The very basic hand tools, such as screwdrivers and tweezers, are mostly self-evident in their usage. Try not to poke yourself in the eye. Where some helpful advice is appropriate, it will be given. Here’s an excellent example of a simple safety rule that will absolutely improve and extend your life: when using any kind of cutting tool, always direct the cutting motion away from yourself. For example, you might receive a package in the mail, and get all excited about opening it.
The Most Important Tool Ever
The most important tool you’ll ever use is your mind. Every other tool you will ever work with depends on the correct and proper functioning of your mind. If you’re careful with it, you won’t misplace it, neglect it, damage it, or use it for the wrong job. Your mind is a wonderful asset when cared for properly, and a terrible liability when ill-treated.
All Those Other Bits, Too
Just as your mind is the most important tool you’ll ever use, the rest of your bodily bits and personal pieces are vital and important in your work in the lab. For the most part, there are no spare parts laying around for things like your eyes, your ears, your hands, or your skin.
Basic Hand Tools
Assuming that you’re going to start small and build toward bigger things, you should also start small with some small hand tools. These tools will make it much easier to work on small parts and wires. Good hand tools increase your effective strength and improve the accuracy and precision of your motions. They allow you to focus a great deal of your strength on exactly the part that needs it, without wasting a lot of effort.
Conclusion
Starting with your brain and working outward, this chapter has covered some of the tools and devices you might use in your electronics lab. These include basic hand tools, computers, tools for soldering, some common power tools you might find handy, as well as some fancy-schmancy tools you might only find in a hackerspace, school, or electronics clubs, such as laser cutters and 3D printers
