Originally streamed live on April 2, 2022.
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- Music by Fran Blanche -
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By Fran

16 thoughts on “The promised land of kits”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars William Mulligan says:

    I once repaired a kit where the person had not cropped any of the leads on any of the components. It was like a forest of tall trees.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tom Wold says:

    I used to have a Heathkit 12 volt 3 amp power supply that worked great, I used it to power a cb radio for a couple years

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mr.Monster says:

    Hey Fran what about some basic guitar pedal self build kits ?

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Barry Mayson says:

    Personally I build many kits for radio related topics. Some kits are fully stuffed but some are just circuit diagrams . Some are just circuits and PCB or even just the Gerber files so you have to arrange to have PCB made . The big problem is I think you would have to write instructions which takes a lot of time I know used to have to write technical instructions for people who new nothing of the equipment. Anyway after waffling on for a while I think just let the circuit diagram out into the wild if you want or not , still happy whatever. Many thanks for your time and work on these videos.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars M C Smith says:

    Got it!
    Thank you for the explanation.

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Stevie Elder says:

    hmm that would be a good idea to invent conductive glue

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Dimitrios Kalfakis says:

    we are a dying breed…reminiscing of the past

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ralph J says:

    Re your custom enclosure requirements try Takachi, not cheap but they take pride in quality and finish. Used them in the past (I am similar in that I hand-build all my products but I could never match the quality of the custom enclosures, paint finishes etc available from a select few).

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Manuales para todo says:

    The only kits I'm young enough to have actually bought cheap to justify are small chinese boards to make a simple signal generator, radio receiver, sdr receiver based on a tv dongle, lcd component tester and the such. You have to know your thing to build it better than at the factory, even when the prebuilt versions are quite bad. It worked because you knew you had no chance to reclaim anything.

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nightwave says:

    Great topic. Spot on!

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Joe Hamelin says:

    I love this one. This explains so much.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EEVblog says:

    LOL, truth, been there, done that

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Leslie Deana says:

    I watched this again, after seeing it live, hoping there may have been a change of heart. I understand why though.

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BobC says:

    More Makers are turning to services like JLCPCB to get stuffed boards, and most electronics parts distributors will "kit up" parts orders on request. These two steps take most of the "pain" out of getting sellable product in hand. And folks like CrowdSupply will even handle testing and logistics for you. All of these services come at a price, but the markup can leave plenty of margin for determined (and careful) Makers to make a go of it for specialty niche items.

    Using a chain of services like this allows for internal growth based on revenue (failures are relatively low-cost, and thus low-risk). For example, Aussie home automation channel SuperHouseTV has gone from hand-built prototype kits to service-assembled kits to now building his own pick&place production line.

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bob Darlington says:

    Yeah, people can't solder. That said, I still want a Hero 2000, but not bad enough to buy one.

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Brian Brill says:

    Well that made me look up conductive glue which is apparently a thing, and which I have at least one use case for.

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