Mike63

Thanks, depends on what your electronic lab goal is. But first and foremost a good multi-meter but I wouldn't spend more then $40.00 on one. You can get some really nice ones for 15.00 to 30.00 these days if you look around. Other then that it depends on the type of electronics you plan on doing, simple gadgets, RF, digital, experiments, and that also depends on the type of devices you plan on working with, through hole or SMD devices. Oscopes are great to have and I am glad I have mine, and the ones that are available these days are certainly way better then mine, but really not a nessicty unless you are working with RF and then a spectrum analyzer and frequency generator can be a big help as. A set of hand tools, the soldering iron really depends if you are working with through hole (...see more »Thanks, depends on what your electronic lab goal is. But first and foremost a good multi-meter but I wouldn't spend more then $40.00 on one. You can get some really nice ones for 15.00 to 30.00 these days if you look around. Other then that it depends on the type of electronics you plan on doing, simple gadgets, RF, digital, experiments, and that also depends on the type of devices you plan on working with, through hole or SMD devices. Oscopes are great to have and I am glad I have mine, and the ones that are available these days are certainly way better then mine, but really not a nessicty unless you are working with RF and then a spectrum analyzer and frequency generator can be a big help as. A set of hand tools, the soldering iron really depends if you are working with through hole (basic soldering iron is just fine) or SMD (you will need a fairly decent one that you can control the temperature with, unless you build of find a reflow oven). You should check out some benches (and projects) on this site www.hackaday.com and or youtube if you are not already.

After a bit of rethinking your question, here are some other non directly related electronic items to consider:1. work surface/area, something nonconductive and static free, dry, easy to keep clean2. lighting, got to be able to see in some mighty small cracks3. comfortable chair, or a mat that you can stand on for hours if you go with a stand up desk4. component, wire, and tool storage, really want to keep these things as close as possible without the clutter as seen on my bench there.5. these days its always nice to keep a PC or laptop close for reference and experimenting with, as well as any books you might use with a way to keep that book open.As I mentioned below the details on these items greatly depends on the type of electronics work you do.

Thanks