I am building brand new, 5K$ lab for a small startup, Judge my choices

[Placeholder]

So, I deeply appreciate everyone's contribution,

I will be making some deep changes to the list, and I will have some specific answers to specific users to justify my decisions.

One absolute key fact that must be stated again is that I do have access, for relatively cheap price, to extremely advanced lab, so my lab is just to cover the 95% of the time I spend.

how advanced lab? SDA 816Zi-B, Vaporphase reflow, ERSA automatic rework, EMC chamber, R&S spectrum analyser for 100K eur, basically anything... So if I ever get in trouble because of equipment I can always save myself with this option -- and / or, use it when it doesn't make sense to buy it for myself

Here are the following changes to my own lab
—————————————————————

Soldering irons replaced Aixun + Genuine JBC tips
Microscope will be found replacement of
Rework station will be found a better replacement of
The clamp meter will be completely disregarded for now

(and increase the budget to accommodate the changes)

and I will just dynamically adjust to needs, but for now, I can start.

Once again, thank you all

[watchmaker]

This thread will likely be read by others building labs for a variety of purposes.

What is the aversion to quality used equipment for small labs (budget or not)?

I am not involved in commercial development, nor do I  need NIST traceability.  Just need reliability and  I want accuracy down to .1 mV or so.  Not doing RF.

I do not need CATIII, and I am comfortable with well designed pre "Cat" instruments.  I know how to probe CRTs but I do not work above 240VAC, and that only for wiring to motors that require it (like mills and lathes).

Having said that:

2Fluke 8880af s for less than $125 @ (New VFDs $40 @)
Fluke 45 for $90 (dimming display but still bright enough)
HP 3457A ($90)
Siglent 1204 for $350 new
Thurlby TSX PSU ($100)
Sony AFG 320 AWG ($130)
Kikisui  100 Mhz, Dual timebase scope ($90) Just because
GW Instek Digital 4 channel PSU ($125)
Weller soldering station ($125 new)

I had no issues returning equipment that was not suitable for me.  Just buy from sellers who have 30 day returns.  Use ohms law to verify the first DMM; then check the first DMM against the second one purchased.  If you have three that agree, you can be assured that the measurements are valid.  I bought the HP to validate against a different design.

All DMMs agree within the last digit.  The AFG looks good on all canned functions on the siglent.
The PSUs provide stable output, with in-spec ripple.  I use DMMs to set ouptput but the Instek is dead on.

And for the really cash strapped, An Analog Discovery plus external PSU and maybe a Fluke 27/FM is enough.

For magnification, I use a GLASS 3x magnifier lamp from Amazon for $100.  Any more and you lose working distance.  The plastic lenses provide way too much distortion for me.  I use optical stereo scopes routinely in my watch work.  AO SZ 580s at benches and a B&L SZ7 for inspections.  These were 10 cents on the dollar during the transition to digital imaging.  I do not find working while looking at a screen very productive.

Just the thoughts of a very parsimonious (cheap?) amateur.

[MF-jockey]

In the discussion so far, I miss an isolating transformer. This is very important for your own health when troubleshooting power supplies.
I use it in combination with a variable transformer and a U-I-P measuring device.