What did you buy today? Post your latest purchase!

[GreyWoolfe]

Not something I bought, but I found a green gopher snake on my ground floor.

What a cute little guy, once again roaming in the backyard I hope?

The cute little guy went with animal control.

I always send things back if they rattle on arrival

McBryce.

You should have at least checked for loose screws first!

[technogeeky]

I actually had one of those arrive yesterday. Needs nearly full height for the Lifecam/DIYHK lense so I will be adding a block before I finally mount it on my soldering setup. Only mod needed for the cam was some longer 5mm screws.

I have some better lights on my soldering stand which will help the image too also need to get away from the Microsoft stock software.

Nice mechanics for a cheap stand 

Can I get a link to the source of this stand?

[Calambres]

Just received a Quicko T12 OLED soldering station, 9501 handle and 5 assorted T12 tips from Ali. It is surpisingly small and so are all the tip points. I think I'm buying more tips with more sensible tip sizes, i.e.: bigger!

This thing works very well, very quick warm up and easy handling.

[Specmaster]

I actually had one of those arrive yesterday. Needs nearly full height for the Lifecam/DIYHK lense so I will be adding a block before I finally mount it on my soldering setup. Only mod needed for the cam was some longer 5mm screws.

I have some better lights on my soldering stand which will help the image too also need to get away from the Microsoft stock software.

Nice mechanics for a cheap stand 

Can I get a link to the source of this stand?

You certainly can, here you are, enjoy.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Portable-600X-3-6MP-Digital-Microscope-4-3-LCD-Electronic-HD-Video-Microscopes-USB-Endoscope-Magnifier/32828884857.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.klWdrA

[Specmaster]

Just received a Quicko T12 OLED soldering station, 9501 handle and 5 assorted T12 tips from Ali. It is surpisingly small and so are all the tip points. I think I'm buying more tips with more sensible tip sizes, i.e.: bigger!

This thing works very well, very quick warm up and easy handling.

Yep, they are really good aren't they? Don't forget to make the changes to the earthing at the very least as the case on mine was not earthed. I know have 2 of these and and I made sure that the case was earthed on them both, I also modified the connections from the power in socket to the PCB as I didn't trust the way they were connected.

[Specmaster]

My Fluke 27's arrived today and the CAT3 one was giving strange readings but a though cleaning inside and out I'm pleased to say that all readings are within a single count now so I'm happy with that.

I was rather hoping that one was buggered beyond repair so that I could transfer the innards of my 25 to a 27 case, so I'm still on the hunt for fucked 27 with a good case if anyone has one or knows of one going please think of me?

Here's some gratuitous before and after shots.

[beanflying]

Can I get a link to the source of this stand?

Since added a 2mm aluminium shim inside the mount and back to the stock screws.

Just the mount is here but plenty of other options too. https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Adjustable-Microscope-Stand-For-G600-Microscopes-Base-Laboratory-Light-Accurate/322770269703?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

[Cubdriver]

Specmaster, it looks like those two meters cleaned up quite nicely!

 

-Pat

[Specmaster]

Cubdriver, thanks, I've never had a Fluke before the 25 and always wondered what all the fuss was about. Having watched Dave tear one down and a few other YouTubers tear them down I was impressed with their apparent build quality so I decided to try one, that was a dangerous thing to do,  I became hooked on their ruggedness and they feel just like you have house brick in your hand you just know they will take whatever punishment you throw their way. They may be old and only have 4 digits and update twice a second, but thats adequate for my needs. I think that the MAX/MIN is a very useful feature for long time monitoring of power rails for instance along with the fact that unlike modern meters, they only switch off when you tell them to or the battery dies, perfect for those long time soak and measurement test. 

[Cubdriver]

Cubdriver, thanks, I've never had a Fluke before the 25 and always wondered what all the fuss was about. Having watched Dave tear one down and a few other YouTubers tear them down I was impressed with their apparent build quality so I decided to try one, that was a dangerous thing to do,  I became hooked on their ruggedness and they feel just like you have house brick in your hand you just know they will take whatever punishment you throw their way. They may be old and only have 4 digits and update twice a second, but thats adequate for my needs. I think that the MAX/MIN is a very useful feature for long time monitoring of power rails for instance along with the fact that unlike modern meters, they only switch off when you tell them to or the battery dies, perfect for those long time soak and measurement test. 

That is definitely a nice feature.  I've lost track of how many times I've found myself cursing my 77II when it decided to take a nap while I was using it to monitor something. I think you'll also be pleasantly surprised at how long the battery lasts, even without auto shutoff.  They seem to go on operating forever.

-Pat

[kelchm]

Just bought a second 3478A for $80 shipped. 

[Calambres]

Just received a Quicko T12 OLED soldering station, 9501 handle and 5 assorted T12 tips from Ali. It is surpisingly small and so are all the tip points. I think I'm buying more tips with more sensible tip sizes, i.e.: bigger!

This thing works very well, very quick warm up and easy handling.

Yep, they are really good aren't they? Don't forget to make the changes to the earthing at the very least as the case on mine was not earthed. I know have 2 of these and and I made sure that the case was earthed on them both, I also modified the connections from the power in socket to the PCB as I didn't trust the way they were connected.

Yes, that's definitely in my to-do list.

[3db]

@kelchm
Nice one,they are great meters.

 3DB   

[BU508A]

I've bought some varous parts, which bumped accidently into me:

6,3mm audio jacks:


supercaps, 1,5F  5,5V


BF245C:


Bourns 3296W, 50Ohms


Reed contacts, 15mm long, SMD, very tiny


Some Intel and Motorla 2716C


PCB holder:


PTFE trimmer, 0,4 - 3pF


Wima MKS4, 2,2µF 160V


Siemens polyester MKT, 1µF 100V


Siemens polyester MKT 2,2µF 250V low ESR


assorted kit of Bourns and Vishay trimmers, 45 pieces

[cdev]

I got a deal on some ferrite beads for flat cable RFI suppression.

[neo]

An HP 3456A, seemingly in good condition, last cal was '97.

[Specmaster]

I got some AWG 18 silicon cable, Red, Black and Yellow to make up some nice flexible test leads to use with my new  LCR multi-tester.

[Terry01]

I got a 1.6mm chisel tip for my Hakko 888. 

It's £17.50 to get a genuine one!! I can get 10 for a fiver or whatever from Fleabay but they are crappy copies and they are total guff! 
Proto-PIC was doing the genuine Hakko's for £12 and it's only about 20 mins from me so super fast delivery but they seem to have stopped for some reason! They only have the conical ones in stock now and I have 1 of them which seems to be a good all round size. I have the 0.8mm and 2,4mm chisel tips but sods law dictates that the size in between would be a better all rounder!

I just got the Hakko 888-D a couple of days ago and thought after my first quick try out there wasn't too much difference between the genuine Hakko and the copy Katsu 852-D I have been using up till now.
I had a proper days soldering on the 888 today and there is a big difference when you are really working the iron or getting in about heat sinks and stuff like that. The genuine Hakko really comes into it's own when you work it hard. The Katsu is ok for light work if you take your time and it has the hot air too, so it will make a good second iron to have on the bench.

[tooki]

Cubdriver, thanks, I've never had a Fluke before the 25 and always wondered what all the fuss was about. Having watched Dave tear one down and a few other YouTubers tear them down I was impressed with their apparent build quality so I decided to try one, that was a dangerous thing to do,  I became hooked on their ruggedness and they feel just like you have house brick in your hand you just know they will take whatever punishment you throw their way. They may be old and only have 4 digits and update twice a second, but thats adequate for my needs. I think that the MAX/MIN is a very useful feature for long time monitoring of power rails for instance along with the fact that unlike modern meters, they only switch off when you tell them to or the battery dies, perfect for those long time soak and measurement test. 

FWIW I know that the Fluke 87V disables auto power off when in min-max mode. I think the Keysights do, too.

[Famksyea]

One Plus 5. My Sony Xperia is becoming very slow and sluggish, despite being just half year old. The Android 7 upgrade totally ruined it, and there's no way back. After using 4 Xperia phones in a row, each with their big issues, I guess I will never buy another Xperia.

I am sorry to hear that , and i never understand why people like to upgrade their phones.Although I know what the benefits of a phone upgrade are, but it doesn't mean that any users can upgrade their phones.if so that , you can buy Samsung S8 ,It has a good phone performance,

[djos]

if so that , you can buy Samsung S8 ,It has a good phone performance,

Why? OnePlus 5 has faster CPU, larger RAM, larger flash and 2/3 the price of S8.

Not to mention the complete lack of Samsung crapware.

[Specmaster]

if so that , you can buy Samsung S8 ,It has a good phone performance,

Why? OnePlus 5 has faster CPU, larger RAM, larger flash and 2/3 the price of S8.

Not to mention the complete lack of Samsung crapware.

Hmm should be nice responsive, my Samsung phone is and it's nearly 2 years old and has just down the Android upgrade. Check your storage I expect its getting full, mine still has the Samsung crapware and its a J5 not an expensive model. Check in your settings for a maintenance tab, click on it let it run, finds all kind of things and sorts it out for you.

[McBryce]

if so that , you can buy Samsung S8 ,It has a good phone performance,

Why? OnePlus 5 has faster CPU, larger RAM, larger flash and 2/3 the price of S8.

Not to mention the complete lack of Samsung crapware.

Hmm should be nice responsive, my Samsung phone is and it's nearly 2 years old and has just down the Android upgrade. Check your storage I expect its getting full, mine still has the Samsung crapware and its a J5 not an expensive model. Check in your settings for a maintenance tab, click on it let it run, finds all kind of things and sorts it out for you.

My HTC did the Android 8 update this week too. Now all the icons are round and symbols look crap if they were meant to be displayed in a square. What is it with round icons now? Youtube did it too, so you are forced to shrink or redesign your icon to something circular. Check out mikeselectricstuff on youtube as a classic example of messing things up by forcing roundness.

McBryce.

[Mr. Scram]

Cubdriver, thanks, I've never had a Fluke before the 25 and always wondered what all the fuss was about. Having watched Dave tear one down and a few other YouTubers tear them down I was impressed with their apparent build quality so I decided to try one, that was a dangerous thing to do,  I became hooked on their ruggedness and they feel just like you have house brick in your hand you just know they will take whatever punishment you throw their way. They may be old and only have 4 digits and update twice a second, but thats adequate for my needs. I think that the MAX/MIN is a very useful feature for long time monitoring of power rails for instance along with the fact that unlike modern meters, they only switch off when you tell them to or the battery dies, perfect for those long time soak and measurement test. 

The 87V has a power on option to disable auto power off. That's very useful. Min/max is a another useful feature indeed, just like the autohold feature. It seems the 27 has all of these features too. Even though the Fluke feature set is sparse compared to some of the competition, it seems quite well chosen.

[Mr. Scram]

These folks don't seem to be very sensible. I was bidding a more realistic price for a unreasonably expensive counter a while back and got shot down. A few weeks later they discounted the counter, but increased the shipping to an unrealistic number, basically ending up at the same price. I really don't like it when they try to pull the wool over your eyes that way. Since, the price of the counter has been steadily dropping, and after a few months it's now approaching what I initially offered for it.

I can't feel sorry for them. They wanted it all and ended up with nothing. As you say, it's generally old junk for top dollar anyway and their MO isn't how I like to do business.

The idiots are at it again. They relisted the counter at a discount, but the "original price" is suddenly higher than it actually was for months. Horrible business ethics.