The Tools And Test Equipment I Use And Favor The Most!
Added 2024-03-02 16:23:16 +0000 UTCThese are the tools, and the test equipment I find myself continually returning to and using the most out of all. I always go back to these tools first. Use this as a guide to help with your future purchases. Much of the equipment displayed in this video is found for very reasonable prices at online auctions ETC. Enjoy!
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Comments
Thank you Paul
uhf music
2025-03-13 23:50:16 +0000 UTChello Mr. Carlson I am a new member . I have been trying to learn about electronics. but still haven't got it . I have been trying to fix a cb radio. with no results. any information would be greatly appreciated. it powers on but no receive or transmit. thank you
420 honolulu
2024-10-18 03:30:39 +0000 UTCthe same Mastercraft toolkit on sale this week at Canadian Tire half price... 25 CAD. Hard to beat for value :-)
Guy St-Pierre
2024-09-18 00:57:45 +0000 UTCI thought so to at first
hcn3D
2024-06-10 21:38:05 +0000 UTCIts hard to find good measurement equipment here in Europe :'(
Daniel
2024-06-04 18:49:38 +0000 UTCPleasantly surprised at the signal generator. I just picked up a Rohde & Schwartz version of this at a hamfest for $150. It works great, except for the mechanically-latching power switch. This one goes to 2.7 GHz, which is much higher than I will ever use...
Steve Wedge
2024-04-16 15:28:16 +0000 UTCI haven't tried it, But I don't think it would.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2024-04-02 02:37:04 +0000 UTCDoes that Irwin stripper work with Teflon wire?
Richard Hansen
2024-03-26 02:25:16 +0000 UTCNice
Bill Frovik
2024-03-21 04:05:19 +0000 UTCI've got a Hakko 936 iron. Bought new in 2000 and it is amazing. I still use the original tip for general soldering work.
Michael Carey
2024-03-17 06:13:59 +0000 UTCYou made me chuckle with the sliver comment. My wife also has discovered that my stereo microscope excels for sliver removal work.
Kenny Manchester
2024-03-14 15:31:55 +0000 UTCtry Jet Blaster by Cowrc
Aram Baloyan
2024-03-11 00:33:17 +0000 UTCWhat's the best way to clean out the inside of an old stereo? Lots of dust in there. Vacuum can create static and those air cans seem to be too cold. I use a leaf blower for my desktop PC haha, but the stereo is a lot more fragile than the PC...plus I don't care if the PC is damaged, the stereo is much harder to deal with.
Michael
2024-03-09 21:47:22 +0000 UTCThat is one of my all-time favorite tips from Mr. Carlson (no pun intended): replace the tip of a 200/260W D550 Weller soldering gun with a few inches of #10 copper wire (or #14 wire for a Weller 8200 100/140W gun) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79uD6XwBg5E&ab_channel=MrCarlson%27sLab
Jim Nugent
2024-03-09 18:26:24 +0000 UTCI've taken to writing the maximum AWG for clippers on the handles so I don't mis-remember and dull them unnecessarily.
Jim H
2024-03-05 12:27:42 +0000 UTCHey Paul, I think maybe it was mentioned, but you forgot your hot-rodded Weller for the chassis soldering :) I did that mod myself and works fantastic. Thanks for sharing your tools and tips!
Jason Doerr
2024-03-05 04:33:25 +0000 UTCThanks, Paul. I don't know what is wrong, but the new forum will not let me log in. When I try to set a new password, the email that I receive claims that my name is my email address. I'm not sure how that happened.
Robert Calk Jr.
2024-03-05 01:42:14 +0000 UTCI just traded my Sencore SG80 for some Keithley power supplies. It was a great unit, but I don’t do much consumer electronics any more. Seems around $1000 on eBay last time I looked.
Steve Foudray
2024-03-04 01:59:34 +0000 UTCI also have a set of needle nose with teeth I use all the time. Even though I probably have 20 sets. I love the hakko flush cut. I have 8 different ones. They work very well for me and are priced fair. I love them. I have one of the multi tool holders attached to the edge of my bench. I keep everything in it from screwdrivers to cutters, needle nose. All different hemostats. Pliers, scribes, vise grips, strippers, electronics scissors, plus many more. Holds probably 50 pieces.
Kenneth Graham
2024-03-04 00:18:50 +0000 UTCHow about a HP 8640 signal generator
Sam J. Breidt
2024-03-04 00:03:30 +0000 UTCMy Hakko soldering station is about 2 years old. It has 5 presets. I set them once, and have never used anything other that P1, P2 and P5. yymv. The UI is definitely different now. I'm sure I could look up how to change the presets and C/F setting, but I just push on button 1 to 4 times, and "Enter". Done!
Dan Barker
2024-03-03 17:32:41 +0000 UTCAmazon has the equivalent of the Mastercraft long reach pliers with the serrated jaws for $8.69 by Leontool. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWY3DSB6/
Chip
2024-03-03 14:27:53 +0000 UTCI prefer the screw driver set from Home Hardware, it has better grips and a stubby Roberston for the same price, although it is missing the allen keys.
technoman9000
2024-03-03 14:27:42 +0000 UTClol
Chip
2024-03-03 14:22:28 +0000 UTCI just ordered the 3 pack of the Hakkos - thanks for the tip!
Andrew Cockburn
2024-03-03 14:09:07 +0000 UTCHi Paul. I want to do a FM alignment on a stereo. It calls for the use of a stereo signal generator. I do not have one is there an alternative method to preform one? what kind do you use and can you recommend a reasonable priced one, thank you
don mielke
2024-03-03 14:04:36 +0000 UTCCould agree more. Two hands are never enough.
Val Donazzolo
2024-03-03 11:13:32 +0000 UTCWhoa, these Erem cutters sure do cost... My to-go brand now is Knipex for pliers/cutters, and Wiha for screwdrivers. And as for the iron, I'll stick with my good old Weller TCP-S and Solomon SL-20; Hakko is almost unobtainium here, and the real deal pro stuff like JBC, Metcal or Quick is out of my price range for the moment. I might consider KSGER or the like T12 tip irons, I love how quickly they heat up. Haven't tried that with tube electronics or other large heat capacity work.
Keri Szafir
2024-03-03 09:13:22 +0000 UTCthis irwine wise grip looks fantastic, just bought one today. I havetools from knipex the classic ones, but this looks very solid.
Dipl. Ing. Rolf-Dieter Klein
2024-03-03 08:02:17 +0000 UTCI've been working in the repair industry too long. I thought the blue handled screw drivers were capacitors
Chris Handley
2024-03-03 07:27:03 +0000 UTCI recently received a $50 voucher from our local auto shop, they have this same set for $69. I'll add $20 and grab a set tomorrow. They also look very tidy! Obviously they're sold "Worldwide" as I'm on the opposite side of the world from you guys! Cheers
darren bird
2024-03-03 04:51:51 +0000 UTCWill do in an upcoming video.
Mr Carlson's Lab
2024-03-03 00:04:58 +0000 UTCThat looks like the green version, yes!
Mr Carlson's Lab
2024-03-03 00:04:14 +0000 UTCI have one of those Irwins, and they're nice, but for large enough wires, the Weicon nr. 5 has completely replaced it. Particularly when working in tight spaces where you've got pre-installed short lead wires you can't remove without taking apart a huge chunk of something else. The Weicon fits in spaces an Irwin never can and works beautifully.
Dara Korra'ti
2024-03-02 22:10:25 +0000 UTCI have a pair of smooth-jaw round needle-nose jewelry pliers (possibly the same thing you're describing) that I got from my mom years ago when she lost interest in crafting stuff. They're incredibly useful for bending wire leads or even grabbing on to tiny things.
Circuitmike
2024-03-02 22:00:22 +0000 UTCThis would appear to be the Harbor Freight version - https://www.harborfreight.com/comfort-grip-screwdriver-set-70-piece-56103.html
Andrew Cockburn
2024-03-02 21:58:13 +0000 UTCYeah, I've been really happy with the Hakko flush cutters with the red and black handles. You can find them for under $10 each in single quantities and Amazon currently has a 3-pack listed for $21. They're cheap enough to treat them as consumables but they seem to hold up really well regardless.
Circuitmike
2024-03-02 21:58:05 +0000 UTCI also have various sizes of hemostats and they're pretty indispensable for me these days.
Circuitmike
2024-03-02 21:56:00 +0000 UTCI have one of those screwdriver sets, I think the Costco variant, and I use it CONSTANTLY. They're absolutely my go-to tools on my workbench. The stubby #2 Philips is used so much that the markings are wearing off the back of it. I also have a wire stripper very similar to the Vice-Grip one you showed, and it's the best wire stripper ever! It'll even pull the outer sheath off of Ethernet cable with minimal or no damage to the insulation on the individual conductors. And just for fun I decided to see if I could push its limits and dial it in to strip 30-gauge wire, and I could! I have another wire stripper I tend to use just for 30-gauge Kynar-style wire but this one will actually do the job if you want it to!
Circuitmike
2024-03-02 21:55:11 +0000 UTCI have a selection of them, too. They are a good to use when the long nose pliers can't reach or a pair of tweezers are not rugged enough.
Richard Goebel
2024-03-02 21:34:11 +0000 UTCWill you show us your favorite VTVM, oscilloscope, and hand held multimeter?
Richard Goebel
2024-03-02 21:31:40 +0000 UTCI would add: Thomas & Betts WT2000 Sta-Kon tool. Crimper, stripper, and screw thread cutter. I have a few and they are very strong, stay sharp, work really well.
Tom Harris
2024-03-02 20:45:30 +0000 UTCExcellent video,as usual, Paul. I was surprised that you didn’t include hemostats as a highly used hand tool. That’s been a go-to for me for many years. I use several different sizes and styles. Everyone has their own “style”, I suppose, lol.
Michael L Dunn
2024-03-02 18:43:24 +0000 UTCI have some vampire smooth needle nose that I use for making turns in the leads of wires and components. I use silicone insulation wires for that. I save the stripped off insulation to cover component leads. So I always have that without buying another product. Plus the silicone can handle high heat.
Chris Bennett
2024-03-02 18:32:38 +0000 UTCI have a green one from Harbor Freight and would love to find a blue one. I just look for the cost here $29.99
Larry { N7LUF }
2024-03-02 17:20:22 +0000 UTCWow the Erem cutters are $98.98 on Amazon! Guess i'll be sticking with my Xcelite 175M for a bit longer.
David McAnulty
2024-03-02 17:16:24 +0000 UTCThe screwdriver set Paul mentions is on sale at Canadian Tire for $25 this week, for all you fellow Canadians. Thanks for the video, Paul.
Andrew Black
2024-03-02 16:34:24 +0000 UTCIf you need a tap handle Starrett 91a and 91b. Bit expensive but you will be able to pass onto your grand kids.
Mike Maxwell
2024-03-02 16:30:26 +0000 UTC
