3mm Kapton (polymide) Tape: Kapton tape is widely use for insulation on electronics and holds up well under challenging conditions. For tag flight preparation, a rectangle 3mm by 4mm is ideal for covering the test points on a tag used by the base and chargers for communication.

Ceramic Tweezers: While not strictly necessary, ceramic tweezers are ideal for manipulating the small rectangles of tape used to insulate the tag test points. These can be obtained inexpensively from Amazon.

Small Scissors: A pair of small, sharp scissors is essential for tag preparation.

**Tape Application Sticks** (4mm wooden coffee stirrers) Wooden coffee stirrers are ideal for smoothing insulating tape while minimizing the potential for damage.

Harness Material (elastic cord) 1mm (or smaller) elastic cord is needed for building harnesses. See leg harness section for directions.

Soldering Station for the fine level assembly required it essential to use a high quality temperature controlled soldering iron with a fine-pitched tip. In our lab we use the Hakko FX-951 soldering station with fine conical tips (e.g. 0.2mm T15-IL) for most work

Boom Microscope A microscope is not required for assembling tags, but is definitely helpful. Ideally, this should be a microscope with zoom capability.

Optivisor An optivisor is essential for the fine work necessary to assemble tags. Be careful to request the ones with glass lenses !

Solder A small diameter (e.g. 0.02 inch), leaded, flux core solder is essential.

Flux in pen form is especially useful for soldering small components such as batteries.

** Flux Remover** After soldering, all components should be carefully cleaned with flux remover.

Cotton Swabs We use fine cotton swabs for this purpose.

Kapton Tape Various widths of 1mil kapton tape are required for wrapping batteries (1/4", 3/8", 1/2") depending upon battery diameter. Ideally the tape should be slightly wider than the battery.

Masking Taper During the coating process we use 6mm Scotch Masking Tape 233 to protect the contacts from the coating. This is an automotive paint masking tape that bonds well, removes easily, and is compatible with various solvents.

Floral Wire We use 24 gauge floral wire to make disposable hangers for the tags for use during the coating process. This is soft, easily bendable wire.

xacto knife An x-acto #1 is essential for cleaning excess coating material after coating tags.

Pin Vise A pin vise with 1-1.1 mm drill is needed for cleaning the tag holes after coating

Diagonal Cutters A small pair of diagonal cutters is needed for forming the tag hangers for coating.

Needle Nose Pliers A small pair of needle nose pliers is needed for forming hangers.

MG 4223 We use MG Chemicals 4223 urethane coating for insulating the tags. This is available in a 55ml bottle. In practice we immerse the tags (with batteries) directly in the coating and hang them to dry.

Toolour magnetic fixture tower Magnetic fixtures such as this are useful for holding boards during soldering