There’s an old adage worth remembering when it comes to tools: “Feel the pain once when you pay for the tool, or feel the pain every time you use it!”
Do yourself a favor and get yourself decent tools. Having the right tools not only makes the job quicker. It also makes the job safer and prevents you from causing more damage and mayhem during the repair process. Also, there’s nothing like the satisfaction that comes from using quality tools to get a job done.
Here are a selection of tools and gadgets that I find indispensable when testing, tearing down, or repairing gadgets.
The perfect Android smartphone for the engineer or DIYer
A solid Android smartphone that’s water-resistant, dust-resistant, can take hard knocks, and has a built-in FLIR thermal camera.
There’s also the option to add an optional borescope, turning this into a toolbox you can keep in your pocket.
MediaTek Helios P90 octa-core processor, up to 2.2GHz6.3-inch 2340 x 1080 FHD+ 410 PPI LCD multi-touch display with IPS technology8GB LPDDR4x dual-channel RAM128GB UFS2.1 ROMSD card Up to 2TBFLIR Lepton thermal camera with -10℃ – 400℃ range (assisted by a 5-megapixel rear camera)Samsung 64-megapixel rear camera2-megapixel secondary rear cameraQuad-LED flash8- megapixel front camera6600mAh battery18W fast charging supportedFingerprint unlockDual-SIM supportHeadphone jackEndoscope portUSB-C portIP68/IP69K/MIL-STD-810G rated
$629 at Amazon
A really solid toolkit for the modern engineer
A wonderful package of well-made tools that are designed to teardown and repair modern gadgets.
64 Bit Driver KitAnti-Static Wrist StrapSmall Suction Cup3x iFixit Opening TooliFixit Opening Picks x6Nylon Tipped Reverse TweezersAngled ESD TweezersBlunt ESD TweezersSpudgerHalberd SpudgerMetal SpudgerJimmyMagnetic PadTool Roll
$70 at Amazon
Keep all your parts in order when you carry out teardowns and repairs
For years I lived without magnetic trays. I suffered. Screws and other tiny parts pinged off and vanished into carpets and crevices.
Don’t be like me. Get a set of magnetic trays.
Made of stainless steel material, strong and durable.Includes 3″, 4″ and 6″ diameter traysKeeps parts and tools from being misplaced or lost while workingThe magnets are super strong, and the trays can be used upside down, sideways, on the side of toolboxes etc.Rubber magnet cover prevents equipment from being scratched
$12 at Amazon
Best contact corrosion buster in the business
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of water intrusion or batteries leaking, DeoxIT is your friend.
This product features an oxidizing solution, a spray, and tube pro-gold preservative and lubricant for plated metal connections, and a spray and tube cailube lubricant for plastic and carbon compound faders.
A set of pliers that will last a lifetime
Buy cheap, buy twice. These are tools that will, if looked after, last you a lifetime.
Ergonomic cushion grip handles for comfort and controlDual durometer construction for long-lasting durabilityHandles direct molded to tool steel for permanent bondSlip guard handle design for added protectionWiha premium quality tool steel for strength and durabilityStandard industrial brushed finish for surface enduranceInduction hardened cutting edges and jaws for superior sharpness and longevity
$77 at Amazon
Great tool for compact spaces
The ratchet is extremely strong capable of 48 ft. lbs. but has a return angle of 6 degrees. With a bit installed, the ratchet is 1 1/8-inch high x 3/4-inch wide. Great tool for compact spaces. Plus, there is a 1/4in Ergonomic screwdriver x 3in that’s equipped with a strong permanent magnet to securely hold and magnetize insert bits.
Kit comes complete with 28 high-quality bits and 7 metric sockets all held securely in a durable plastic belt case until needed.Rapidaptor 1/4″ magnetic bit holder can hold insert or power bits. Can quickly be chucked into a cordless tool. Rapidaptor holds bits secure but patented design allows for quick bit changes.Extra tough PH1 (1)PH2 (3)PH3 (1) Extra hard PZ1 (1) PZ2 (3) PZ3 (1) Tamper TornTX10TX15TX 20TX 25TX30. Standard Torn TX10TX15TX20TX25TX30TX40. Hex Plus bits 3.0mm4.0mm5.0mm6.0mm8.0mm. Slotted bit 1.00 x 5.5mm. 1/4″ Socket Adaptorand 7 sockets 5.5mm6.0mm7.0mm8.0mm10.0mm12.0mm13.0mm
$79 at Amazon
A handy, fully-featured pocket-sized multimeter
Features:
Display Count: 2000 Auto Range: Yes Jaw Capacity: 17mm True RMS: Yes Diode: Around 3.0V V.F.C.: Yes NCV: Yes Data Hold: Yes Zero Mode: Yes LCD Backlight: Yes Auto Power Of: Around 15 Minutes Continuity Buzzer: Yes Low Battery Indication: ≤2.5V Input Protection: Yes Input Impedance for DCV: ≥10MΩ
Specifications:
AC Current (A）:2A/20A/100A ±(2.5%+5) DC Current (A):2A/20A/100A ±(2%+3) AC Voltage (V):2V/20V200V/600V ±(1.0％＋3） DC Voltage (V):200mV/2V/20V200V/600V ±(0.7%+3) Resistance (Ω):200Ω/2KΩ/20KΩ/200KΩ/2MΩ/20MΩ ±(1.0％+2） Capacitance (F):2nF/20nF/200nF/2μF/20μF/200μF/2mF/20mF ±(4%+5)
General Characteristic:
Product Net Weight: 170g Product Size: 175mm * 60mm * 33.5mm Power: AAA 1.5V x 2 LCD Size: 39.3mm * 21.5mm Product Color: Red and Grey Package Size: 18.6 * 7.2 * 5.9cm / 7.3 * 2.8 * 2.3in Package Weight: 328g / 11.6oz
$49 at Amazon
The very best pry tool on the market
Often imitated, but the clones are always inferior. Get the genuine iSesamo!
Professional-grade stainless steel construction ensures repeated useUltra-thin design allows for easy opening of numerous devicesIncludes clear, flexible rubber handle for no-slip gripIdeal for pros and DIYersMakes short work of electronic repairs
$15 at Amazon
The right tool for removing screens
iPlastix is the newest opening tool invented by Dottorpod. It works perfectly with the highly popular iFlex and iSesamo help you get into hard to access devices and LCD separation repairs.
iPlastix is made from super plastic, soft, durable material and same time very strong. It is designed to fix delicate devices; pop up plastic cover, separate touch panel, LCD from touchscreen, remove batteries without any risk to scratch frames and crack the screen.iFlex is recognized most popular repair opening tool for Apple iPhone/iPad/Watch and most smartphone/tablets.
$19 at Amazon
Fully-featured USB tester
Supports Micro USB or Type C connectors and fast charge mode recognition, including QC 2.0/3.0, iPhone 2.4A/2.1 A/1A/0.5A, Android DCP.
Measure wire resistance by differential pressure method.
Gold-plated USB contacts and upgraded USB male-female connector.
Magnetic key chain light
For peering into those dark crevices, get this flashlight.
720 max lumens with 2 x CREE XP-G3 S3 LEDsBuilt-in 500mAh Li-ion batteryDual-core magnetic key chain lightRechargeable hundreds of times
$44 at Amazon
Need more gift ideas?
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