Setting Up an Electronics Lab: Tools and Equipment

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Learning electronics is a never-ending fun ride. For some people, it may just be a career for professionals, but truth to be told, it also can be a fascinating leisure activity to undertake for the hobbyist.

If you’re someone who takes the pleasure of snooping items apart and wants to understand how they work, setting up your own hobbyist electronics lab can be your best bet. And if you’re looking for how to get started, this is the right place to get a road map!

Setting Up an Electronics Lab

There’s more to electronics tools than screwdrivers and pliers. It’s not limited to something or anything; it’s continuously evolving.

When getting started, you may find it challenging to determine what tools are or aren’t essentials, including the best tools. Listed below are the essential tools and equipment you can add to your electronics lab, courtesy of Wiltronics.

1. Multimeters

Multimeters, also known as Volt-Ohm-Milliaimeters (VOM), are definitely one of the must-have items in your toolbox. This tool is designed to measure basic circuit properties, such as voltage and resistance.

There will be times when your circuits may stop working due to faulty wires. With the help of a multimeter, you can check the connections and save a lot of time. It really does come in handy when troubleshooting electrical connection and circuit issues.

Here, we have the Auto-Ranging Digital Multimeter; guaranteed excellent value for money and perfect for mobile technicians, installers, or enthusiasts. It features large, easy to read 20mm digits, which makes an ideal choice for beginners and experienced users alike.

Check for AC or DC voltages, resistance and continuity of electrical components, and small amounts of current in circuits with our range of multimeters here. We offer the best multimeters under $60, so make sure to check them out!

2. Soldering Station and Accessories

First things first. What is soldering?

When talking about the foundation, soldering irons come in very handy. Soldering makes quick and neat connections between electronic components, and even plumbing and jewellery. Basically, it is used to melt solder, a low-melting alloy, onto the joint so it can be applied to a circuit board and make multiple connections.

A soldering station is an essential part of your electronics lab. Even if you don’t normally build permanent circuits, many electronic components don’t come with header pins/breadboard-friendly pins.

In these instances, you may be required to do some soldering. Whether or not you do a lot of soldering, setting up a simple soldering station will do the trick. When building one, you’ll also want to make sure that your station has enough wattage and adjustable temperature so it can last for a long time.

Other than the station, you should look for the best soldering irons ideal for both beginners and professionals electricians alike. Our 70 Watt Soldering Iron Scope Miniscope makes a great purchase. The 70-watt soldering iron is a small, easy-to-use tool.

What’s more, this tool can be operated with finger temperature control. Considering its quick heating feature and a large range of available temperatures, it is perfect for many applications.

3. Electrical Meters & Testers: Clamp Meter

If you’re wondering about the difference between a digital multimeter and a clamp meter, the digital multimeter is a voltage-measuring tool with current abilities. On the other hand, the clamp meter is a current-measuring device with voltage abilities.

A clamp meter measures to the nearest tenth or hundredth of a unit, rather than in the multiunits available with a digital multimeter or DMM. This tool is sufficient for electrical tasks.

At Wiltronics, we have this Clamp Meter DC/AC 400A – no longer available (ME3160)—a perfect addition to your tool list that provides reliable measurements. It features a large scale integration circuit with double integration A/D converter and full range overload protection.

Not only that, but it also can measure AC/DC voltage, including current, frequency, duty cycle, resistance, diodes, and continuity. Other product features include:

• CAT II 600V
• 3999 Count & Bar Graph
• AC & DC Voltage: Auto range
• AC & DC Current: 40A/400A Resistance to 400 Ohms
• Continuity: Audible Tone
• Max. cable diameter: 28mm
• Hold Function
• Carry pouch

4. Drills & Bits

Drills and bits are vital for a wide variety of purposes and projects, including high-speed steel, carbide tipped, solid carbide and diamond-related. They also can be the right companion for creating accurate, precise holes in woods, metals, plastics, and other composite materials.

Here, we offer various sizes, materials, drills and rotary toolsets. You can check out some of our items below.

• 12VDC Rotary Tool Kit (TL9451) – This is simply the best multifunction tool around! It will drill, engrave, cut, polish, grind, sand and buff.
  A total of 90 pieces make it ideal for any workshop. Rated at 12,000RPM @ 12V. Housed in an attractive case that is easy to carry.
• Drill Bit Pack (Pack of 12) (TL9300) – The TL9300 PCB Drill Pack is a convenient and economical solution to buying essential drill bits. Includes all the common types.
  Included
  • 2 x 3.5mm drill bits
  • 2 x 1.5mm drill bits
  • 4 x 1mm drill bits
  • 4 x 0.8mm drill bits
• Drill Bits HSS – High-Speed twist drill bits suitable for PCB’s, wood and metal. In packs of 2.
• PCB Drill Bits – PCB twist drill bits in 2 popular sizes: PCB Drill Bit 0.8mm (TL9308) and PCB Drill Bit 1.0mm (TL9310)
• PCB Tungsten Drill Bits – These tungsten PCB drill bits will stay sharp for thousands of holes! From 0.8mm to 1.5mm sizes, we’ve got you covered!

5. Magnifying Lamps and Headset

Consisting of a head visor with two prismatic magnifying lenses, magnifying glass headsets offer more magnification than ordinary glasses for reading, crafts, just to name a few. They provide high power and hands-free magnification.

Check out below our Magnifying Lamps & Headset to complete your dream electronics lab tools and equipment.

Magnifying Glass Headset

Get a clear view of this Magnifying Glass Headset (TL1035). This magnifying headset is a great working companion for tinkering on electronics projects, soldering, model building or anything else where detail and accuracy are crucial.

Using a combination of two 1.5x lenses and a 7x lens, 1.5x, 3x, 8.5x and 10x magnification can be achieved. The headset also features an adjustable LED light so you can see what you’re doing, and a convenient quick-adjust headband.

3 Dioptre Magnifying Lamp

This 3 Dioptre magnification lamp (TL1025-LED/3DIO) helps to reduce eye strain when working on complex PCBs (or any other fine detailed work). It is manufactured using 56 high brightness, warm white LEDs (colour temperature 3,500 – 4,500k).

The lamp maintains the colours of various objects as if illuminated by a natural light source.  Also suitable for stamp and coin collectors, model makers, embroiderers, jewellers and the like.

The 130mm magnifying head is easily set to virtually any desired position on its spring-loaded arm assembly. Simply clamps to your workbench or desk (up to 60mm thick).

6. Safety Glasses

Whether you’re in a workplace or in your own laboratory, wearing eye protection is crucial. Potential hazards can be avoided when you’re wearing a suitable cover for your eyes.

When welding, plumbing, construction or any other maintenance job—dirt, dust, metal shards, and wood can irritate your eyes and potentially can cause long-term damage. Let alone the dangerous particles or chemicals that could be floating around in your lab. But by wearing safety glasses, you can protect your vision from these foreign objects.

Check out our collection of affordable yet high-quality safety glasses available on our website below.

• Safety Glasses with Wrap-Around Design (Prosafe Checkmate CK2) – this type of safety glasses (LS0515) provide increased levels of comfort and safety in a contemporary design.
  Featuring the exclusive Duramass AF anti-fog lenses with soft non-slip gel nose and temple inserts, these glasses represent excellent value for money, comfort and features. Designed for precise ocular cover.
• Safety Glasses Economy – these Prosafe Yukon safety glasses (LS0500) provide economy medium impact eye protection. They are suited for over-spectacle protection and provide full and wide brow coverage for overhead protection.
• Safety Glasses Adjustable – These Prosafe Tomahawk safety glasses (LS0510) offer wide coverage medium impact eye protection. They feature adjustable temple arms and inclination to maximise protection for each individual user.
  Exclusive Duramass coating provides scratch resistance whilst the curved brow bar provides further protection from falling particles. For more eye protection options, you can check out our wide category of safety glasses here.

If you’re looking for more essential electronics lab tools, here’s what you should read next: Hobbyist Tools: The Essential Electronics.