Hardware and Software Tools

I have looked around a bit and haven't seen too much consolidated advice as far as a good tool kits, brands, etc. on NBR. Does anyone know if a thread has been started to help out everyone that is shopping around for stuff?

I have some tools, but really what I am looking for is a comprehensive list of things that someone who needs to do repairs in the field should bring or keep in mind as problems arise. I want to be able to work on nearly every aspect of my build, which is a P870TM1. This includes display replacement, components, cpus, etc. The only limitation that I hope to have is where a non-portable tool or chemical would be required to fix the issue.

Hardware:

Here is a list that I have so far, it is the ifixit 54 piece toolkit.

Phillips 000, 00, 0, 1, 2
Flathead 1,1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 mm
Torx T3, T4, T5
Torx Security TR6, TR7, TR8, TR9, TR10, TR15, TR20
Pentalobe P2, P5, P6
JIS J000, J00, J0, J1
Hex 0.7, 0.9, 1.3, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6 mm
Tri-wing Y0, Y1
Nut driver 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5 mm
Square 0, 1, 2
Triangle 3 mm
SIM Eject Bit
Magnetic Pickup Bit
Magnetized Driver Handle
60mm Extension
150mm Flex Extension
1/4" to 4mm Driver

I need spudgers, anti-static, and I am sure a few other things. Some of which will have to be cleaners/chemicals.

At this point, I am thinking another kit may just make more sense, soley for portability and organization. Something like this: https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Pro-Tech-Toolkit/IF145-307

Service Manual. Got it. Thanks @Prema !

Software:

Flash Drive with OS for clean installs, hardware drivers, etc.
Diagnosis software to narrow down issues


Pretty sure that this build will already have most of the required things configured, but if need be I may not have an internet connection where I go and will need to diagnose and repair with only what I have.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide, I know this is asking for quite a lengthy response.

 

@Falkentyne @Mr. Fox @Papusan

 

Regarding chemicals, this is great stuff: http://www.kontaktchemie.com/koc/KO...vision=&product=SCREEN 99&ilang=all&plang=all
On paper it is glass screen cleaner. In practice it cleans everything. From glass to plastic screens, it will remove that nasty grime from mice and keyboard keys but preserves printed letters on them.

Contact cleaner (alcohol) for electric contacts, any brand will do if it has no lubricants. Also works as better cleaner if you don't like keys on keyboard...
Non-flammable air spray. Regular one will do too, it's usually much cheaper. I just don't like flamethrowers if I'm dusting live machinery.
Thermal paste. Always good to have something cheap in the bag.
Some paper cloth that doesn't come easily apart, the fluff is unwanted on screens and optical stuff in general.

In addition to small tools, I carry some big ones.
https://www.bahco.com/en/p/ratcheting-screwdriver/8f-ba-ba-6a-3a-4d-54-d1-3b-00-ec-74-0e-12-58-b6/
https://www.bahco.com/en/p/22pcs-bi...ec-04-30-8b-90-ae-29-01-b1-1d-50-2b-5a-44-79/
Those two came in one set. I also needed something for enclosed spaces and got this one:
https://www.bahco.com/en/p/bit-set-...24-aa-18-ff-1d-c9-d2-0c-58-8f-d4-8e-d4-56-ab/

Side cutters, couple leatherman multitools for pliers and knives mainly. Zipties.
Couple small flashlights, Inova X1 in my front pocket always. In my tool bag is a small led light also AA powered, it has magnets so it stucks on surfaces and I can work hands free.

I don't have ifixit toolkits yet, although I've been thinking about them. Instead I just have couple small philips and flathead screwdrivers. They work just as fine but take a lot less space.

Everything except the chemicals and paper towels are in my laptop bag, I keep another bag in my car that has also even more tools.

 

Thanks! This is all great info. Since nobody answered (yet) in regard to another comprehensive post that may have already been started for tools, I will try to consolidate the recommendations as they come in. Glad to hear that you have been looking at the ifixit stuff, it feel it is advertised like as seen on TV type stuff, but the kit I have is pretty nice so I look forward possibly getting another kit. As far as alcohol, is 70% sufficient? 90% is usually harder to come by where I will be. I have also read that hand cleaner is important too. The 70% could double as that I guess?

 

You want 100% stuff. Anything less is residue left on the surface you need clean.

Something like that. I've used it intentionally on my hands once, when a loctite super glue bottle broke and emptied itself on my hand. I had to spray everything, my hand, shirt sleeve and my laptop bag since the glue went there too. Not that nice. That stuff will remove all grease from your skin and makes it white and dry for a moment. At least I wasn't glued to my tools and shirt, that would have been fun to explain.

My main problem with all the kits in general is the big plastic box they come with. It is fine, if the box stays in the desk drawer all the time. In my bag it would be smashed into shards eventually.

 

Lol good to know. I will see what I can get shipped to me, this won't be at the local electronics shack.

Yeah, the case on the pro one is in nylon cloth wrap of sorts so that will help. The one I currently have is in a fragile case so I get that issue!

 

I bought my last can from a car parts store. Cars too have electronics that require cleaning...