tools
Infrared Non-contact Thermometer W/ Laser Sight (gun-type), available from cyberguys $58+10
-76°F(-60°C) to 932°F(499°C) in 4°F increments. 11:1 spot ratio. measures in Celsius or Farenheit. 2AAA batteries, included. I use it for checking hard disk temperature and CPU cooler temperature and other parts of the computer.
3AAA 4W cree Tenergy XR-E aluminum flashlight and 12 NiMH, available from all-battery $25, w/12 AAA NiMH $30
bright, tough little flashlight. It takes about 4-6 hours to recharge AAA's. in a room with the 60W light on, this will put a nice bright white spot on the wall. I can even see the light through the black plastic of a cd jewel case. don't shine it in your eyes though - you'll see spots for a while. duracells last for a number of months.
Petzyl Myo XP 3AA 3W LED headlamp, available from e-headlamps $60
swivel head. a 1W puts out 33 lumens this 3W puts out 75. (312 ft-candles max). 95 hours on economic level. battery indicator light. water resistant. a good pick for repairmen.
dental probes, available at widgetsupply $1.30ea
sometimes you just need them
Koutech UCC221 USB 2.0 to IDE & SATA Converter - Retail, available from newegg $33+6
handles SATA II & eSATA. has wall adapter that powers the drive. works with 2.5", 3.5" drives. includes 44-pin adapter. Should work without need for the driver cd. complete kit. better than the Vantec adapter. If you are trying to work on a laptop drive or other drive and don't want to have to install it in your computer, this is the way to go.
Fuji PLUS PL-220A USB 2.0 Bridge Cable/File Data Transfer - Retail, available at newegg, $15+$5
no wall adapter: bus-powered. 15MB/sec. this is a pc-to-pc USB 1.1/2.0 file transfer cable.
Rosewill RTK-090 90 Piece Professional Computer Tool Kit - Retail, available at newegg $35+9
Reversible Ratchet Driver with 50-Piece Bit & Socket Set,
3 Way Ratchet Handle,
8 Star Bits: T10H, T15H, T20H, T25H, T27H, T30H, T35H, T40H,
7 Torx Bits: T8, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30,
6 Hex Key Bits: 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32",
6 Hex Key Bits: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm,
3 Philips Bits: #0, #1, #2,
2 Flat Bits: 5mm, 6mm,
4 Square Bits: #0, #1, #2, #3,
4 Tri-Wing Bits: 1, 2, 3, 4,
2 Pozidrive Bits: #1, #2,
7 Socket Bits: 3/16, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16,
Socket Adapter,
6 Precision Screwdriver Set:,
#0, #1 Phillips Screwdrivers,
1.4mm, 2.0mm, 2.4mm, 3.0mm Flat Screwdrivers,
4 Electronic Combination Wrench Set:
4.5mm & 4mm,
5mm & 6mm,
7mm & 8mm,
9mm & 10mm,
9 Hex Key Set: 1/20", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64", 5/32", 3/16",
Spare Parts Box,
Storage Box,
Trilobular Thread Screws - Hex Washer Head (4*6): 6 PCS, Truss Head (6#*6): 6 PCS,
Jumpers: 6 PCS,
Washers: 6 PCS,
4 1/2" Side Cutter,
5" Long Nose Pliers,
5" Wire Cutter / Stripper,
8" Crimping Tool,
Anti-Static Wrist Strap,
Brush,
Cable Tie: 10 PCS,
Desoldering Pump,
Electronic Tester,
IC Insertion-Extraction Clipper (for 14-48 Pin ICs),
Knife,
Solder Iron,
Solder Reel,
Three Prongs Holder,
Black Zipper Case. This lacks an RJ45 crimper
Rosewill RTK-045 45 Piece Premium(?) Computer Tool Kit - Retail, available at newegg $20+9
Reversible Ratchet Driver with 21-Piece Bit & Socket Set - Ratchet Handle - 5 Torx Bits: T8, T10, T15, T20, T25 - 2 Philips Bits: #1, #2 - 2 Flat Bits: 5mm, 6mm - 4 Square Bits: #0, #1, #2, #3 - 2 Pozidrive Bits: #1, #2 - 5 Socket Bits: 3/16", 1/4", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8" - Socket
Network Installation Tool Kit, available from cablestogo.com $220
Tools for termination and testing of all the different types of network cables. * Crimper for 8P8C/RJ-45, 6P6C/RJ-12, 6p4c/RJ-11.
* Crimper with interchangeable die for RG-58,59,62.5,174.
* Die sets:
o RG-58, 59, 62.5.
o RG-58, 59, 62.5, 174 Fiber Optic.
o RG-174, 179, Belden 8218, Fiber Optic.
o RG-8, 11, 174, 179, 213 .
* 6.5in cable cutter.
* Cable stripper with cutter.
* Coaxial cable stripper.
* Punch down tool with 66/88/110 blades.
* Coaxial stripper.
* Two Screwdrivers.
* Enhanced Network Cable Tester.
* Hard plastic case with inner foam padding.
3M PL200K & PL300K Industrial Portable Labelers, available from mpsuppliesusa.com $206,$334
cloth adhesive wire labels, heat shrink labels, flag wire labels, etc.
does vertical and horizontal labels, different models have varying amounts of symbols and label memory (storage).
can be used in telecom, networking, utilities industries, marking signs.
also has serial number generator, PL300K has a configurable complex serial number generator and fancy software and a button for cutting instead of a lever.
choice of Li-Ion battery or AC Adapter or 6 AA batteries depending on model.
generates 2 types of barcodes.
AFCI/GFCI Circuit Tester, available from $
basics of branch circuit testing(PDF). see SureTest™ Circuit Analyzers for something that tests more thoroughly with troubleshooting info for Electricians.
Hard Drive Eraser/Wiping Boxes
degaussers are used when the media is no longer useable, or if you try a wipe and it has bad sectors. Now the DoD recommends destruction or degaussing of the disk (which destroys it) for every situation. some say the DoD has never had any other policy.
Wiebetech Drive eRazer and Drive eRazer Pro (Pro preferred) $100-223
you don't get a one-device-does-all solution like you do with the usb-to-ide/esata/sata drive cables. there are 3 different models of each, though there should only be 2 of each from the description it looks like 2 are redundant (2.5" PATA). What they could have done is put the SATA on one side and the PATA on the other side. Pro has an NIST secure drive erase mode that ignores errors. the regular version stops on drive errors and only does a zero-wipe (in the same time it takes for my software to complete). no computer required, just press a button. works on Mac drives.
DiskJockey Pro $499
disk-to-disk copies, disk copy verification, standalong HD mode. 2 different kinds of erase: quick 1-pass and a NSA 3-pass. sata, 2.5"ide, 3.5"ide.
ICS WipeMasster $2500
wipes 9 3.5" drives simultaneously using DoD wipe. @ 3GB/min+. PATA & SATA. High Speed Wipe Operation@3GB/min, Sanitize Multiple Drives Simultaneously, Partitions and Formats Drives, Sanitize Different Drive Models and Sizes, DCO and HPA (hidden areas), Multiple User Defined Settings, Password Protected Settings, Log Information, Upgradeable, eSATA. optional HW like notebook adapters and drive coolers & SW like format FAT32.
ibas data erasure products
disk/tape/zipdisk degausser. ExpertEraser and Professional ExpertEraser software exceeds US DoD standard 5220.22-M and is licensed by the # of erasures.
Pro Vaccuums
Metropolitan Data-Vac with Micro-clean tools, available from officemax $85, nextag $40-370
from data-vac to environmental control vaccuums.
Metropolitan Data-Vac Pro Next Generation with Micro-clean tools, available from mcmelectronics $204
Professional data-vac with the most suction you can get. 1.7HP motor. This vacuum/blower features two-speed operation and toner pick-up capability. Use low speed for fine cleaning and intricate areas. Use high speed for heavy duty cleaning. Dual purpose portable power unit, 3' flexible hose, two 20" extension wands, Pic-all nozzle, dusting brush, crevice tool, powerizer air maximizer, air pin-pointer, shoulder strap, three disposable paper bags and micro cleaning tool kit.
Metropolitan Data-Vac Pro with Micro-clean tools, available from mcmelectronics $204
Professional data-vac with the most suction you can get. carrying case. 1.7HP motor. This vacuum/blower features two-speed operation and toner pick-up capability. Use low speed for fine cleaning and intricate areas. Use high speed for heavy duty cleaning. Dual purpose portable power unit, 6' flexible hose, Pic-all nozzle, crevice tool, powerizer air maximizer, air pin-pointer, snorkel probe, snap-in brush, soft bristle dusting, 2 extra toner filter disposable bags, 1 extra micro filter, and micro cleaning tool kit, shoulder strap.
Toolbox Miscellaneous/Misc
Endust 3.5" Floppy Drive Head Cleaner, available from ikon $6
floppy drive cleaning disk and small amount of head cleaning cleaning fluid
Ziotek or Mitron Interlink or Kingwin Silicone HDD Jacket to protect HD's out of case, available from cyberguys $9-10, performancepcs.com $4, performapncepcs.com $6 (blue)
protect hard disks when they are out of the case. only available at one place.
fuses - search section H of catalog starting around page 1959-1962 (2/3 of way down).
you will find fast-acting and slo-blo fuses in your standard sizes for small appliances, test equipment, and the like, in the various sizes: metric (5x20mm), 2AG submini, 1.5", 3AB, 3AG. ceramic or glass.
3-pronged parts grabber, plastic & spring steel, available from showmecables.com $3
metal nibbling/nibbler tool, available from jdr computer prroducts $9
great for PC cases where ATX power supplies don't fit properly in HP cdesktop computers.
Screwdrivers
Cooper Tools/Crescent CMB4V 4-in-1 Interchangeable Bit Screwdriver, Orange Handle, Carded, available from newark $8.13, digikey $11.04
my old standby. doesn't use standard size 1/4" hex bits. they are larger.
Cooper Tools/Crescent 6-in-1 Interchangeable Bit Screwdriver, Yellow Handle, Carded, available from newark $8.51
even better than my old standby - 6-in-1.
Craftsman Screwdriver Set, Ratcheting, Sears item# 00941796000 Mfr. model# 41796, available from sears/craftsman $24.99
this one is my preference. 1/4" double-end hex bits store in the handle. ratcheting, so it only goes in 1 direction - where you want it.
Craftsman MegaPro 15-in-1 Tamperproof Screwdriver Set, Sears item# 00990916000 Mfr. model# 90916, available from sears/craftsman $29.99
this one is my preference for security torx and similar bits. 1/4" double-end hex bits store in the handle. This is the most inexpensive security screwdriver set I have found so far.
Test Equipment
forecaast cost, displays kWH, V, A, W(VA), Hz. 0.2% accuracy. wide enough to use 3 outlets if plugging into a power strip, so suggest you use with a short 14" 13A extension cord or better. <--you may want 15A for some higher-current appliances. not easy to use I am told.
applianceCostPerMonth=applianceWatts*hoursOnPerDay*30.5*$0.0736/1000 (assuming 30.5 days in a month).forecast cost, displays kWH, V, A, W(VA), Hz. 0.2% accuracy. wide enough to use 3 outlets if plugging into a power strip, so suggest you use with a short 14" 13A extension cord or better. <--you may want 15A for some higher-current appliances. easy to use.
applianceCostPerMonth=applianceWatts*hoursOnPerDay*30.5*$0.0736/1000 (assuming 30.5 days in a month). I don't have to study the manual every time to know how to use it! and if nothing else, you can see how much power your PC consumes (don't go by the power supply wattage rating - it only draws what it needs). This thing doesn't seem to be accurate on $/mo estimate. I ran it on a heater and it said $400/mo yet we pay only $200. toolbags
Frankly, toolbags and toolboxes are a bit unwieldly, especially when heavy. as with any toolbox/toolbag, because it's not in your center of gravity.
Hobbes USA Large Tool Bag HT-001185 available from cyberguys $25+10shipping
16.5" X 11" X 10". has tight pockets on outside - larger than the other models - useful for small screwdrivers, thumb drives, IR thermometers, etc. I suggest you get the big one. the space is worth having.
Hobbes USA Medium Tool Bag HT-001184 available from cyberguys $16+10shipping
13" X 9.5" X 8". has pockets on outside. This is the only model they offer in Germany.
Hobbes USA Small Tool Bag HT-001183 available from cyberguys $13+10shipping
10" X 7" X 5". has tight pockets on outside.
Chemicals
Blue Shower degreaser $19.18
0.2oz/2.0oz MG Chemicals thread locker (low strength), available from mouser $9/$30
0.2oz/2.0oz MG Chemicals thread locker (med strength), available from mouser $9/$30
0.2oz/2.0oz MG Chemicals thread locker (high strength, wicking and permanent), available from mouser $9/$30
MG Chemicals' Audio Video Head Cleaner, available from mouser $8.07
Elastomer Contact Repair Kit - ITW Chemtronics CW2605, available from newark $24.53
Gold Guard Pen (lubricant) - ITW CHEMTRONICS CW7400, available from newark $18.66
Woodworking
Fein MultiMaster Professional Power Tool $399
detail sand, cuts wood, thinset, fiberglass, metal, plastic, drywall. Notch, undercut, plunge/flush cut, scrape glue off floor below linoleum and pull up linoleum, remove grout. 3yr warranty. unlike sawzall and jigsaw, this saw oscillates at up to 350Hz. vaccuum attachment allows for practically dust-free wooodworking. German design. while cutting, safe to touch.
dremel has one too