WANTED[US] lab equipment for getting started [More]

[BilalHammoud]

I'm getting started with setting up my personal lab, I will take/buy what I can afford. I am a phd student in the US, so I don't have much to spend

so far I've acquired
oscilloscope:     Tektronix TDS640A
multimeter:      Agilent U1252A
power supply:  Amrel PPS-2322

looking for
- components
- soldering station
- function generator 
- bench multimeter
- analog oscilloscope
- LCR meter
- anything for giveaway

I can return favors by writing complex code, helping with advanced math, and highly experience in robotics, control and automation

[alextwin007]

I was in a similar situation a few years ago, arguably still working on building up my shop.

For components, I found for resistors and capacitors you can get sets on sites like banggod or aliexpress that offer all the values you could need.  I also like using Futurlec for semiconductors, I found that their grab bags were nicely focused and well priced with a good variety(I got the voltage regulators and the linear IC ones).  I've also used electronic goldmine for some things I want a lot of, but I found that there assortments weren't as good.

For the other things if you are willing to wait for COVID to pass I'd recommend looking into if there are any hamfest or electronic swap meets near you.  I got a great deal on my desktop multimeter, and when dealing with low priced used equipment, not having to pay shipping is a big deal.  Also may be a good source of components, especially passives.

soldering Iron: I use a TS80, but before I used a cheap hakko knockoff and that worked fine (just took up too much valuable desk space)  I've found that having actually temperature control and the ability to replace tips is what makes the biggest difference.  For this I haven't seen many good deals used unless you are looking for a top end iron.

Function gen, I used one of the XR2206 kits for a while, they are cheep and you can do quite a lot with them. 

For the LCR I haven't personally had that large of a need for one, so I have one of the atmega 328 based multichecker and my handheld dmm for C values, if I do need a more accurate measurement I plan on just making a filter or an oscillator with them using my known R values and calculate the L or C values from that.

[shig]

Sent you a pm

[SVFeingold]

Hey OP, I'm located in the bay area and I've got a bunch of stuff I'm trying to sell/get rid off. Too much stuff not enough space. I got a little over-exuberant at some of the industrial auctions and am now buried under test equipment.

As far as your list:

Components: Anything in particular you're after?

Function Generator: What kind are you looking for? I've got an HP E3314A I'm trying to get rid of; currently on eBay for $300 but I'll let it go for $200 if that's reasonable.
I've also got a Goldstar FG-2002C function generator and a Continental Specialties 4001 pulse generator. They're super basic but they work and got me through my first several years learning electronics. For both of those together $50 seems about right. They have a little bit of sentimental value otherwise I'd give them away, but they are really just taking up space. 

Iron: I've got a Hakko iron/station I picked up from some techs as my last job (they didn't want it anymore) but not sure if it works, will check and get back to you.

Power supplies: I have like 10x Topward 3185 supplies. $40/ea for as many as you like. About half have been load tested but I can test the rest too. Also several Topward 6303Ds, a couple HP 6632As, couple of HP 6623As. The HP supplies have been load tested but still probably not worth more than like $100. They're excellent power supplies, just old and heavy, plus they take up a lot of room being rack-mount units. The 6632As aren't so bad in terms of size, but the 6623As are full rack-mount units. But hey, 500uV noise...

As for giveaway stuff I definitely have things I wouldn't mind letting go. Wires, clips, motors, regulators, switches, buttons, screens, batteries, dev kits, etc... All things I've acquired over the years for personal or client projects and am finally coming to terms with getting rid of and just buying the shit I need, when I need it, instead of hoarding everything.

I'll have a look tomorrow and let you know if I see anything interesting. If there's anything you have a particular eye on let me know. There's a reasonable chance I have it squirreled away somewhere lol.