The Mars Rover kit contains no tools, so have them ready before you start. At minimum you need a soldering iron, lead-free solder, cutter pliers and a small screwdriver.
What is in the box is the build itself: PCB panels, the controller PCB, Rover expansion modules, a speaker, a camera with add-ons, servo and DC motors, wheels, a solar panel, joysticks, buttons and encoders, and spacers, screws and switches.
If you already own soldering tools, use them. There is nothing kit-specific about them and you do not need to buy anything from us.
If you do not, our Tools Pack is the set we put together for builds like this one. It holds nine items:
Soldering iron
Soldering tip
Soldering stand
Lead-free solder
Sponge
Cutter pliers
Screwdriver
Safety glasses
USB cable
The iron in the pack is rated at 8 W. If your build calls for a temperature-controlled station, use your own.
Wear eye protection whenever you solder. The safety glasses in the pack, and the Protective Goggles we sell on their own, both keep solder splashes and trimmed component legs away from your eyes. We do not publish a safety-standard rating for either, so if you need eye protection certified to a specific standard, such as EN 166 or ANSI Z87.1, use goggles carrying that mark.
If you ordered the Mars Exploration Bundle, a Tools Pack is already one of the four items in it. There is no need to add a second one.
Two optional extras are worth knowing about. The Electric Screwdriver carries 38 precision bits in a case with a built-in magnetiser, turns at 150 RPM with 0.3 Nm of torque and charges over USB Type-C; the Rover takes around 20 hours to assemble, so it saves a good deal of wrist work. The Complete Workshop Bundle is the Tools Pack together with the heat-resistant Silicone Work Mat and the Protective Goggles.
If you are not sure whether a tool you already own will do the job, message us here, or email [email protected], before you start.