[icerrelmCam]

We are going to be building some circuits and what not in class. I have to solder together a power supply for the breadboard. All this stuff decent enough to no piss me off cause it sucks?


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A3B23XMZTHU7PJ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A1IONBBRHLTCBR

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A35TOPIEYAQ7RQ

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[onelovemp]

Breadboard looks fine. Similar to the one I used a few times in digital electronics class.
The board holder and magnifying thing is a nice extra but can be omitted if you need to save some cash.
The Hakko tip cleaner, another luxury. Nice if you can afford it, but most irons don't NEED it.
Solder is standard 60/40 flux core. Should work fine.
The iron looks alright, but that meter... Not even autoranging. After using my fluke 189, I don't see how anyone can use a manual ranging meter anymore. Also only 2000 counts which is not great compared to the 50000 count my fluke has, but you get what you pay for.(not to mention the accuracy is probably not great) No microamp range in DC and no AC current at all. In other words, if you don't already have one, invest a bit more into a good multimeter.

[xochgtlm]

~$100 on
soldering gun
multimeter
tool kit

What would you do?
Is a multimeter a luxury, or is this a must?

[Britiobby]

~$100 on
soldering gun
multimeter
tool kit

What would you do?
Is a multimeter a luxury, or is this a must?

A good multimeter is a must. A fluke is out of your price range, but this is a good video on meters $50 or less.(warning: long video) I have come to realize that the autorange is one of the biggest time savers so you don't have to constantly turn the switch to the correct range. There is also the issue of it giving accurate readings over time.(after being used for a while, the input jacks can wear out if not done properly, your mileage will vary) If you are working on electronic stuff, a microamp range will be a setting you will want.

[redDoodia]

Same breadboard but with wire set
EX330
Weller WRC100 40watt iron
basic 6-piece solder iron tool kit

This puts me at $152.
Should be excellent to get me through this class and not have to go to lab? Lab is only in place for those who do not have the equipment, we can do all our labs at home which I want the stuff for me to be able to do this. Our first lab is actually just soldering together our power supply for the breadboard. lol
I am not taking engineering classes, so better now won't really do me better for later. If I was engineering I would spend the few hundred on a Fluke.

[bWxNFI3c]

Same breadboard but with wire set
EX330
Weller WRC100 40watt iron
basic 6-piece solder iron tool kit

This puts me at $152.
Should be excellent to get me through this class and not have to go to lab? Lab is only in place for those who do not have the equipment, we can do all our labs at home which I want the stuff for me to be able to do this. Our first lab is actually just soldering together our power supply for the breadboard. lol
I am not taking engineering classes, so better now won't really do me better for later. If I was engineering I would spend the few hundred on a Fluke.

All of that looks good for what you are doing. I am going into electrical engineering(Tennessee Tech in august), so I did spend a bit extra on a higher end meter, but that Extech should perform well enough for the purpose.

[Eugen80]

Spending the money on a decent soldering iron is worth every penny - not only will it last, but you'll get a more constant heat to the tip which aids consistent soldering. A 40W is a good size, especially if doing heavier guage wiring
Similarly, with the DMM, have a word to your course supervisor and see what you're going to be needing from the meter - generally worth paying a bit more for a decent one, you may find a lot more uses for it after the course, like working on your car.

[duncanalisstmp]

To repeat what others have said, get a good DMM.

Another suggestion would be BK Precision. They make great DMM's that are very much comparable to Flukes.

[Viafdrear]

Fluke 113~117 worth the money vs EX330?
Are there major differences between the models inbetween? The 113 is $100 they work their way up to $170 for the 117.

Getting into the range of pissing off the wife here.

[beth]

Fluke 113~117 worth the money vs EX330?
Are there major differences between the models inbetween? The 113 is $100 they work their way up to $170 for the 117.

Getting into the range of pissing off the wife here.

If you are doing electronics work compared to electrical work, no. The Fluke 117 is more designed for electricians rather than an electronics student.(no mA or uA range for one) Here is an in-depth review of the 117. (Warning, fairly long video)