Best function generators according to redditors

I've been looking into this space (best medium-cost maker/builder/fab tools) over the past couple of months, and here are my recommendations so far...

• CNC Mill (router) - For doing wood, plastic, and some light metal work, the Shapeoko 3 stands above the rest. It runs around $1.2k with a router included and can cut 16"x16"x3". You'll still need mill/router bits and materials, but pretty awesome for the price range. Note that they also just started selling larger versions (goes up to 33"x33"x3") for a few hundred dollars more. To move up to the next professional level but still on a budget, I'd consider building your own via CNCRouterParts Pro Kits (48”x48”x12”, $8k total).
  
  
• 3D Printer - The LulzBot TAZ 5 stands above the rest because of the range of materials it can print (with a special high temperature hot end) and its build area (11.7”x10.8”x9.8”). It's recently been reviewed by Make as the "Best Overall 3D Printer" which is a pretty high endorsement. It runs a little expensive ($2.2k) but looks like it's one of the best bets if you're looking to get into 3D printing.
  
  
• Lathe - You can get a mini lathe (7”x16”, $1.3k) in the price range you're considering, and while it may be a bit too speciality and manual, they're a great tool to have in your workshop. Especially if you like making round things.
  
  
• Laser Cutter - To get a decent laser cutter (not just engraving, but actually cutting materials) that won't break down, catch fire, release noxious fumes, or potentially blind you is currently around $4k minimum. There are a lot of cheap "eBay" laser cutters out there, but when you start to add up everything and weigh the risks they aren't really all that much cheaper. The two stand out models I've been considering are the FullSpectrum (40W, $6k) and the "coming soon" Glowforge Pro (45W, $4.8k).
  
  
• Electronics - You didn't mention this, but if you're looking at getting your hands dirty making things, electronics is now a pretty crucial component to support. The big ticket items (like an oscilloscope) are now a lot more reasonable than they were even 5 years ago and sites like SparkFun carry a lot of electronic components and tutorials that make it easy to get started even if you don't have much background in circuitry (yet!). My short list would include: a Rigol 50MHz, 4Chan, color disp, 4 probe oscilloscope ($450), a nice Weller soldering iron ($320), a soldering fume extractor ($70), some helping hands ($10), a Siglent signal generator ($360), and some nice boxes to keep your parts sorted ($20).
  
  Now go make some awesome things!
  

You need to get yourself one of these bad boys

I get them through my company catalog, hopefully you can too. This thing will send good tone through your grammas corpse.

Oscilloscope kits are great. I just did this one a little while back. It was a lot of fun and handy for the price. They sell an acrylic case kit separately too.

kuman 3O-IUX5-O0TZ DSO 138 DIY Kit Open Source 2.4" TFT 1MSPS Digital Oscilloscope Kit with DIY Parts + Probe 13803K, SMD pre-soldered https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0195ZIURK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_LzIQDbP8TT31D

I also got this little signal generator kit to check the O-scope function.

Naravis Gelatinized Black Maca... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HM70CMY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S36P26

Depending on the amplitude you need you may be able to use something that generates audio to do what you want. For example: this; note that I've not tried it and that one is DIY assemble. If you want to test in general you could try outputting an audio signal from your phone or computer for the same purpose. I have used a 0.01hz sine wave from my MPC to function as a CV LFO in the past.

I suspect the OP is more interested to find out whether off-the-shelf, commercially available test instruments like (the Agilent 33500B) can meet his requirements, and if so, which models would readers recommend. Personally I use an extremely cheap, non-arbitrary waveform generator {this one} and have no data on AWGs.

If you're willing to try some DIY/soldering then something like This or This will do the trick. It would need at least the LEDs, some wiring, and a resistor as well to make it work. It would be fully adjustable though to get the perfect effect.

Looks like the XR2206 based function generator. Neat little kit. Not the most precise generator out there but it's useful.
https://www.amazon.com/KKmoon-Precision-Generator-Adjustable-Frequency/dp/B01HM70CMY/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1524886358&sr=8-2-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=xr2206+function+generator&psc=1

> same rate

Exactly the same rate? Generate a single stream of pulses, feed the same stream of pulses to both stepper drivers.

You don't need a micro. All you need is a pulse generator or signal generator like this one.

Thanks again for all the great info! Didn't know that about painted heatsinks, makes sense. I haven't decided on a heatsink solution yet - I have some Trantec 3190s on the way I paid $2 ea. They're 2.9C/W @ 3". Not sure what the 3" means... the heatsink isn't 3" long - is this a measurement standard or something? I don't think it could dissipate that much heat at 2x1x1". If that didn't work out I would just throw a computer heatsink on it.

You can tell I'm new, can't you.

I was going to make a little linear regulator-based fan thermostat (because pwm makes a kick noise) for it if needed but I want to try cooling it passively first. I have some other heatsinks laying around too including a nice one I pulled from a car stereo cooling a 40w TA8261AH, so that might do. It's 150g.

A function generator will have to be my next purchase/project so I can test this amp on the scope because I blew up my cell phone's headphone jack last time I used the Android function generator - not sure what happened, must have had a short across the input capacitors. I've looked in to a couple ICs but they are mostly discontinued, so I might just buy a cheap arbitrary generator. There's also the AD9851 Arduino module that'll do 70mhz (more like 40 really), but shipping is only from China.