Issues with newly built guitar

Can you tell me if the following items look like good choices? I plan on continuing to work on guitar electronics, but am definitely not a professional as I only do it for a hobby.

Multimeter:
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/multimeters/digital-multimeter-auto-ranging-1000v

Soldering Station:
https://www.weller-tools.com/professional/USA/us/Professional/Product+lines/WE+Line/Soldering+stations+and+sets/WE1010NA

Test Leads:
https://www.kleintools.com/catalog/test-measurement-accessories/replacement-test-lead-set-right-angle

I don't want overkill, but as I said earlier, I don't want to get cheap and end up spending more in the long run. When I first thought about all of this for my first build (Warmoth Strat), I purchased the following solder pencil. It wasn't costly, but it if I end up replacing it, I probably should have gone for the soldering station to begin with. That being said, I like American made stuff, and there are some nice soldering stations from American Beauty Tools, but it hardly seems worth spending 50% more. Anyway, here is a link to a soldering iron similar to the one I purchased. Mine is 40W but they don't seem to have that anymore. This is similar:
https://www.weller-tools.com/bigbang/USA/us/WLIR3012A

Also, do you use shrink tubing a lot? I don't have any of that either. It seems that no one vendor has everything I need, so I end up paying a lot of shipping charges for smaller orders from multiple vendors.
 
For guitar work, this unit from Amazon for $16 will more than suffice for a long time.

For soldering irons, 40W is a good size for all-around work. I know the American Beauties are pricey, but one of those will quite likely last you the rest of your life. They're also repairable if necessary, although it's rarely necessary. Very high quality units. Check out their 3112-40. Also, you'll want a different tip than what comes with it. Chisel tips are usually too large and will burn things up, pointed tips are usually too small and wont' heat parts up enough to prevent cold solder joints. What you want is something like this...

701_PENNY_5212019030158.jpg


The meter will come with test leads, but what he was talking about are these...

914Pll5tozL._AC_UY327_FMwebp_QL65_.jpg


Which come in real handy for temporarily hooking things up, shorting things out, etc. For $6, you'll be glad you have 'em and probably use 'em more often than you might think.
 
Cagey said:
The meter will come with test leads, but what he was talking about are

*she* was talking about, just sayin'
Which come real handy for temporarily hooking things up, shorting things out, etc. For $6, you'll be glad you have 'em and probably use 'em more often than you might think.

And yes, with the note that I get more mileage from micro-grabber ended jumpers I may use alligator type more often, but the micros are the bomb in tight quarters.
 
I apologize; I didn't go back to see who the original poster was. I'll remember for sure now  :icon_biggrin:

Also, I agree about the micro clips. I just thought the general leads would see wider use as a starting point.  I think we all end up getting increasingly specialized tools as we go along, but for starting out...
 
Ozopart said:
Also, do you use shrink tubing a lot? I don't have any of that either. It seems that no one vendor has everything I need, so I end up paying a lot of shipping charges for smaller orders from multiple vendors.

Yep, I use heat shrink tubing often, it's almost always better than electrical tape.
 
Back
Top