Tools

There are a few tools which I regularly use for nearly all my projects, hope it helps if there's something here that you could use:

Computers & Software

  • Macbook Pro - yep I use a Mac. Haven't quite made the switch to an M1 yet. For extra 3D graphics grunt I have a Thunderbolt eGPU - Razer Core X enclosure with a Radeon RX 5700.
  • Autodesk Fusion 360 - it does nearly everything I need from mechanical parts design, through to electronics and printed circuit boards.
  • Visual Studio Code & PlatformIO - my choice for Arduino and python development. I did use (and occasionally still do) the Arduino IDE, but made the switch to PIO and I've barely looked back.
  • GitHub - publish code and files here and my repository is here.
  • Home Assistant - great home automation platform. Requires some skills to configure, but it's getting easier with every update.
  • ESPHome - makes configuring ESP-based electronic projects for home automation really simply.
  • BOMIST - inventory for electronic parts and other things, keeps me from over-purchasing and helps track stock. The developer is a great guy - quick to respond to emails and help.

Hardware

  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro - 3D FDM printer that's almost industrial quality. I had the smaller Adventurer 3 beforehand and got great use of it before deciding to upgrade.
  • Milwaukee Tools - I have many many many Milwaukee M18 and M12 cordless tools.
  • Optimum BF-16V Milling Machine - great for drilling and minor milling work. Nothing too serious.
  • Sainsmart Genmitsu 3018-PROVer - small CNC milling machine for basic cutting and drilling.
  • Omnifixo - it holds your parts while you work. Great product.
  • PCB Oven - I've made a few different types, one hotplate-style for small projects and the second is a larger oven.
  • Soldering Iron - I have many. Most commonly I use is my Atten T8586 Soldering & Hot Air Reflow Station.
  • WenTai Modular SMD Parts Storage - can't go past these little boxes. I have hundreds, barcoded with part numbers for storing small parts.

Test Equipment

When it comes to testing what I've built, I have a few go-to bits of equipment.

  • Fluke 3000FC - great multimeter, with extra accessories for data logging. I have the "industrial kit" which includes flexible CTs etc.
  • Digilent Analog Discovery 2 - oscilloscope and logic analyser for your computer. Not cheap, but works great. I have quite a few accessories for it from Digilent including their breadboard, probes etc.
  • Riden RD6018W - lab power supply, cheap, has current limiting and and other good functions. I 3D printed an enclosure for it that holds 2x Milwaukee M18 batteries to make it portable.
  • DT71 Smart Digital Tweezers - for checking values of SMD components as you sort or install.
  • Segger J-Link Debugger - great for programming and debugging SAMD and other MCUs supporting JTAG, SWD or similar.
  • Nordic Power Profiler Kit II (PPK) - measures mA and lower currents to map energy consumption over time. Great for creating low power devices, and experimenting with sleep functions of microcontrollers.

Suppliers

I can rely on these suppliers to help me do what I do.

  • JLCPCB - they do all of my printed circuit board fabrication. Quick turnaround, haven't had any quality issues, easy to deal with.
  • Digi-Key - great online electronic parts supplier. Quick delivery to Australia from the US which is great.
  • Core Electronics - good guys, Australian supplier, great products.
  • Perth Creative Industries Laser Cutting - Nick is great.

Microcontrollers

I regularly design projects based on a few common microcontroller modules or chips. Really is the "brains" of what I build.

  • ESP32-S2-MINI-1-N4R2 - my new favourite (before the S3 becomes supported) it's super small but packs lots of IO with good Wi-Fi. No Bluetooth though on this one! The N4R2 version is good so that you get the 2MB PSRAM. Some minor challenges with support from the Arduino framework - but getting there.
  • ESP32-WROOM-32E - has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. I used to use lots of Espressif ESP8266 modules, but switched over to these as they're more powerful and more secure. Starting to move now to the ESP32-S2's but really waiting on the ESP32-S3's to become mainstream.
  • ATSAMD21 and ATSAMD51 - ARM Cortex M0/M4 MCUs with no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but good native USB and great for fast development with CircuitPython.
  • WEMOS D1 Mini - Wi-Fi ESP8266 based development board. I used to use these heaps for quick projects. But I've migrated towards using the ESP modules directly instead.

Inspiration