How to Assemble the Ultimate Tech Toolkit
Posted on January 13, 2008
Filed Under Hardware, How To, Tools | 25 Comments
It’s never fun when you show up to work on a computer and you don’t have the right tools. Unfortunately, this has happened to me a lot. With the experience I have gained, I would like to show you what you need to assemble the ultimate tech toolkit so you are always prepared to fix a computer.
When assembling your toolkit, you don’t have to use the exact same products that I have listed below. There are other comparable products by other manufacturers that might differ in quality and price. However, these are the products that I like and recommend to use when assembling your new tech toolkit from scratch.
Rosewill 45-Piece Premium Computer Tool Kit – This kit includes an assortment of the most standard tools you will need to repair a computer. It includes a Reversible Ratchet Driver with 20 different sized bits, 6″ Phillips Screwdriver, Reversible 1/ 8” Mini Screwdriver, 9 Hex Key Set, 5″ Long Nose Pliers, 5″ Wire Cutter / Stripper, IC Insertion-Extraction Clipper, Three Prongs Holder, Tweezers, Spare Parts Box with parts, Anti-Static Wrist Strap, and a Black Zipper Case. All tools are demagnetized to prevent systems and magnetic media from damage. Available via Newegg.com.
Rosewill Network Tool Kit – This kit includes all the tools you will need for making and testing network cables. It comes with a Cable Stripper, Crimper, Punch Down Tool, RJ11/RJ45 Cable Tester, Modular Plugs, Plug Boots, and Screwdriver with Bits. Available at Newegg.com.
Vantec SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter – This adapter allows you to hook any SATA or IDE hard drive up to through USB. It requires no case so you can hook up drives and transfer data in a hurry. It is also very useful when performing upgrades and needing to transfer files from an old hard drive to a new one. Available at Newegg.com.
Nspire Power Supply Doctor – This tester allows you to test power supplies to see if they are working properly. You can use it to test 20Pin or 24Pin Power Supply Connectors, P4 Power Connectors, Molex Connectors, Floppy Power Connectors, and S-ATA Power Connectors. You can also check out my article on how to use one. Available at multiple vendors through Google Product Search.
BYTECC USB to PS2 Adapter – Since most manufacturers are moving to USB connections for keyboards and mice, it’s good to have a way to connect PS/2 devices up to new computers. This adapter does just that. Available at Newegg.com.
LED Magnetized Telescopic Rescue Stick – Easily retrieve dropped screws with this telescopic rescue stick. And the best part is that it has a built in LED light that turns on when the stick is extended. Available via ThinkGeek.com.
ColdHeat Pro Soldering Iron – It’s true that us techs do not get to solder as much as we used to but when we do, we need to have the proper equipment. The ColdHeat Pro Soldering Iron is a cordless soldering iron that heats or cools instantly. It comes with a polycarbonate carrying case, work space light, and activation light. It is powered by 5 AA batteries. Available via ColdHeat.com.
Victorinox SwissMemory – What’s a Swiss Army Knife without a USB flash drive is what I always say. With this tool, not only do you get a blade, nailfile with screwdriver, scissors, ballpoint pen, and LED flashlight, but you also get your choice of a 512MB, 1GB, or 2GB USB flash drive. And since you have a flash drive, you might as well load it up with 35 Portable Applications That Every Tech Needs. Available via SwissArmy.com.
Roll-Up Keyboard – Because you never know when you are going to need a keyboard, you should always be prepared. The roll-up keyboard is perfect for fitting into tight places like your tool bag. It features a standard QWERTY layout along with 104 keys. Available via ThinkGeek.com.
BELKIN 7-in-1 Retractable Cable Travel Pack – Don’t you hate carrying around all of those cables. With the 7-in-1 Retractable Cable Travel Pack, you can easily manage all of your cables in one place. It features USB cables and adapters for A Male, A Female, B Male, 4-Pin Mini-B Male, 5-Pin Mini-B Male, It also features RJ11 and RJ45 cables with a RJ45 crossover cable adapter. Available via Newegg.com.
Western Digital Passport – You need a place to store all of your tech tools. You also need a way to transfer large files. The Passport is perfect for the job. It is completely powered by the USB 2.0 interface so no external power source is required. And the best part is that it can fit in the palm of your hand. You have the choice of a 60GB, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB, 250GB or 320GB. Available via Newegg.com.
Proporta Gadget Bag – With all of those tools you will need a bag with lots of storage space to carry them in. The Gadget Bag consists of four compartments that can seperate into four smaller bags or connect together to form one large bag. This comes in real handy when you only need certain tools and don’t want to lug the rest around with you. There is even a model with a built-in USB Mobile Device Charger. Available via Proporta.com.
What other tools would you include in your toolkit?
Other Posts You Might Like:
- How to Test a Power Supply Using the Nspire Power Tester Plus
- Determine Memory Type Without Opening The Computer
- 18 Portable Apps that Every Tech Needs
- 15 Online Tools that You Will Come to Love as a Tech
- 10 Great Tech Tools That Boot from a CD
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25 Responses to “How to Assemble the Ultimate Tech Toolkit”
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It was interesting to see that I already have the WD Hard Drive, Power Supply Tester, and rollup keyboard. That carrying case looks nice too.
Thanks for the information.
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Fascinating list. I never even knew some of those tools existed. Of course, now that I know, I can totally see where they would come in handy – especially the SATA/IDE to USB 2.0 Adapter
- visit archshrk.com
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I have been fixing, building and messing around with pcs for over 8 years, and I have pretty much all these tools.
It just goes to show all good techs use the same ones. To be honest I got alot of mine from college.
Great list.
Regards.
Jsanderz
http://www.informationaddicts.com
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Hirens boot CD.
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Supposedly the ColdHeat soldering iron is not very good for use on the more delicate electronics. Do you find this to be true?
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Hey Everyone,
I really appreciate it everyone’s input. After looking through your suggestions, I realize that there are some good things that I left off so thank you.
I’m really surprised at the negative response to the Victorinox SwissMemory Swiss Army Knife. I actually have one of these and love it. I would probably have to disagree about the USB drive being inadequate in terms of speed as far as what I have experienced with it but I see your point about the capacity. It would be nice if they made these larger than 2GB. I also love the flashlight and pen that it has. And I use the blade all the time for opening boxes.
As far as the ColdHeat soldering iron goes, what would you use instead? Are there any other cordless soldering irons that you like better? And even if it’s not cordless, what is your favorite soldering iron to use?
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The cold heat is a serious piece of crap. After hours I was able to make only one good joint, the rest were all cold joints. Cold heat = cold joints. Solder beads right off and the tips get too gunked up to arc after a few joints. Tips crack very easily too. They are made from some graphite junk. It is impressive how fast it heats and cools, but that is all, a novelty. The only thing I have found it to be good for is repairing joints that have broken where all you have to do is melt the existing solder and “push” the seam shut. Also retractable usb cables have been absolute junk in my experience. I have never had one work right. adapters would be ok to include though. I’d also include a usb drive with your favorite trouble shooting programs. Even having hijack this, some antivirus, tune up utility, mini firefox with your settings, etc etc. Theres a ton of good stuff you can fit on one that you will need when doing a house call. If they had anything good they wouldn’t be in trouble in the first place. keep some spare parts around for ruling out if hardware is broken.
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Yes, the ColdHeat soldering iron is crap. I solder motherboard components on a daily basis, and my boss got me one of these things because he thought it would improve my efficiency. Turns out that it can’t actually be used on anything as small as the components I solder, because the two ends of the tip are far enough apart that they cannot get a connection across them.
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The Swiss Army Knife/ USB drive… why? I jsut have a nice little thumb drive and dont need a tiny useless knife, stupid small pen, or scissors. and the ColdHeat Pro Soldering Iron is not a good little Iron, but I like the fact its is cordless. But the last time I used a Soldering Iron was like 1999 or 2000. Over all I do like you list and need to get a good PS tester to finish off my set up.
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package all this and sell it. I’ll bet a ton of people would buy it to avoid the trouble of ordering everything separately.
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Overall a very good list, but there’s a few issues.
As noted, the ColdHeat is pure crap, and in particular, since it uses electrical current to heat itself, it’s specifically NOT supposed to be used on delicate electronics, so does NOT belong in a geek’s toolkit.
And the SwissMemory? Come on, seriously. It’s one of the weakest, lowest-end Swiss Army Knives you can find, making the only reason you added it to the list the fact that it has a flash drive in it. But the flash drive it includes is woefully inadequate in terms of capacity as well as speed. Put something decent like a Corsair Voyager or an OCZ Rally ATV on your list at around 4, 8 or 16GB and a Victorinox CyberTool 41 (or one of its lower-numbered cousins) and call it a day. That way you have a small device that carries your most valuable software tools, as well as a relatively small device that has half of the first toolkit built into it (with the toolkit on hand for the big jobs).
How about a nice, high-quality CD/DVD case, as well, since many of our software tools (like Ultimate Boot CD, Bart PE, Acronis True Image, Memtest86, etc.) need to be on CDs or DVDs, or take up enough space that we don’t want to fill a whole flash drive with one? That would make an important addition to the list.
Other than that, though, you’ve got a pretty good list. Not sure the PS2/USB adapter is a must-have (if you’re working on a client’s hardware they should either already have a keyboard/mouse that work together or one of these adapters, and if they don’t, they should be buying on, not using one temporarily while you’re there), but can’t hurt just in case. And carrying the roll-up keyboard’s a pretty slick idea, but shouldn’t you include a small portable mouse (either wireless, or with a retractable cable), as well? Yes, us geeks can manage without one, but it would sure save some trouble.
- TurboFool
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I would add a digital multimeter and a POST card to that line-up.
Strangely enough a paper clip and an eraser also comes in very handy as well. You never know when you need to eject a sticky Optical drive or clean messed up RAM contacts. I use these all the time. Sometimes low tech is also high tech
Finally I also use a sable paint brush modified with an ESD strap mod (wont find this, I made it myself) on it. I wouldn’t recommend this for the average toolkit but as I often repair systems with a lot of dust, at times this proves invaluable. Just don’t touch the motherboard or other delicate circuitry with it when cleaning.
The list is good but I wouldn’t add the Swiss Memory and I haven’t used a soldering iron in a while. Any job needing soldering would be taken back to my office anyway. As mentioned below by another poster- add a CD/ DVD case. This is most important.
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I’ve used the Coldheat before and it was horrible. I havn’t used the one I am about to suggest but it has some good reviews, which is more then can be said for coldheat. Hakko FX-901 Cordless Soldering Iron, presuming you really need a soldering iron in a travel kit.
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The Proporta bag still has alot of space to fill. How about adding this stuff here.
Who knows if you are asked to work on the phone switch in your companies basement?
Go look for:
Cable Locator Tone-Test Set
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882719006
Butt Set
http://business.listings.ebay.com/Datacom-Telecom-Measurement_Butt-Sets_W0QQdfspZ2QQfclZ3QQfromZR11QQsacatZ97138QQsocmdZListingItemList
Ebay is your friend for this type of equipment.
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all i can say is that there is just one tool missing the good old can of air if you are out working on site nothing like a can of air to remove all the dust that has built up over the years
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I work on computers regularly too and one thing nobody has mentioned is something I’m sure we all use. A good selection of cable ties (zip ties of different sizes) and side cutters (not pliers!) to trim them can be invaluable for cable management in computers and networking situations where airflow, neatness and ease of identification are paramount. A digital camera can also prove useful to those of us that regularly return parts to manufacturers, so that any faulty parts can be shot and documented.
Also the most (!) important part of any techie’s toolkit is the good old notepad and pen. I need to write stuff down constantly whether it be serial numbers, windows activation keys, or tech reports. Nobody can discount the importance of writing material
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For the soldering iron, when I need cordless I go with the Weller Portasol Pro/Technic. It’s butane so you need to be careful of your environment but the 6-11W that a battery powered unit will give you just won’t cut it for dealing with wires, assemblies and parts soldered on a large copper pour. It also give you hot air which is prefect for SMD work.
As for corded i still carry around a cheap xytronic 258 when I have to do on-site repairs. It’s simple and gets the job done, only downside is it has a thick cable and can get cumbersome if you aren’t used it it.
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No kvm switch?
Also a usb to PS2 Keyboard/mouse adaptor isn’t very useful if you carry a usb keyboard (and presumably a small mouse that is not mentioned).
A decent capacity thumb drive is a better Idea than the pre-built 2.5″ external drive, as powering it from usb is borderline (ie. you might find it needs 2 ports, or wont work at all) and you have a sata/ide adaptor anyway if you need lots of storage.
A pen knife and a thumb drive is sensible, because flash memory gets cheaper and pen knives don’t (also, you may need to fly).
Magnets on a stick and screws dropped on or around computer component doesnt sound like that great an idea either. I personally like to use a stick with a little grabber on the end.
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Heh. I carry a $6.00 ratcheting screwdriver with six bits. I regularly use the #2 philips, and occasionally use a T-15 or a small flat-head bit. I occasionally bring a small diagonal cutter if I know in advance that I’ll need one.
Other than software and the parts that the workorder calls for that’s it. I used to carry a Jensen toolbag but realised that I don’t need 95% of that crap, and that a #2 philips will let me solve almost all problems. Carrying all of this stuff is generally a waste of time.
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I work with timber as well as PC’s, and there’s a HUGE difference between German made and Chinese (even US) grade tools
Great list of tools, but the problem I have with a majority of them is that they are not commercial grade. Cheap chinese crap, not reliable and will not last. . . .are there any alternatives (particularly the first two).
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Great list of tools, Can’t wait until you make the software ver
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Read the reviews on these items before you buy them as most of this list is crap.
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WTF? There’s no flashlight on here!! LOL!
I used to use a Mini-Maglite flashlight with an upgraded LED bulb, but switched to a stubby, 9 LED light with a depression switch on the back to turn it on. I’t much brighter and fits into tight spaces better.
I agree with the small CD case to carry around UBCD4WIN, Gnome Partition Editor etc. I also like to carry assorted Windows installation CDs since people lose theirs a lot/ never had one. I carry Ubuntu and Kubuntu CDs to, for when people finally get fed up with Windows, or for putting an OS on PCs I put together out of parts.
I also carry an assortment of extra screws and small boxes to keep screws I take out organized and safe.
A precision screwdriver set has come in handy many times for me as well.
Other things not listed here that I have in my kit are a cabled USB hub for working on older systems with no front USB so I don’t have to crawl behind the desk every time I need to plug in a USB device or my thumb drive of software tools, and 6inch ethernet cables for cabling modem and routers. Easy to make and easy to sell someone for a few bucks when I clean up their cabling as I’m finishing my work.
A receptacle tester for wall outlets is also useful, as are a small nut driver, and a small magnifying glass for reading tiny print on parts.
I also have a toothbrush, for cleaning off really grimy heatsinks and what not and one of those little dusters that uses 16G CO2 cartridges. It’s easier to carry in a kit than canned air.
Finally, I carry a USB Wi-Fi dongle for troublshooting network adapters and my Asus EEE 1000HE, which is much easier to carry around than a full sized lappy and is just the thing for Googling and downloading drivers and applications if their connection is slow.
And of course I always carry my business cards! I leave two or three with them and tell them that if they ever need help again or know someone who does give me a call!
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Great article, really enjoyed the read! After working at Geek Squad for some time, I find these articles about IT tech support really great.
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good article, not sure you all that junk to you job but some of it is handy.
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