What tools etc am I likely to need for a build?

[TiredRobot]

Ok.

I know I need a better soldering iron so I have one earmarked.

But I';m wondering what else I';m likely to need for a build. I currently have :

helping hands, magnifying headband, pliers, allen keys, hex keys, and clippers.

So what else will be useful to grab before I start?

Also is a fume extractor necessary? I';ll be working in my dining room and it';s not exactly well ventilated? 

[nub]

ach i wouldn';t worry about that to much, just open a window, mind hold your breath while your soldering though

canny think of anything else you may need, small cross point/Philips screwdriver for the FPV camera?

heat shrink, insulating tape?

ah a spanner or socket for the prop nuts!


nylon standoffs?

[Jazzz]

A multimeter to test the voltages are what there supposed to be ...
And to test for shorts at the end of your build ..
I test  for continuity on the power distribution bored as well
As for shorts

[hoverfly]

Don';t forget an 8 oz hammer for "percussive maintenance" and "definitive reprogramming"

[Elmattbo]

I second that one testing for shorts with a multimeter. Also get some hot glue and double sided tape. Hot glue is non conductive and I always put it round the xt60 pigtail connection to the pdb. That way if the cable gets pulled from the bored there';s less chance of it shorting.

Oh and zip ties. Always good to have some small zip ties!


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[Two-Six]

A nice hex driver for your frame hex bolts. 
Like these: https://www.modelhelicopters.co.uk/align-cnc-hex-driver-set-2-0-2-5-3-0-3-5.html

A set of these is nice: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/7pc-Precision-Nut-Driver-Set-Metric-Socket-Swivel-Screwdriver-3-6-mm-Tool-Set-/121610906406?hash=item1c50932b26:g:l68AAOSw7aBVG~iO

A small bubble lever is handy to get your flight controller levelled up.  A bit like these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/25x10mm-Diameter-Disc-Bubble-Spirit-Level-Round-Circle-Circular-mini-bullseye-/302040946340?var=&hash=item46530b16a4:m:m_0U0X2EnCGnbykmEWehVOw

[shawdreamer]

cordless drill

minimum 10mm HSS drill bit























....for when some busy-body-know-feck-all idjut comes upto when you finally get to fly your frame and starts talking cack about "you lot causing plane crashes and spying on neighbours in the shower"..... You can drill through quite a few kneecaps with a good HSS bit.

[Cheredanine]

As well as the above
Tweezers I find very useful
Technically I have used a needle file but by no means necessary.

Solder - 60:40 lead tin is frowned upon and more modern stuff is less toxic and much less useful, I tend to use .8mm or thinner 60:40 lead tin with a rosin core, if you chose to do so then any lead poisoning is your own problem but life will be a hell of a lot easier

Solder remover, either a solder sucker or desolder ribon

A flux pen

My helping hands died years ago, nowerdays I use bluetack

Technically a hot air blower for heat shrink, but I use a cig lighter

Hot glue gun

[nub]

nowt wrong with a bit of lead poisoning    it';s worth it just for those lovely shinny solder joints ::)

[TiredRobot]

Thanks guys. I';m still thinking about a fume extractor though as I have young kids.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/solder-fume-extractor-n33ch

Anyone used this one?

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[atomiclama]

Do those filters really get rid of the fumes??

I just keep the windows open or work in garage, or kick the kids outside until the smoke has cleared. Ah sorry that';s my cooking  ::)

[TiredRobot]

Do those filters really get rid of the fumes??

I just keep the windows open or work in garage, or kick the kids outside until the smoke has cleared. Ah sorry that';s my cooking  ::)

I';d be mainly soldering at night when they';re asleep, but it';s an open dining room (no door to the hall) and the windows are tiny so I';m just not sure if any fumes would linger or not.

[denisw]

Maybe a hot glue gun to keep cables out of way ???

[richardg6paj]

Needle files very handy. Dremel or similar, small Vice.
CNC machine is handy, 3d Printer, Lathe, Drill press/miller, Vernier Caliper.
The list goes on 

[Cheredanine]

Needle files very handy. Dremel or similar, small Vice.
CNC machine is handy, 3d Printer, Lathe, Drill press/miller, Vernier Caliper.
The list goes on 

It kind of depends what you are building mind

[richardg6paj]

Be selective on the choice of soldering iron you choose, in fact two are good, a heavy duty one is required for soldering 14awg wire to small pads on PDB';s for example. And a fine one for the lighter more precise jobs. I have found the Weller 100 watt Guns are briliant for the heavier joints, very quick.

[boblakelly]

Get a servo tester aswel, that way you can test all your motors easily enough before installation, it was a god send for my Octocopter, as all ESC';s hidden was nice to be able to test them before installation to make sure they where spinning right way :)