers should include a basic selection and miniature/specialty screwdrivers for disassembling electronics.

• Pliers should include specialty pliers with narrow tips, needle-nose pliers, and lineman’s pliers for bending large-gauge wire and cutting screws and small bolts.

• Specialty cutters are available for trimming component leads on a PCB, including flush cutters, diagonal cutters, and end cutters.

• Wire strippers made specifically for stripping wires are recommended over using pliers or other tools, including manual and automatic wire strippers.

• Crimping tools are essential for working with crimped terminals and come in a variety of styles and sizes, ranging from simple plier-like tools to aerospace-grade ratcheted devices with interchangeable crimping parts.

• Socket drivers and hex wrenches are necessary for working with socket-head screws and bolts, and it's recommended to have both ANSI/ASME and metric sizes.

• Clamps are useful for exerting pressure to hold something, including alligator clips and hemostats for holding parts in place for soldering or adhesive work.

• Various types of clamps can be used for electronics work, including miniature C-clamps and plastic spring-loaded devices.

• For dealing with metal, the C-clamp is often a good first choice, and smaller sizes are recommended for a toolbox.

• A small vise is useful for holding parts steady while working on them, and can be purchased in a variety of sizes and styles.Essential Tools for an Electronics Shop

• A lightweight bench vise with padded plastic strips on the jaws is useful for delicate items and electronics work.

• PanaVise is a brand that offers a model 300 base and a model 301 vise head for electronics work.

• A compact workstation with a soldering iron holder, circuit board holder, and heavy base can be created using a PanaVise model 315 circuit board holder with a model 300 base.

• Heavy-duty vises like the one shown in Figure 1-22 are suitable for bending metal or hammering out a stuck steel alignment pin but require a permanent location.

• Rotary tools are versatile and come with a selection of speeds and attachment options, making them useful for cutting small square holes in a plastic box, trimming a printed circuit board, and drilling holes in a PCB.

• Miniature cut-off disks, sanding drums, and cutting tips are the most useful attachments for rotary tools.

• Small bench grinders like the one shown in Figure 1-26 are handy for shaping the tip of a screwdriver, taking the corner off a bracket, or cleaning up the edge of a piece of aluminum or clear acrylic.

• A right-angle grinder like the one shown in Figure 1-27 is useful for cutting small-diameter metal extrusions and tubing, removing the end of a machine screw or bolt, and slicing up an aluminum chassis.

• A small drill press is essential for drilling holes for screws, switches, LED indicators, or connectors to create a clean, precise hole.

• A hand-held electric drill is handy for quick holes, drilling out a rivet, or driving in a screw, and a battery-powered type is recommended.

• Sets of drill bits in various sizes are widely available, but low-cost drill bit sets contain bits that will not stand up to extended or heavy use.

• A tap and die kit is handy to have around for creating threaded holes or special-purpose threaded shafts, but it must be used with care to avoid damage to the tools.Essential Tools for Electronic Projects

• Step drills make the process of step-up drilling easier and are best suited for soft materials.

• Tweezers are invaluable for working with small parts that needle-nose pliers won't hold safely or reliably.

• A decent soldering iron or a soldering station is essential for working with electronics, and cheap soldering irons should be avoided.

• A true stereo microscope is best for working with surface-mounted components, but low-cost options can be found.

• Workspaces are crucial for storing and using tools, and a good toolbox and workbench are essential.

• A minimum set of tools for electronic projects includes screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, wire strippers, lineman's pliers, hex wrenches, sockets, soldering tools, a drill, drill bits, and a good set of files.

• Surplus or second-hand tool shops can be a great source for tools at low prices, but they may need to be cleaned or adjusted before use.

• A good set of tools can make all the difference between success and failure in electronic projects.

• The use of step drills should be done with caution, and a drill press is recommended to prevent injury.

• Magnifiers and microscopes are necessary for working with surface-mounted components and protecting eyesight.

• Soldering stations for surface-mount work can be expensive, but a good station with a fine tip and appropriate temperature can handle many SMT tasks.

• Industrial-grade workbenches can be expensive, but repurposed metal furniture or DIY overhead shelving can be low-cost alternatives.