You can "get by" in PC-board kit assembly with a soldering iron, solder, and a small pair of diagonal cutters (OR "wire nippers"), but you'll find yourself wishing for needle-nose pliers with every other move you make! Also important is a sponge, or steel wool or damp rag for keeping the tip of the soldering iron clean and shiny. You may also find a wire nipping tool easier to use for PC work than diagonal cutters.

There are a variety of "convenience tools" for electronics building such as soldering aids, "third hands" or mini-vises, tweezers (for inserting small parts in tight spots), or magnifiers, and YOU will have to decide from experience which ones are useful to you

Choosing a soldering iron is like choosing a tennis racquet, fishing rod or other very personal tool. If you are new to soldering, try to get some guidance from someone with experience. You want the level of heat and the style of tip that helps you to accomplish the one goal of all soldering, a perfect connection! If you can't get any personal help in choosing a soldering iron, start with our WLC-100 Soldering Station, or visit your local Radio Shack. DO NOT try to use a soldering GUN on a PC-board kit project!

Screwdrivers, pliers, nut-drivers, wire-strippers and other common tools become needed only at the stage of working with enclosures or making connections to Mini-Kit PC-boards. If your kit requires adjustment of a coil, a non-metallic "alignment tool" will be needed and is explained in your kit manual.