Tool Recommendations Thread

[luvdunhill]

I use the $10 harbor freight one, that looks very similar to the one Nate posted. It works okay.

[grawk]

I have an art supplies one that works great for shrinking heat shrink, but would be useless for almost anything else.

[mypasswordis]

I really like Lateralus, Undertow, and 10,000 Days in particular. Toole should listen to some Tool.

[Pars]

I use the $10 harbor freight one, that looks very similar to the one Nate posted. It works okay.

x2, though mine is more like this one, but orange:
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Wouldn't mind having one of those U-shaped deflectors for it, but it works fine.. a hell of a lot better than the hair drier I would grab before

[luvdunhill]

I actually gave my second one to Goodwill yesterday

[n_maher]

Speaking of good tools, I'm thinking about ordering one of these - Tenma Tenma Solder Fume Extractor With Carbon Filter 110VAC Soldering Equipment & Solder at Markertek.com - anyone ever use something like it?

[luvdunhill]

I wonder how close it needs to be effective? I'd be curious how it turns out.

[n_maher]

I wonder how close it needs to be effective? I'd be curious how it turns out.

I'm most concerned about that as well and that's what is keeping me from pulling the trigger. I've already heard from one user that it's range is like less than a foot, which is unacceptable.

[The Monkey]

This info may be elsewhere, but I can't find it so apologies in advance...

Can you guys recommend a decent SPL meter that I could use for volume matching, etc.?

[EdipisReks]

I use the $10 harbor freight one, that looks very similar to the one Nate posted. It works okay.

i have the same one. i usually use a Zippo, not that i make many cables any more.

[aerius]

Speaking of good tools, I'm thinking about ordering one of these - Tenma Tenma Solder Fume Extractor With Carbon Filter 110VAC Soldering Equipment & Solder at Markertek.com - anyone ever use something like it?

They're next to useless unless you can cram it right behind whatever you're soldering, which means it won't work well at all if you're doing point to point work or soldering within a chassis. It's ok if you're working on a PCB and can put the thing right up against the board.

Back when I worked in the electronics assembly industry we'd use something like this unit where there's a flexible vacuum hose that can be positioned directly over the work being soldered. The vacuum & filter unit goes under the workbench and the hose gets moved around to wherever it's needed, so even if you're working in the middle of a chassis you can put the hose right over it and let it suck away all the fumes. Unfortunately they ain't cheap to say the least.

[CarlSeibert]

I've had one of these for a long time. It seems to do all the things - well, the one thing,actually - that a heat gun does with no problems.

Amazon.com: Milwaukee Heat Gun MIL-1220HS Milwaukee Dual Heat Gun: Home Improvement

[cetoole]

I ended up actually ordering another of the ones I had before, after realizing that it lasted a solid 5 years of my abuse, and how handy both the variable temperature feature and handle type are. It is a Grizzly HO800, and I received it yesterday and it is working well.

[CarlSeibert]

Can't kick about the price, either.

[The Monkey]

Thanks guys, all set on the SPL Meter.

[grawk]

btw dinny, digital.

[The Monkey]

Yay!