Assembling the Dragon Rider 500 for use with the AVR Dragon

Step 3 Tools and Work Area

I do not have a state-of-the-art electronics work bench. For this project I will be working in the livingroom but that doesn't mean the assembly process will be less than professional. Here are the tools and work area I use for electronics assembly:

Tools:

• 15-watt grounded soldering iron
• soldering iron stand
• .032 60/40 solder
• wet sponge
• third hand
• desoldering bulb
• desoldering braid
• anti-static wrist strap
• diagonal cutters

Work Area:

• soft towel
• 12"x24" pine board
• desk lamp

Because we will need to solder some pin headers onto the sensitive AVR Dragon I feel it necessary to use a grounded soldering iron. To take further precautions I will be wearing an anti-static wrist band while soldering as well. A 15-watt iron doesn't get very hot and this should help to ensure a "gentle" soldering process for our components. I like to have desoldering tools on hand in case I make a mistake. Planning ahead will save you time and help minimize the damage done by mistakes.