Buy your tools

A summary of the tools you will probably need to build the Pipistrelle family of detectors is below. Scroll down for detailed buying recomendations.

  • Silicone Soldering Mat (rec. Blue 30x20cm) @ £1.50
  • Anti-static Electronics Tweezers (rec. ESD15) @ £1
  • 1 x Multimeter (e.g. Aneng SZ308) @ £3
  • 1 x Soldering iron @ £7 to £15
  • Electronics Hotplate:
    • We would recommend for future proofing (building 4+ at a time) a temperature controlled 20cm square Hotplate with cool edge @ £40 to £50
    • A cheaper option for building one at a time is a temperature controlled 10cm square @ £20 to £25
    • You could “get away with” a “LED Remover Hotplate”, Often 400W, Minimum size = 9 x 6cm @ £6. These heat up very quickly (within 30seconds claimed!), have no safety features and you have no control over temperature. They are “risky”.

You may already have the tools below, if not then buy them also:

  • Magnifying lens (rec. 30X 37mm dia.) @ £2 to £5
  • Electronic side cutters @ £1
  • Hot glue gun (PippyG and Griff covers) @ £3
  • A powerful fan, or a Solder fume extractor @ £15

You can buy all of these from Amazon at higher prices, but small items are usually much cheaper from Alliexpress, Temu or similar.