Comments on: IEEE Spectrum: basics for a maker workbench http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 05:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: swishercutter http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184217 swishercutter Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184217 Autotransformer....good ol variac's. Autotransformer….good ol variac’s.

]]> By: Roy Trumbull http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184182 Roy Trumbull Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184182 Typical bench supply is +/- 12V and +5 with adjustable current limiting. Another item that was once pretty common is an autotransformer used to adjust the AC going into a piece of equipment under test. That way you can turn up the juice and locate the source of the smoke before the fuses go. Typical bench supply is +/- 12V and +5 with adjustable current limiting. Another item that was once pretty common is an autotransformer used to adjust the AC going into a piece of equipment under test. That way you can turn up the juice and locate the source of the smoke before the fuses go.

]]> By: Roy Trumbull http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184179 Roy Trumbull Wed, 10 Aug 2011 02:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1184179 Once upon a time they were call Hell Boxes but the term has fallen out of use. Once upon a time they were call Hell Boxes but the term has fallen out of use.

]]> By: swishercutter http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183891 swishercutter Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183891 Maybe I should clarify...notice I said reworking.  For me it is easier to cut cheap IC's from a heavily populated board (i.e. Creative X-fi sound card modding) as opposed to trying to remove it whole.  I had one case where cheaper cutters (through hole cutters) caused the IC to spin on the last leg and tear the pad from the board.  So I guess it was only one case which caused me to buy the specific SMT flush cuts/nippers.  Since then I have one set of SMT tools and one set for larger through hole.  I use them frequently, although, in regular SMT production I doubt you would ever need them unless you were trimming some leads to fit a pad. Maybe I should clarify…notice I said reworking.  For me it is easier to cut cheap IC’s from a heavily populated board (i.e. Creative X-fi sound card modding) as opposed to trying to remove it whole.  I had one case where cheaper cutters (through hole cutters) caused the IC to spin on the last leg and tear the pad from the board.  So I guess it was only one case which caused me to buy the specific SMT flush cuts/nippers.  Since then I have one set of SMT tools and one set for larger through hole.  I use them frequently, although, in regular SMT production I doubt you would ever need them unless you were trimming some leads to fit a pad.

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183627 Gyrofrog Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183627 I used to breadboard music-related circuits at home (see Delton Horn and Craig Anderton's books), with varying success.  But I enjoyed it so much I got a job at IBM, making circuit board repairs (mainly swapping out bad semiconductors, or placing missing parts, but also fixing circuit traces).  Some boards were still thru-hole when I got there (1993) but mostly it was SMT so we used the microscopes all the time.  It got to the point where I (mostly) stopped working on my own projects at home because I liked having the microscope so much. (When I did build something I took the shortcut and bought a PAiA kit.) That may have been my favorite job ever, but I was living hand-to-mouth on what they were paying me. I used to breadboard music-related circuits at home (see Delton Horn and
Craig Anderton’s books), with varying success.  But I enjoyed it so
much I got a job at IBM, making circuit board repairs (mainly swapping out bad semiconductors, or placing missing parts, but also fixing circuit traces).  Some boards were still thru-hole when I got there (1993) but mostly it was SMT so we used the microscopes all the time.  It got to the point where I (mostly) stopped working on my own projects at home because I liked having the microscope so much. (When I did build something I took the shortcut and bought a PAiA kit.)

That may have been my favorite job ever, but I was living hand-to-mouth on what they were paying me.

]]> By: Gyrofrog http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183622 Gyrofrog Tue, 09 Aug 2011 17:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183622 I thought, "Dad? Is that you?" until I got to your last sentence. I thought, “Dad? Is that you?” until I got to your last sentence.

]]> By: Andrew Molloy http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183542 Andrew Molloy Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183542 Which issue of Spectrum is it? I guess mine hasn't arrived, that's the problem with transatlantic post. Which issue of Spectrum is it? I guess mine hasn’t arrived, that’s the problem with transatlantic post.

]]> By: EvilPRGuy http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183526 EvilPRGuy Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183526 I would put my Dremel tool on the essentials list, I constantly find myself reaching for it. With the insane amount of different bits you can get these days, it's a supremely useful and flexible tool. I would put my Dremel tool on the essentials list, I constantly find myself reaching for it. With the insane amount of different bits you can get these days, it’s a supremely useful and flexible tool.

]]> By: nixiebunny http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183512 nixiebunny Tue, 09 Aug 2011 14:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183512 SMT? Diagonal cutters? I don't get it. I've been doing SMT work for 20 years and never once used diagonal cutters for that. But a good $50 pair of flush cutters is essential for building regular through-hole boards well. If you do SMT, the tool you really need is a microscope. Good zoom binocular 7-30x, with ring light of some sort.  And Kester 331 liquid flux and solder, and hot water and compressed air to remove the flux. SMT? Diagonal cutters? I don’t get it. I’ve been doing SMT work for 20 years and never once used diagonal cutters for that. But a good $50 pair of flush cutters is essential for building regular through-hole boards well.

If you do SMT, the tool you really need is a microscope. Good zoom binocular 7-30x, with ring light of some sort.  And Kester 331 liquid flux and solder, and hot water and compressed air to remove the flux.

]]> By: Sequoia M. http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183471 Sequoia M. Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183471 How much? How much?

]]> By: bkad http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183447 bkad Tue, 09 Aug 2011 12:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183447 I'm not a maker in the "Boing Boing" sense, but I do electrical/mechanical/optical prototyping professionally. If you can pool the resources to get one, I second that suggestion to get an oscilloscope. These are ridiculously useful tools, good for everything from debugging noise and ground problems on serial connections to verifying motor and actuator timings to monitoring thermal probes. I also recommend some sort of scheme for tracking hardware (screws, bolts, etc.) especially if you are taking apart or modifying purchased items. At home, I like those magnetized small parts dishes. At work, we also use copious zip-lock bags and a label printer. On a related notes, maintaining some kind of tool discipline is a good idea if you are sharing a space (have fixed locations for every tool, make everyone put things away before they leave). Arguably. it's almost as important as having the right tools in the first place. In some aviation shops, tool boxes are signed in and out of inventory and are inspected daily. Allowing discrepancies  is a fireable offense. Though they are more worried about wrenches getting sucked into turboshaft engines than inconvenience, working with an organized tool inventory is a much happier and more productive experience than rummaging through a toolbox for five minutes looking for the right size screwdriver or the right wire strippers. This is one area where I don't practice what I preach, since I work until the last minute before I have to run someplace else and leave everything out. I’m not a maker in the “Boing Boing” sense, but I do electrical/mechanical/optical prototyping professionally. If you can pool the resources to get one, I second that suggestion to get an oscilloscope. These are ridiculously useful tools, good for everything from debugging noise and ground problems on serial connections to verifying motor and actuator timings to monitoring thermal probes.

I also recommend some sort of scheme for tracking hardware (screws, bolts, etc.) especially if you are taking apart or modifying purchased items. At home, I like those magnetized small parts dishes. At work, we also use copious zip-lock bags and a label printer.

On a related notes, maintaining some kind of tool discipline is a good idea if you are sharing a space (have fixed locations for every tool, make everyone put things away before they leave). Arguably. it’s almost as important as having the right tools in the first place. In some aviation shops, tool boxes are signed in and out of inventory and are inspected daily. Allowing discrepancies  is a fireable offense. Though they are more worried about wrenches getting sucked into turboshaft engines than inconvenience, working with an organized tool inventory is a much happier and more productive experience than rummaging through a toolbox for five minutes looking for the right size screwdriver or the right wire strippers.

This is one area where I don’t practice what I preach, since I work until the last minute before I have to run someplace else and leave everything out.

]]> By: swishercutter http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183408 swishercutter Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183408 Yeah...the one labeled "Scrap electronics" where all semi useful stuff sleeps.  The half bundled wires that get tangled on all the stuff that isn't.  I am such a packrat.  I keep broken car parts I will never use also...I have to fight to convince myself that it is safe to throw them out when you no longer own the car. Also, there is no blood anywhere on that workbench from what I can see. Yeah…the one labeled “Scrap electronics” where all semi useful stuff sleeps.  The half bundled wires that get tangled on all the stuff that isn’t.  I am such a packrat.  I keep broken car parts I will never use also…I have to fight to convince myself that it is safe to throw them out when you no longer own the car.

Also, there is no blood anywhere on that workbench from what I can see.

]]> By: nosehat http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183403 nosehat Tue, 09 Aug 2011 08:22:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183403 Where are the three big boxs of old cables, bits of wire, semi-functional motors, magnets, outdated computer peripherals, switches, kitchen sink parts, and other less-identifiable but still potentially useful bits?  You know, the boxes that you set out to organize once or twice a while ago, so half the stuff is wrapped in rubber bands or stuffed in smaller containers and zip locked bags? Where are the three big boxs of old cables, bits of wire, semi-functional motors, magnets, outdated computer peripherals, switches, kitchen sink parts, and other less-identifiable but still potentially useful bits?  You know, the boxes that you set out to organize once or twice a while ago, so half the stuff is wrapped in rubber bands or stuffed in smaller containers and zip locked bags?

]]> By: swishercutter http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183356 swishercutter Tue, 09 Aug 2011 05:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183356 I'm not sure bout everyone else but 2 part epoxy and zip ties are essential in my shop. As for the PSU annomination's link is the same one I use (a cheaper method for <=12v might be to mod a computer PSU).  For the price on oscilloscope you can't beat the Rigol's...some can be hacked to higher level scopes, no sense in buying an older scope DSO's can come in handy. If you are doing any SMT reworking make sure you get good flushcuts/nippers.  A magnifier, xacto knife, needle files, small saws (and/or Dremel) and electrical tape/heatshrink are also handy... as is as much scrap wire as you can reasonably store (buying wire new can get spendy when old phone line might have worked better). If you are going to be soldering a lot get a set of helping hands or board holders. It's not about having expensive tools but the right tool can save a lot of time. Also, RepRap's are cheaper than the Makerbot's if you need a 3d printer. I’m not sure bout everyone else but 2 part epoxy and zip ties are essential in my shop.

As for the PSU annomination’s link is the same one I use (a cheaper method for <=12v might be to mod a computer PSU). 

For the price on oscilloscope you can't beat the Rigol's…some can be hacked to higher level scopes, no sense in buying an older scope DSO's can come in handy.

If you are doing any SMT reworking make sure you get good flushcuts/nippers. 

A magnifier, xacto knife, needle files, small saws (and/or Dremel) and electrical tape/heatshrink are also handy… as is as much scrap wire as you can reasonably store (buying wire new can get spendy when old phone line might have worked better).

If you are going to be soldering a lot get a set of helping hands or board holders.

It's not about having expensive tools but the right tool can save a lot of time.

Also, RepRap's are cheaper than the Makerbot's if you need a 3d printer.

]]> By: annomination http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183349 annomination Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183349 You have to be joking about that power supply. If anyone can find one cheaper than http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=9600+PS, I want to know. I buy them all the time for my lab. You have to be joking about that power supply. If anyone can find one cheaper than http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=9600+PS, I want to know. I buy them all the time for my lab.

]]> By: Bucket http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183346 Bucket Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183346 Where's the sledge hammer or baseball bat to smash the makerbot out of frustration? Where’s the sledge hammer or baseball bat to smash the makerbot out of frustration?

]]> By: irksome http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183337 irksome Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183337 Where's the duct tape and the bailing wire? Where’s the duct tape and the bailing wire?

]]> By: thebelgianpanda http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183330 thebelgianpanda Tue, 09 Aug 2011 04:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/2011/08/08/ieee-spectrum-basics-for-a-maker-workbench.html#comment-1183330 May I comment that being a Maker may include or not include the items mentioned.  My favorite pieces are:7/8" step drill bit, propane torch, MAPPS (or whatever the equivalent nowadays is) torch, Good small file, Jewelers saw, and RTV silicone. It all depends on what you want to make. p.s. i was at a steam engine festival last weekend, and i absolutely caught the hit-and-miss engine bug.  damnit. May I comment that being a Maker may include or not include the items mentioned.  My favorite pieces are:7/8″ step drill bit, propane torch, MAPPS (or whatever the equivalent nowadays is) torch, Good small file, Jewelers saw, and RTV silicone. It all depends on what you want to make. p.s. i was at a steam engine festival last weekend, and i absolutely caught the hit-and-miss engine bug.  damnit.

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