a bit about irons: It amazes me how much everyone bashes on cheap irons. Yeah, nice stations are .. just that.. *nice* but not by *any* means necessary.
“A true hacker can solder with a coat hanger and a blowtorch.” I love that line, and it’s use to justify a cheap station.
I have gotten along very well with an inherited (black handle, cork grip, 30 year old?) cheap iron.. about 6 years ago updated to Weller cheap irons with lighted handles.
Essentially I have worked or hobbied in electronics for 18 years using $15 weller irons.

granted, at work, I have on occasion had access to high end stations and loved them.. but with the exception of surface mount, I can swing a cheap iron around just as fast, and just as effectively as anyone on a bank breaking station. Not to mention, soldering stations are not very portable (a key issue with hackers/tinkerers/fixers).
To me, a soldering “station” is a cheap weller, a metal stand with a spring holder for the iron and a wet sponge. as accessories, my “station” includes a tube of coiled solder, a solderpult vacume tool and some solder wick. On occasion, I have cleaners and flux paste/liqid.

Expensive gear is usually muddled with all sorts of controls and settings. i’d spend more time fiddling with that knob marked ambiguously ‘1-10′ trying to find the ‘right temperature for the job’ rather than actually ‘doing’ the job.
digital temp control isnt much better. I mean, are you seriously sitting down, examining your project, and *calculating* the desired setting based on parameters such as board size, pad size, and thermal mass of the component? If not, then what the heck do you need to know a number for?
Controlls and displays just gets in the way. I like inutitive sodering. I like portability. I like being able to grind a 50 cent tip to fit the job at hand. I like inexpensive yet reliable and trusty. I like uncluttered work space.
A solder station fits none of those requirements.

The *only* requirement a high end temp control station fits starts with “i like..” and ends with “..surface mount.”

Lean to use and work with the tool (regardless of it’s limitatons)… dont let the tool use you.

Titanium Spork ($8.99)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/8ace/

Contractor Space Pen Tool ($24.99)
http://www.computergear.com/conspacpento.html

/dev/blanket ($39.99)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/blankets/574a/

Utili-Key 6-in-1 Tool ($9.99)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/6d98/

Workstation Repair Tool Kit ($69.99)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/tools/7048/

Binary Clock ( £29.95)
http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/binary-clock/index.html

Deluxe Mini Fridge-Warmer w/ Digital Thermostat ($99.99)
http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/gear/6ad2/

Have fun…

Basic tool kit: $185.95 (http://www.mbelectronics.com/view.aspx?id=322) Everything you should need for the basic repairs, everything in a neat case is good in case you need to do a out-of-shop repair on your car or elsewhere.

Hot-air Pencil (DIY!): $20 (http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/07/how-to-make-a-surface-mount-soldering-iron/) – Yes, thats right. $20. Its a DIY, these things normally run about $600. I use them all day at work on cell phones, and i cant stress how awesome they are. Anybody who wants to do repairs to things like computer motherboards and next gen consoles will need one of these, as surface mounts are near impossible to do with a soldering iron alone. I’ve also seen real hakko-style air knifes run for about $120, but i cant seem to find the page that had them :(

Craftsman Pocket Multimeter: ~$20 (Sears) – I picked up a multimeter thats in the shape of a grey book about the size of a wallet about 2 years ago and i love it. I couldn’t find it online, but perhaps the store will still carry them. If not, there is still plenty of good ones at sears.com for under $20. For only $20 you cant beat it, its got all the basics plus frequency and capacitance measurements.

Oscilloscope – $100 (http://www.hgrindustrialsurplus.com/search-products/search-results.aspx?k=1&searchKeyword=oscilloscope&searchCategory=EC&sortExpression=&sortASC=&pageSize=&searchMethod=keyword): You can find cheap used oscilloscope’s from that webpage, some as low as $20 :D. Think of these as a multimeter on crack, you cant have a better tool for diagnosis.

Flux Dispensing Bottle – $6.79 (667489): You’ll need this to use your next item in this list in a controlled manner.

Liquid Flux 16 oz- $15.35 (#615232): You can find these but this is for convenience of getting everything at the same spot. Flux is a must have for drag-soldering (adding extra solder to leads close together like on tiny IC’s), but can also cause shorts, which will bring us to our next item.

Isopropyl Alchohol 16 oz – $7.19 (#615531): A must have to clean off liquid damage corrosion and that nasty sticky flux that wont go away. Some times this is all thats needed to fix some electronics, cleaning out dirt or copper corrosion. Use with your acid brush.

Vacuum-base vice – $30.29 (#251791): If you use a hot-air pencil/knife, you must have one of these to keep from catching your desk ablaze. This one is good so you can move it around on your desk where you would want it.

3X Magnifying Lamp – 59.95 (#100829): This thing is great for two reasons: it lets you see up close for small smt parts and provides an adjustable light for where ever you might need some extra visability.

Anti-static Mat 11.25″x22″- $10.25 (#10576): Never work on sensitive electronics without one of these, a small zap from your finger or desk can brick anything your working on. Remember that the shock you feel is 10k volts, imagine all the damage you can do that you dont feel.

Anti-static Strap- $6.49 (#34552): Same reason as the previous item, this keeps static off you rather than the area your working on. With both items, you should be able to keep a ESD safe area that would comply with manufacturing standards. Do make sure you have this connected to a known good ground.

30-Watt Digital Benchtop Power Supply- $88.89 (#301971): These are great for testing equipment other than stuff you can plug straight into the wall, must have for any bench.

Wire assortments – $5 or less (Local store)- Stores like radio shack and hobby stores sell huge spools of wire. I suggest getting a roll of 12 or 14 gauge wire for some basic stuff.

Solder – $13.65 (141786): You dont need a description for this, you shouldn’t even have to order it. You should already have a closet full of this. If not, ask a friend and i’m sure you could score some for free.

Solder tip cleaner – $2.79 (160004): Your soldering tip will get really nasty after you use some flux or you forget to tin your tip when you put your soldering iron away. Its also good to get rid of excess solder you might not want hiding on the tip when your working on parts the size of a razor tip. This is better than a wet sponge/towel so that you don’t cool off the tip.

Spare parts (capacitors, resistors, diodes, etc) – Free/up to you! (http://www.ladyada.net/resources/procure/samples.html) Yep, free parts. Cant beat that! This would be a hard topic to tell you what to get, as each person would vary on the kind of electronics they work on. I’d say order an assortment of resistors as they might be your most used common part and the fact that their a dime a dozen, so they wont touch your wallet. Take the remaining money and spend it on electronic parts that you could normally use in your projects.

Total=$600.00

For a link to where to buy all of these please visit:
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgrv5kjs_0dnb94zct

Also, I wouldn’t go out and spend the entire $600 all at once. Do your research and find good quality tools, and wait (when you can) until you *need* the tool, or find it on sale.

I didn’t include any consumables like components, wire, solder, screws, shrink tube, zip ties, etc. I also assume that you already have many of the basic tools in your toolbox. If not, borrow them from your dad or neighbor, because I already spent your entire $600!

I don’t think that you should skimp on the soldering iron. Buy the best one you can afford. If that’s a cheap little $12.00 one from Radio Shack, then so be it, but if you plan to do much soldering you’ll appreciate something a little nicer.

Weller WESD51 Soldering Station $95.00
Panavise Model 350 $70.00
Craftsman DMM #82334 $40.00 (on sale + Craftsman Card)
Magnifying Adjustable Lamp $20.00
Fuller 5 Piece Mini Plier Set #413-7005 $13.00
Craftsman Mini Screwdriver Set (Philips, Torx, Slotted, Hex, Pozi) $50.00
Anti-Static Mat $30.00
Stack-On 60 Drawer Storage Cabinet $22.00
Digital Calipers $35.00
Starrett 12″ Steel Rule $25.00
Starrett 6″ Double Square $40.00
16 Piece Hobby Knife Set $5.00 (Parts Express)
Benz-O-Matic Micro Torch $7.00
Hemostat Forcepts (get a couple) $6.00
Precision Tweezers $6.00
10 Piece Needle File Set $3.88 (Parts Express)
Breadboard $20.00
Machinery’s Handbook $50.00 (recent but not current edition)
Dremel Tool $60.00 (if you keep an eye on eBay)
Moleskine Quadrule $8.00 (to keep project notes and ideas)

I didn’t include a scope here. I think that falls under “nice to have”, but is not a necessity for a lot of Hack/Make projects.

all add up would be $480, with the other $120 i would get essentials like everybody else..

(btw, if the contest has rules and i need to specify EVERYTHING i would say $20 for coke & candies and the other $100 for books & training)

You can find a picture of my kit at: http://flickr.com/photos/10623928@N05/2214589861/

I bought the 55-piece Fellowes computer repair toolkit from shoplet.com, then gave away all the tools inside it and now use the case to store the following:

Sears
Craftsman 15 piece screwdriver set $15.99
SK 6” Adjustable Wrench $27.99
Craftsman 26 piece Hex-Key Set $34.99
Craftsman Pro 2 pc. Pro Pliers Set $29.99
Ideal Wire Stripper T-Stripper $9.99
Vise Grip 6” Long Nose Locking $12.99
Craftsman 9 pc Socket set $24.95

Home Depot
Stanley 16 ft Powerlock Tape Measure $9.49
Mini Mag-Lite $9.49
Husky 8-in-1 Philips/Flat Screwdriver $5.00

Radioshack
22-Range Pocket Digital Multimeter $29.99

TheBladeShop.com
Benchmade Osborne BM943S $132.00

Techni-Tool.com
Leatherman Wave $74.25
Reverse Action Tweezer $6.50
Telescopic Mirror and Pick-Up Tool $5.85
Style 1 X-acto Knife with Plastic Guard $6.20
Technitool 13-point snap knife $2.80
4-piece Dental Probe Set $7.85
Pocket Ruler $2.20
Weller Portasol Pro Kit (Butane) $82.40

Total $590.68

The thing I most often need that’s not contained within is a drill. I LOVE the new Bosch 10.8V Li-Ion Drill/Driver. It’s tiny, easy to recharge, and has enough power to drill through masonry (although slowly).

Well, I suppose the key word here is “hacking” workbench. Which means we’re coming at it from the hacker mentality.

Hackers are champions of the bizarre, and their goal is always originality through ingenuity. A workbench that supports this goal would no doubt embrace this fundamental ideal.

As such I submit to you, my view of the “hacker’s workbench”.

$3.48 – Duct Tape

Duct Tape represents a bare essential that must be available to everyone from house wives to wiley eyed hackers. It’s uses infinite and it’s contributions to society legendary.

$25.18 – Bottle of Everclear

190proof liquor. This is an important medical aid in the event you injure yourself. Capable of acting both as an anesthetic as well as a sterilizing agent. In the event you accidentally stab yourself in the leg with a live soldering iron, you’ll be glad to have this on hand to treat your leg as well as yourself. Has many additional uses.

$5.49 – Hack Saw

It has hack in the name. And it’s purposes are many. From cutting pvc for building out your vegetable projectile arsenal to getting the cuffs off after a particularly awe inspiring hack… this little hardware charmer represents the heart and soul of hacking and is thusly named.

$16.23 – Klein Tools 10 in 1 Screw Driver

Klein is a well known brand of tools favored heavily by angry local 103 journeymen and home depot addicts. Their 10 in 1 screw driver represents the single most ambidextorous screw driver in existence. It also is a great chew toy for mans best friend. I’d also like to recommend the Klein tools beer bottle opener… for when you just need that extra bit of liquid courage before you close that loop.

$5.99 – Rubber Mallet

The almost mystical capabilities of the electronic diviners mallet is a matter of folklore often passed by word of mouth down through the generations from master to apprentice. Many a friends friend has solved the impossible problem through the application of this tool. The rubber mallet, first in self defense and last in ditch efforts to fix the unfixable. This tool is the Global Thermonuclear War of hacking. Would you like to play a game?

$7.39 – Box Cutter

This weapon of mass destruction is responsible for the deaths of nearly 3000 innocent people on Sept 11 2001. While we may remember this incident as a tragedy it will stand as a testament to the capacity for destruction that this tool can achieve when handled improperly. When attempting to use this tool on something other than boxes, please exercise EXTREME CAUTION.

$2.15 – Spray Bottle

The spray bottle. It’s not what’s inside that counts… it’s what you spray it on. From acids to bases this bottle can store your chemicals and distribute them in a spread pattern allowing for an even application of fine mist. Additionally great for cleaning the ole workbench off after you’ve dipped into the everclear one too many times.

$33.39 – Vice Clamp

For those of us lacking in a hefty oompa loompa population willing to imperil their hands… a vice clamp is a true ally. Because lets be honest… you certainly wouldn’t want to be holding your project with what you are about to do to it.

$49.35 – Cheapish Solder Station

Yes, a true hacker could solder using a coat hanger and an open flame… but let’s be honest… a true hacker has used all of their wire coat hangers already on other projects and break in attempts. And bumming solder/wick is a social don’t.

$79.97 – Spool of Cat 5e (Yellow)

Category 5e Ethernet Cable. This is the defining copper wire for any hacker…. it’s uses are limiteless. From networking your pcs at near gigabit… to holding your pants up… to jumping your solderless breadboard… this wire knows no failure. I wouldn’t try bungie jumping with it though… you put kinks in it.

$40.73 – Multipurpose Respirator

Aside from generally looking awesome, these guys will protect your lungs from a lot of the nasty stuff that you put into projects (or pull out of them… as the case may be). There’s also the added benefit of using the left over money from your rodney king beating settlement after the police beat you within an inch of your life for bringing one on the train with you.

$13.95 – Polymer Lithium Ion Battery

All engineers, hackers, and do gooders alike share one common principal. Never be without a power source. The current battery of choice for the hack minded are the 2000mah polymer lithium ions and others of that family. No work bench should be without a reserve supply. And no hacker should ever be caught without a power source.

$14.65 – Toaster Oven

Food yes, SMD soldering Hell yes. Sure your muffins might taste like mercury but the buzz is killer.

$5.00 – Multimeter

It will tell you what the voltage, and current are. Then you will be able to figure the rest out on your own. Also makes a great paper weight.

$30.35 – Hair Dryer

Sure it warms your hair up. Dries your hands off. It also will dry your projects up, and melt some polymers. Additional points if you can incorporate it into a project.

$13.79 – Fire Extinguisher

Fire, mans greatest conquest, and a threat to your porn collection should a work bench project ever go drastically wrong and result in combustion. It would be wise to have a fire suppressent available to you in the unlikely event of an open flame appearing where unexpected and unwelcomed.

$10.95 – Stylish Safety Goggles

It’s hard to hack when you are blind. And while eye patches help on talk like a pirate day, a lack of depth perception could be the difference between you and a you with a soldering iron stuck in you. Wear the goggles, be able to enjoy your porn for just that much longer.

$21.00 – Mechanix Gloves

Sometimes you have to crack open an unfriendly device. Razor sharp casing, Shredded metal edges, Hot components. Protect your hands. Don’t leave fingerprints. And the hair folical the police are showing you is probably fake.

$129.95 – Variable Voltage Power Supply

Developement is considerably less awkward when you aren’t redesigning the power supply on your board every time you upgrade the functionality of your toaster.

$69.99 – USB O-Scope

While most hackers use ancient o-scopes they found at auction or swap meets, or simply plucked from a grumman du,mpster… Some folks go retail and buy themselves a nice cheap USB / serial software oscope. The oscope is the quinessential reverse engineering tool…. anyone who has seen sneakers knows the awesome power of a blind person, an oscope, and an answering machine that decrypts telnet.

$22.02 – Pry Bar

Sometimes hacking means, actually hacking. The thing is… most manufacturers don’t want you disecting their product… be it for harvesting black market components or simply to add it to your artoo unit. Prybars when coupled with your rubber mallet can make short work of even the most obstinant of materials. It also makes a great self defense weapon when that junk yard guard dog gets the drop on you.

Most are definitely biased towards the electronics side of hacking. Electronics is an almost obvious choice, but I liked the list for metal fabrication.

This has really got me thinking!

Newer kit based oscopes are way better than a $250 used 100mhz tektronix. – that is unless you are a mindless MHZ junkie. (when are you going to look at crap over 20mhz let alone 200mhz?) Get a pc based scope – recording the wave IMO is much more useful than looking at it.

Another opinion I have is that a high quality soldering iron is *CRITICAL* to good soldering – I am an old 2M tech from the navy and we had crap irons and good ones so I have done my time with both. Good soldering irons heat up almost instantly (-5secs for my ebay PACE), they don’t erode in front of your eyes, they have a huge assortment of tips, and most important – you can get tweezer irons and hot air pencils for most good quality iron bases. Hot tweezers will pay for themselves in one component harvesting session as will the hot air pencil. I prefer PACE irons over Weller, but this treads near a holy argument (and I’ll leave it at that).

So here’s my list:

PC Based Oscilloscope, Velleman Kit K8031 $150.00

Probes: Ebay Seller: MDFLY or others $20.00/pair

10-30x stereo microscope:
Ebay Seller: Precision_world or Microscope_Universe
200.00 with boom arm, light and USB camera.

temperature controlled soldering iron:
Pace SODRTEK – once in a while you get non ROHS compliant (just missing the lead free label) TW50 Irons, with PS90 pencils on ebay for less than $100 but in general you are probably going to spend about 100 for a TW50 base and another 50 on a pencil, 50 on a tweezer set and $10/tip (they last MUCH longer than radio shack 1.99 specials).

This is close to 600. If you get some more cash,
I would also invest in healing mats, various dremel tools, good solder/flux, TSOP readers and various programmers (PIC etc), some of those organizer bins from walmart or tackle boxes and a healthy amount of beer.

My Weller iron heats up quickly, maintains a regulated temperature, and the tip doesn’t get eaten by solder. My Radio Shack iron heated up slowly, but then got too hot. I had to replace the tips fairly frequently because they were eaten away by rosin fumes.

I still have the old Radio Shack iron, but I mostly use it for burning holes in stuff that I don’t want to get on my good iron.