Unnecessary tool you cant live without

[Locrian99]

Curious what tools people are using that while not necessary to build a pedal, you wouldnt want to do it without it.

I have a few in this category but my #1 would not want to be without would be the keech drill jig for 125b enclosures. Only PPCB board in a 125b ive ran into that i havent used it for is the pot and kettle, and it might actually work for that. It saves plenty of trees and time for me well worth the 30$ or whatever it was.

 

[Ginsly]

 

[Locrian99]

View attachment 94331

Whats that for

 

[Ginsly]

Whats that for

Pedal Port. It’s a silicone parts holder for soldering- kind of a third hand. Pop a DC Jack in there when attaching wire, etc. Certainly not essential, but I use it on every build! The pcb slot in the middle is handy too, as are the little areas to facilitate marrying wires together.

 

[Locrian99]

Pedal Port. It’s a silicone parts holder for soldering- kind of a third hand. Pop a DC Jack in there when attaching wire, etc. Certainly not essential, but I use it on every build! The pcb slot in the middle is handy too, as are the little areas to facilitate marrying wires together.

I coukd see that being super hander for solder removal

 

[Ginsly]

I coukd see that being super hander for solder removal

I’ve used it for that many times! Suctions to surfaces, too.

 

[KreoPensas]

Deburring tool

 

[Betty Wont]

This tiny metal awl from a miniature screwdriver set. It is the best tool I've found for removing flux pools and splatter from pcbs.

 

[CheapSuitG]

Ænima by Tool

 

[Ginsly]

View attachment 94336
This tiny metal awl from a miniature screwdriver set. It is the best tool I've found for removing flux pools and splatter from pcbs.

Huh! So you just kinda chip it off with this? I have an old dental tool for this, but it’s a bit too “scrapey”…

 

[jwin615]

Eventually I'll end up drunk ordering an axial component cutting/forming machine.

 

[Locrian99]

Eventually I'll end up drunk ordering an axial component cutting/forming machine.

You had to show me that,

 

[HamishR]

1 sold! So who was it??

 

[KR Sound]

View attachment 94331

I use this in so many ways. It’s invaluable and I recommend it highly.

 

[Erik S]

View attachment 94336
This tiny metal awl from a miniature screwdriver set. It is the best tool I've found for removing flux pools and splatter from pcbs.

I’ve been a solder scraper since you suggested it in a thread about cleaning methods a while back.

This knob tightener is just worn enough that it won’t gouge the solder or mask if I’m gentle, but still has enough edge to pop the flux puddles around the pot lugs.

I think even if you’re going to go back with chemical flux remover it makes sense to do some bulk removal first instead of dissolving that stuff all over the rest of the board.

 

[fontoponto]

Deburring tool

View attachment 94335

the best to fix holes that are slightly off

 

[pricklyrobot]

Panavise with this head on it. You can build a pedal with any old cheapo ‘third hand’ thing. But this is so much more versatile (holds anything) and super easy/quick to adjust.

Also, +1 on the deburring tool.