workbench test equipment

[Jana]

What a bunch of newbs. All this fancy gear and stuff like soldering irons, scopes, and other complicated equipment. You left out the important things like a small refrigerator next to the bench (for beer), a toaster oven or microwave (for small pizzas), and a coffee maker. And don't forget the rug under the bench for the dog to curl up on and keep your toes warm on those cold winter nights.

[xtian]

That's pro-level advice, right there.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Yeah, OP was asking about testing tools, not building/repairing tools, but ROCK ON!

"It's all part of the soup" so said Harry Georgeson... I like Jana's advice too! Better have some audio entertainment - radio, CD, IPOD whatever. TV/video not recommended. You need to keep your eyes on your work.

For that big iron, I recommend an 80W Weller "pencil" only @ $30. I have much more success with this than even a 300W Weller "gun" when making or detaching connexions direct-to-chassis. We kicked this one around 1½ years ago. The big Weller "pencils" also available in 120 and 160W denominations for those that need lots n lots of melting power. The mass of the tip does the trick. It's big.

[Smokebreak]

Only test equipment I really have is an answering machine wallwart that gives me 10VAC for determining unknown transformer secondaries.
Other than that, I'd be sad if I didn't have my headlamp thingy.

[xtian]

Computer. Near workbench. Couldn't survive without access to TAG!

[ES-295]

Only test equipment I really have is an answering machine wallwart that gives me 10VAC for determining unknown transformer secondaries.
Other than that, I'd be sad if I didn't have my headlamp thingy.

I used an AC wallwart for a long time for each first power-up test without tubes. I would prefer not to say how many times this was really useful

Now I use an old signal generator which gives a fine range of voltages up to 10V.
tony

[Leo_Gnardo]

Clamp-on ammeter, almost forgot that. Very handy for monitoring AC line current draw on amps, especially once you're past the light-bulb limiter stage. I monitor the current while dialing up the voltage by variac. Handy for finding problems as well as gauging what size fuse to use on an amp that doesn't have a spec, or a new build.

Works on filament lines too - you can see how much current is actually being used.

I don't know if this is common to all of them but it's best to have some distance, at least a couple inches, between the clamp-on and any power transformer that's on and running. Stray field from the tranny can upset the accuracy of the clamp-on. I made a short extension cord of heavy gauge AC cable, with the outer insulation stripped off so I can put the clamp-on around an individual wire, most often the "hot" one.

[cbass]

Hmm I didn't realize the clamp ons would work accurately with low current draw I use mine on stuff that's drawing 40 or 50 amps or more.
Good idea Leo

[Ron Worley]

I'd add a cap meter to measure values, leakage and ESR. Perhaps optional, but my Sencore LC75 unit has proven very valuable in both builds and repairs.

[George61]

If your goal is to go broke buying test equipment, I would suggest a LCR meter. A LCR meter has a much greater range and is considerably more accurate than a multimeter for measuring inductance, capacitance, and resistance. Most multimeters won't measure inductance. I build passive speaker crossovers so measuring inductance is useful for me.

Also an LCR meter will make useful measurements that a multimeter won't; such as ESR. My BK Precision 879B will measure capacitance at 100Hz, 120Hz, 1KHz, and 10KHz.

Solder on,
George

[Leo_Gnardo]

Hmm I didn't realize the clamp ons would work accurately with low current draw I use mine on stuff that's drawing 40 or 50 amps or more.
Good idea Leo

Mine has a 0 to 6 amp scale, very handy for monitoring just about any guitar or bass amp. Higher scales too but no need to go there usually. Best part - it was free. Showed up unexpectedly in my tour work trunk @ 1995. OTOH a very nice DVM was stolen from that work trunk about 5 years before so it's a trade, sort of. I would never have thought to buy one. But it has come in handy on hundreds of occasions. Unlike the DVM it doesn't have a built-in transistor tester. Can't have everything I s'pose. Similar models now seem to be @ $70-100. There are expensive versions too, never got to try one out.

[Reeltarded]

It's a little off topic but I install a courtesy outlet in all my amps in case people want to play remotely the whole band can just plug into the guitar head for power cause that is how that works, right?

Remember also that lightning rods are made to be installed.

Fool me once.

[Leo_Gnardo]

It's a little off topic but I install a courtesy outlet in all my amps in case people want to play remotely the whole band can just plug into the guitar head for power cause that is how that works, right?

Yes and don't forget the Fender standard of wiring up the courtesy outlet with what, 20 gauge wire - so when the band plugs their lighting system in there, they get lighting for a little while, then lightNing then a blackout. Every show needs a little excitement don't it. Talk amongst yourselves for a couple minutes folks, we'll be right back...

For those unacquainted with proper power wiring, the above paragraph is an example of what NOT to do. So don't try it at home, or at the gig, or anywhere. Please!

For the workshop as well as stage, good AC power is a wonderful thing. Wish I had it. Managed to run the workshop from one outlet on a 15 amp breaker for 28 years now. So far so good but far from ideal.

[cbass]

Roach cli..... Um err hemostats

[labb]

Guess I am pretty basic. I only build clones of proven circuits and the only test equipment I have are:
Fluke Model 11 multimeter
Light bulb limiter
Walkman with leads that I can plug into the input of the amp or use as an audio probe to inject a signal where ever in the circuit.
several alligator clip leads

The one thing I wish I had and knew how to use would be an oscilloscope