Stocking My Project Lab? What to buy?

Hi,

I used to keep all my stuff in a fishing tackle box (a big one) and it got stolen last year. Gone were all my discrete components like resistors, LED's, mosfets, 555's, my Mike Predko PIC programmer (rats!!!) etc, etc.

So I'm restocking because in 8 months I start my final year and I want to hit the ground running for my big project. My buddy and I have decided to go with Atmels, so I put the question out: what do you think a guy ought to make his priority for restocking with "learning Atmels" in mind?

I've got my resistors and capacitors back by doing a couple of bulk assortment buys, and I have all my test gear still (scope, power supply, freq counter, function generator, meters, etc.) but now I need to fill it out. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. (like a good programmer, soldering iron, component suggestions, chips, etc.)

Thanks in advance!

Get some AVRs and 8051s..
choose any or both
AVR: (Doesn't need a programmer)
ATmega8/16/32 - 32 is recommended
they are costly.. :-|

8051:
P89C51RD2 - cheap, large memory, no programmer needed
AT89S52 - Cheap ISP programmable
AT89S series.. just go through.. good ICs

Soldering Ion: any with temperature control and indication..
Lead: thin lead wire for soldering.. good for SMD components too.. just an addon if you buy a thin one..

Programmer: take PCB designs from internet.. get one IC programmed from anywhere its for 8051..
for AVR you really do not need any program..
just go through ponyprog website... google it.