A guide to modding tools and some of their uses
Alright, I figured that since there isn’t a post like this around yet, and I got nothing to do since I have a mean ass hangover, and because I want more rep, I would make this thread all about a bunch of hand tools and there uses.
I am training to be an electrician so I happen to have bunch of tools at my disposal so here we go.
Before I get started, I just want to point out the importance of quality tools. If you bought it from the dollar store then you can’t call it a tool. Quality tools can take a beating and keep on coming. Spending 30$ on a pair of side cutters may sound ridiculous, but they will last you many years. And maybe even your whole life if you take care of them. 30 1$ side cutters will last 30 cuts.
This guide measures the usefulness of each tool with a 3-tier rating scale:
High
If you are putting together your first took kit then this tool is a must buy. Buy all "high" marked tools before others, unless you need specialty.
Medium
These are tool that would be useful to have but are not required
Low
Tools that would merely be cool to have are marked with low.
First of all, let’s look at the average disorganized tool pouch.
As you can see, I have tried to cram all I can get into this nifty husky bag. And it works great.
Before I get into the individual tools I would like to ask that you excuse my camera skills and messy room. The off center pics I have to blame on the freight train going through my head.
Alright, so what do we have first?
Electricity Finder Medium
The electricity finder (as I call it) is a useful tool that can tell you if electrical current is present, without direct contact. Depending on what one you buy they can detect current from as little as 9V.
I even included and vid to show you it in action. I screwed up a bit though, the first wire I test is the USB cord for my camera (sorry for not showing)
O yeah, the vid is 23megs because im an idiot
video
Cost: 10$~
Work Radio High
Unless you are one of those people that hates music I would highly recommend having some music playing while you work. It makes the time go by much faster and easier. The on I picked up is actually a sat radio with boom box attachment. Really helps!
Cost: 20$-150$~
RJ-45 Crimper Low
This little tool is specifically for working on network wires. It has a blade for stripping network wire without damaging the little wires, and it can crimp rj-45 heads(the average network wire head) onto wires. Useful if you do lots of computer related wiring, such as running cables.
Cost: 25$~
Precision Screwdriver Set Medium
These come in handy not that often, but when you need a precision screwdriver there aren’t many substitutes. It is really handy to have a set like this around. Note: when you buy precision screwdrivers, as mentioned above do not buy them from the dollar store. These will not perform nearly as well as a slightly more expensive set.
Cost: 15$~
Mini Multi-screwdriver Medium
Something like this is not really needed, but it is a good in-between filler for your other screwdrivers. It can out perform a precision screwdriver, and fit in places your main screwdriver set cant.
Cost: 8$~
Big Multi-screwdriver Low
This is just like the screwdriver mentioned above, except bigger. Not really something that you have to have, but again, it comes in handy. And if you can find one like mine where there is an extendable magnet grabber thing in the barrel then you have a tool that comes in real handy.
Cost: 10$~
Screwdriver Set High
Alright, now here is something that everyone must have. If you were putting together your first tool kit then this would be the first thing you would buy. A good set of screwdrivers is the basis of a tool set. What you should start off with would be a #2 and 3 Robertson(square) a #1, 2, and 3 standard(slot), and a #2,and 3 Phillips(star) at least.
Cost: 30-40$~
Tape Measure High
This is another one of those "must have" tools. The tape measure is the base measuring median. For more precision I also suggest a good ruler. The quality of a tape measure is not that important(in case modding at least).
Cost: 7-30$~
Wire Strippers Medium
How else are you going to get at that sweet sweet coppery inside? A good pare of strippers are paramount in your quest for modding greatness. Shown here are the manual strippers. Not as used in case modding, but still a good tool. Most modders use auto strippers which I will be mentioning farther down. Again, the more money you spend on your strippers the cleaner and easier the job will be. I ****ed around with cheap-o strippers(no pun intended) for far to long before I finally saw the light.
Cost: 18$~
Side cutters High
Although they are usually only used for cutting wires, a good expensive pair of side cutters can cut through many other things(plastic, thin metal, misplaced zipties.
Cost: 30$~
Mini Standard(slot) Screwdriver High
I put high priority on this because of its high odd-job usefulness, and its low cost. This little tool is one that you will find many uses for. And if you don’t have on it will be something that you never think of but need a lot.
Cost: 3$~
Flashlight Medium
A good little flashlight is always something useful to have on hand. As you can see mine came with a protective rubber tip which im sure has saved the bulb more then 1 time. You may have also noticed that I wrapped the end in electric tape. This is for when you need 2 hands and a flashlight(tapes a lot easier on the teeth)
Cost: 12$~
Bolt cutters(that what I call em' at least) Low
I know what you’re thinking when you look at that pic, "man whys he got that up it the most useless tool on the planet". And I agree, this thing sucks. However, I have found a use for them. Bolt cutters. If you look closely at the picture you will see a series of holes just above the handle. These are common sizes for bolts. Your bolt just a bit too long? Screw it into the right hole and squeeze. Ta-da, a shorter bolt!
Cost: 5$~
Re: Guide: Tools of the Trade
Grips Medium
Another one of those "useful to have around" tools. A good big pair will give you considerable grabbing power. Useful for bending and pulling.
Cost: 15$~
Needle-nose Pliers High
These are extremely useful, especially when we are talking about the world of small electronics. A must have.
Cost: 20$~
Prier Standard(slot) Low
Basically just a real big slot screwdriver, good for prying stuff among other things.
Cost: 5$~
Hammer Medium
Everyone needs a hammer at some point in their life. If you don’t know what it’s used for then please disconnect and burn your computer, then go back to your cave.
Cost: 5-60$~
Zip-Ties High
A computer modders best friend. These can be used for all kinds of things. The most popular being for cable management.
Cost: 3$~
Auto-strippers High
These useful tools come in two variants, which I will refer to as in-line and split versions. The auto stripper is just like the manual stripper except it does all the work for you. It is defiantly the most favored in the modding community.
In-line
Split
Cost: 5-30$~
Stubby Multi Screwdriver Medium
This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to stubby screwdrivers. The stubby is something I consider a must have, only because it is one of those tools where nothing else short of a hammer will do.
Cost: 8$~
Wrench Set Medium
These are good to have around for when you need them. And they usually come in packs giving you everything you need for relatively cheap. They come most commonly in 3 different sets. Imperial Allen wrench, Metric Allen wrench, and Torx wrench.
Cost: 14$~
Ok, that ends my guide for now. I will add to it as I get feedback and think of more things. If there is anything that you dis-agree with of that you think should be changed then post about it!
Re: A guide to modding tools and some of their uses
That looked just like one of those spam emails that I get every day. Thankfully the mods here are on top of the ball!