Questions tagged [tools]
The tools tag has no usage guidance.
130
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How do I cut a trace?
I've often had the need to cut a trace here and there to debug something or fix a bad layout. I've not really come up on a way to do so that's
Safe
Controllable
Reliable (won't magically reconnect if ...
- 12.4k
10
votes
3
answers
3k
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What is the name of the oscilloscope-like software shown in this screenshot?
I'm trying to figure out what this tool is, to use it as an oscilloscope. I found it here.
- 343
0
votes
4
answers
207
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Soldering tip is made of copper enclosed in other metals
Why is a soldering tip made of copper enclosed in other metals?
Why is it not just simply solid copper?
- 399
10
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1
answer
1k
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What is this soldering tweezer like tool called?
I long ago used a tool in a workshop which looks very like a metal tweezer but unlike a tweezer its holder arms are normally tightly closed and opens when one pushes it. So it was used to hold lets ...
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1
answer
80
views
Megger manual warning clarification
When a manual of a Megger warns:
The measurement time must not
exceed 10 seconds if the measured resistance is less than 1.5 MΩ at 500 VDC position or less than 5 MΩ at 1000 VDC position"
The ...
- 75
17
votes
4
answers
5k
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Why do cordless tool batteries have a circuit board connected?
The other day I got tired of buying replacement 18 V battery packs for my power tools (drill, ripsaw, etc.) and I thought to myself, surely by this day and age the price of lithium-ion batteries can't ...
- 189
4
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Best trick to strip wire in the middle (to connect elements in the middle)
I have a simple 22 AWG wire that needs to connect to multiple elements. Every connection is a solder joint. I would rather not cut up small wires, as it's for a batch run.
Normally I'd love to use ...
- 369
0
votes
0
answers
63
views
What is this tool called? Variable frequency drive + function generator=?
For a while (probably since I found out that switch mode power supply transformers run at different frequenciess, much higher than mains) I've wanted a device that can produce different frequencies, ...
- 71
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votes
3
answers
76
views
What is the real and apparent power of these steel cutters?
The US market model of this steel cutter is 120 VAC, 13.0 Amp.
The NZ market model is 230 VAC, 1,100 W.
I am trying to wrap my head around whether 1,100 W is the real power and so whether the apparent ...
- 445
0
votes
3
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165
views
What parts in the hot air gun may be damaged while blowing air, intermittently, into closed carton-box? [closed]
I saw (around the web) that many peoples are using their hot air gun
to blow hot air into a carton-box (300°C position) and turns the
carton-box to a kind of oven, in order to cured painted object
etc....
- 75
2
votes
2
answers
616
views
BNC and SMA cable testing
Are there tools for checking (or that could be adapted to check) if BNC or SMA coaxial cables are in spec for things like proper shielding, impedance (across their bandwidth), etc.? I've found lots of ...
- 61
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votes
1
answer
179
views
Which crimp terminal is crimped correctly?
I've loaded the crimp terminal two different ways in my crimper, but I haven't the experience to say which is correct.
Cursory web research doesn't seem to answer the question.
Edit: this is the first ...
- 287
0
votes
0
answers
53
views
Get port signal mapping Excel file from PDF schematic
I would like to know on an open source tool which exists to get port signal mapping Excel file from PDF schematic. It will be super useful to me, as the current design has a high pin count FPGA, and ...
- 354
4
votes
3
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2k
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What tool is used to crimp DIP connectors onto ribbon cable?
I have to attach some 14-pin DIP headers (looks like these) to a 14-connector ribbon cable. I have the headers and the cable, but realize I don't know how to crimp them on correctly. I'm sure there's ...
- 1,575
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votes
1
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93
views
how can I figure out if 1-3V is flowing from something using household items?
Basically what the (unconventional) question says! I don't have a voltmeter at home. How can I fashion one, or use some kind of test to determine if current is flowing? I know it's a relatively low ...
- 33
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1
answer
797
views
D-punch/die set for SMA panel cut-out [closed]
I'm looking for a D-punch/die set for SMA bulkhead cut-outs into 1mm thick plastic. Coax connector manufacturers don't seem to offer such tools (even though there are many manufacturers offering such ...
- 2,366
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2
answers
738
views
Is it possible to run a 3ph 220/440V motor on a standard 120/240V home circuit? [closed]
I have only basic knowledge in electronics and am looking for advice.
I have the opportunity to get a really good deal on a Band Saw, a Jet J8203K. A manual for this saw can be found here http://...
- 1
0
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0
answers
27
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How shoud I create an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) in MATLAB when I have a lot of inputs?
In a fuzzy inference system, when the number of inputs increases, they usually either reduce the rules or, in order not to make mistakes, write the ruless between several nested systems, right?
For ...
8
votes
2
answers
1k
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Help identify this tool
I found this tool in a toolkit which I had lying around.
I am not sure what this is as I didn't purchase this kit.
The kit, in addition, had a ratchet screwdriver, bits and some tweezers and a ...
- 83
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1
answer
184
views
What is the intended use of this electrician's screwdriver? [closed]
I have this screwdriver with a "special" tip:
It happens to be a Klein 732 (the tip style is also conveniently marked on the handle):
Problem is, I've never found a screw that this will ...
- 1,226
2
votes
1
answer
105
views
Can I rely on a the simulation of an op-amp based differential amplifier without looking at my op-amps common mode signal
Can I rely on what a simulator gives me for the output of an op-amp based differential amplifier without verifying that the common mode input to my op-amp is between the voltages of my op amp's power ...
- 20.3k
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2
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77
views
What is the cause of this drastically different simulation behavior with slight variation in capacitor values?
This site uses Circuit Lab's schematic and simulation tool, for which I am grateful. Recently, I was attempting to modify a circuit present in this answer to a question.
simulate this circuit – ...
- 20.3k
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0
answers
156
views
What is the name/type of this soldering iron tip?
I have a soldering iron station called Dibotech soldering station 60W which is a temperature controlled soldering station. You can set the temperature of the tip between 50-480 degrees Celsius.
The ...
- 101
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1
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94
views
How could a dental lab micromotor start at high current and torque without damaging anything?
If you are familiar with dental micromotors, there are generally two kinds of them in foot pedals: simple switch or variable speed (like throttle.)
The simple one acts like a push button to be ...
0
votes
1
answer
150
views
What's the best tool to close a circuit on purpose
I have a PCB with some cheap SM switches (the ones with discs kept in place with adhesive tape or something like that).
I am using a screwdriver which is not reliable and I was thinking of something ...
- 205
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vote
1
answer
273
views
Best tool bits for PCB cut outs (board shapes and slots) when prototyping with desktop CNC milling machine?
I have a cheap desktop CNC that I have successfully done some PCB prototypes on using 10 and 30 degree 0.1mm V-bits. When it comes time to doing the cut-outs I started with a 1.5 mm end mill with four ...
- 475
0
votes
3
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141
views
Is there anything like spring steel hold-down probes to help with SMT assembly?
I occasionally do minor SMT assembly and re-work. I know the standard practice for holding parts is to glue them, but sometimes I'd like to have a more temporary approach. For example, sometimes I ...
- 113
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votes
2
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107
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Can somebody list all the tools in this photo [closed]
Can somebody list all the tools on this image? I'm building my lab and I ill need a list of must-have electronic instruments. My goal is to 3d print parts and builds drones. Drone recharging stations ...
- 99
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1
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90
views
Measuring very dim light-- charged glow in the dark paint [closed]
I am not even a novice, but was directed here by several companies when they couldn't help me with finding a tool.
I am setting up an experiment to determine which glow pigments are brightest.
Full ...
0
votes
2
answers
162
views
Why this Plier is advertised with conductive handle? [duplicate]
See the product here.
Ok, I cannot think why I would want the handle to be conductive. What is the deal?
- 2,056
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50
views
Did anybody ever measure the watt use (startup, idle/low/intense use, stalling) of a 18 V power tool?
I am curious about the actual power in watt a 18 V power tool like an angle grinder or router actually use over time (Makita, DeWalt, Bosch, etc.).
I have seen people running such tools not with a ...
0
votes
1
answer
196
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How did I break this desoldering pump?
I have this 30W desoldering tool from Velleman which I've used a few times without any issues... until I decided I wanted a finer nozzle.
I turned it on after replacing the tip , and the base just ...
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Limit KiCAD track selection to current layer
When I do the track selection in KiCAD and click Select -> Connected Tracks it also selects tracks connected through vias on the back of the board.
I only want ...
- 247
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votes
0
answers
84
views
Preferred resistor (E series) value optimiser
Is there a tool to find the closest optimum preferred resistor values given a list of constraints?
For example I'm designing a filter but only have a few odd resistor and capacitor values to choose ...
- 99
1
vote
2
answers
929
views
Controlling heat gun's element: where to put SSR without disturbing motor
I'm working on a pet project of mine, creating a coffee roaster, where I'm using a heat gun as the heat source. To improve my control of the heat output of the gun, I've set up an Arduino to control a ...
- 113
1
vote
1
answer
2k
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Electro Pounce Alternative ideas [closed]
I'm a sign writer and often need to transfer patterns / designs to paper in a perforated way. Small holes in the outline of the design allow chalk or charcoal to be applied through the paper to the ...
- 111
0
votes
1
answer
37
views
Specs for an AC Power Bank as an Outlet Replacement
I've been seeing cheaper and cheaper power banks on Amazon, and have even started to see them in hardware stores.
My impression is that most people will use them to tailgate or to power batter pack ...
- 729
12
votes
1
answer
1k
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Identify these wide ended tweezers
Working in an electronics lab, we do micro soldering and I came across the tool pictured. No Idea what it's is for. I'm guessing its some tool for holding or removing chips as you rework a PCB. I don'...
- 462
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votes
4
answers
2k
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Why do LCR meter manufacturers give the details of measurement frequency to us?
When you want to purchase a DMM, more probably you don't see at what frequency the DMM you considered would work, but in the situation you're considering to purchase an LCR meter, manufacturers give ...
- 4,608
2
votes
1
answer
207
views
Ground plane: is there a tool to identify choke points of a fragmented copper polygon in Eagle?
As they say a picture says a thousand words. Consider this extreme example:
You have this copper polygon (a ground plane), but due to other signals routed on the same layer, the polygon comes to a ...
- 5,331
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votes
1
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972
views
Is this soldering iron and power supply combo grounded and if so, how?
I'm interested in a TS100 soldering iron as a decent starter iron and a light one that doesn't take up too much space. It doesn't come with a power supply though, presumably to keep it flexible as it ...
- 167
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votes
2
answers
4k
views
Power tool safety: Grounding v/s Double insulation
OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1926.404(f)(7)(iv) states that electric power tools must be grounded except when they are double insulated. I quote from the Black & Decker rotary drill manual: "Do not use ...
- 93
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1
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80
views
What physical tool to use to quickly dump firmware?
Recently, I managed to take a dump of the firmware and write a modified one using the pins that I marked with red by soldering 4 thin wires to those points. Now, I needed to perform this more than 50 ...
- 5
1
vote
1
answer
2k
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Coplanar Waveguide Calculations PCBS, AppCAD v.s. Online calculators
So lately I noticed that the Coplanar Waveguid calculations of AppCAD (http://www.hp.woodshot.com/) did not give the same result as the online calculators do.
https://chemandy.com/calculators/...
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6
votes
2
answers
1k
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Multimeter true RMS [closed]
I'm just getting started with electronics (arduinos and friends) and I would like to get a multimeter. As far as I can tell arduinos and any other logic chips and circuits I'm gonna be using are using ...
- 213
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votes
4
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252
views
Does this appliance break UK safety laws?
Good evening.
I recently purchased this active suction SMD pick-up tool from AliExpress:
When it arrived, it seemed to work fine. However, when I opened it up (to investigate the feasibility of ...
- 1,305
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0
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523
views
Fast but affordable way to crimp dupont connectors
I'm currently doing a small production run of a board I designed. It features a few pin header type dupont connectors which are used to attach cables to the board.
Now, I can surely crimp this using ...
- 370
0
votes
1
answer
145
views
Line splitter for 230VAC in the UK? [closed]
In the U.S. where I am from, my company's field techs are required to measure AC wall current of our products frequently. To to this, they either make their own harness with a Hot (Line) wire to clamp ...
- 302
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votes
2
answers
7k
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How to crimp ferrules without a tool?
I want to crimp these guys.
Is it better to just not use a ferrule at all if I cannot find the right crimping tool, and just fold the wire on two, or is there a good manual way to do it? I have ...
- 921
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votes
1
answer
372
views
AC mains wire finder + live wire equivalent circuit [duplicate]
I'm talking about devices for tracing hidden AC mains wires in walls like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-in-1-LCD-Wall-Detector-Stud-Center-Finder-AC-Live-Wire-Metal-Detector-Scanner-/...
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