Tools of the Trade

[Omega]

Alright. so rather than having a bunch of "what should i use for this job" threads, name a tool, and what it's good for.

like so:

Dremel - Cutting, sanding, etching, polishing
Sandpaper - Sanding, frosting
Drill - Drilling holes (pilot holes, blowholes[if you have a big enough attachement]


feel free to add to the list.

[Cevinzol]

Here's a few Idea I have:

I'm a bit of a tool junkie my collection of tools is a "work in progress".
Make a wish list and keep it with you then if you run across a deal grab it
I have tools for woodworking, metal working, leatherworking and electronics.

OK here's a few things I like to have for electronic stuff:
- plastics boxes to hold all my spare little bits (plano makes good ones). Empty clear film canisters come in handy too.
- Tool boxes, tackle boxes, ammo boxes to hold stuff
- velcro for temporary wire ties.
- wire ties
- 2 soldering irons (low wattage for PCBs. higher wats for main line wire)
- Wire stripper
- spare wire
- Pliers (diagonal cutters, lineman's pliers, passing shears, needle nose, parallel, vise grips, jump ring pliers)
- Offset Sheet metal cutters something like this (http://www.cooperhandtools.com/brands/CF_Files/model_detail.cfm?upc=037103583376)
- screwdrivers (#2 & #1 philips) not those magnetic bit tips!
- Torx drivers (if your messing with HDDs)
- Allen wrenches
- Socket wrench
- security drivers (there are hundreds if your into that thing)
- Nut drivers (one for brass stand offs, one for case screws)
- a vise (no not that kind.. well yes but that's another subject)
- a work surface you won't get grief from damaging.
- Dremel (or knock off) with flex shaft.
- Jig saw or reciprocating saw
- Jewlers saw for really fine work
- files
- Magnifying lens (a lamp or visor style is nice for us old fart eyes)
- Card board and plastic sheets (for when painting)
- tap and dies for making your own nuts, bolts and threaded holes.
- Clamps and Third hands (for soldering)
- a shop vac (for afterwards)
- Sanders, pad, drums for drill.
- glues/adhesives: superglue, epoxy, bondo, silicone, etc.
- Nuts and bolts (various sizes.
- Rivets. Pop rivets are good for blind holes and hard to reach places but I also like REAL rivets you set with a hammer.
- I like to have junk around to scrounge parts from. Make friends with the maintanance guys at work or school they might have some cool stuff their throwing out. Check out garage sales. estate sales, auction. antique malls.
- Air brush or rattle cans

I've done some metal artwork and smithing so I have some other tools from that.
- A Whitney Punch roperwhitney.com #5 Jr. or XX (http://roperwhitney.com/punching/2-45.cfm)
- A Beverley Throatless Shear. Beverley Throatless Shear (http://www.irvansmith.com/catalog2/parts/beverley_shear.shtml) This would have limited use for case modding but hey I'm a tool junkie.

[Omega]

i think that not many people will go opening torx drivers, but they do come in useful for Xbox modding, as the 4 (or 5) main screws are T-20 screws.

[jofultner]

Hammer-Smashing the F out of something in anger,lol.Jo

[Cevinzol]

i think that not many people will go opening torx drivers, but they do come in useful for Xbox modding, as the 4 (or 5) main screws are T-20 screws.
You can sometimes salvage an HDD by swapping controller boards from another drive.

[Omega]

You can sometimes salvage an HDD by swapping controller boards from another drive.


Franken-drive form HELL.

=D

[jdbnsn]

Chainsaw... errr, for working out those minor annoyances.

[jagwinn]

* I use a stainless steel soap dish with a piece of magnet on the bottom(outside) for screws, springs, etc..
By putting the magnet on the outside, when your ready you can remove the magnet and easily pour the metal bits out.

* Also, a magnet wrapped in a shop towel works great to pick up metal 'splinters' off the work bench. Just hold it over the trash bin and seperate the cloth and magnet, then gently shake the metal bits into the trash.

* Old speaker magnet will keep your drills and small tools handy and in one place.

[public_eyesore]

Chainsaw... errr, for working out those minor annoyances.
definatly a must if you want clean cuts

[tybrenis]

Line bender, heat gun, strip heater - bending acrylic.

[archmaille]

Depends on exactly what kinds of mods you will be doing... everyone here has their own personal flavor for modding and styles that they like to include.

For me some important tools would be:

good pair of pliers
wire cutters
jeweller's torch (soldering gun works for most people though)
spot welder
metal etching / scribing tools
and a good pair of nibblers