Another gift question: electronics kit for teen

[busymama7]

I love this board as there is someone that knows something about everything :)

 

I have a 14 year old who has been self teaching himself electronics. Things like led lighted glasses for his brother and a remote control bedroom door lock (he took apart an old RC car).

 

He has asked for a new soldering iron but I can do that for $40 and our budget for the big gift is $100. I would like something to go with it like a project kit to make something. He's pretty resourceful and such so I don't want it babyish at all. Just something to do that will have the parts and give him more practice. Thanks for any hints as to where to shop etc

[SparklyUnicorn]

I've bought a lot of kits from Amazon.  Search Elenco Kits.  They have radios and various things that light up....

 

 

[Um_2_4]

Does he have any of these books:

 

Make: Electronics: https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_1_1_hso_sc_smartcategory_3?rh=n%3A13707%2Ck%3Amake&keywords=make&ie=UTF8&qid=1480801561&sr=8-1-acs

 

Make: More Electronics: https://smile.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Journey-Amplifiers-Randomicity/dp/1449344046/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480801565&sr=1-6&keywords=make

 

Then I would get a nice tool kit and fill it with items from the supply list inside the book.

Does he have a good breadboard to experiment on? GOOD wire strippers, etc...

Fluke is a good brand of multimeter if he would like a more advanced one.

[busymama7]

I've bought a lot of kits from Amazon. Search Elenco Kits. They have radios and various things that light up....

Thanks! Still browsing.

[busymama7]

Does he have any of these books:

 

Make: Electronics: https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_1_1_hso_sc_smartcategory_3?rh=n%3A13707%2Ck%3Amake&keywords=make&ie=UTF8&qid=1480801561&sr=8-1-acs

 

Make: More Electronics: https://smile.amazon.com/Make-Electronics-Journey-Amplifiers-Randomicity/dp/1449344046/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1480801565&sr=1-6&keywords=make

 

Then I would get a nice tool kit and fill it with items from the supply list inside the book.

Does he have a good breadboard to experiment on? GOOD wire strippers, etc...

Fluke is a good brand of multimeter if he would like a more advanced one.

Looks like a great book! Thank you!

 

I don't know what a breadboard or a multimeter are so I'm guessing not. But maybe. He's up in his room doing all this stuff and I only really see the projects not the "stuff" he's using. 😂

[Um_2_4]

Looks like a great book! Thank you!

 

I don't know what a breadboard or a multimeter are so I'm guessing not. But maybe. He's up in his room doing all this stuff and I only really see the projects not the "stuff" he's using. 😂

 

LOL! Ok, here are some ideas for you to look at:

 

breadboard: https://smile.amazon.com/BreadBoard-ZipWire-Solderless-ZW-MM-10-ZipWires/dp/B00PKKPSCU/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1480812835&sr=8-5&keywords=breadboard+kit

 

Fluke multimeters are expensive (mine was my dad's so I had no idea  :lol: ), but this one gets good reviews and I" have bought from their brand before: https://smile.amazon.com/Etekcity-MSR-C600-Digital-Multimeter-Resistance/dp/B00NWGZ4XC/ref=sr_1_24?ie=UTF8&qid=1480812926&sr=8-24&keywords=fluke+multimeter

 

good wire crimpers: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000JNPQZW/ref=twister_B01E3QOEZI?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

these are awesome for working on small circuits: https://smile.amazon.com/SE-MH1047L-Illuminated-Multi-Power-Magnifier/dp/B003UCODIA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1480813129&sr=8-1&keywords=magnifying+headset

 

Weller is a good brand of soldering irons (i still have my dad's...from the 70s :laugh: ): https://smile.amazon.com/Weller-WLC100-40-Watt-Soldering-Station/dp/B000AS28UC/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1480813172&sr=8-5&keywords=soldering+iron

 

be sure to get him a desoldering tool: https://smile.amazon.com/VicTsing-Desoldering-solder-Length-Removal/dp/B01LWOD6XH/ref=dp_ob_title_hi

 

Check if  you have an electronics store near you (not radio shack :glare: ) more like one of these (some you can order online) to get the small items, like resistors, capacitors, etc, etc. I just google "electronic components store _cityname__" and then most have websites. If  you don't have one nearby, these are online:

http://www.mouser.com/

http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&rfr=1

http://www.allelectronics.com/

 

I've used mouser. But we have several stores local, so I only order if I have to.

[summerreading]

The author of Make Electronics has a kit. If you buy other than his site, make sure the kit matches the second edition. http://www.plattkits.com/kits/

[Amy in NH]

My 14yo built this Herbie Mouse bot last year. He required a lot of help because it was his first solder kit, but if he had prior soldering experience he could have been more independent. It comes with all the parts including enough solder to make it, went together with great instructions, and works well. It's a pretty cool project, and doesn't cost a fortune, so a good choice to go along with the new soldering iron. I would also get a soldering station if he doesn't already have one. There are less expensive ones than the one linked below, but this is on my wish list for ds.

 

http://www.robotshop.com/en/solarbotics-herbie-the-mousebot-red.html

 

https://www.amazon.com/Soldering-Station-Illuminated-Magnifying-Helping/dp/B00Y4QPW9U/ref=redir_mobile_desktop?ie=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=ox_sc_saved_image_20&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Edited December 4, 2016 by Amy in NH