GETTING STARTED

ELECTRONICS WORKBENCH

So you’re just getting into electronics as a hobby, and you want to know what you need to start. Obviously, you’ll need tools and equipment; but which ones? And how much will it cost? It turns out that you can have a very nice set-up for about $250. Here is a list of what you’ll need to start a first-class electronics bench:

First, you need a well-lit area to set up your workbench. You need a flat surface to work on, one close to an electrical outlet. Ideally, you would have a dedicated area so you could leave a project as-is and then come back to it later and pick up where you left off. But if that’s not possible, something like a kitchen table will do. In that case, you’ll have to pack the project up and store it until you can get back to it. Also, to prevent damage, you’ll need to cover a kitchen table with something while you use it to work.

Second, you need a basic set of tools. Trying to work without the right tools is usually an exercise in frustration. What follows is a list of must-have tools. Here’s the list: