Hey guys! So quick intro, I'm 30 years old, and have been tinkering with electronics for the majority of my life. Seriously, I was taking stuff apart since the age of 2. Lately I've been delving deeper into learning more about electronics. I've always loved to take things apart and 'figure' out how they work, but I never truly understood how they worked. Which leads me to this blog. I've been watching Dave's videos on YouTube for many years but never actually decided to sign up until recently. Figure what better way to get knowledge than talk to people that do this all the time.
Like I said I've been getting more and more into Electrical Engineering so I've been slowly putting a proper workbench together. As shown in the picture below. It's rather messy and in need of some serious organization. I'm just using what was there before me, so I need to add some shelves and whatnot.
I've started stocking some parts, resistors, capacitors, I've got at least 10 of the most common ones available. All received through ebay sellers that sold 1000 sets of 100 values. Some crystals of variable values. I've gotton myself a soldering station which is leaps and bounds better than I was using, and have a working PC PSU that I use for 12v and 5v. I've got plenty of wires, pc ribbon cables that I can use as smaller connection wires, gotten a decent DMM that was in the suggestions of this board.
However there are things I've yet to get that I want to. A Scope is kinda on the top of my list to get. However I don't have much, or any of a budget really to get one at this time. I'd also eventually need to get a decent variable power supply. As well as a signal/function generator.
As per what my interests are, well they vary widely. I'd like to get into some engineering, and development of things, but I also just like to tinker. I enjoy hobbies like RC cars, and wouldn't mind adventuring into Ham at some point. I just like learning as much as I can, and trying to see what I can come up with.
So that being said to the point of my post. I'm looking for some DIY kits that I can put together and learn from. Specifically things that can come in handy or be used at some point, not just silly toys like noise makers, or blinky lights, because really you can make those on your own without having to purchase a kit for it. I also realize most anything you could make on your own as well, with a bit more know how.
Some items I'm already looking at getting are as follows.
A basic Oscilloscope Kit, that'll give me basic functionality of a scope to mess around with. I've been looking at the DSO138, however I know that it comes in multiple versions, and I can't seem to find a good link from a reputable seller that'll sell the latest one. Or if you guys know a better one please let me know!
I'm looking at this Transistor Tester, I think it'll make a great little piece of kit -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-Version-Transistor-Tester-LCR-Diode-Capacitance-ESR-meter-Signal-Generator/182678167951?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=485227022397&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649I'm also looking at doing a DIY Resistance Substitution box using these pushwheel switch encoders, and putting them into a nice little case. -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/10pcs-x-One-Unit-Decimal-0-9-Digital-Pushwheel-Switch-Encoder-Thumbwheel-KSA-2/222194880206?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649I'm also looking for a decent Function Generator/Signal Generator to get as a kit as well.
Other than these, are there any sort of kits that you guys suggest/recommend getting? Or any projects that aren't in kit form like the Resistance Substitution box? I realize I can also make a capacitor substitution box as well. Really anything that can be both educational as well as useful like the Transistor tester or the Basic Oscilloscope would be a great addition to my collection as well as educational for me.
Please I'd love to see what you guys have found, or if you have a better item than what I linked or a known seller that you've purchased from before I'd love to know that information. I look forward to chatting with you guys!
-A