Tools for working on computers

[chunkolini]

My son has been building PC's for a few years and is in with a chance of a job repairing and building them.
he is after tooling up with some better tools and has spotted this little kit. https://eustore.ifixit.com/en/Tools/Toolkits/Macro-Bit-Set.html
I know nothing but have always said buy decent tools.
Is this any use to him or can anybody reccomend a good starter kit that wont break the bank or let him down.

 

[brightspark]

the cheapo sets stand up well for light duty's its not going to get punished like they do on sites just make sure your screwdrivers snips and pliers are quality like wehra and knipex

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think tools of top quality for computers is not as important as for cars for example, there is minimum strain put on anything, the set you have shown is similar to one Aldi was and perhaps still is selling.

The Aldi one actually had a much bigger range of bits in a very nice case and was cheaper, I bought one and am very pleased with it.

 

[roofman]

I think tools of top quality for computers is not as important as for cars for example, there is minimum strain put on anything, the set you have shown is similar to one Aldi was and perhaps still is selling.

The Aldi one actually had a much bigger range of bits in a very nice case and was cheaper, I bought one and am very pleased with it.

yes me too Steve and ime happy...

 

[cumbriasteve]

yes me too Steve and ime happy...

Were you surprised by the weight of it when you picked it up? I was..a hefty solid bit of kit, think it was only a tenner if I am not wrong... a real bargain

 

[grim_d]

I'd say thats probably much the same bit set from China that can be had on eBay for much much less just in a fancy box.

I have a set of the ultra cheap ones in my toolbox at work for the odd time i need one and to be honest they are fine, aldi and lidl also do similar sets which are fine too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131792471222

I used to build pcs in my youth using the crap tools my dad didn't want, they are not under a lot of stress here so going ultra high end tooling is pointless.

Id say a good pistol grip ratchet screwdriver would be worth the investment. I can't recommend the bahco one enough, ive really abused mine at work for 4 years and its still perfect. Snap on do one similar but its uncomfortable to use and the ratchet mechanism is poor in comparison IMO

For £21 you can't go wrong.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/172263879964

A couple comfortable pairs of smaller pliers may be useful to him. Knipex are obviously the daddies here and worth every penny bit I also really like the irwin pliers. Again they are under minimal stress so as long as they are comfy and the jaws meet they will be fine. I have some Kennedy mini long nose pliers and snips and they are fantastic for 8 quid. Haven't seen them for sale again however.

 

[gaz1]

ive built my own and many other peoples computers tools arnt what is the most important items that he needs its the software side of it

ive got many a o/s to others operating systems that i have used to install and theres always a few computers that wont install

id say an ide drive dvd, sata drive a usb drive also comes in handy im now up to installing via usb stick and can install onto old computers using the usb stick as the installer as the usb is made to be multi boot from it the question is the size your needing and what systems that your installing onto people's computers

the basic tools is phillips a flat blade to break out the metal bars to install and a small phillips i find the electric screwdrivers are ample enough to use for most of the systems that ive done

 

[500e]

Have different sets of these had them for 5\6 years great tools for small work as for cutters Lindstrom cant be beat will cut 1 wire, thinner than a hair I use both almost daily.
http://www.co-star.co.uk/prod/364/30-pce-precision-sdriver-set.html

Remember with cutters do not use them on thicker harder material than they were made for the Lindstrom are Expensive but last.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...BaPHCsqgP#q=lindstrom+cutters+review&tbm=shop

 

[Parm]

I hate computers, particularly today!!!

Little Screwdriver and big massive hammer !!

 

[knighty]

as above, he only needs really simple stuff

few phillips screwdrivers, set of pliers, set of ling nose pliers... and that's about it

for one off use a cheap socket set and a cheap bit set like the one you linked (no idea how that price compares when it's in euros)

I can't remember the size off the top of my head, but motherboards use little brass standoffs to fix to the computer case, you can get a screw driver which is a socket on the end the right size to fit (I've got one) - doesn't get used much but when I do use it its pretty awesome :-)


99% of the time I could fit all the tools I need to work on a PC in my pockets, it's nearly always just a single phillips screwdriver

 

[rtbcomp]

Don't suppose you need chip lifters and wire-wrap tools these days.

"you can get a screw driver which is a socket on the end " They're called nut spinners.

You can also get screw starters, there are several types, the ones with a sprung claw on the end are pretty good.

 

[gaz1]

I can't remember the size off the top of my head, but motherboards use little brass standoffs to fix to the computer case, you can get a screw driver which is a socket on the end the right size to fit (I've got one) - doesn't get used much but when I do use it its pretty awesome :-)

i actually prefer a little magnet philips for the mainboard screws as installing them when youve fitted most of the mainboard it can be a little tight the amount of times ive caught the screw and fished it back out again with magnet screwdriver tip is great for it

pliers and that spanner screwdriver comes in handy id agree with that

 

[tflnemesis]

For screwdrivers get Wera, bought myself a small set last year about £20 for six electronics screwdrivers, I think they are the dogs danglies of little screwdrivers.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wera-Kraft...3194867&sr=1-15&keywords=wera+screwdriver+set

Nice long shafts, especially useful for stripping laptops and can get some good leverage on em even though the handles are pretty thin.
I thought they were so good i bought my workmate a set for Xmas last year, to stop him from borrowing mine mostly. The first time he used mine it took me 3 hours to get them back, definitely recommend em!

 

[grim_d]

Wera are excellent screwdrivers.

 

[Robotstar5]

+1 for the Wera set

 

[DAPPH]

For electrical gear , these days I see that a lot of bits are now being screwed down with triangular phillips type screw head screws . Does anyone know what these new screws are called and where can you get the four or five screwdriver set from ?

I was given a set of Lindstrom end cutters , side cutters , snipe nose pliers and angled cutters in 1985 . I've still got the end cutters abiet reground a couple of times after chipping the sides of the cutting edges on piano wire .

Some beggar stole all the others back in 1987 when they broke into my car , stealing everything including tax disc , battery and a half empty box of tissues .

 

[normspanners]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kamasa-PL1190-3-PC-Long-Neck-Mini-Plier-Set-/281140080804 These are a cracking set, good quality, and cheap the cutters are flush cuts and the long nose set are excellent for moving computer jumpers, holding clips etc I have several sets one in each tool box and have a set in my desk and are my choice of weapon for working on my puters. the flush cuts are grat for cutting cable ties and not leaving any part of the tie to catch your hands on etc

 

[Maker]

Have different sets of these had them for 5\6 years great tools for small work as for cutters Lindstrom cant be beat will cut 1 wire, thinner than a hair I use both almost daily.
http://www.co-star.co.uk/prod/364/30-pce-precision-sdriver-set.html

Remember with cutters do not use them on thicker harder material than they were made for the Lindstrom are Expensive but last.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l...BaPHCsqgP#q=lindstrom+cutters+review&tbm=shop

Lindström are the absolute dogs danglies for precision pliers, but for the price probably not what he needs. Knipex are a close second but I've been disappointed with them in a past. I think I read once that Bacho pliers are produced by lindström, might be worth a try?


Another +1 for Wera screwdrivers

Does anyone know what these new screws are called and where can you get the four or five screwdriver set from ?

Tri-wing. 1/4" hex bits seem to be more common, you usually get them in cheap "security" bit checks.

 

[normspanners]

Most screws in puters are not that tight, the threads are crap and even a cheap screwdriver will strip a thread before the driver slips.

 

[tflnemesis]

Most screws in puters are not that tight, the threads are crap and even a cheap screwdriver will strip a thread before the driver slips.

For desktops I would agree, but laptop screws tend to be loctited in...