A 3/8" drive metric hex set for bicycle maintenance: $18.
Two cherry Sony SRP-P50 amplifiers headed to electronic disposal: $0.
Two cherry Sony SRP-P50 amplifiers headed to electronic disposal: $0.
Cool, just ordered an Edsyn Solderpullt from Amazon. think the model is DS-17 - it looks like a big plunger thing and $20USD. Many reviews saying it is the same as the one they have sold for decades and very effective. Thanks for the tip [emoji3526]
Got a Technics ST8080 tuner (with the tuning window below where all others has it up or none; it's an esthetical matter) just in, some caps with rotten legs, replaced et voila: a gem in the stack. Even dug underground it keeps receiving (<2µV sensivity).
So, my preferred classic fm radio station impeccable in the room.
I always wanted this thing. Oh man.
So, my preferred classic fm radio station impeccable in the room.
I always wanted this thing. Oh man.
One tool I've had my eye on for a while is a set of JIS screwdrivers to work on my old dirt bike, but they are simply never cheap. I thought "there must be a cheap Chinese made alternative". Sure enough, a little combination of searching the auction sites and Googling identified that Pozidriv screwdrivers work fine on JIS screws, at least much better that Phillips screwdrivers. So bought a set of bits on Aliexpress for $3.
Hi leadbelly,
Yeah, I have all three sets. The JIS drivers are really good, mine have a wood lacquered (red) handle and look pretty sharp. I bought them through either Yamaha or Teac, and they cost a penny back then.
-Chris
Yeah, I have all three sets. The JIS drivers are really good, mine have a wood lacquered (red) handle and look pretty sharp. I bought them through either Yamaha or Teac, and they cost a penny back then.
-Chris
Looks like I'm buying a snowblower tomorrow ($1,300) - and a set of tires for the car (about $1,000).
I bet if we added up all the money that flies out the door, I'm actually very rich. Too bad life can't be like that. When I kick, it all goes for 10 cents on the dollar.
-Chris
I bet if we added up all the money that flies out the door, I'm actually very rich. Too bad life can't be like that. When I kick, it all goes for 10 cents on the dollar.
-Chris
Antek soldering iron 25W,
25 J113 nJFETs,
25 J112 nJFETs.
20 LND150
So broke the element on my trusty 20 year old RS 25W soldering iron, trying to get the corroded tip off!
Shopping for a replacement, even though I have 3 at work...well that started a small parts shop
I want to try J112/113 in a low current cascode CCS - uncertain it will be much better than the BJT cascode I am using, but j112 is cheap enough to try!
Oh, then I got the bug and went to eBay...and bought:
20 BC560C, which I hoped were genuine Fairchild (they seem to be)
Some 100R and 500R horizontal trimmers, with detachable finger turning shafts. These too look pretty good, considering the outlay.
25 J113 nJFETs,
25 J112 nJFETs.
20 LND150
So broke the element on my trusty 20 year old RS 25W soldering iron, trying to get the corroded tip off!
Shopping for a replacement, even though I have 3 at work...well that started a small parts shop
I want to try J112/113 in a low current cascode CCS - uncertain it will be much better than the BJT cascode I am using, but j112 is cheap enough to try!
Oh, then I got the bug and went to eBay...and bought:
20 BC560C, which I hoped were genuine Fairchild (they seem to be)
Some 100R and 500R horizontal trimmers, with detachable finger turning shafts. These too look pretty good, considering the outlay.
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I have had numerous soldering irons over the years.
They either didnt last long before element failed or the tips burnt out in a few days.
So bought a 25W Antek iron from Maplin and had it for years and tips last for ages. Oddly this is the cheapest one I have bought !
Nigel, my initial thought was that the RS iron from 20 years ago was a rebranded Antek. Cheap as chips, back then, replaced the tip a few years back but it was utter rubbish, and I've been cleaning it and retinning every other use, but it had just corroded too much.
The week before I found a pack of needle tips which didn't fit any iron at work, and thought I'd try one on my iron.
That's when I bust the trusty RS iron.
Now I have the new Antek, just as cheap and reliable as the RS (so far...) and the tips fit!
I use one of two Weller stations at work, both at least 10 years old, more likely 25 years old - both great!
I got gifted a new station by my boss a RS pro one. Sadly it's not a patch on Weller, and the element thread retaining nut, plastic, broke after a couple of long sessions.
So rather than buy a cheap station and have it break, I just bought a cheap iron.
The week before I found a pack of needle tips which didn't fit any iron at work, and thought I'd try one on my iron.
That's when I bust the trusty RS iron.
Now I have the new Antek, just as cheap and reliable as the RS (so far...) and the tips fit!
I use one of two Weller stations at work, both at least 10 years old, more likely 25 years old - both great!
I got gifted a new station by my boss a RS pro one. Sadly it's not a patch on Weller, and the element thread retaining nut, plastic, broke after a couple of long sessions.
So rather than buy a cheap station and have it break, I just bought a cheap iron.
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I did buy a Weller 30 watt iron and the tips lasted about 3 days. I think the tips were getting too hot despite being in a stand in between making joints.
I had two £30 soldering stations from Maplin and neither lasted more than a couple of weeks.
I think I paid about £9 for the Antek.
I had two £30 soldering stations from Maplin and neither lasted more than a couple of weeks.
I think I paid about £9 for the Antek.
Hehe I have a cheap get out clause for having no soldering iron stand, and avoiding burning anything, the cord, or worktop.
I just use a glass ashtray 🙂
It even has a convenient well for adding a cleaning sponge!
Referring to my experience of a good Weller station, the hardest thing getting accustomed to, was the tip temperature being in Fahrenheit. If I recall, "7" being 700F, good for lead/tin, "8" being better for lead free or high temp solder. And the needle tips didn't work for long, easily bent.
I just use a glass ashtray 🙂
It even has a convenient well for adding a cleaning sponge!
Referring to my experience of a good Weller station, the hardest thing getting accustomed to, was the tip temperature being in Fahrenheit. If I recall, "7" being 700F, good for lead/tin, "8" being better for lead free or high temp solder. And the needle tips didn't work for long, easily bent.
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I use one of these.... Best iron I've ever bought (better than the Hakko it replaced at 1/3 the cost).
https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-in...r_1_1?keywords=shinenow&qid=1579879812&sr=8-1
The tip IS the heater, and the replacements are 15$.
https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-in...r_1_1?keywords=shinenow&qid=1579879812&sr=8-1
The tip IS the heater, and the replacements are 15$.
Hi kodabmx,
I use the same soldering station as well, branded KSGER. They are easily the best soldering station I have ever owned. I ended up with three. One for smd work, another for normal work and the last with a giant tip for doing tube circuitry. My old trusty "Solomon" station still works great and I use it for large connections. Takes longer to warm up, but it blows away any of the Weller stations I used to have (ran a service shop full of them).
Good choice!
-Chris
I use the same soldering station as well, branded KSGER. They are easily the best soldering station I have ever owned. I ended up with three. One for smd work, another for normal work and the last with a giant tip for doing tube circuitry. My old trusty "Solomon" station still works great and I use it for large connections. Takes longer to warm up, but it blows away any of the Weller stations I used to have (ran a service shop full of them).
Good choice!
-Chris
Shoelaces.
For my boots + an extra set.
Because the new rescue dog ate the damn things.
-Chris
For my boots + an extra set.
Because the new rescue dog ate the damn things.
-Chris
I still use the Weller 1200 which my gram gave me in 1965 or 66 -- mostly for heavy stuff. I have two Hakko stations one in NJ, the other in OH. Worth the money.