What tools and skills do I need?

Here are just some of the things you’ll likely need to build a simulator like this, off the top of my head. Yeah, be prepared because all of these were needed at some time or another during this build.

GENERAL TOOLS

Wire snips
Phillips and flat head screwdrivers, small and large
Adjustable wire strippers
Needle nose pliers
Fine tweezers
Permanent Marker, e.g. Sharpie (fine tip is best)
Pen/Pencil
Ruler (inch and metric)
Right angle ruler
Helping Hands (the metal kind with two grips…comes in very handy)
X-Acto knife and spare blades
Hot Glue Gun
Adjustable C-Clamps or similar

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS

High quality soldering iron (like a Hakko) and a wet sponge. Don’t skimp here!
High quality 60/40 solder. I prefer thin strand solder because it’s easier to work with on small parts.
Solder Remover (for those soldering mistakes)
Flux (optional but recommended)
24 gauge wire of various color. I stuck with a standard color scheme that seemed common. This is the general wiring scheme I used. Use whatever works for you:
- SWITCHES AND INDICATORS (24 Gauge):
  - White: Toggle Switches
  - Red: Indicator LEDS
  - Purple: Rotary Switches
- POWER (22 Gauge):
  - Yellow: 12v
  - Red: 5v
  - Orange: 3.3 v
  - Black: Ground
Electrical Tape
Adhesive cable organizers (LOTS of them!)
Cable/Zip ties (LOTS of them!)
U shaped and push-on Wire connectors (LOTS of them!)
Wire labels (you should get in the habit of labeling EVERYTHING!)
Various size barrier blocks and jumpers for electrical distribution
Heat Shrink tubing (a LOT of it!)
Hair Dryer (to heat up shrink tube)
12v LED lighting strips for back lighting (if your panel is back lit). 5v would work too. Up to you.

WOOD (if you go this route)

This is all going to depend on your design. I originally went with 3/4″ square dowels for my overhead rails but later found that was too thick and found 5/8″ to be better, such that two panels could butt up against each other leaving enough space for screws without breaking the sides of the dowels, and yet still strong enough to support the panels.