Im buying my first computer tool kit...?

Question

Ive done a bit of research on them and what Ive found out is that many of the tools in there dont even get used.

So what Id really like to know is...What are YOUR most important tools in a tool-kit OR what do you recommend definitely be in a toolkit.

And...what extra items have you had to buy that weren't apart of a tool-kit?

~THANKS FOR YOUR HELP~

Answer 1

It depends what you want to do

I have a kit somewhere with a chip depresser (usually used to install the BIOS and CMOS chip in the days before you could flash them, hardly used anymore), a chip remover (to remove the BIOS and CMOS chip), a s***w grabber, a ratcheting screwdriver, screwdriver heads that consists of hex/star bits, philips head bits, flathead bits, and a octogon bolt-like bit

Out of what was in that kit, I used the s***w grabber, the ratcheting screwdriver, and the hex/star, philips, and flathead bits, I have never had to replace a BOIS/CMOS chip before, so the chip depresser and chip remover remained unused, and when I used the hex/star bit, I only used it on a Compaq computer I was tested on in school, most Compaq computers (now owned by HP) use that specific bit on their screws

For what you should get in a kit

If you are building or repairing a computer

-Philips screwdriver/bit

-Flathead screwdriver/bit

-Hex/star screwdriver/bit (for HP/Compaq computers)

-Octogon bolt-like screwdriver/bit (Optional, most screws that use this bit also work with a flathead bit)

-Anti-static wrist strap (Static can destroy a computer, an anti-static wrist strap can ground you to the PC, therefore not harming the computer)

If you want/need to install coax cable (cable for television, cable modems, and cable modems with VoIP)

-Coax cable strippers

-Coax crimpers

-Coax F-Type connectors

-F-Type couplers

-Wall Plates

If you want/neet to install ethernet cable amd phone line

-Ethernet cable strippers (looks and operates similar to a pipe cutter)

-RJ-11 crimp on connectors (for phone line)

-RJ-45 crimp on connectors (for ethernet)

-Ethernet Color Code chart (unless you know 568A and 568B by heart)

-RJ-11/RJ-45 crimper (most UTP/STP crimpers have both on the same crimper, the bigger one is RJ-45 and the smaller one is RJ-11)

-Keystone ethernet wall jacks and plates (to install ethernet ports in the wall)

-Pliers (to crimp the keystone jacks)

-Ethernet cable tester (just to make sure that it is connected properly and working)

You can get the extras like voltometers, signal testers, testing software, diagnostics, and all that other stuff, but it may just stay in the bag/box/case collects dust

Answer 2

Philips s***w driver - medium and small head

Multi-Meter - testing voltages is a big help in diagnosing some problems

Wire strippers

Cat5 cutter/crimper - for making data and phone cables

RJ6 cutter & crimper - for making cable tv lines and security camera feed

Soldering iron - rarely used but comes up time to time

Line tester - for checking cable distances, continuity, proper connections and wiring

Answer 3

It really depends on what you'll be doing.  If you're just assembling and what not, just get a small box of mini-sized tools.  Amazon has this:

http://www.amazon.com/Allied-49032-Piece...

Its less than $10, and if you look at the small tools on the right those are what you'll be using most often.  If you're planning on soldering, that's a whole different animal.