Mail Call #10: Thanks Craig! Also loot from AliExpress | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

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In this video I receive Engineer’s Mini Notebook Volume II – Science and Communication Circuits & Projects all the way from the USA from my friend (and mentor (and reader (and viewer (and patron (and Lisp hacker))))) Craig. Thanks Craig! <3

I mention that the October 2024 edition of Silicon Chip magazine is out.

I mention that I recently got my symbol keyboard working on Linux! Pretty happy about that! These are the extra keys that I have at my workstation now: ° ± § λ Δ Σ Π Ω ε µ π θ

I also get a bunch of stuff from AliExpress, including:

And yes, despite confusion, I did get three lots of two different kinds of hard brushes, and yes, I did end up saying the wrong thing in the video! Can’t take me anywhere.

Oh, and as I mention in the video I am from a beautiful part of the world known as the Blue Mountains. It’s pretty hot here today!

In the end my collection of Arduino boards includes:

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Wozniak Solder LugsThis is an image of the product.notes

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Mail Call #9: Tools and Equipment from Jaycar, Amazon, and AliExpress | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I go through what arrived in the mail recently.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha Multifunction Hook ToolsThis is an image of the product.

Let’s go shopping!

Extra Content #1: AliExpress diodes | Learning Electronics In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

This is an old video I released on Elliot’s Extras back in September 2023. It didn’t get a write up on the blog at the time, so just doing that now. In this video, which was the first ever video for Elliot’s Extras, my second channel, I organise some of my diodes from AliExpress. This is a really long and really boring video, a perfect fit for the first Elliot’s Extras video. :)

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Tungfull TH-161 Rotary Tool Accessory SetThis is an image of the product.notes

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Electronics Project #7: ICL8038 Monolithic Function/Signal Generator Kit Build and Test | In The Lab

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Silly Job Title: Buzz Boss

In this video I build and test this kit I purchased from AliExpress: ICL8038 Monolithic Function Signal Generator Module Sine Square Triangle Signal Generators DIY Welding Practice Kit.

My notes are on my wiki: ICL8038.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Swann & Morten Handle For No. 10 10A 11 15 15A Scalpel HandleThis is an image of the product.

Let’s go shopping!

Mail Call #3: Even More Cheap Stuff from China! Thanks AliExpress! | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I open up another bag of stuff I ordered from AliExpress during their recent sale.

This is the bulk stuff I cover in this video:

And this is the equipment I cover in this video:

Yum Cha 3pcs Drill Scrub BrushThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 6pcs Wire BrushThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 10pcs Blue Microfiber ClothThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 10pcs Magic Foam SpongeThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Universal Handheld Wire StripperThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 4pcs 30mm Deep Hole PenThis is an image of the product.notes

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Oloey Safety GogglesThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Unboxing #12: Unboxing and Demo of OULLX NSS-681HDMI-RJ45 Cable Tester from AliExpress | In The Lab

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I unbox the OULLX NSS-681HDMI-RJ45 Cable Tester from AliExpress and compare it with the Ampcom Automatic Network Cable Tester also from AliExpress.

OULLX NSS-681HDMI-RJ45 Cable TesterThis is an image of the product.notes
Ampcom Automatic Network Cable TesterThis is an image of the product.notes

Note that the Ampcom is advertised as the ANENG M469D on AliExpress, but that’s not actually what you get. The Ampcom model that you do get seems to work well enough, but I would recommend the OULLX NSS-681HDMI-RJ45 because it’s cheaper and can do HDMI in addition to Ethernet.

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha 100pc Titanium Plated Drill BitsThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Mail Call #2: More Cheap Stuff from China! Thanks AliExpress! | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I take a look at some tools and components that I purchased recently at an AliExpress sale.

This is the bulk stuff I cover in this video:

And this is the equipment I cover in this video:

aToolTour Black Hexagon Deburring Drill BitThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Mini Magnetic Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Damotk 5pcs Crevice Cleaning BrushThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Double-ended Cotton SwabsThis is an image of the product.notes
Yutiars Round Paint Brush SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Plato Model 170 Wire CuttersThis is an image of the product.notes
OULLX NSS-681HDMI-RJ45 Cable TesterThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 100pc Titanium Plated Drill BitsThis is an image of the product.notes
Ausum 25 In 1 Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 29 In 1 Mini Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Tungfull TH-161 Rotary Tool BitsThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Long Handle Wire BrushThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 2pcs Grease Cleaner Cleaning BricksThis is an image of the product.notes

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yum Cha Xbox To HDMI AdapterThis is an image of the product.

Let’s go shopping!

Extra Content #9: Unboxing and Organising New Mini Screwdriver Kits from AliExpress | In The Lab

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I take stock of my new screwdriver kits and organise and document them. Following are the three screwdriver kits I show in this video.

Yum Cha 29 In 1 Mini Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Ausum 25 In 1 Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Mini Magnetic Precision Screwdriver SetThis is an image of the product.notes

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

Yutiars Flat Paint BrushesThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Mail Call #1: Cheap Stuff from China! Thanks AliExpress! | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video over here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

In this video I open up a bag of goodies I received from my recent order at AliExpress. They were having a sale and I purchased ten items, as detailed in the video and below. At the same time I ordered an extra two bags, and I will be opening those in future videos on the channel.

This is the bulk stuff I cover in this video:

And this is the equipment I cover in this video:

MOKIN CMO-346 3 inch Magnetic TrayThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 100pcs Releasable Cable OrganizerThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Wire BrushThis is an image of the product.notes
TOOKKS HZY ABS Wire FixtureThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha Metallic Craftwork PenThis is an image of the product.notes
Yum Cha 2pcs Magnetic Soft Vise Jaw PadsThis is an image of the product.notes

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe! :)


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

UNI-T UT116A Digital TweezersThis is an image of the product.notes

Let’s go shopping!

Electronics Project #2: Teardown of Homemade Continuity Tester | In The Lab With Jay Jay

This post is part of my video blog and you can find more information about this video on this show’s homepage which is here.

You can support this channel on Patreon: patreon.com/JohnElliotV

Silly Job Title: Grounding Genius

Old Book: Industrial Electronics Reference Book by Electronics Engineers of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation published 1948 with 680 pages.

Today we teardown a homemade continuity tester which I put together for use before I had a multimeter, so that was in the early days of my new lab, circa August 2021.

While I was preparing the links for this blog post I discovered that the plastic case I used for the continuity tester was the HB5610 Black Hand-held Electronic Enclosure from Jaycar. I purchased one of these for AU$9.95 back in August 2021, which was around the time that I made this continuity tester.

I subsequently purchased a ten pack of similar plastic cases from AliExpress for AU$64.55 (inc shipping) in March 2022. I went to find the AliExpress listing so I could link you to it, but it’s an old listing and has been taken down. I did search for an equivalent product but didn’t find what I was looking for. The dimensions are roughly 70mm x 135mm x 24mm and there is a facility for 2x AA batteries built in.

The multimeters I use/mention in this video are:

The multimeter I mention I want to get is this one: EEVblog 121GW Multimeter.

What I say in the video about active vs passive piezoelectric buzzers is correct. The active buzzer will do the buzzing for you, all you need to do is supply some power. The passive buzzer will need an input signal in addition to power, so some sort of oscillator if you want to generate a tone.

I knocked up a schematic for this continuity tester, something like this:

Continuity tester schematic

I’m gonna try getting some PCBs made for this circuit from PCBWay, because I’m still trying to learn everything I can about that process!

Thanks very much for watching! And please remember to hit like and subscribe!


Following is a product I use picked at random from my collection which may appear in my videos. Clicking through on this to find and click on the green affiliate links before purchasing from eBay or AliExpress is a great way to support the channel at no cost to you. Thanks!

FNIRSI M328 Component TesterThis is an image of the product.

Let’s go shopping!