Some sort of "helping hands" would help with assembly.
I don't like the normal tentacle-like helping hands, and I suggest this instead.
Omnifixo soldering stand: https://omnifixo.com/
It'll be useful for your guitar tech work as well.
I got into "vintage" gshock watched.
Bought a few on eBay. Have to clean them. One I got has bad scratches I need to sand out.
Pedals I got the Indiana series on my list.