I have recently renewed my interest in electronics. Now that I am older and can afford to build a proper workbench for my future projects I want to get some recommendations on what I should purchase. Please tell me what you recommend and the brand/model/type you would get.
I just bought a Extech PSU today 
EXTECH-382275-Switching-Mode-Power-Supply-600W-DC
http://www.extech.com/instruments/resources/datasheets/382275_76data.pdf
Thanks
Get a good digital storage oscilloscope. I've been very happy with my Atten ADS1102CAL. There is a very similar oscilloscope sold under the Rigol brand (DS1102E).
A good multimeter should be stop number one if you don't already have one. Many cheap meters advertise features galore, but you want something that is well calibrated and fast. Fluke has this market locked down, so browse around what they sell. The Fluke 89 has become a defacto standard, so I would start my search there.
A good frequency generator and frequency counter are next on the list. Agilent and Techtronics make the best ones out there, but if you find those out of your price range (most people do) GW Instek has been making some very good models lately that are worth looking into.
Some sort of magnifier is almost essential. Find something you like. Many people have the large bench magnifiers with the built in light. I also have use of an optical microscope that works wonders. Electronics microscopes are usually binocular models, so that you have depth perception.
This last one is completely my preference, but I would get myself a couple pairs of Pomona 6249 minigrabber leads, as they are just so useful. http://www.newark.com/pomona/6249-36-2/cable-assy-minigrabber-40-2in-5a/dp/10M5040?Ntt=6249-36-2
I also have a couple of cheap multimeters. Sometimes you want to measure voltage and amperage at the same time, and your good multimeter is already connected up to something else.
I recently got myself a big 3-ring binder and a bunch of baseball card holder/protector things (9 to a page). I made labels and organized my assortment of resistors, caps, transistors etc in it. Now I don't know how I lived without it!
I'd add a decent temperature controlled soldering iron. My company uses Hakko 937s, but on my own home bench I use a HAKKO compatible Aoyue 936A that works very well and is a lot less money. They are many, many other choices too but the HAKKO type replacement tips are easy to find, reasonably priced and come in a huge variety of sizes and shapes.
If you can't see your way to a 100mHz DSO, then do not hesitate to get a good used analog scope like a Tektronix 465 or 475.
I know there are a lot of Fluke supporters on this site, but my Fluke 8024B is my least accurate meter. When I got it new many, many years ago it was not accurate and this sort of put me off Fluke. Built pretty tough though.
Don't be afraid to pick up used Heath-Kit equipment. They were all designed to be easy to build and repair and full manuals are usually readily available so even if you get something that is not working initially, they are a breeze, rewarding and a lot of fun to fix. Some of the better items have specs you just can't beat for many times the cost.
Of course a decent set of hand tools is in order. Kline are good but there are other good brands. This is one area you don't want to cheap out on, as poor tools will do damage. Don't forget the flush cutter.
Breadboards, jumpers, alligator clip leads, etc...
Don't rely on getting a DMM with a frequency counter in it. After all, you are probably getting a meter with only 3-1/2 digits, that means your frequency counter will only have 3-1/2 digits.
polymorph:
Don't rely on getting a DMM with a frequency counter in it. After all, you are probably getting a meter with only 3-1/2 digits, that means your frequency counter will only have 3-1/2 digits.
Use an Arduino as a frequency counter.
I concur. Should be able to get to 1MHz with 1Hz resolution, anything over that you can use fast /10 ICs.
A few other items you may want to consider on your workbench:
A computer (or a tablet?).
A panavise (or similar).
On my workbench I also have a long (about 6 foot) powerstrip running across the front and plugged into the wall behind the bench; makes it very easy to plug in tools and such when and where I need them anywhere along the bench.
A magnifying lamp can be very useful for many things (I've even used mine as an "el-cheapo" macro lens with my camera before).
An AM/FM radio for tunes; also useful for certain RF uses...
A small desk fan (for keeping cool, or to blow away solder fumes).
The small version of these...
Don't waste any money on those little 1MHz pocket oscilloscopes. They are nothing more than toys with very limited voltage ranges.
Don't be afraid to pick up used Heath-Kit equipment. They were all designed to be easy to build and repair and full manuals are usually readily available so even if you get something that is not working initially, they are a breeze, rewarding and a lot of fun to fix. Some of the better items have specs you just can't beat for many times the cost.
Agreed. I have been lucky enough to come across several pieces of Heathkit equipment in thrift stores and electronic surplus stores. Not only is there a lot of troubleshooting information available online, there are improvements that range from tips on common problems, modifications to improve stability/accuracy, to entire PCB replacements.
If you bought a 600W PSU, buy also a fire extinguisher. It only needs to come handy once.
The tools I use with regularity are....:
SirNickity:
- Breadboards... lots and lots of breadboards, with tons of pre-cut wire jumper sets
Boy, did I used to do the breadboards. Then I got the idea that I should just solder the damn things down and I could keep them forever as reference examples. I still have about 10 of the huge breadboards and 30 of the smaller ones but I don't use them often.
