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The Word 17
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The Word 17 (Disk 2 of 2).adf
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04-essential.TxT
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04-essential.TxT
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1998-01-06
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$fdf Essential Things
----------------
$7ff Phil97
$fbeHere's a list of useful stuff that no self respecting computer /
electronics fiddler should be without. Maplins is a good source for
such stuff but they can be bought cheaper elsewhere.
Hot glue gun
------------
Indespensible for 101 jobs around the home and PCB! Stress relief on
cables, anchoring wayward wires, fitting switches without proper screws,
fixing LEDs in place..
Heat Shrink Tubing (various diameters)
--------------------------------------
Covers and all those joined-wire bodges a treat, stress relief and
insulation on wires soldered to switches etc. Just remember to slide a
bit on the wire (BEFORE you solder it:) then warm it up.
Solder sucker and braid
-----------------------
Makes repairs and component removal a breeze. Heat the soldered joint,
suck up the bulk of the solder with the solder sucker, then apply the
solder braid and the iron and any excess solder will be soaked up.
Super glue activator spray
--------------------------
Super glue is all very well if the 2 surfaces are a clean break and you
can hold em together easily. But with a can of activator, you can join
loads of stuff that super glue alone wont touch. Just use the glue as
normal and spray on the activator, it goes rock solid in seconds!
Decent soldering iron
---------------------
A low wattage iron with a FINE tip is what you need for electronics work
(preferably with a stand). Dont try to get by with an industrial spec
iron with a tip the size of a spade! Go for a 17watt Antex iron,
they're cheap enough.
Pocket Multimeter
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With a continuity tester on it (for checking fuses / breaks in wires
etc). No need for one with a million functions on it really, just
voltage check and continuity.
Pair of pliers and wire cutters
-------------------------------
There never seems to be a job where a bit of brute force isnt required,
so a pair of pliers is essential. However, I generally find the
integral wire cutters in pliers to be pretty useless so I'd advise
getting a dedicated pair of side-cutters as well.
Screwdriver set
---------------
Nothing worse than chewing up a Phillips screw with the wrong size
screw- driver then not being able to get it out. The outlay of a few
quid is well worth it to avoid such stress.
$affend