Basic Electronics Tools

Pieces of circuitry are soldered to a circuit board.

Knowing how to work with electronic components and assemble them to make a functioning device is a skill that is becoming more and more popular and in higher demand as computers and technology continue to advance. The tools required to work with basic electronic components are actually basic tools that most people have around their houses or that can be found at a local hardware store.

Drill

An electric drill, either cordless or corded, is very useful when working with electronic components. Many times, you will need to drill a hole through a circuit board to attach a component; having a drill, with bits ranging from 1/8 inch to 1/2 inch, makes that project possible. The need also may arise to drill a hole in a metal or plastic case to house your electronic components; again, the drill will be the tool for the job.

Soldering Iron

A soldering iron is a device with a tip that heats to the temperature to melt solder, a metal alloy with a melting point around 360 degrees Fahrenheit. The solder, when it cools, forms an electrical connection between two conductive components. A soldering iron can be electric or combustion-powered; when you are working with small electronic components, the electric version is far more user-friendly and readily available. Solder is used to attach components to each other and to provide a conduit for small amounts of electric current.

Wire Strippers

A big part of electronic work is working with wires. When attaching two or more strands of wire, it is necessary to strip off the protective outer layer of insulation to manipulate the copper wire within. Wire strippers are made for this job. A good set of wire strippers looks like a pair of pliers with tiny grooves notched up its length. Each groove is of a specific size and corresponds to a different thicknesses of wire. The wire is set in the groove; when you pull the wire strippers, the insulation is stripped from the wire.

Pliers

Two types of pliers are commonly used in electronic work: needle-nose pliers and wire-cutting pliers. Needle-nose pliers are used to hold components in place while soldering them or to manipulate small components in tight spaces that are too small for your hands or fingers. Wire cutters are used for cutting lengths of wire and for cutting off the ends of component leads.

Common Tools

Hammers and screwdrivers are frequently used in working with electronic components. A hammer is useful for piecing together or pulling apart the casings of various components. Screwdrivers, both Phillips and flathead, are used for attaching components with screws and bolts to each other or to casings.

References

• Electronic Project Design: Basic Electronic Tools used to assemble electronic projects and electronic kits