[K6BW] QRP Project Tools

[Bill Smith]

Several people have asked about what tools might be necessary to put
together the Rock-Mite project.  Here are a quick set of suggestions, and if
anyone has had any good experiences, please don't hesitate to add your
recommendations.

Basic Tool List:

Long Nose Pliers
Diagonal Cutters (flush-cutting)
Soldering Iron & solder
Screwdrivers

Optional

Magnifying Glass on a stand
Small drill and drill bits
Dremel Tool

General recommendations:

Avoid combination tool sets or kits.  They usually have tools of poor
quality.   Also, avoid screwdriver handles with plug-in tips.  They work,
but you'll be busy looking for and changing tips instead of working on your
project.

 Look for polished, sharp edges on screwdriver tips, not stamped and plated
ends.  Screwdriver blades should be thought of and cared for the same way as
knives, not treated as cold-chisels.

Pliers:

Yardbirds sells "Olympia Longnecks", three or more long-nose pliers and a
set of cutters in a blister pack.  The long-nose pliers are great, the
diagonal cutters ok.  Price is about $10.00 for three tools.

Look for a set of "flush-cutting" diagonal wire cutters.  Radio shack sells
4-1833 which look ok, and 64-2003 looks good in the picture, but don't know
if they are flush-cutting or not.

Radio Shack has forceps 64-1940 and 64-1866 which can be handy, but you can
pick up these tools at a swap meet for $1.00 ea.

Screwdrivers:

Don't have any specific recommendations here, you really won't need a
screwdriver for the printed circuit assembly, but you may need .  It would
be helpful, though if you are on the hunt, and can grab a miniature set in a
dollar bin at a hardware store.  Additional suggestions below.

Soldering Iron:   (Soldering guns won't work for this project).

Iron-clad tips are a real plus, as are temperature-regulated irons.
Unfortunately, temperature-regulated models can be expensive.  Radio shack
has elements of an iron, parts 64-2110, 64-2112, 64-2084.  I haven't seen
the unit, or any of the Radio Shack irons.  Has anyone had experience they
can share here?

Generally, except for the lightest work, a 15-30 watt iron is too light for
much other than soldering pads on printed circuit boards.  It is better to
buy a higher-wattage iron and tone it down with a light-dimmer or variac.

For just this project, perhaps 64-2070 would work.  It is a very small iron,
but this is a very small project.

Don't forget solder.  The four-piece soldering kit 64-2227 can also be very
handy.   Or, you can possibly use the small screwdrivers in the Radio Shack
set 64-1963 as pokers.

If you like the idea of building your station (as opposed to buying plug-in
appliances) you should look for a Dremel "rotary tool" (small drill).  You
will use it over and over again for the most unlikely reasons.  Buying a
Dremel "kit" is an exception to the suggestion above, you'll probably save
money by getting a number of accessory bits in the bundle.

Tools are like personal computers, each has his or her own favorites.  These
are mine, if you have any suggestions or comments, please don't hesitate to
let us know!

73 de Bill, AB6MT
billsmith@ispwest.com