###Small pliers
RadioShack 4.5-inch mini long-nose pliers, part number 64-0062, or Xcelite 4-inch mini long-nose pliers, model L4G. Or similar. The brand is unimportant. After you use them for a while, you'll develop your own preferences. In particular, you have to decide whether you like spring-loaded handles. If you decide you don't, you'll need a second pair of pliers to pull the springs out of the first.
I have small pliers, probably okay.
###Wire cutters
RadioShack 4.5-inch mini diagonal cutters, part number 64-0061, or Stanley 7-inch model 84-108. Or similar. Use them for cutting copper wire, not harder metals.
I should have wire cutters
Extech model EX410 or BK Precision model 2704-B or Amprobe model 5XP-A. Or similar.
I have a multimeter
The batteries should be disposable alkaline, the cheapest available, because we may destroy some of them. You should absolutely not use rechargeable batteries in Experiments 1 and 2.
- 9-volt battery. Quantity: 1
- AA batteries, 1.5 volts each. Quantity: 6
-
Snap connector for 9-volt battery, with wires attached (Figure 1-8). Quantity: 1 RadioShack part number 270-325 or similar. Any snap conector that has wires attached will do.
-
Battery holder for single AA cell, with wires attached (Figure 1-9). Quantity: 1 RadioShack part number 270-401 or Mouser.com catalog number 12BH311A-GR, or similar; any single-battery holder that has thin wires atached will do.
-
Battery holder for four AA cells, with wires attached (Figure 1-10). Quantity: 1 All Electronics catalog number BH-342 or RadioShack part 270-391 or similar. Also, one battery carrier to hold two AA cells, from the same sources.
Vinyl-insulated. Quantity: at least 6 All Electronics catalog number ALG-28 or RadioShack part number 270-1545 or similar.
Automotive-style, mini-blade type, 3 amps. Quantity: 3 RadioShack part number 270-1089, or Bussmann part ATM-3, available from automotive parts suppliers such as AutoZone (Figure 1-12).
Or similar. A blade-type fuse is easier to grip with alligator clips than a round cartridge fuse.
Panel-mount, single-turn, 2K linear, 0.1 watt minimum. Quantity: 2 Alpha part RV170F-10-15R1-B23 or BI Technologies part P160KNPD-2QC25B2K, from Mouser.com or other component suppliers (Figure 1-13).
Or similar. The "watt" rating tells you how much power this component can handle. You don't need more than 0.5 watts.
Assortment 1/4-watt minimum, various values but must include 470 ohms, 1K, and 2K or 2.2K. Quantity: at least 100 RadioShack part number 271-312.
Or search eBay for "resistor assorted."
Any size or color (Figures 1-14 and 1-15). Quantity: 10 RadioShack part num- ber 276-1622 or All Spectrum Electronics part K/LED1 from Mouser.com.
Or similar. Just about any LEDs will do for these first experiments.
Thank you for this list! Very clean and good looking;