There are many engineering tools out there in the market most common one are for measuring voltage, current, reistance, and continuity. Some are use for soldering and making PCBs.
If you wanna become a professional electronics or robotics engineer you need some tools, most especially for production and manufacturing, below are listed tools you might need.
Enginnering tools and instruments.
>
1.soldering iron.
It consists of an heating element which is usually connected directly to AC mains. It is use for soldering circuit connections and junctions by using a fuseable metal known as solder lead. There are many available types depending on your need and capital. The most common one is the direct one which doesn't have a temperature controller, the latest version has a controllable temperature and can also be passworded for security.
2.Multimeter.
You are not a complete engineer without this, infact you are still an amateur if you haven't gotten one. You need it to measure voltage, current, transistors pinout and even to toubleshoot faulty circuits. Infact it is a must have tool for every engineer. There are many types of multimeters depending on their prefrence over other types, they are Analog type and the digital type. Many engineers prefer digital to analog because it is reliable, easy to use and accurate. Other type of multimeter is the wireless type. It mesures without using wire probes like other types, all what you have to do, is to use place its clamp near the circuit and it displays a quantity value.
You can get it at 20$ at Amazon.
3. Solder.

It is a fuseable metal which is made from copper and tin alloy. It fuses when heated with a soldering iron and binds soldered junctions when cooled. When in use it produces a misty white smoke which can affects your lungs and eyes when inhaled. You are advised to get a nose cover and eye shield when soldering.
Buy at a rate of 2$.
4.PCB board holder.

When working on circuit, most especially when soldering you use your left hand to hold the solder lead and the other to use your Soldering iron, that is if you are right-handed.
You will need something to hold the circuit board when working on it, or would you hire someone for that? Oh no you can't! You have to purchase a PCB board holder or make one yourself by using a crocodile clip fastened to a stand.
But to be more professional you canpurchase one a very low cost of about 45$.
4.laptop or a desktop computer.
You might probably want to build a robot, program some chips, control your equipments and even program your Arduino board, that is where a laptop or computer comes into place.
You need one to run codes for your circuits and microcontrollers and also to control PCB printers and 3D plastic case printers, if you want to manufacture electronics for consumers and earn some cash. You will also need it to make circuit simulations.
5. 3d printer.

If you are dreaming of taking your electronics projects and ideas to the next level this tool is an ideal machine to bring it to reality. You don't have to use plastic items, woods and rough plastics for your electronics case again. This will also boost your products marketability and make it unique.
It can make gears and casings either transparent or colored. All what you need to make a plastic item is to design it structure on a software you will install on your computer.
3d printers have changed how electronic structure looks drastically, you can design any shape or size. There are many printers out there in the market varying in sizes, productivity and power.
Get it for 185$ at Amazon.
6.PCB printer.

This tool takes you to the next level! You don't have to use Vero boards, or purchase PCBs from JLPCBs or other circuit manufacturing companies.
This machine give you the ability to make printed circuit boards (PCB) for your projects and make it look like your electronic devices are manufactured in industries.
It prints circuits out of copper shits glued to a plastic fiber.
7.screw drivers.

It is use for driving screws into an electronic device's case and also use for unscrewing electronic cases.
There are different types of screw drivers, some have changeable drivers, lens and magnets for holding screws when almost driven
out. More advanced screw drivers are battery powered, they remove screen when their button is triggered. One thing to consider when buying a screw driver is, can it unscrew different screw types.
8.Rechargeble drill.

It use for drilling holes, loosing screws and also for cutting.
It has a changeable bit which can be used to remove any type of nuts, bolts and screws.
9. Tweezer.
When working on circuits especially when working on SMDs, it is needed for gripping or picking small electronic components that a bare hand can't handle.
It is also use for holding SMDs and other electronic devices when soldering on boards.
10.solder wick.
It is use for removing excess solder lead from soldered components. It is mostly use for desoldering, the wick is placed on the solder and heated, molten lead flows from it former position to the wick by capillary action and the used wick is cut away.
11.Rework station.
If you are much into embedded systems and circuit design this tool is a must have for you. It is use for soldering and desoldering surface mounted devices (SMDs) by applying heat to heat without any direct contact. There are two types of rework stations which are hot gun type and Infrared or IRDA type.
The hot gun is the oldest type, it uses hot air produced from heated filaments whose heat is blown by a fan. The latest type uses Infrared light from high power LASER diodes to produce heat.
12.work bench.
You need a work bench to place all your instruments on. It is usually made from wood. Never use a plastic because it can catch fire when an hot soldering iron is mistakenly placed on it.
13.soldering stand.
To avoid damages to your work bench, surrounding materials or even you, it is advisable you get a soldering stand for your soldering iron. Avoid placing soldering iron on the floor because this can let your feets smell like a roasted chicken😅.
Fortunately most advanced soldering stations have soldering stands built with them.
14. Magnifying lamp.

For better visibility and reading of tiny prints on transistors, Integrated circuits and even checking for cracks, it is very useful for that.
It is also used when soldering SMDs for better connections.
15.Magnetic mat.
Often use by electronics and smartphone repairist. It avoids screws loosed from electronics to get lost by keeping it sticked to itself by magnetism.
16.pliers and cutter.

They are use for cutting and twisting most especially electric wires.
17. Regulated DC power supply.

It is use as a substitute to batteries. It provides a variable current and voltage a battery can't produce, it is use mostly in experiments, testing and circuits trouble shooting.
Get one!
18.osciloscope.

It is use for measuring frequency and analysing alternating currents and radio frequencies.
19.cutting tools.

Majorly use for cutting, example are utility knifes and a pair of scissors.
20.Plastic container.

Containers are use for keeping electronic components safely. It prevents liquids from spilling on them, therefore it reduces rust and avoid misplacing them.
A plastic container should have a covering to provide air tight enclosure.
21. Hot glue gun.
It is made of an heating element which heats a solid adhesive into liquid. It is preferred to other adhesive materials because of it adhesive strength and low cost of 5$.
Conclusion, As explained their are numerous instruments and tools to increase your productivity in engineering.
It is not compuslory you purchase them all but it is necessary if you want to become a professional.
You might not have enough cash to get them but at least you should have following tools;
- Multimeter
- Soldering iron
- Solder lead
- Screw driver
- Cutting tools
- A good adhesive
- And lastly, a working bench.
Tags:
Tools