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Electronics / Computer Repair and or Tool Kit?
MegaMan001
CRNARochester, MNRegistered User regular
CRNARochester, MNRegistered User regular
Does anyone have any suggestions for a starter Electronic / Computer kit for repairs and various tools? I've been looking around Amazon and some repair forums and it seems like most are cheap with only one or two quality components?
I was hoping someone had some experience with some of these premade kits or had suggestions of where to get started?
I was hoping someone had some experience with some of these premade kits or had suggestions of where to get started?
I am in the business of saving lives.
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https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Toolkits
Big premade kits are mostly terrible, like you've seen. A lot of them come with stuff you don't need, and the stuff you do need tends to be low quality. The ones I've had worked, but they wire out quickly. Especially the Phillips head bits would just get destroyed by really tight (or cross threaded) screws. The bigger the kit, the more likely there's stuff you don't need there.
I've got one of these for work:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_2_7?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=jk+6089+tool+set&sprefix=jk+6089,aps,170&crid=19JHH86G7YV5I
And it's got pretty much any kind of bit I could need for stripping down or building a computer and does the job well. The handle is a bit slimmer than I would prefer though, so a larger driver handle helps if you have some screws that are really socked down.
We've also got one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Generic-Interchangeable-Magnetic-Precision-Screwdriver/dp/B00UWS33FY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1548456716&sr=8-3&keywords=JM8128+tool+set
Which I don't tend to use as often. It's got the bits in a slightly different order that throws me off. I'm a creature of habit though, so if I started with this one I'd be flogging it first.
Either one of those should be enough variety of drivers to get you going with building or stripping down most computers, but won't get you far if you're working on tablets or cell phones.
Add in a static grounding band to protect the components, because every nerd should have a nerd leash.
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=static+band
If you're doing a physical network and building your own cable (this is a pain in the ass and I don't recommend it) then you'll need a crimper tool, probably want a tester too. You can get both together:
https://www.amazon.com/UbiGear-Crimper-Connector-Network-Crimper315/dp/B008UY5WL0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1548456917&sr=8-3&keywords=rj-45+crimping+tool
I don't know the quality of that one, I have a different brand that I use (if I absolutely positively have to, and can't just go to an electronics store and buy a cable).
If you're trying to recover data off a system, maybe a USB/ SATA Drive Reader?
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_14?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=hard+drive+reader&sprefix=hard+drive+rea,aps,177&crid=23FG5G8BXZ038
But that may be getting more specialized than you're looking for.
Having a handful of USB drives on hand is good, at least one of them should have a full installation of your OS of choice so you can boot to it.
You might find a pair of needle nose pliers or hemostats handy to help you pull and place jumpers if needed.
I'm trying to remember what it was called, but I'm drawing a blank. We used to have a black plastic tool, about 6 inches long, that looked like a stylus, but came to a wedge at the end instead of a point that was really useful for opening cases. You could use a flat blade screw driver for the same effect, but those tend to mark up or scratch surfaces.
As an improvised tool, a section of egg crate foam is great to have on hand to store screws in. The individual cups allow you to divide your screws up by type, or by step (these are the screws I need to install X, these are the ones that hold the cover in place, etc...), or whatever way makes sense to you.
I can't say enough good things about the Pro Tech Toolkit. If you are working on small electronics it's absolutely the way to go. If you're working on larger stuff, I really like autoloader screwdrivers. Every once in a while I run across something that need a long thin shaft and for that I have a set of jewelers screwdrivers stashed away somewhere.
Also a <$20 multimeter is nice to have around.