Where to get these?

Graybullet · 09-04-2009, 06:41 PM

Alright..don't laugh..I'm a computer weenie and not much of a handy guy. Where can I find the following equipment locally:

- soldering iron
- the heat shrink tube thingy to cover solder wires
- wirestripper/crimper for 4g and down. The ones I have seen for sale goes down to about 14g. I would need it for the 4g power/ground wire right?

and would a volt meter come in handy and why?

In HI, we have Checkers and they don't have any of the above.

Thanks!!

Dreamin'Z · 09-04-2009, 07:01 PM

Dude you need a radio shack, or an automotive store. Like advanced auto parts or something like that. You could just order it all on line

shabarivas · 09-04-2009, 07:04 PM

ok - as far as all the crap you need - online if you have time ... radioshack if you have no time and money...

As for the volt-meter - what are you testing? whats the install you are trying going to accomplish? are you just wiring some LED's? if so - all you need is a X volt battery - and bingo you can test to make sure the crap is working

Graybullet · 09-04-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamin'Z

Dude you need a radio shack, or an automotive store. Like advanced auto parts or something like that. You could just order it all on line

I didn't know they carry those stuff in RS. I'll have to check.

Graybullet · 09-04-2009, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shabarivas

ok - as far as all the crap you need - online if you have time ... radioshack if you have no time and money...

As for the volt-meter - what are you testing? whats the install you are trying going to accomplish? are you just wiring some LED's? if so - all you need is a X volt battery - and bingo you can test to make sure the crap is working

Yeah.. since I'm in HI, it takes a bit to get here. Thats why i'd try to go local. I'm gonna attempt to install amp, speakers, sub. Someone recommended to have a volt meter handy. I wasn't really sure why.

nogoodname · 09-04-2009, 07:42 PM

if you dont know where to get these stuff... chances are you shouldnt be soldering wires...lol

bigaudiofanat · 09-04-2009, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

if you dont know where to get these stuff... chances are you shouldnt be soldering wires...lol

I am going to sadly agree on this one. I mean if you are trying to copy what I do as well as others. It is not easy as I make it look. It takes time and practice. Also I do not use the same quality heat shrink that you get at the store. Google marine grade heat shrink that is the stuff I use. If you are trying to do an install on your on, I would be very careful or let someone else do it. Good Luck

Division · 09-04-2009, 10:18 PM

You can't learn unless you try. Let's not forget why these forums are here.

You can find the soldering iron at radio shack or any hobby shop. Expect to pay about 100 bucks for a decent one (you really should have one that has temp controls and not just a plug). You can find shrink wrap at a number of places, Home depot or Lowes sometimes carries the smaller stuff. As far as stripping 4g wire- don't use a pair of pliers, carefully cut the insulation off with a razor blade and just wiggle it off the end, careful not to cut too many strands.

A decent volt meter will help in properly setting your gains and troubleshooting certain things, it's a 'nice to have' but not quite a 'must have'.

speedfreak28 · 09-04-2009, 10:43 PM

definately kind of douchey to act like its a big deal to solder wires. Everybody starts somewhere

frost · 09-04-2009, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

if you dont know where to get these stuff... chances are you shouldnt be soldering wires...lol

Come on, we learn stuff by experimenting. I never soldered anything until 2 years ago when I installed a 12-ish foot hanging fan and the wires were not long enough. I played around with it, fan still going to this day.

Graybullet · 09-05-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nogoodname

if you dont know where to get these stuff... chances are you shouldnt be soldering wires...lol

- I have to learn somehow and sometime, better late then never. I'm pretty sure people weren't born with audio installation knowledge embedded...well, except bigaudiofanat

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigaudiofanat

I am going to sadly agree on this one. I mean if you are trying to copy what I do as well as others. It is not easy as I make it look. It takes time and practice. Also I do not use the same quality heat shrink that you get at the store. Google marine grade heat shrink that is the stuff I use. If you are trying to do an install on your on, I would be very careful or let someone else do it. Good Luck

- Thanks for all the answers to my questions. Hope you don't mind, but I'd like to keep asking. I would "practice" (just grab two singles wires and practice soldering, or practice removing the trim, etc) and will only perform the install when I feel confident and efficient.

Thanks for everyone's advices and for helping me with the ABCs of audio

bigaudiofanat · 09-05-2009, 02:07 PM

Good luck man in that case I think you will do fine. Just do not take your trim off and on to many times, and pick up a trim removal tool from auto zone or your local auto parts store. If you need any help please feel free to ask.

PS LOL thanks for that comment ^^

LattimerII · 09-05-2009, 03:40 PM

You can get all of those at my local Wal-Mart. I know there is a Wal-Mart in Maui, but not sure exactly where you are.

09-04-2009, 06:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Graybullet Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hawaii Posts: 82 Drives: 370Z Base/Sports Rep Power: 15	Where to get these? Alright..don't laugh..I'm a computer weenie and not much of a handy guy. Where can I find the following equipment locally: - soldering iron - the heat shrink tube thingy to cover solder wires - wirestripper/crimper for 4g and down. The ones I have seen for sale goes down to about 14g. I would need it for the 4g power/ground wire right? and would a volt meter come in handy and why? In HI, we have Checkers and they don't have any of the above. Thanks!! Last edited by Graybullet; 09-04-2009 at 07:00 PM.

09-04-2009, 07:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dreamin'Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Age: 40 Posts: 147 Drives: 14 370Z PW 6spd Rep Power: 16	Dude you need a radio shack, or an automotive store. Like advanced auto parts or something like that. You could just order it all on line __________________ Pearl 6MT Base with Sport Package

09-05-2009, 02:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 852	Good luck man in that case I think you will do fine. Just do not take your trim off and on to many times, and pick up a trim removal tool from auto zone or your local auto parts store. If you need any help please feel free to ask. PS LOL thanks for that comment ^^ __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

09-04-2009, 07:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
shabarivas A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,188 Drives: 370z MB 6mt Rep Power: 914	ok - as far as all the crap you need - online if you have time ... radioshack if you have no time and money... As for the volt-meter - what are you testing? whats the install you are trying going to accomplish? are you just wiring some LED's? if so - all you need is a X volt battery - and bingo you can test to make sure the crap is working

09-04-2009, 07:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
nogoodname Lifetime Premium Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Montreal Posts: 22,357 Drives: E46 M3 Rep Power: 1764	if you dont know where to get these stuff... chances are you shouldnt be soldering wires...lol

09-04-2009, 10:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Division Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Central FL Posts: 199 Drives: 2009 370Z Sport Rep Power: 15	You can't learn unless you try. Let's not forget why these forums are here. You can find the soldering iron at radio shack or any hobby shop. Expect to pay about 100 bucks for a decent one (you really should have one that has temp controls and not just a plug). You can find shrink wrap at a number of places, Home depot or Lowes sometimes carries the smaller stuff. As far as stripping 4g wire- don't use a pair of pliers, carefully cut the insulation off with a razor blade and just wiggle it off the end, careful not to cut too many strands. A decent volt meter will help in properly setting your gains and troubleshooting certain things, it's a 'nice to have' but not quite a 'must have'.

09-04-2009, 10:43 PM	#9 (permalink)
speedfreak28 Base Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: south jersey Posts: 247 Drives: 05 ram, 79 z28 Rep Power: 15	definately kind of douchey to act like its a big deal to solder wires. Everybody starts somewhere

09-05-2009, 03:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
LattimerII Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: US Posts: 52 Drives: 09 PG 370Z Sport Pkg Rep Power: 15	You can get all of those at my local Wal-Mart. I know there is a Wal-Mart in Maui, but not sure exactly where you are.