This is a list of tools for constructing electronics projects. Not all of them are necessary, but all of them are useful. All of the items listed are easily affordable.
Used for heating component leads to apply solder, making good, permanent electrical connections. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $12. Be sure to get a lower Wattage model; high Wattage soldering irons can damage solid state components by heating them excessively. Something in the neighborhood of fifteen Watts is fine.
Holds one's hot soldering pen upright in a spring-type assembly when not in use, and incorporates a sponge for cleaning the tip of the pen. Far superior to the flimsy bent-wire stand that comes with the soldering pen. Not strictly necessary, but it definitely makes things easier. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $12.
Sort of like conductive glue, used to make permanent, reliable connections between electronic components. Be sure to buy rosin core; acid core solder is lousy for electronics. The author used Archer Light Duty .032 60/40 Rosin Core Solder from Radio Shack, about $5.
A braid of fine copper wire used to remove the solder from a connection. Not strictly necessary, but it definitely makes things easier if you accidentally solder the wrong leads together, or if you apply way too much solder to a connection. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $3.
Indispensible for bending component leads and connection wire to your will. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $7.
Used to remove insulation from electrical wire. Not strictly necessary, as one can remove insulation with anything from a pocket knife to one's teeth, but definitely labor-saving. Different styles are available. The pair the author favors came from Radio Shack, about $6.
Used to cut wire, obviously. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $6. The author has found that regular nail clippers usually work just as well, though their shape can make close work difficult.
Black, stretchy, insulating tape, useful for holding components in place while soldering and for insulating soldered connections. Mine came from Radio Shack, three rolls for about $2.
A weighted base with two small, articulated arms terminating in alligator clips. Fantastic tool for holding your work while you solder. Some models have a third articulated arm with a magnifying glass. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $7.
Any sort of really sharp knife will do, though the author favors the disposable hobby knives available in department stores like Wal-Mart and K-Mart. Very cheap, about $2 for three or more, and very handy to have around. Be careful; these things can remove a finger pretty easily!
A plastic box with many regular holes in which one may insert component leads. Inside the breadboard, the holes in a row are electrically connected. This device allows one to put together a circuit, in whole or in part, quickly, without the need for soldering or any other conventional means of making connections between components. In this manner, a circuit can be tested or troubleshooted with a minimum of effort, then disassembled just as easily. Not strictly necessary, but incredibly useful. Breadboards are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $15.
An electronic test instrument capable of measuring voltage, amperage, and resistance. Many models are available, with prices ranging from fifteen to several hundred dollars. Not strictly necessary, though very useful for troubleshooting faulty circuits. Radio Shack has several models available.
Thin files of various shapes. Not necessary at all, though the author finds them useful for increasing the size of the holes in perfboard when wires are too large to pass through them. Mine came from Radio Shack, about $8.
A clip or clamp made of heat-conductive material. Clips on to the component side of a component lead or to a circuitboard, absorbing the heat from the soldering pen rather than allowing it to damage components, melt existing solder joints, or damage wire traces on a printed circuit board. A hairpin or an alligator clip will work fine. My favorite came from Radio Shack, about $2.
A tool for removing integrated circuits from their sockets. Not really necessary, but makes the process much more painless. Prying a chip out of its socket with a screwdriver can bend its leads, and its a pain to bend them all back one at a time. Mine came as part of a computer toolkit, which was only $10.