Best tools for working on laptops?

Not 100% sure if this is the right section for this. Hoping since tools are needed for most upgrades that it is!

I was hoping some of you guys out there would know of a nice small drill with magnetic tips to work on laptops? I tried searching for it, not sure why I couldn't find any. I always see them used in disassembly videos. Also if anyone knows of a good screw driver set to use on laptops? Links would be awesome, thanks in advance.

 

I've got a nice small interchangeable screwdriver & bit set called the "UltraSteel 44 piece precision screwdriver set." I got it at Wal-Mart, of all places. It's able to deal with almost any kind of unprotected small screws - flathead, Philips, square head, penta slot and hex slot.

 

I have been using a cheap precision set for the last umpteen years, only use two of them, some soft paper tower and high % alcohol for repasting, otherwise, nothing else needed really. And I've disassembled and reassembled a boatload of desktops and laptops in the last 20 years.

I magnetize the tips of my screwdrivers. It's nice for added insurance you don't drop that tiny screw so it gets wedged in your laptop somewhere you have to disassemble your whole laptop to access. Not that I've ever been there. /whistles while shifting toes and looking anywhere but straight ahead/

Soldering iron only if you want to get dangerous.

 

Yikes! But I think maybe OP was hoping for a specific/custom set?

I don't know if they make anything specific for laptop, but as mentioned, a magnetic tip is an absolute must. My heart was pounding when one of my screws slipped and lodged near an opening. The thought of having to disassemble the entire laptop to get at it terrified me.

 

There aren't a lot of magnetized precision screw drivers; typically, it's debatable as to whether to use magnetized bits or screw drivers for working on computers, as magnets are not a motherboard's best friend.

There is a set by Boxer I've used that comes magnetized out of the box. It looks identical to this, although I'm not sure that one is magnetized. But honestly, you can magnetize it yourself; just pick up a decent magnet at your local hardware store and rub it on the tip of the screwdriver/bit for a minute. I magnetized a set from Home Depot that way and it works fine.

 

I just use a cheap Dollar General set of small screwdrivers, like these:



they work just fine for me, and never felt like I required a magnetized version of them to perform computer maintenance.

 

well while the cheap sets, with a lovely picture too by Kuroi-Tsubasa, i found that those cheap ones wear out really quickly, as usually they are made of soft steel and just have a spray-on coating to make them look posher than they are.

I've gone through boat loads of screw drivers, now settled on a few:

Precision Screw Drivers Toolkit for Electronics DIY (45-Piece Set) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme got this for pretty much anything technical, basically when i encounter a weirdo screw. used to be 20,50$ when i bought it, bummer. also has nice flexible extender and a simple long one.

and i have one of these 9-in-1 Handy Precise Screwdrivers Set - Green - Free Shipping - DealExtreme to carry about, as a philips is usually all you need to crack a laptop open. i have a short long one in case theres deep holes in the laptop, where the little head cant reach or the set in other link cannot fit in there.

i also bought one of those cheap magnetize/demagnetize cubes with 2 holes in them just swipe the screwdriver through and whola its magnetized or demagnetized on the whim.

Soldering iron, especially if you going to solder electronics, needs to be as fine tipped as possible, don't go for gas powered ones, as they usually have wobbly tip assemblies(at least ones i dealt with). If you don't have experience as a surgeon or previous soldering experience I'd highly recommend finding some old piece of motherboard or such and have some good practice first, will save a lot of tears and $_$.

thats about it, might want one of those prying tools, as using a screw driver might damage plastics at times. Though i usually use my finger nails, as those prying tools don't last very long. Could be that I'm using them wrong dunno.

i got some magnets/trays for screws etc. and other common sense stuff, just for basic convenience as looking for screws in a shag rug is a... well difficult.


That should cover you for most part, if you plan to break into tablets and such, I'd highly recommend a heat gun as they are usually more glue than anything else... Which when you spend well over 300£ on say an ipad, you'd expect to be able to fix it... but then again, new super slim and sleek rubbish is as repairable as a rock. Probably would have more luck fixing a rock actually.

Possibly some pliers and tweezers etc. small details like that to make them ribbon cables plug-in easier.

Then if you'd want to go more moding, stuff to cut and grind bits and blobs. etc. epoxy. highly depends on the project.

 

I haven't personally had a problem with the screwdriver heads themselves, though it's hard to apply torque on those screwdrivers in cases where I deal with a tight screw. for those, I have a screwdriver with a bigger-radius handle and if I don't have that, I use a pair of pliers, attach that to the screwdriver handle at 90 degrees, and twist.

 

#5 Mentioned a Boxer set, Looks like I found it. It may be the same one in the link, they look the same.

Boxer 30 Pcs 4mm Precision Screwdriver Set - Amazon.com

That is what I found, the reviews says its magnetic. Magnetize & demagnetize cubes sound awesome as well. I have a soldering iron. I actually work at a Computer & Laptop shop and its been a pain sometimes with the tools they have. Which is why I rather invest in my own set. Anyone know when I can get a small drill? I usually see them being used in disassembly videos.

 

I would recommend any of the 3.5-7.2V electric screwdrivers out there. I would recommend this Hitachi or possibly the Makita. Both are variable speed and both have adjustable torque settings. I would stay away from the ones that don't have torque/speed settings (Skil and Black and Decker) because you could easily strip or cross thread delicate and rare screws. Just search for cordless or electric screwdrivers and you'll see a whole bunch of options on Amazon or Google.

As far as the magnetic drivers, there are several different sets available that will work with the 1/4 hex drive found on most of em . This Dewalt set would do, although there are many more just like it. You want a set that has #1 phillips bits (#2 is the most common) for working on electronics. This set has plenty of different phillips style bits, and the drive guides are magnetic so it makes any bit you put into it also magnetic. I would be cautious using the drill on some screws, especially when loosening them. The drill can easily strip the small heads when loosening, especially if they have loctite applied. And it can also cross thread small crews easily when tightening them. I would get into the practice of starting them by hand (tightening and loosening) and then finish them off with the drill.

 

small drill? like one of these? Amazon.co.uk: electric screw driver

i find it better using a manual one, i like having the full feel of it

unless you mean a grinder tool Amazon.co.uk: mini drill i mentioned it in my earlier post, but it is more of a piece of kit for moding... it is great for buffing/grinding/cutting. i got a set with a bunch of small saw discs, buffing bits and sanding bits etc. got it cheap on some sale, goes all the way to 10k rpm which is cool

also the cube is one of these LODESTAR Magnetizer & Demagnetizer - Green - Free Shipping - DealExtreme it doesn't make them like neodymium magnets, but the screws stick to the driver well enough not to loose them.

 

I don't see any point in using electric screwdrivers unless you are repairing lots of computers..
Use isolated screwdrivers like philips and if you are handling the board use an ESD matt or ESD bracelet connected to the
board.
Therefor don't use those small cheap steel sets out there.

 

Sorry but can't help with regard to "small drill"

For compact screw driver set, it's hands down to Husky HD-74501AB at ~$10 (many flat and 4 sided) for use with my two Lenovo's.

 

This

I just can't see the laptop as being an environment for power tools.

You're not wrong; they only last a repair or two, then become dull and useless.

In many instances, an old credit cards can also make a good pry tools. Whatever you do don't resort to using metal implements against plastic (yes, I've used metal on my laptop ), or your laptop chassis will pay the price for your lack of vision.

 

magnetic screw driver. that's it.

 

I have a Huskey ratcheting set and can attest that it's definitely a good little kit as well. :thumbsup: Had to magnetize the bits myself is all. I somewhat like the ratchet in use for tight screws, but the stubby handle and bits can sometimes leave something to be desired (which, after seeing that boxer set again, I'm thinking of purchasing it now).

 

I can go through about 10 laptops a day, depending on whats going on. I think a small drill would be helpful for at least outer screws. Looking for somewhat of a light mini drill.

 

Well, I'd check battery life and spin speeds with specs most of all, as they don't usually have large batteries, doubt it would last the whole day of screwing. lol.

Also i would think cheap ones are rather crap, wouldn't touch one without adjustable speed/torque functions, as well as wouldn't buy one without decent battery life as well as decent spin speeds... having to use it every day, exchanging batteries and constantly charging would be a pain. Possibly get one that can charge as well as work at same time, though i might just be really OCD about it. wouldn't want any more cables in my workspace than there has to be too.

my grinder lasts around 15min-1hour depending on use, but even when it lasts over 30minutes, it still feels like its too soon. Like how in the olden days i would charge my phone once a week, now its every night. That sort of too soon.