[mdlug] Fwd: OT: DIY Geek Tools

[God of Lemmings]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Garry Stahl <tesral at comcast.net>
> Date: June 25, 2007 9:44:22 PM EST
> To: "MDLUG's Main discussion list" <mdlug at mdlug.org>
> Subject: Re: [mdlug] OT: DIY Geek Tools
> Reply-To: "MDLUG's Main discussion list" <mdlug at mdlug.org>
>
> Joseph Vartanian wrote:+
>> I'm sure at more than a few of you on this list are DIY geeks, so this
>> is for you.  What tools would you want in your toolbox?  Types of
>> tools, specific products, specific brand names...whatever.  What tools
>> do you think are important in a good DIY geek toolbox?
>>
>> I'm really asking because I want to see if I can get any good ideas
>> from you for my own toolbox that I'm building (I'm feed up with my
>> lousy tools), but I also figure others would find it useful.  If you
>> know of a good place to get these tools, online or brick and mortar,
>> that would be cool too.
>>
>> I know you may be thinking this all depends on exactly what type of
>> projects you're working on.  Since I'm not really interested in just
>> one specific thing, lets assume that you're going to be working on a
>> little bit of everything.
>>
>> I'll start out with a really easy one myself...a Dremel 400 Series
>> rotary tool.  I'll leave the more difficult ones up to you guys.
>>
>
> Money spent on good tools is never wasted.  --The Tao of Phoenix.
>
> Brand.  It is difficult to go wrong with Craftsman hand tools.  I 
> prefer
> them in my tool box.  Stanly is also good.

In general this boils down to - buy any tool with lifetime coverage. If 
it doesn't say lifetime on the
tool itself. Don't bother unless you're particular enough to save the 
receipt and packaging for years.

> A good general tool box should have.
>
> Hammers, claw and ball peen of about 12 oz minimum.  Additional hammers
> that are useful are a small sledge, a rubber mallet.  A dead blow 
> hammer.

I would recommend a large craftsman framing hammer as well.
>
> Screwdrivers.  No geek can live without them.  While you can buy manual
> screwdrivers of every kind I prefer a single grip with interchangeable
> tips.  It saves a lot of space in the toolbox.  My set of driver tips
> take a hell of a lot less space than it would with a handle for each as
> well.  You cannot go wrong if you have one power tool and that is a
> power screw driver.

You should get not only a set of screwdrivers and driver tips for 
whatever you will drive them with,
you will also want to make certain that your collection includes extra 
long screwdrivers of various
sizes; as exchangeable tips can't deal with everything.  Don't forget a 
precision screwdriver set
for smaller things as well.

You will also want a set of torx drivers/bits, from normal down to 
precision. This will cover the odd
laptop and printer case.

>
> Pliers.  For geek work you cannot go wrong with a good set of micro
> pliers.  They will include wire cutters, end cutters, long needle nose,
> flat jaw and a curved jaw at larger versions of the small pliers, and
> vice grips are never a bad thing to have.  I would call at least one
> pair of vice grips basic.  Full sized pliers would be the classic slip
> joint and channel locks.  If you are buying Craftsman a set of the
> robogrip pliers replace any slip jaw set.

>
> Wrenches.  At minimum a crescent wrench.  I do not like adjustable
> wrenches.  I prefer combination wrenches in the exact size I need.  I
> have many wrenches.  Sockets are also a good to have.  At least a set 
> of
> 1/4 drive sockets.  Also available now are ratchet wrenches that 
> combine
> the function of the socket and wrench.  I would look into those.

In the very least, if you intend to do any work on your own car, you 
will want to get both
1/4 and 3/8 sockets, and a set of open end/box end wrenches. About 
80-100 pieces should do.
Do remember to get lifetime tools for this in particular, because these 
will almost definitely
become damaged over time. In most cases, a crescent wrench just wont do.

an RJ11-RJ45 crimper is a must, also, a box of plugs and a roll of 
cable.

oh, and a good sized battery operated power drill.


>
> Saws.  A hack saw and a good backsaw are geek minimums.  Saws, like
> hammers, come in more flavors than ice cream.  Everyone has their 
> favorites.
>
> Geek Specials.  That would be wire strippers, soldering tools, cable
> making tools.  Each as you need it.  My box has a basic circuit tester,
> a soldering iron, cable crimper and strippers.  An Ethernet cable
> tester. a computer PS tester.
>
> Things you thought you would never need.  Wood chisels. cold chisels
> Putty knives, clamps (you cannot have too many clamps) wonder bar,
> cordless drill, combination square and a quick square, level, more as I
> think of it.
>
> I prefer the Stylus Dremel tool myself.  Nice tool all around,
>
> And, I am barely touching on power tools.
>
> -- 
> Garry  AKA  --Phoenix--  Rising above the Flames.
>
> Si hoc legere scis nimium eruditionis habes
> Star Trek mort. Viva la Star Trek admiraetur
> The Olde Phoenix Inn Http://phoenixinn.iwarp.com
>
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