What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[bitseeker]

@bitseeker and s&d; always a bit of a punt, a quick google before purchase did not find any common dead unobtanium issues, just usual power supply / filter caps,  one unit has a dead CPU board - the CPU (Motorola 6902) still appears to be doing something - ? could be the PROM, but I know nothing of 1980s microprocessors.

Unfortunately, I'm not that familiar with that model. The only Keithley's I have so far are a 228A, a 196 and a 2700. If there isn't one already, maybe make a thread about it to see who else has one for more info, compare ROM contents, etc.

[bitseeker]

Just got and put together one of those $20 ESR kits. Seems to work great although even after the self calibration it seems to read WAY low on capacitors.

Perhaps the fuses are set incorrectly. If you haven't already, post in the mega-thread on that ESR tester. Several folks there will be able to get you squared away.

[rrinker]

 Yeah I've been following that. Since it's one with a DIP ATMega328, I can pop it out and check the settings as mentioned in that thread. It appears my problem is similar to one of the latest posts over there, and would make some sense based on the values it returns (ie, how far they are off vs what would be wrong with the fuse settings for the clock speed).

[ebclr]

Let's make some solder paste stencils

[Richard Crowley]

Let's make some solder paste stencials

Can those things really make very small rectangular (or even round) holes of the scale used for solder masks?  Does it use a swivel knife?

[jonovid]

a purchase from 2015!  like to get more but- 
this two 2015 100 PCE & 30 PCE Chinese screwdriver bit sets, has gaps in the philips, torx, sizes. see-
like to see More Bits in screwdriver bit sets. with the smallest to the largest by type. also long stems if its ok. 

message for Chinese. \/

[Inflex]

Let's make some solder paste stencials

Can those things really make very small rectangular (or even round) holes of the scale used for solder masks?  Does it use a swivel knife?

They do a pretty good job, the *hard* part is actually the process in creating it.  I found I had to reprogram the HPGL generation so that it does 3~4 passes and also had to be done on a adhesive-tape backed mylar or poly sheet (I found 0.012" to be decent thickness as I recall).

I've written a few OpenSource tools to help with the job in Linux, not sure about Windows though.

http://pldaniels.com/dxf-hpgl
http://pldaniels.com/hpgl-dxf
http://pldaniels.com/hpgl-distiller

I could have sworn I had a video of the cutter doing the process but cannot seem to find it on my YouTube channel at the moment, might have to create a new one and upload.

[apelly]

Let's make some solder paste stencials

Can those things really make very small rectangular (or even round) holes of the scale used for solder masks?  Does it use a swivel knife?

Yes. Swivel knife.

There are a selection of open source tools around these days to help out creating your stencil. I bought one a couple of years ago to dick around with, but I haven't actually done anything other than that yet. I think there are a couple of (old) threads around here talking about them.

[TerraHertz]

Some stuff arrived. Sets of boards for an arduino 3D stepper-driver code development system (identical to the set in my 3D printer.) Also some LiIon battery charge management, over-discharge protection and DC-DC converters.

While testing the display unit, I realized something about the 3D printer boards. See the last 2 photos. The two board sets match each other, but... Can you spot it?

It's no big deal, unless you want to interchange other supposedly identical boards into the set in the printer. Like temporarily for testing the other boards.  Glad I'm well aware of this trap from past experience, so always check before plugging in and powering up.

Ultimately this mistake can be laid at the feet of whoever did the PCB layout of the LCD board. It didn't occur to them that people may want to use right angle IDC connectors, so they didn't get the pin orientation and silkscreen correct for such connectors. Or, someone soldered in the wrong version connectors...

[japasetelagoas]

message for Chinese. \/

Machine translated Chinese is just as incomprehensible as machine translated English (from Chinese), if not more.

Would you recommend a good alternative other than actually learning Chinese?

Thanks.

[slicendice]

message for Chinese. \/

Machine translated Chinese is just as incomprehensible as machine translated English (from Chinese), if not more.

Would you recommend a good alternative other than actually learning Chinese?

Thanks.

Get someone to do that for you.

We are way off topic now. 

But if you purchase a translator with a soul, feel free to post the pic here. And don't forget to add a bit of performance specs, so we know what we get if we ever buy similar ones. 

[MarginallyStable]

Got this Eshed Scorbot VII from a local college surplus auction.

[JustSquareEnough]

hakko fx888d.  my first real soldering station.

[6581]

hakko fx888d.  my first real soldering station.

Mine too. Been using it for a while and it does the job very well. Very satisfied with it. First the UI seemed pretty bad - and it is - but if you're like me and use two or max three preselected temps, it's actually easy and quick to use. Love the compact design and bright colours. Did you get any extra tips?

[DTJ]

Received a pile of test leads for the logic analyzer / bread board etc.


$12 odd for 120 leads in total. Quality looks good, I was expecting crap,  but they seem fine.
I know you can get them cheaper but I prefer to buy from stock in Oz if I can.

Got them from here:   http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/181863972798

There was a card in the package for monsterelectronics.com.au so I guess he's got a little more than an ebay shop.


PS: It would be useful if folk could post a link to where they purchased their latest item from and what they paid.
I reckon there's some value in doing that.

[6581]

Also got the same bunch of jumpers some weeks ago - but from AliExpress - quite a bit cheaper but it's a great idea to support shops closer to you.
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/120pcs-20cm-male-male-male-female-and-female-jumper-wire-Dupont-cable-for-Arduino/1185416_1728903423.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.bOInod

[DTJ]

Undoubtedly the same ones. Quite a bit cheaper too.
I'm old school and (falsely) believe buying them in my own country will be safer or more reliable and quicker.

I definitely need to spend more time on Ali Express.

[TechnicalBen]

Nothing special. Just a sharp ir ranger. But I want to make something special with it.

[Rémi]

Finally got a good set of screwdrivers.

[jonovid]

new  220V AC 180W chinese mini drill.
no need to change tips.  as can keep a cutter on one, and a grinding tip on the other mini drill.

[nanofrog]

Finally got a good set of screwdrivers.

Nice. 

I've a lot of Wiha (electronics sizes & profiles), but I like PB Swiss even better which make up all of my standard size screwdrivers (use the heck out of the PH#2).  Specifically, I've a full set of Phillips & Slotted  with different grips to help ID them (Classic series for the slotted <1 - 6>, Multi-craft for the Phillips <00 - 3>). My slotted are even pre-etched S/N's, and they're still like new.    Someday I'll replace the Wiha's I've for the common sizes used for electronics. I just wish they offered more profiles for electronics series than they currently do. 

Although not cheap, they're made well enough they're worth the $$$ they go for IME (of course, I've gotten mine from EU sellers, which are cheaper than US sources  ).

[NottheDan]

Picked up two parcels from the post office today. One small drill from China with an interesting sender address, inclusive death-daptor and dodgy PSU.
The other contained a milli and a microammeter. One even had the old battery still sealed in plastic.

Oh, and a new set of tyres for the car.

[SeanB]

Who is the seller of the drill, looks nice, and would be good to get another small one.

[NottheDan]

Who is the seller of the drill, looks nice, and would be good to get another small one.

I got mine from the seller x-web-top on ebay but there are so many other sellers for them there. I haven't tried it out yet but it is very easy to mod. The top and bottom of the aluminium housing can be easily unscrewed and there's nothing more in there but the motor, the switch and the socket

[SeanB]

Who is the seller of the drill, looks nice, and would be good to get another small one.

I got mine from the seller x-web-top on ebay but there are so many other sellers for them there. I haven't tried it out yet but it is very easy to mod. The top and bottom of the aluminium housing can be easily unscrewed and there's nothing more in there but the motor, the switch and the socket

The usual does not ship bla bla, but I see the others....