Beginner Tools Kit

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This assortment of tools has everything you need to get started tinkering with Sparkfun products and beyond! The kit specifically caters to those of you who are new to soldering. We've found our favorite, low-cost and easy to transport tools, and created a kit that we would give to our local hacker friends. While these tools might not be enough for more difficult, surface-mount type assembly, they should be just what you need for through-hole soldering.

In this version of the kit, we've added a silicone soldering mat, a 2oz liquid bottle, and some upgraded wire strippers. Go hack something!

Insulated Silicone Soldering Mat

Keeping your workspace clean and well kept has always been a paramount concern for keeping all your possessions well maintained and pristine. With this Insulated Silicone Soldering Mat, you will be provided with the means to protect your desktop, soldering station, or workbench from the superheated tip of a soldering iron! Each mat is equipped with a large working area for all your soldering needs as well as a plenty of organization "buckets" (one large, three medium, eight small, and 56 tiny) for resistors, soldering tips, ICs and other various components. Due to the composition of these mats being comprised of silicone, they do have a useful temperature range with a maximum of 500°C (930°F).

These mats are capable of protecting a 400mm x 300mm (~15.75" x ~11.8") area with 235mm devoted to the working area and another 65mm for storage space. Since these soldering mats non-slip, non-conductive, and heat resistant they make for a perfect addition to your workbench!

• Silicone Material

• Non-Slip

• Non-Conductive

• Maximum Temperature: 500°C (930°F) 

• Dimensions: 400mm x 300mm (~15.75" x ~11.8")

• Weight: 420g

Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)

This adjustable-temperature soldering iron is a great tool for when you don't want to break the bank but need a reliable iron to get the job done. Operating at 60W and 110V, this soldering iron can be adjusted to five different temperatures: 280°C, 330°C, 380°C, 430°C and 480°C. This iron is very easy to use and features an on/off switch, allowing you to keep it plugged in on your workbench stand for quick access. 

Each adjustable-temperature soldering iron is equipped with a 130cm (~51") power cord that is terminated with a North American standard type B plug. Additionally, the soldering tip can be replaced by simply unscrewing the metal cylinder (while COOL) to give your new iron plenty of different options!

• Operating Voltage: 110VAC

• Wattage: 60W

• Five Adjustable

• Temperatures: 280°C -- 480°C

• Cable Length: 130cm

• Hakko Tip Compatible

Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

This is your basic tube of unleaded (Pb-free) solder with a no clean, water soluble resin core. 0.031" gauge and 15 grams.

Mix: 96.5% tin / 3.0% silver / 0.5% copper

Soldering Iron Stand

This is a simple soldering iron stand composed of a heavy-duty metal base and a reinforced spring holder. The base and holder are detachable. A circular cleaning sponge, which has a nice home at the bottom of the base, is included. 

This holder should fit most soldering irons, and it's a great way to keep our 'fire-starter' handy and off your floor.

Solder Wick #2 5ft. - Generic

Solder wick, coffee, and paper towels keep SparkFun running. You can steal someone's diagonal cutters for a minute, but you'd better ask before touching their solder wick. 

Solder wick is composed of copper threads braided together. Flux is normally added to help the solder flow from where it is not supposed to be (the jumper) to the wick. Hence, solder wick is sometimes called desolder braid. Yes, you really can solder anything, and solder wick is a large part of the process. 

This wick is 0.055" (size #2) wide and 5ft long. 

Be sure to checkout the SMD Soldering Tutorials to see how to use solder wick.

Wire Strippers - 20-30AWG

These are higher grade wire strippers from Jonard Industries with a comfortable, curved grip making them an affordable option if you need to remove the protective sleeve from a desired wire. These are an essential part to any hacker's arsenal and are able to strip 20-30AWG solid core and 22-32AWG stranded wire nicely. 

These Wire Strippers even have a locking mechanism to make sure you don't accidentally damage a wire before stripping and to help protect the hardened steel tool heads.

The JIC-2030 Wire Stripper and Cutter is designed for 20-30 AWG (0.81-0.25 mm) wire. Other features include a coil spring opening to reduce fatigue, wire looping, bending holes conveniently located, black oxide finish, locking mechanism, and cutting surfaces that are hardened, tempered and ground for superior performance

Specifications

• Wire Gauge：20-30 AWG (0.80-0.25 mm)

• Finish ：Black Oxide 

• Handle ：Plastic Dipped 

• Color ：Yellow Handle 

• Length：6-3/4” (171mm) 

• Weight： 0.353 lbs 

• UPC No：811490011670

Diagonal Cutters

Mini Diagonal Cutters. These are great little cutters! A must have for clipping leads and extra solder tails. 4" long.

Needle Nose Pliers

Mini Pliers. These are great little pliers! A must have for any hobbyist or electrical engineer. Crucial for inserting devices into bread boards and bending pins. 4" long.

Safety Glasses

Always, always, always wear eye protection while soldering. This is a golden rule we all know but sometimes overlook. Luckily, with these Safety Glasses you'll have a pair of lightweight, economical, and stylish lenses to protect your precious peepers. Each pair of these safety glasses removes the Geek logo from the lens and adds a single flame to the left temple arm. We use these for eye protection in our production lines and classrooms here at HQ!    

• Insulated Silicone Soldering Mat    硅胶隔热垫 ￥26.00

• Soldering Iron - 60W (Adjustable Temperature)  

• Solder Lead Free - 15-gram Tube

• Soldering Iron Stand

• Solder Wick #2 5ft. - Generic

• Wire Strippers - 20-30AWG

• Diagonal Cutters

• Needle Nose Pliers   1PK-036S   30.00

• Safety Glasses    1PK-037S  30.00

• Water Bottle - 2oz