best tools for efficiency?

[JisforJustin]

Alright, what tools help you guys become extra efficient in your pedal-making? Are there any tools in particular that really have helped you speed things up?

For example, how about automatic wire strippers, are they time-saving or more hassle than they're worth? I would really like any suggestions you have for time-saving tools?

Thanks!

Justin

[jlullo]

my dremel has been my #1 go-to tool as far as making things easier!  if you don't have one, i'd highly suggest picking one up

[Meanderthal]

 Drill Press
Third hand
DMM
Some form of storage for parts that allows you to organize by value, so ya don't have to hunt around...
Your own 'space' where your stuff gets left alone.

[Dragonfly]

Alright, what tools help you guys become extra efficient in your pedal-making? Are there any tools in particular that really have helped you speed things up?

For example, how about automatic wire strippers, are they time-saving or more hassle than they're worth? I would really like any suggestions you have for time-saving tools?

Thanks!

Justin

Weller WES51 soldering iron
Triplett 9015-A multi-meter
Good quality Wire cutters
Good quality wire strippers
Good quality needlenose pliers
Unibit
Drill press
Patience


AC

[idlechatterbox]

Those metal binder clips (the ones you would never want to get your fingers or any other part of your anatomy caught in) made for holding paper.

They're great for clamping the board to something when you solder. They can also be used as soldering heat sinks. One size ("jumbo"?) is perfect for holding on to a 9v battery too. Alligator clips are useful, but they never seem to grip as tight.

(Not to be a search Nazi, but I think there was a thread similar to this one not long ago, complete with references to wire strippers and 3rd hand tools)   

[Meanderthal]

Those metal binder clips (the ones you would never want to get your fingers or any other part of your anatomy caught in) made for holding paper.

Wow! I never thought of that! Great idea.

[jonathan perez]

wrenches of some sort...

pliers...

wire cutters...

wire strippers, the good kind..

wet towel to wipe off solder/crap from iron (cheap, but effective).

umm...

lots of knobs...

[cheeb]

Test rig!

[albatross]

Hope this helps as much as they have helped me:

Small flat headed screwdrivers
Tweezers
Long Nose Pliers
Nail Clippers
Drill Press
Uni-Bit
Adjustable spanner
EyeGlass
3rd Hand tool
Digital Multi Meter
Breadboard
Temperature controlled solder station
Solder sucker
Veroboard track cutter, which is actually only a 3 or 5mm drill bit with a handle.
Drilling Templates designed with coreldraw
Parts well organised in boxes.
A Vice
PCB cleaning block = its like a soft rubbery rock, you can clean copper from oxydisation? in seconds

and this FORUM!

I plan on buying a dremel when money permits, as they are useful for making that brushed aluminium look, and square holes etc.
And eye goggles would be a must with the above tool.

[R.G.]

Alright, what tools help you guys become extra efficient in your pedal-making? Are there any tools in particular that really have helped you speed things up?

For example, how about automatic wire strippers, are they time-saving or more hassle than they're worth? I would really like any suggestions you have for time-saving tools?

Got more orders than you can keep up with?

[Ge_Whiz]

A parts collection put together over 30 years.

[Meanderthal]

Alright, what tools help you guys become extra efficient in your pedal-making? Are there any tools in particular that really have helped you speed things up?

For example, how about automatic wire strippers, are they time-saving or more hassle than they're worth? I would really like any suggestions you have for time-saving tools?

Got more orders than you can keep up with?

That one was pure evil...

[puretube]

Alright, what tools help you guys become extra efficient in your pedal-making? Are there any tools in particular that really have helped you speed things up?

For example, how about automatic wire strippers, are they time-saving or more hassle than they're worth? I would really like any suggestions you have for time-saving tools?

Got more orders than you can keep up with?

That one was pure evil...

nah - it was within the spirit...

[JisforJustin]

Got more orders than you can keep up with?

I don't, but my friend over at 3Xfx does. 

http://www.3xfx.com

[oldschoolanalog]

A nice MAGNIFIER with good lighting. Ya' can't build it if ya' can't see it!

[Harry Palms]

An RTS PCB will save him hours and hours.

Tell your buddy to post his schematics on this board. 15 guys will gen one up overnight.

Tell him not to worry either. We're just hobbyists here. No one else reads this board. He's among friends and confidantes. His secrets are safe with us.

Jay... pass it on, man. Don't Bogart the bong.

[Meanderthal]

 Oh, in that case, a CNC setup would be just the thing for commercial mass production efficiency. But, we hobbyists wouldn't know much about that...

[Harry Palms]

CNC. How could I forget?. Yeah, definitely.

I bet it just warms Francesco's heart whenever BYOC gives the order for 200 more Rebotes.

Yeah, CNC... definitely.

[idlechatterbox]

Test rig!

Test rig is essential when you're in between the "will this thing work?!" phase and the "do I love the tone enough to hassle with a real enclosure?" phase

You can use genuine Tupperware if you're really worried about sealing in your tone. Otherwise, Chinese take-out containers will do the job. 

[Meanderthal]

 Another Leatherman user! Super tool! (what I carry EVERYWHERE!)

And why the hell I didn't think of it is beyond me... probably because for me that's a given.