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Jump to: ⚙Components, 🛠Tools, 🎥Video Gear
Disclaimer: As an eBay Affiliate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases. Sale price is not affected.
It can be hard to find where to buy components! I have provided links to a lot of the components I use (or similar ones) through these links here:
Please let me know if any links break!
Components:
BYJ48 Stepper Motors (and Drivers)
eBay Link
https://captainbobsim.com/links/#BYJ48
Arduino Mega 2560 (can be shared with other components):
eBay Link or https://ebay.us/dp1qb3
https://captainbobsim.com/links/#Mega2560
Black PLA
Amazon Link
https://captainbobsim.com/links/#BlackPLA
Orange PLA:
Amazon Link
https://captainbobsim.com/links/#OrangePLA
White PLA:
Amazon Link
https://captainbobsim.com/links/#WhitePLA
JST XH Connectors
Rotary Encoder EC11
📦LEDs: http://ebay.us/S34jgs
📦Resistor (68 ohms): http://ebay.us/qRYniR
📦ACTIVE piezo buzzer (a passive one requires signal/pulse modulation to produce sound). This one should work: https://ebay.us/Y9qkXu
📦12V 2-3A Power Supply for Arduino: https://ebay.us/NRQJkN or http://ebay.us/S1NXTS
📦Servos: https://ebay.us/RM2E1A
📦Stepper Motor: http://ebay.us/aS1yyZ
📦Rotary Encoders: http://ebay.us/gOto3E or http://ebay.us/UIcAs6
📦Jumper Wires: https://ebay.us/wO3DdL or http://ebay.us/xVu5KF
📦24 AWG Wire: http://ebay.us/XCbsal or https://ebay.us/JOABIk
📦Metric Screws: http://ebay.us/mt3mC1
📦 12 Position Rotary Switch: http://ebay.us/4CvFNZ and only use 5 positions.
📦Small On-On (Just use 2 out of the 3 pins on one side) Toggle Switch: http://ebay.us/NYWh4v
📦Awesome On-Off Toggle Switches: http://ebay.us/lm4m5M
📦7 Segment Display: http://ebay.us/IAGVDp
Tools
Only buy the tools you need, when you need them.
Unneeded tools can clutter your shop and empty your wallet.
TOOLS SECTION BELOW IS STILL BEING WORKED ON:
Soldering:
🔨Soldering Iron: http://ebay.us/OHVvkC
🔨Solder: https://ebay.us/mE8shY
🔨 Helping Hands: http://ebay.us/jDbVSv
🔨Solder Cleaner: https://ebay.us/hezZfl
3D Printing:
🔨Ender 3: https://ebay.us/2rcrTg
Drills & Drivers:
🔨Countersink Bit: https://ebay.us/8oxJXK
🔨Drill: https://ebay.us/z5Tw7W
🔨Impact Driver (if you have a lot of screws, these can be handy as they are more efficient and effective than drills: https://ebay.us/FRvu7d
🔨Drill and Impact Driver: https://ebay.us/cGmyUd
🔨Step bit: https://ebay.us/H8eHpD
🔨Drill bit set: Imperial Metric
🔨Screwdriver bit set: https://ebay.us/ZBu75D
CNC:
🔨30 Degree V Bit: https://ebay.us/EIdWqu
🔨Flat Carbide Bits: https://ebay.us/IRmTLH
🔨Upcut bits: https://ebay.us/IWXcWa
General:
Speed Square: https://ebay.us/AC4CyF
Local:
48″ level
Sawhorses
General Tool Buying Advice:
“Fast, Quality, Cheap” Pick one or two.
Unfortunately you can’t have all three.
1KG 1.75mm PLA Filament (Black and White)
Clamps (used to clamp guide)
Clamps hold the straightedge to the piece of wood for a straight cut with a skill saw.
Skill Saw
The skill saw is a versatile saw that makes straight cuts quickly. Some have angled blades to make miters. You can use a straightedge or speed square clamped to the piece of wood to ensure straight cuts. Make sure to measure from the blade when making cuts (not the fence)
Jigsaw
Jigsaws allow you to make curved cuts, though you can also make straight cuts using a guide (speed square)
Pliers and Tweezers
My pliers are quite possibly the most used tool in my workshop, often used in wiring, tightening, and squeezing.
Router
A router allows you to create profiles on wood pieces. Make sure you get a router that can be adjusted in the Z axis (up and down) so you can make cuts to a specific depth.
Router Bits
I use the flush trim bit the most because it allows you to “transfer” geometry from one piece to another.
The straight-cut bit is used second most because it allows you to carve into a workpiece to make it flush to a surface.
Soldering Iron
Soldering irons allow for durable wiring joints (much better than simply twisting wires together) Get a soldering iron with an interchangeable tip, and an adjustable temperature. If you can, a temperature reading display is helpful.
Solder
Solder flows into the soldering connection and creates a strong bond. It is a metal with a low melting point. Make sure to get rosin core solder (flux inside) so that the solder flows easily. My favorite solder is Kester Sn63 Pb37 .8mm thick, 1 lb, rosin core.
Helping Hands/Third Hand
Helping hands hold the wires so you can so graciously solder them without the need for octopus like tentacles.
Solder Cleaner
A brass soldering iron cleaner can ensure the tip of your soldering iron is properly clean. It also kinda looks like R2-D2.
Small Screwdrivers
Precision screwdrivers are very helpful for fastening servos.
Measuring Tape & Ruler
Get a measuring tape at least 15 feet (4.5 meters) long. Even better if it’s a strong one you can extend across half the room before it collapses over its own weight.
Hot glue & Sticks
Hot glue guns are extremely helpful for prototyping, as well as fixing components in place.
Sandpaper
You’ll want a few different grits: 60, 120,220
Blue Tape
Blue tape is very helpful for painting.
Dupont Crimper
Dupont Crimpers connect a dupont connector to a wire.
Wire Stripper (Automatic)
Automatic wire strippers are very helpful, as they quickly strip wires, many even showing you how much you are striping off.
Random orbit sander & disks
This sander both spins and vibrates to give an even sanding result. You’ll want a few different grits: 60, 120,220. If practical, get a cordless one so you do not have to deal with the cord in the way.
Spray Adhesive
Spray Adhesive is very helpful for fixing paper templates to pieces of wood. You can also simply trace them, or even use a glue stick.
Shop Brush & Dustpan
Cleaning up your shop is very important to ensure maximum sanity.
Heat Gun (For heat shrink)
Heat guns can be very helpful for heat shrink and can also be useful to heat items up, such as a screw to place in a 3D print (You can usually get away without a heat gun using only a soldering iron)
Later:
CNC Mill & Bits
Drill Press
Double Sided Tape
Router Table
Table Saw
Compound/Regular Miter Saw
Combination Square
IDC Crimper
See more tools on our tool list:
Gear
Tripod:
Mic Stand (Podcasts/Live)
Dual Monitor Mount: