Recommend me a cheap multimeter/Soldering iron

[soggybag]

I'm looking for a cheap beginner type multimeter. The type of thing that you could tell someone to get if they wanted to try out building their own fuzz box, but they weren't sure if they would make another.

Same question, but Soldering Iron.

[.Mike]

If you're looking for a multimeter that might only be used once or twice but could last a while longer if need be, I would think that any of the Harbor Freight models would be fine. They only cost $3 or $4, measure resistance, voltage, and current, diodes, and even have a built-in transistor tester (although the socket is crap). The only thing they lack is a capacitor tester (likely unnecessary for a simple fuzz build) and a continuity beeper. Mine lasted me about a year of regular use before the probes broke off the test leads.

I'll let someone else recommend a soldering iron.

Mike

[jkokura]

I use a *edit* Weller 25W soldering iron that works great for me. I would like something with a built in temperature control as I feel I go through tips too fast, but I think the Iron and a little stand I got for it cost me $25 canadian. I got a $45 Mastercraft DMM on sale at Canadian Tire for $15.

Jacob

[petemoore]

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/pshowdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=374-100
  Still a super deal, watch the internet, the other day the link says ''orders under 49 dollars'', other times it's over 100 shipped free. I had one in my Shop-cart for 11.88.
  I think I have that exact iron set, but is says Weller and is orange, works great, could use another.

[jkokura]

I also have a "weller" iron, not a weber - sorry for any confusion.

Jacob

[T1bbles]

I use a cheapo 30W 'Antex' iron from Maplin, under £10 it was, cheap as chips, works just fine.

I don't actually have a multimeter, but if I was going out to buy one, I'd probably get a DMM from bitsbox.co.uk because everything I've ordered from there has been first rate

[liquids]

A bit unorthodox, but, have you considered asking the people you know?

I mean, I was surprised to find out, once I started talking it up with co-workers and friends...that a fair number of people have a soldering iron and DMMs laying around.

I hesitate more to say that with soldering iron, because getting my hands on the wrong soldering iron years ago discouraged me from trying electronics for years, little did I know it was because of the equipment (huge tip, wrong solder!).   But if you are specific, you might be able to borrow one or the other until you decide if you like it.  People are often surprisingly generous about offering things they have laying around out to others on indefinite loan.  Even if you only get one of the two from asking around, that is one less purchase you need to make ASAP. 

[bigchasbroon]

ive only been into pedals for a year, but i had a weller 12w iron for years the tip needed replaced and i couldnt get the grub screw out. it snapped. so i bought an 18w antex its clip on point system looks better although ive never changed it yet.

[oldrocker]

 I'm not recommending it because that would be another thread in itself.  But I use the Radio Shack cheap 25watt $8.95 irons,  They don't last but maybe 4 months of continuous use.  But for $8.95 every 4 months isn't bad.  I'm getting a good Weller one of these days.