Too nice to use! 
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As i find myself starting a first build of a phono stage it strikes me there is need and want for toolage. Bought a soldering iron, adjustable, Weller 1010, so that’s taken care of.
Flush cutting snips, long nosed pliers and a compact wire stripper spring to mind. Any recs welcome especially if complete with a link to a current price reduction:)
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Definitely a solder sucker
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solder sucker
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haha jinx
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That’s now on the list, cheers.
Some sort of circuit board holder.
Ok, is that an actual thing or could i jury rig something, it’s not as if im short of clamps 
This sort of thing.
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For small items an illuminated magnifier is useful, but I suspect that you won’t be using small components…
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Nipple clamps may not work.
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I’ll go and have a look for one the next size up, at that price it’s not worth making one. Cheers.
My favourite solder sucker
Has a flexible silicone end which allows you to get a nice seal.
For cutters / pliers I like Lindstrom or Erem or Tronex, but they’re quite expensive.
These are not crack money and my last pair lasted 27 years.
Lindstrom 8140 Diagonal Cutting Nipper - Micro Bevel https://amzn.eu/d/5jmI0An
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I have no earthly need for a solder sucker, purchased.
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Cheers Pete. Spendy tools, resistance is futile
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Oh yeah, you can spend a fortune (ask me how I know!)
It’s worth keeping an eye on Amazon as often they’re randomly heavily discounted.
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Go all in with a set. Includes a handy case that you will forget to put a tool back in. When you need said tool you will immediately go to your handy case to discover the one you need is only one missing.
The goal here is to spend more on the tools than the thing you need them for is worth.
- Specialist tools you are unlikely to use again = match win.
- Tools that are beyond your capabilities = quarter finals.
- Tools that require you to call a friend so they can laugh at you = Semi final.
- Buying the wrong expensive tool that is also dangerous and beyond your ken leading to friends confiscating it for your own good = Trophy time.
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The time will come when you will need to measure electronic things. A good multimeter or two can be dead handy. Over time I’ve picked up three Fluke 89 Mk IVs (it’s claimed that these were the last Flukes made in the US, before most of the work moved to China and just the final assembly step was carried out in the US). They were all second-hand, obviously - two in perfect working order and one needing some minor case repair.
Durable, safe leads (you’ll be holding them, so they need to be adequately voltage rated) and test prods are important too. I find ones like these https://uk.farnell.com/pico-technology/ta090/sprung-hook-4mm-1kv-red/dp/2748611 are good for heavier duty point-to-point wired circuitry. There are more delicate clips for use on pcbs but they don’t last all that long if you try to use them to hang heavy leads onto, say, octal valve socket tags.
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Knipex are nice, but if you’re buying a set I’d just spring for Tronex for a few quid more.
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