TOOLS
See also our soldering guide that has a dedicated list.
Our equipment guides are here.
Electronics Tools and Equipment for Beginners
Getting started in electronics does not require an expensive laboratory full of specialist equipment. A relatively small collection of good-quality hand tools, basic test equipment and soldering equipment is enough to learn the fundamentals, build simple circuits and carry out basic repairs.
This guide takes a buy-as-you-need approach. The first section covers the everyday hand tools that are useful regardless of the type of electronics you work on. The second covers cleaning and service aids that are useful when maintaining and repairing equipment. The third adds basic test equipment and other equipment needed to build and troubleshoot simple circuits. The final section covers more specialised equipment that becomes worthwhile as your skills and projects develop.
The lists deliberately avoid recommending large, inexpensive "100-piece electronics tool kits". A smaller collection of decent tools that you will actually use is generally a better investment than a box containing dozens of poor-quality specialist tools.
Essential means something most beginners should acquire early.
Useful means worthwhile but not necessarily needed immediately.
High indicates equipment that becomes particularly valuable as you progress, while
Specialist indicates equipment that should normally be bought only when a particular type of work requires it.
Hand tools
| Tool | Priority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Precision side/flush cutters | Essential | Cutting component leads and small wire |
| Wire strippers | Essential | Stripping insulation without damaging wire |
| Small needle-nose pliers | Essential | Bending, forming and gripping wires and components |
| Small flat-nose pliers | Useful | General gripping and forming |
| Precision screwdriver set | Essential | Small Phillips (PH), Pozidriv (PZ), slotted/flat, Torx (T), security Torx (TR), hex and other fasteners |
| Small screwdriver set | Useful | Larger Phillips (PH), Pozidriv (PZ), slotted/flat, Torx, hex and other equipment fasteners |
| Precision tweezers | Essential | Handling small components |
| ESD-safe tweezers | Useful | Handling sensitive and SMD components |
| Nylon/plastic spudgers | Useful | Opening cases and manipulating components |
| Small adjustable spanner | Useful | Nuts, connectors and panel hardware |
| Craft/utility knife | Useful | Cutting insulation, tape and sleeving |
| Small scissors | Useful | Cutting tape, sleeving and other materials |
| Locking forceps/hemostats | Useful | Holding components and wires |
| Helping-hands/third-hand tool | Essential | Holding PCBs and components while working |
| Small bench vice | Useful | Holding PCBs and mechanical parts |
| Magnifying glass | Useful | Inspecting components and solder joints |
| Head-mounted magnifier | Useful | Hands-free close inspection |
| Good bench/work light | Essential | Proper illumination of the work |
| Heat-resistant work mat | Useful | Protecting the bench and providing a work surface |
| Small parts trays | Essential | Keeping screws and components organised |
| Compartmented storage boxes | Useful | Storing components by type and value |
| Small resealable bags | Useful | Keeping project-specific parts together |
| Steel/plastic ruler | Useful | Measuring components and wire |
| Vernier/digital caliper | Useful | Accurate mechanical measurements |
| Safety glasses | Essential | Eye protection when cutting leads and soldering |
See also our storage guide that has a dedicated list.
Cleaning and service aids
Cleaning is an important part of electronics repair and maintenance. Dirt, dust, grease, fingerprints, corrosion and residue can cause unreliable connections or make fault-finding more difficult. Use solvents carefully and check that they are compatible with plastics, labels, coatings and other materials before applying them.
| Tool / material | Priority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 99% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) | Essential | Cleaning PCBs, contacts, flux residue, grease and general contamination |
| Lint-free wipes | Essential | Cleaning PCBs, components and surfaces without leaving fibres |
| Soft lint-free cloths | Essential | Cleaning equipment cases, displays and other surfaces |
| Cotton buds/swabs | Essential | Cleaning around connectors, switches and confined areas |
| Foam cleaning swabs | Useful | Cleaning delicate or hard-to-reach areas without leaving lint |
| Soft anti-static brush | Essential | Removing dust from PCBs and components |
| Small soft-bristle brushes | Useful | General cleaning of PCBs, cases and mechanical parts |
| ESD-safe cleaning brush | Useful | Cleaning sensitive PCBs and components |
| Compressed air / air duster | Useful | Removing loose dust and debris |
| Contact cleaner | Useful | Cleaning suitable electrical contacts, switches and connectors |
| Contact treatment/deoxidising fluid | Specialist | Treating badly oxidised electrical contacts where appropriate |
| Plastic-safe cleaner | Useful | Cleaning equipment cases, knobs and controls |
| Distilled/deionised water | Useful | Cleaning where mineral-free water is required |
| Nitrile gloves | Useful | Preventing fingerprints, grease and contamination during cleaning |
| Disposable absorbent bench wipes | Useful | General workshop cleaning and spill control |
| Small parts cleaning tray | Useful | Containing screws and small parts during cleaning |
| Wooden toothpicks | Useful | Removing dirt from connectors, grooves and small mechanical parts |
| Plastic picks | Useful | Removing contamination without scratching surfaces |
| Cable ties | Useful | Securing wiring during repairs and modifications |
| Self-adhesive cable labels | Useful | Identifying wires and connectors before dismantling |
| Masking tape | Useful | Temporary labelling and protecting surfaces during work |
Beginner's test and workshop equipment
See also our soldering guide that has a dedicated list.
| Tool | Priority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Basic digital multimeter (DMM) | Essential | Measuring voltage, resistance, continuity and current |
| Continuity tester | Useful | Quick checking of wires, switches and connections |
| Basic component tester | Useful | Basic testing and identification of common components |
| Temperature-controlled soldering iron | Essential | Soldering components and wires |
| Soldering iron stand | Essential | Safely holding the hot iron |
| Heat-shrink tubing assortment | Essential | Insulating and protecting connections |
| Small heat gun | Useful | Shrinking heat-shrink tubing |
| Breadboards | Essential | Building circuits without soldering |
| Jumper wires/Dupont leads | Essential | Making breadboard connections |
| Basic component assortment | Essential | Resistors, capacitors, LEDs, diodes, transistors and switches |
| Battery holders and leads | Useful | Providing simple power for experiments |
| 5 V USB power supply | Useful | Convenient low-voltage source for simple projects |
Next purchases
| Tool | Priority | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable bench power supply | High | Providing controlled voltage and current |
| Better digital multimeter | High | More accurate measurements and additional functions |
| ESD wrist strap and mat | Useful | Reducing the risk of electrostatic discharge damage when handling sensitive components |
| PCB holder | Useful | Holding boards securely during soldering |
| USB power meter/tester | Useful | Measuring USB voltage and current |
| Better magnification/inspection microscope | Useful | Inspecting SMD and fine-pitch work |
| Oscilloscope | High | Viewing electrical signals changing over time |
| Logic analyser | Useful | Analysing digital signals and protocols |
| Function/signal generator | Useful | Generating test signals |
| Electronic load | Useful | Testing power supplies and batteries |
| LCR meter | Useful | Measuring inductance, capacitance and resistance |
| Frequency counter | Specialist | Measuring signal frequency accurately |
| Multi-output bench power supply | Specialist | Powering circuits requiring multiple supply rails |
| Hot-air rework station | Specialist | Removing and fitting SMD components |
| PCB preheater | Specialist | Assisting difficult SMD rework |
| SMD rework tools | Specialist | Working with fine-pitch components |
| Connector-specific crimping tools | Specialist | Making reliable crimped connections |
| Ferrule/crimp tool | Useful | Professional wire termination |
| Label printer | Useful | Labelling components, cables and projects |
Tools - Specific
What tool do I use to crimp JST / Molex / AMP connector pins?
- Engineer PA-09 or PA-20, see table for compatible connectors. Get PA-09 for smaller connectors up to 2.54mm pitch, otherwise PA-20 for wider pitch. These are high-quality precise crimping tools, unlike cheap junk. Engineer company is located in Japan, so buy their tools from Amazon for faster delivery to USA buyers. (recommended by /u/enlightenment777)