LITMIR.BIZ

✓ Solderless breadboard: You use a solderless (pronounced “sodd-er-less”) breadboard like the one shown in Figure 1-2 to build circuits. Purchase a breadboard that has at least 830 contact holes (also called tie points) and includes power rails (also called power lanes or bus lines), such as Tayda Electronics #A-2372 ($4.59) or RadioShack #2760001 ($22.00).

✓ Wire stripper/cutter: You use this tool to cut wires, trim component leads, and strip insulation from the end of wires. I recommend getting a gauged wire stripper/cutter (Figure 1-3, left), but you can use an adjustable wire stripper/cutter (Figure 1-3, right) instead. Make sure your wire stripper can be adjusted to strip 22-gauge (22 AWG) wire. ($7.00–$20.00 at RadioShack, hardware stores, or Walmart.)

✓ Needle-nose pliers: Pictured in Figure 1-4, needle-nose pliers help you bend leads and wire and make it easier to insert and remove components from your solderless breadboard. (Check your family’s toolbox or get a set of 5-inch pliers for $6.00–$12.00 at a hardware store or Walmart.)

✓ Antistatic wrist strap: You use a strap like the one in Figure 1-5 to prevent the charges that build up on your body from zapping – and potentially damaging – the static-sensitive 4017 integrated circuit (IC) (used in Projects 12 and 13) during handling. Buy RadioShack #2762395, Zitrade #S-W-S-1, or similar. ($9.00 in select RadioShack stores; $2.00–$12.00 on Amazon.com, Walmart.com, and Newark.com.)

✓ Safety glasses: Okay, so you risk looking a bit geeky wearing safety glasses like the ones shown in Figure 1-6 while you work on your electronics projects. But better to look geeky than to not be able to look at all because the wire that you just clipped went flying into your eye. (3M #11228-00000-100 is actually attractive and costs about $1.00 on Amazon.com.)

      ✓ Electrical tape: You need about 4–6 inches of 3/4-inch electrical tape, such as Scotch #4218-BA-40. ($2.00 per roll at Walmart or any hardware store.)

      ✓ Hot glue gun: This item is optional for Project 14. You can purchase one at any craft store.

      ✓ One 9-by-12-inch sheet of adhesive craft foam: Check your local craft store (roughly $1.00). (Amazon and Walmart sell multipacks for $12.00–$15.00.)

      ✓ One package of assorted grit sandpaper: If you don’t already have this, you can purchase it from any hardware store, Walmart, Amazon.com, and other suppliers ($5.00 or less).

      ✓ Assorted household items: One toilet paper roll, one paper towel roll, aluminum foil, one sheet of plain white paper, transparent tape, a ruler, a magnifying glass (optional), and one piece of cardboard or a plastic lid (optional).