This is the guy who started it all for me. I was entertained by his videos in '10, loved him, and I am now part of creative Microsystems building coin sized computer for money! Thanks Collin! We miss you!
Collin's videos have changed my life. I know that's overly dramatic, but I don't know how else to put it. He explains things so well, they just make sense.
These are Honestly some of the best Electronics Instruction Videos I've seen. Clear concise explanations, Easy to follow, and Humourous and Fun .. Go Colin !!
Dear Collin, With the help of your videos and a few others, I started making prototypes and circuit boards and just last thursday I was granted my first patent. Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to at LEAST a few of us!
Collin, your tool suggestions are right on. The advice was right on too. Your delivery was great. My favorite needle nose pliers, which I have two, are 4" Diamond, made in the USA. Thanks for the great presentation. Joe
+Zer0's Supremacy Hey everyone, the greatest results that ive ever had was with the Gregs Electro Blog (i found it on google) definately the most useful info i've followed.
I come back to this video pretty often every year without fail to make sure i have everything listed here for work. Very useful video wish he made more
after all these years of 'suffering', lol the panavise in, both formats, will not just save my sanity but also make life easier. thanks for the info dude!
afterthought.....my first thought was to build one myself (pretty simple) due to the fact you can't purchase 'bugger all' here in Europe and import tax is the official 'aka' for state sponsored monetary rape. off to the workshop I go then to make: something useful ;)
Been tinkering for many years, I'm reassured to see I already have most of this. But there's always something in these video's that is a good and new idea to me. Keep up the good work!
13 ปีที่แล้ว +1
I don't know anything about eletronic but I can watch this all night :D
FINALLY a person who shows us a NORMAL soldering iron. Metcal is still the best. The normal 24Vac Weller is good for soldering pierced holes (optional with sized tips depends on hole's size)
@ChozoSR388 Let me be more clear. I can use a Dremel, a soldering iron and a wire cutter (tools) to make a PCB. And to test it out I'll use an osciloscope and a multimeter (measuring instruments [instruments]). According to the context you're using, you can use both to say something is an instrument or a tool. In this case, some of us consider the multimeter as an instrument and not a tool.
Tin snips are hardly used for Tin anymore but they are good for almost any kind of sheet metal up to a certain thickness, its one of the most useful tools I own
Awesome video as always. Something that I am surprised that you didn't include under the desoldering tool section is copper desoldering wick. I always use it after a pump to clean up the last little bit of left over solder. Also, in most situations, it can handle the whole desoldering job by itself if you're patient. I love these "Collin's Lab" vids. They're always informative and entertaining.
Recently discovered an awesome tool/trick. To remove a component for reuse-Pull on it lightly then hit the underside of the board with a heat gun on high and close. With just a little pulling when the solder softens, the component will come out nice and clean.
Hemostats are a great idea! I would also add that a lot of problems with bad soldering isn't the iron's fault, it's that they haven't been tinned most of the time. Also you forgot the desoldering wick.
Colin, FYI, 3 in 1 oil is good for tools but I found another product you might want to look in to. It's CorrosionX It not only protects/lubricates tools but has a dielectric strength of 40,000 V. I found this at a hardware store and the guy there told me it would help keep rust off my tools. I gave it a try and it worked great. I went to there web site and found lots of info and 1 of the formulas works on electronics. Go to there web site and let me know what you think
It was a new soldering iron (so also the tip) and I always use rosin core it just turned out that the 80W iron got to hot because since I added a in-line dimmer and got the right temperature everything works great and the tip isn't a problem anymore I love this new setup (instead of a simple 30W iron I now have some kind of 80W station :)
3:10 for cutting PCBs to length I'd recommend the: MicroLux Mini Tilt Arbor Table Saw. Or Proxxon FKS/E for people outside US. This with the diamond blade is really convenient for that job. I'm not paid to advertise this. I'm just sharing with you what works for me.
another more expensive high quality soldering station: the weller ws81t goes for around 300-400 bucks and its a joy to work with. Adjustable temperature, nice flexible cable and an weller stop and go soldering iron holder, which shuts down the soldering iron if unused, which saves a lot of expenive tips :)
Metcal's what I use at work. Awesome iron, though I like it best because it has such a short tip length. Not great at tight spaces, and they get kinda hot after a lot of constant use, but the amount of control you get outweighs these problems many times over. Too long a tip kills accuracy.
My Xytronic XY-258 fell apart literally right in my hand. Now I use a Weller soldering station. I am much more happy with the Weller, and my soldering looks professional.
Being an Aussie I cant help but chuckle when he says Sodering, even thought the test says Soldering. But all that aside, I do like Collins vids. Informative and entertaining.
I'm very visually impaired and just getting into electronics. To see what I'm working with, I've purchased a clampable phone stand, and use an app that sends my phone's camera to my PC so I can work by looking at my monitor zoomed in. This magnifying visor seems pretty amazing though
I would love to know what you would use if a certain tool was not present and, you NEED or WANT to finish a project/fix. For instance, would you use scissors in place of wire cutters? While I'm at it, what would be in a poor man's tool kit?
Collin, please make a video explaining the "Pros and Cons" of using both Leaded and Unleaded Solder. Also please make a video explaining which rechargeable batteries are better to use.
what about light, fume exhaustion and as stated by other people, multimeters and other test equipment. Also what laser printer and etcher do you currently use. I know there is a older video about etching but i guess newer tools come form time to time.
Well, oscilloscopes are quite expensive, and you probably won't need it for most hobby-level projects. As for the fume extractor, you can make one, solder by the window, or outside; it's not truly essential unless you solder a couple times a week (or more frequently) or for long periods of time. I agree with you on the multimeter, though, even a cheap $10 one will cover most of your needs, and you'll be needing it always.
My artillery: Propane Powered Soldering Iron Solder Braid (screw solder suckers) Helping Hands Variety Pack of Heat Shrink Tubing A variety of snips and pliers Automatic Wirestrippers Variety of Bit-Sets
@bahstrike It might be useful for specific circuits, but certainly not a basic tool that you must have if you want to do anything with electronics (the only thing I can think of right now, is to check voltage if you switch from AC to DC or something, a lot of the time people have a DC power source though)
Desoldering wicks are easier for me to use and probably cheaper than a desoldering pump. I was never sure how you were supposed to get the solder globs out of a pump. I especially like the wicks because I can cut off a 1 inch section and hand it to a friend who needs it or when I don't want to hold something clumsy when I don't have helping hands type tools around.
I'm guessing that the solder melts. Well solder not sticking to the iron could mean a bad soldering iron tip. That's why the top of the tip is different from the bottom. It's designed for good stickiness and other performance enhancements.
I need to buy a new multi-bit warranty voiding set and some wire strippers too, my teeth don't work neatly enough (is it just me, or has the plastic covering on wires become more stretchy and the copper become thinner and easier to break?)
i just subscribed to your channel and i have a question. You mentioned we can buy many of this tools from Amazon or eBay but the real question is can those tools can talk back😂😁😀. Really enjoyed watching this video and waiting for the next one. Thanks sir.
many thanks and sharing a good piece of work . Now i am ready to buy some other things which i do not have before and also this video help that which tools for which purpose. now i am ready to learn electronic so quick.
+Eric Escamilla www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Pro-Tech-Toolkit/IF145-072-1 It's a great tool set, a little expensive but a world of quality difference compared to $20 sets you find at the hardware store. Just try not to lose any of the bits!
@steamnerfer195 True but with a lighter you can burn the tubing and you don't always get even shrinkage. Also I thought they'd use that since they have a bunch of other technical gadgets.
It's 2020 and I just came across Collin's Lab. You are the man!
For me it's 2021
Wonder what happened to him? He seems like a genuine character
@@Jamslerr I see him sometimes over at adafruit's channel
For me it's 2022 and I'm running out of his videos
@@Jamslerr he also has his own channel. Try looking for Collin Cunningham. 👍🏻
This is the guy who started it all for me. I was entertained by his videos in '10, loved him, and I am now part of creative Microsystems building coin sized computer for money! Thanks Collin! We miss you!
He's gone? what happened?
Justin F ditto I wanna know to:)
Miss him?
Collin's videos have changed my life. I know that's overly dramatic, but I don't know how else to put it. He explains things so well, they just make sense.
These are Honestly some of the best Electronics Instruction Videos I've seen. Clear concise explanations, Easy to follow, and Humourous and Fun .. Go Colin !!
I realise I'm 7 years late but this video is great, love the personality!
better than me lol. I'm 12 years late 😂
My Electrical Engineering homework break consists of watching this video... which makes it oddly efficient. Thanks Collin!
Dear Collin,
With the help of your videos and a few others, I started making prototypes and circuit boards and just last thursday I was granted my first patent.
Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to at LEAST a few of us!
"ensure you're able to void nearly any warranty" I think I may have found a motto I can get behind.
Colin is the only teacher I ever needed.
Came back 10 years later and the intro was definitely nostalgia
and what about the digital multimeter?
Stick with fluke, saved my ass many times. Chinese multimeters can kill.
Collin, your tool suggestions are right on. The advice was right on too. Your delivery was great. My favorite needle nose pliers, which I have two, are 4" Diamond, made in the USA. Thanks for the great presentation. Joe
you mean "FreedOhm"!
+Zer0's Supremacy Hey everyone, the greatest results that ive ever had was with the Gregs Electro Blog (i found it on google) definately the most useful info i've followed.
Get out!
Imad Kharchouf
hhhhhhh ok sm7li xD
HHHHHHHHH,, MEGHRIIIBIII??
saha echeikh !!!
You sir, can easily cross the line between seriousness and comedy very easily.
What?!?!? No helping hands? Ah, this video is 9 years old and still relevant. Legend.
@MainVuper Collin considers a multimeter to be a "test instrument" - though it is, of course, vital!
I come back to this video pretty often every year without fail to make sure i have everything listed here for work. Very useful video wish he made more
I wish you we would keep putting new vids out. I'm here now and ready to watch them all
Pure joy - danke! The debate on purchasing the magnifying visor has been settled.
I still come back just to listen to Colin.
I dig this guy ..has good sense of humor not to mention he really knows his stuff!
Thanks for making this video!! I bought the Weller WLC100 and it made a world of difference compared to the knock-off I was using. Lesson learned.
Not just you.
Those cheapos, not worthy
I love Collin's Lab! Every time one comes out I know I'm going to have fun for the next 10 minutes. Faux candid moments are hilarious
after all these years of 'suffering', lol
the panavise in, both formats, will not just save my sanity but also make life easier. thanks for the info dude!
afterthought.....my first thought was to build one myself (pretty simple) due to the fact you can't purchase 'bugger all' here in Europe and import tax is the official 'aka' for state sponsored monetary rape.
off to the workshop I go then to make: something useful ;)
There is something so oddly satisfying about these videos.
Been tinkering for many years, I'm reassured to see I already have most of this. But there's always something in these video's that is a good and new idea to me. Keep up the good work!
I don't know anything about eletronic but I can watch this all night :D
FINALLY a person who shows us a NORMAL soldering iron.
Metcal is still the best. The normal 24Vac Weller is good for soldering pierced holes (optional with sized tips depends on hole's size)
Afrotechmod's and Collin's Lab educational videos are more effective than the ones at school...... and they are cool and entertaining.
@ChozoSR388 Let me be more clear. I can use a Dremel, a soldering iron and a wire cutter (tools) to make a PCB. And to test it out I'll use an osciloscope and a multimeter (measuring instruments [instruments]). According to the context you're using, you can use both to say something is an instrument or a tool. In this case, some of us consider the multimeter as an instrument and not a tool.
i love talking to tools and love those who talk to their's.... you are cool Colin.
You are a geek and you have a good sense of humor
ye Colin, make your own channel, I'm not into electronics, but man... I love watching your videos!!!
colins lab is hands down the best series that make magazine has
Tin snips are hardly used for Tin anymore but they are good for almost any kind of sheet metal up to a certain thickness, its one of the most useful tools I own
Awesome video as always. Something that I am surprised that you didn't include under the desoldering tool section is copper desoldering wick. I always use it after a pump to clean up the last little bit of left over solder. Also, in most situations, it can handle the whole desoldering job by itself if you're patient.
I love these "Collin's Lab" vids. They're always informative and entertaining.
Recently discovered an awesome tool/trick. To remove a component for reuse-Pull on it lightly then hit the underside of the board with a heat gun on high and close. With just a little pulling when the solder softens, the component will come out nice and clean.
Carl Carrano wow thats cool thanks man thats gonna be pretty useful later on(:
Hemostats are a great idea! I would also add that a lot of problems with bad soldering isn't the iron's fault, it's that they haven't been tinned most of the time. Also you forgot the desoldering wick.
anyone else feel like this is dwight schrutes brother?
You mean Reggie Dwight, aka Elton John? Kind of. But more like the Emergency Medical Hologram from Voyager, ie, Robert Picardo.
Colin, FYI,
3 in 1 oil is good for tools but I found another product you might want to look in to. It's CorrosionX It not only protects/lubricates tools but has a dielectric strength of 40,000 V. I found this at a hardware store and the guy there told me it would help keep rust off my tools. I gave it a try and it worked great. I went to there web site and found lots of info and 1 of the formulas works on electronics. Go to there web site and let me know what you think
Always great information. And I love your style Collin!
It was a new soldering iron (so also the tip) and I always use rosin core
it just turned out that the 80W iron got to hot because since I added a in-line dimmer and got the right temperature everything works great and the tip isn't a problem anymore
I love this new setup (instead of a simple 30W iron I now have some kind of 80W station :)
3:10 for cutting PCBs to length I'd recommend the: MicroLux Mini Tilt Arbor Table Saw. Or Proxxon FKS/E for people outside US. This with the diamond blade is really convenient for that job. I'm not paid to advertise this. I'm just sharing with you what works for me.
another more expensive high quality soldering station: the weller ws81t goes for around 300-400 bucks and its a joy to work with. Adjustable temperature, nice flexible cable and an weller stop and go soldering iron holder, which shuts down the soldering iron if unused, which saves a lot of expenive tips :)
Metcal's what I use at work. Awesome iron, though I like it best because it has such a short tip length. Not great at tight spaces, and they get kinda hot after a lot of constant use, but the amount of control you get outweighs these problems many times over. Too long a tip kills accuracy.
Dear Mr Cunningham,
You are the Best
Regards
Collin's the only guy cool enough for tools to talk to.
Collin is just all different types of AWESOME rolled in to one
My Xytronic XY-258 fell apart literally right in my hand. Now I use a Weller soldering station. I am much more happy with the Weller, and my soldering looks professional.
I like the way you talk..the way you presented things
Being an Aussie I cant help but chuckle when he says Sodering, even thought the test says Soldering. But all that aside, I do like Collins vids. Informative and entertaining.
Though it is spelled soldering, it is pronounced sodering. In the same way you say walking or talking. You don't pronounce the L.
Outside of the USA the 'L' in solder is very much pronounced :)
Justin F Oh! I am American so that's good to know!
And the way Americans say sem-eye when what they mean is semi.
I'm very visually impaired and just getting into electronics.
To see what I'm working with, I've purchased a clampable phone stand, and use an app that sends my phone's camera to my PC so I can work by looking at my monitor zoomed in.
This magnifying visor seems pretty amazing though
I would love to know what you would use if a certain tool was not present and, you NEED or WANT to finish a project/fix. For instance, would you use scissors in place of wire cutters?
While I'm at it, what would be in a poor man's tool kit?
I recommend the Weller WES51 soldering iron for about $120. It is perfect for this kind of work and has replaceable tips, a very important feature.
i love this series so much
I use a firelight to strip wires..
Oh yes and thanks for your nice videos, you are my favorite of make.
Love those super-sized vise jobs!!!Great video......
Collin, please make a video explaining the "Pros and Cons" of using both Leaded and Unleaded Solder. Also please make a video explaining which rechargeable batteries are better to use.
@TheAAMoy the multimeter is very uselful too you can t aproximate the voltage ,ma or anything else.every electronaut should have on
what about light, fume exhaustion and as stated by other people, multimeters and other test equipment. Also what laser printer and etcher do you currently use. I know there is a older video about etching but i guess newer tools come form time to time.
Haven't you always wanted to use his iron, it's so awesome
This was super helpful and understandable for beginners.
Thanks so so much for all the helpful tips, you are amazing. I love watching all your videos.
will you please tell me what sort oil you use for the lubrication of your tools.
Nice screwdriver set, can be a use of my gunsmithing. Do you know where I can find like yours?
Who thinks this guy should have a show on Discovery or something? It would be like Good Eats but about Electronics.
3:36 I use the same automatic wire stripper, except it is Radio Shack branded
I think solder-wick works much better than those spring pumps you displayed for removing solder. Good video by the way.
Where do you purchase these high grade wire strippers snipers and tweezers at?
YES. Metcal. I used one at work and fell in love.
no mention of a multimeter? or is that not a tool
That's just pure magic man.
vwwvwwwvwwwvwwvvwwvw Nah man just lick the contacts and guess the voltage based on how much it tingles ;)
JackRedstonia just Bridge the main with a #12 wire then turn the main on... the bigger the pop, the higher the voltage
Well, oscilloscopes are quite expensive, and you probably won't need it for most hobby-level projects. As for the fume extractor, you can make one, solder by the window, or outside; it's not truly essential unless you solder a couple times a week (or more frequently) or for long periods of time. I agree with you on the multimeter, though, even a cheap $10 one will cover most of your needs, and you'll be needing it always.
What was the screw driver set? It looked nice
My artillery:
Propane Powered Soldering Iron
Solder Braid (screw solder suckers)
Helping Hands
Variety Pack of Heat Shrink Tubing
A variety of snips and pliers
Automatic Wirestrippers
Variety of Bit-Sets
@bahstrike It might be useful for specific circuits, but certainly not a basic tool that you must have if you want to do anything with electronics (the only thing I can think of right now, is to check voltage if you switch from AC to DC or something, a lot of the time people have a DC power source though)
What screw driver set is that?
Desoldering wicks are easier for me to use and probably cheaper than a desoldering pump. I was never sure how you were supposed to get the solder globs out of a pump. I especially like the wicks because I can cut off a 1 inch section and hand it to a friend who needs it or when I don't want to hold something clumsy when I don't have helping hands type tools around.
Your tools talked much about you! Thanks for the video. You forgot the light source!
I would like to know what kind od screwdriver set you have there.
I'm guessing that the solder melts.
Well solder not sticking to the iron could mean a bad soldering iron tip.
That's why the top of the tip is different from the bottom.
It's designed for good stickiness and other performance enhancements.
This is a great video. Lots of good information with lots of laughs along the way.
I need to buy a new multi-bit warranty voiding set and some wire strippers too, my teeth don't work neatly enough (is it just me, or has the plastic covering on wires become more stretchy and the copper become thinner and easier to break?)
i just subscribed to your channel and i have a question. You mentioned we can buy many of this tools from Amazon or eBay but the real question is can those tools can talk back😂😁😀.
Really enjoyed watching this video and waiting for the next one. Thanks sir.
Collin's Lab should be its own channel...
many thanks and sharing a good piece of work . Now i am ready to buy some other things which i do not have before and also this video help that which tools for which purpose. now i am ready to learn electronic so quick.
why do you have heat shrink tubing on your helping hands?
What is the product description for the screwdriver set at 8:16 ?
+Eric Escamilla
www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Pro-Tech-Toolkit/IF145-072-1
It's a great tool set, a little expensive but a world of quality difference compared to $20 sets you find at the hardware store. Just try not to lose any of the bits!
Thanks, fam!
Hey Collin, did that curved tip come with the Metcal or did you specifically select it?
@steamnerfer195 True but with a lighter you can burn the tubing and you don't always get even shrinkage. Also I thought they'd use that since they have a bunch of other technical gadgets.
As soon as I hear the first two notes of the intro song, my heart starts to race.
who makes that screwdriver set? looks nice.
@treesquids INTERESTING! what is it u made if u dont mind me asking
Where can i find the screwing thingys?
Dry sense of humor, my favorite, thanks for the info. Subscribed and liked, I'll be back.
I've had great luck with a butane powered soldering torch made by Bernz-O-Matic. I like the lack of cord and the built-in stand.
Have you tried using a new tip? Or Rosin-cored solder?
Where are you Colin?! I visit the make channel only for your video!
Collin is the only one left at make that is still interesting to watch! where is KIPKAY!
What were you building with the TI chip at 7:22 ?
Erem does a free sharpening service or so I hear are they any better then engineer?