advice needed on what to buy my grandson to get him started into projects

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello,

This is my first post, so let me give a brief introduction.

I am a Scotsman, living in Mendocino, California, USA, and an older guy, aged 78, yet working seven days a week for decades as a maker of wood flutes in the style of the 18th century, for playing the music of, for example, Bach and Mozart, to be used by musicians who want to play 'early music' on instruments that the old composers wrote their compositions for.

I work alone, using old style tools, hand tools, lathes, etc., do everything myself, from tree to concert stage, and sell all over the world. Today I am finishing a piccolo ( small flute) for the Opera House in Manaus, Brazil.

I have worn many hats over my life, served a 7 year apprenticeship as a tool maker with Rolls Royce, starting at age 15, after running away from school. I doubled back, and did some book learning, eventually a PhD in Cambridge England, and was on the faculty briefly. I developed electromagnetic transducers to measure tiny oil films in ball bearings, etc. Later I went back to my first love, making things.

So I am a hands on person, and not completely ignorant in what this forum is about, but safe to say I am way behind on all the cutting edge opportunities that today's young talent can make use of here.

That said, I would like some hints and tips from anyone, as to how I can get my grandson hooked into this great site. He is graduating in a about ten days, from high school in Vernon, B C Canada, and already deeply immersed in putting together his own fast computer, from parts, has some kindred spirit friends with similar interests, is computer literate, creative, and likes all this cutting edge stuff. I would not say he was skilled in lathes and hammers/chisels, as I was when young, yet I am sure he would be very interested in the projects and learning he can get here.

So, question:

If I wanted to get him a few hundred dollars of a starter kit to build something, what would you suggest? If it was you, what would you like to have had as a starter kit?

Can I also put a small sum into the store, as credit in his name, so he can see what he would like to follow along with, of his own choosing?

All suggestions will be very much appreciated ...

Every good wish in your own endeavours!

Rod Cameron

2

That is a long (but interesting) introduction. Do you have a website ?

Some more advanced users of Arduino don't like starter kits, because we would like to buy specific things where our interest is in. Personally, I don't even like books. I think everything is online, and the Arduino is about learning by doing things.

The best Arduino board to start with is the Arduino Uno.
Next comes a breadboard and wires.
Next is leds, resistors, sensors, and so on.
If you buy that as seperate items, it might be cheaper. Start with 50 dollars.

On Ebay are some 'Arduino' starter kits that are very disappointing.

The starter kits and many Arduino boards are at the moment not available in the Arduino.cc store :cry:
If you buy something from Adafruit, you won't be disappointed :slight_smile: They now sell also the "Metro" which can be used as an Arduino Uno.