Mod Tools

[lukemacneil]

I'm just starting to order up parts and give modding a shot. I've got no more electronics experience than a PC tech.

I want to make sure that I give myself the opportunity to learn with the correct tools so that I can save time, money, and frustration.

I don't own a drill press, and I can't think of any other reason I'd ever use one, so I was trying to decide if something like this would be usable for the purposes of mod building.

Amazon.com: Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station: Home Improvement

Does anyone that has experience modding use one of these, or think it's a tool that I should have?

Thanks,

Luke.

 

[asdaq]

Depends what you want to do with it. Rotary tools are high speed and low torque, and tend to melt plastic rather than 'drill'. But I'm sure if you had this, you could do things you wouldn't have done without it.

 

[bigblue30]

I'm just starting to order up parts and give modding a shot. I've got no more electronics experience than a PC tech.

I want to make sure that I give myself the opportunity to learn with the correct tools so that I can save time, money, and frustration.

I don't own a drill press, and I can't think of any other reason I'd ever use one, so I was trying to decide if something like this would be usable for the purposes of mod building.

Amazon.com: Dremel 220-01 Rotary Tool Work Station: Home Improvement

Does anyone that has experience modding use one of these, or think it's a tool that I should have?

Thanks,

Luke.

For me....The Dremel is second only to my soldering station. Plus cutters and strippers. I do not have it as a "drill press", mine is hand held. If it were me, I would give up the "press" part and get a good selection of tips.

One more sentence and this post could become "R" rated....lol

 

[ThePuck]

A good soldering station is a must first. Second, I use a regular cordless screwdriver/drill to drill most of my holes (small 1/8 inch holes) then use a reamer to get them to the exact size I need. I have a dremel but only use that for cutting brass tubes or slots in plastic. I don't use the dremel for much more than that.

I highly recommend a pan vise or desk vise and also a third hand with magnifying glass is beneficial. You also need a very good light or lights. I use two small LED lights on gooseneck posts that I can point right where I need.

You also need small side cutters, small needle nose pliers, various desoldering tools (comes in handy for other things), A good set of drill bits, small screw drivers, philips and regular. With these tools, you will get by.

A good parts cabinet for storing small parts like connectors and such is also a good thing to have.

I have a lot more "stuff" but this is the basic stuff I use.

If you are getting into creating your own aluminum cases and such, that gets into a whole new arena of tools and presses needed and can get expensive unless one has those tools for another purpose.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I don't use any press. Never had to.

 

[lukemacneil]

Well. I invested in a weller vari temp soldering station and a unibit with 11/32.
The unibit is key, it even allows me to drill out laserpointer nosecones without a vise or drill press.

 

[WillyB]

Well. I invested in a weller vari temp soldering station and a unibit with 11/32.
The unibit is key, it even allows me to drill out laserpointer nosecones without a vise or drill press.

Well without the precision of a drill press (you tend to wobble a bit) I find an 11/32" (8.73mm) bit a tad sloppy for a tight 510 press fit.

For thin material I prefer working up to the perfect size with these.

 

[highoctane22]

I agree with willy, step up drill bits are the only way to go! Tweezers, scissors, razor blades, wire strippers, needle nose pliers, small flat blade screwdriver.

 

[48lowes]

lukemacneil
I've got one of those stands you link to. It sits on the shelf, never used. A dremel tool would be a fine addition to any shop for many different projects, including modding. Check out this dremel wann be The flex shaft saves you wielding around the whole tool. Also it has a stand that holds the actual motor up and off the table. As far a drilling holes, you can start with a small hole and slowly work your way up to the size needed. This insures a snug fit. Even when I do use a step bit I find the hole to be slightly tapered and must finish with a dremel or file. Another tool that you may like Weller Hobby Iron Kit. I found mine at Ace for $20. Just take it slow or you'll melt your entire project like I've done several times. Although this tool works great for melting parts, it also has pretty small tips useful for soldering. Other than these couple items you've got a very good list from the other posts.
happy modding
consider yourself hooked

 

[o4_srt]

Definitely need to throw an x-acto knife in there

You will need a tube of good epoxy as well, I highly recommend 3m's scotch-weld dp-110, stuff is like concrete once fully cured.

A good 5 minute epoxy is good to have as well to temporarily tack things in place before you apply the dp-110.

If you really want to get into it, a variable voltage dc lab power supply (rated at least 2 amps) and a non-solder breadboard come in handy for testing circuits before you build
Sent from my MSM using Tapatalk

 

[Java_Az]

I picked me one of these up today off craigs list for 40 bucks even came with a small mill table. For sure a score Amazon.com: JET JDP-17MF/354169 Drill Press: Home Improvement