Tools of the trade

[DorsetTech]

A colleague and I have just taken over the management of another schools' network. We've been asked to put together a list of equipment/tools that we need. The school doesn't have much equipment available at present so we're kind of starting from scratch.

 

I'm building up my list of things I need to carry out the job of a technician properly - however it got me thinking, what's everybody's tools of the trade? What equipment is important to your role? How often does it come in useful? What wouldn't you be without?

 

Hopefully I'll be able to get some ideas from you all and maybe add something important that I've not thought of.

 

:-)

[MordyT]

On the hardware side... Off the top of my head...

 

Screwdriver set

PSU tester

LAN tracer

USB to ide/sat cables

USB cable that splits to micro, mini, and apple (with lightning)

[mdench]

Interested by the psu tester and the split usb cable got any links?

[synaesthesia]

Power supply tester;

 

http://myoasisofficesupplies.com/test/productimages/paper-clips-medium-.jpg

[3s-gtech]

I have a hex-driver bit set with various Allen, bihex and socket fittings, perfect for adjusting projector mounts, opening HP PC cases, etc. Very handy. An adjustable spanner is also a godsend. A supply of biros and super-glue to extract 3.5mm audio jacks from PC line-out ports is also handy!

[timbo343]

Glue gun, soldering iron... anything you need to run cabling or put up trunking, a krone (punch down) tool, small drill bits also can remove ends of the 3.5mm jacks, external cd drive/external hard drive, usb keys for applications, you can never have enough tools or magnetic screw driver bits.

[MordyT]

Interested by the psu tester and the split usb cable got any links?

PSU tester:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Q7FUGM?cache=fbe0b8f662560de93a33b45e7b4cfc6b&pi=SX200_QL40&qid=1400541211&sr=8-3#ref=mp_s_a_1_3

 

Multi cable: (not this exact one, make sure to get one that does data and not only charge)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00ED3K4DI?cache=fbe0b8f662560de93a33b45e7b4cfc6b&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&qid=1400541245&sr=8-6#ref=mp_s_a_1_6

[GeekyPete]

Trolley to Move kit.

ladders/platform to change projector lamps.

2 Computers per techie, one to use, one to test stuff with.

hand Held air compressor, The one you use should have dual monitors it makes all those RDP sessions easier to manage

Some where sensible to work and store stuff.

Desk lamp

[howartp]

hand Held air compressor, The one you use should have dual monitors it makes all those RDP sessions easier to manage

An air compressor with dual monitors - cool, where do I get one?!

 

;-)

[unixman_again]

I use a mulitmeter to test PSUs. It has lots of other uses too; is this battery dead? is this patch cable broken?

 

My most useful "tool" is the junior techie. He gets to do the dirty jobs, like chucking cables through the false ceilings. I got the dirty jobs when I started in IT, so I think it is completely fair.

[laserblazer]

Leatherman.

[crt404]

Label maker. I can never have enough labels. Ever.

[sparkeh]

Whiskey.

 

Also I have one of these which has been a Godsend: HDD Docking Station - USB to SATA and IDE External HDD Dock | StarTech.com United Kingdom

[ICTDirect_Dave]

A good air compressor is essential, you'll save so much time fixing things by blowing units through regularly.

 

Also an electric screwdrvier like this Bosch GSR108VN 10.8v Lithium-ion Screwdriver (Body Only) | Reviews & Buy Cheap Online Will really make your life easier. Especially if you've got a full set of phillips and torx bits.

[Earthling]

All of the above, but most importantly, a Sense of Humour.

 

Don't know where you buy one of those.

[sparkeh]

All of the above, but most importantly, a Sense of Humour.

 

Don't know where you buy one of those.

Just take one of the spare ones that your SMT don't use

[LeMarchand]

I have a huge case of "just in case" stuff that normally stays in the car. Otherwise, what I take to each site is now relatively light.

 

In a belt holster.

Multitool with bits + pliers. Cheapo one (True Utility) - it would be nice to have a Leatherman/Gerber, but at least this wouldn't leave me in tears if I lost it.

Precision Screwdriver 9 in 1.

Torch, pen, permanent marker.

 

On person:

Monocle in waistcoat pocket for those damn small serials.

USB Key 1: Loads of commonly-installed software + portable apps. Updated monthly (mainly) using Ketarin.

USB Key 2: Multiboot ISO disk with a load of stuff including GParted, Clonezilla, Avira Rescue, various DaRT ISOs etc.

Phone with various keys and passwords in encrypted folder.

 

Laptop case:

Laptop/tablet hybrid.

Zalman-VE200 bootable enclosure loaded with same as USB Keys 1 & 2 + most Windows/Office ISOs and a load of other stuff.

Pencil case with selection of leads and adapters for the stuff above. The most used one is a "Y" USB with a mini-to-micro adapter attached as some laptops don't provide power for the Zalman.

Edited May 20, 2014 by LeMarchand
Slight update

[sparkeh]

Monocle

Love this

 

I also carry a Top Hat, cane and white gloves

[LeMarchand]

Love this

 

I also carry a Top Hat, cane and white gloves

 

I carry a fob watch (mainly because it looks good with the waistcoat) but don't use it for techie purposes!

 

I'm amazed no-one at work has commented on the monocle (not that I need to use it much). Or maybe they just chalk it up to "all techies are a bit odd".

[Danp]

Coffee machine...

[RichCowell]

The things I'd be lost with out:

 

• Leatherman (I use my own, but the school bought one for my technician)
  
• Bit-Pack for above Leatherment
  
• Dual Screens (2 x Large monitors)
  
• Usual cable testers / Cat5e crimp tool etc.
  
• Tablet (I love my Windows Surface RT, wouldn't be without it now)
  
• Mobile (use my own, but have had a school bought one in the past - if you're the type of person who checks & replies to emails after hours, especially from the bosses, this isn't always an unreasonable ask)
  

 

The only one that may be a bit iffy is the Leatherman, as some schools may not be in favour of you carrying that around with you... Mine's always on my belt, and I've been open about it from the start, but I can't remember the last time a day went by when I've not used it at least once...

[mac_shinobi]

A good air compressor is essential, you'll save so much time fixing things by blowing units through regularly.

 

Also an electric screwdrvier like this Bosch GSR108VN 10.8v Lithium-ion Screwdriver (Body Only) | Reviews & Buy Cheap Online Will really make your life easier. Especially if you've got a full set of phillips and torx bits.

 

For the compressor don't you need an extra part or bit to reduce or get rid of any liquid that a compressor creates ?

 

Maybe one of those anti static vacuum cleaners instead ?

 

A good set of screw drivers ( Philips, flat heads, torx, needle nose pliers, normal pliers, tweezers, paper clips )

 

Soldering Iron, Solder, a stand to hold the item you are trying to repair, anti static mat and anti static wrist bands

 

Links to all the relevant manuals for the laptops / desktops etc you have to repair ( if out of warranty ), if in warranty then all the relevant contact details and any other relevant info ie account number etc so repairs can be arranged under warranty

 

Tools to terminate data points whether in floor ports or on the wall, Tools to repair network cables so crimping tools / the RJ45 plastic heads, plenty of network cable or enough budget to buy in new network cables instead If you don't want to repair damaged cables ?

 

A good data recovery tool or tools ( preferably commercial one as apposed to free / open source ones like test disk / recuva / etc )

 

A good external hard drive data caddy / kit for both laptop and desktop hard drives

 

A CD / DVD Burner on the computers for the techies and enough optical discs so they can create / burn off diagnostic discs to diagnose hard drives / RAM etc and if required burn off bootable cd's for imaging if PXE Booting is not supported by said device.

 

Memory sticks or external hard drives that are USB Powered ie WD Passport or similar that are a good size capacity wise and are robust so they can make there own memory stick(s) with utilities to assist / aid with removal of malware ( including viruses / trojans / etc ), data recovery, diagnostics, temporary storage of data if required

 

Possibly a long list of items / things I have missed off but no doubt other people will have already covered this

 

All of the above, but most importantly, a Sense of Humour.

 

Don't know where you buy one of those.

 

I think ( could be wrong ) but you acquire this over time and experience ?

[difinity]

I bought a dental compressor for home, quieter than a normal one and is oil and water free, ensuring the air is clean and dry.

Screwdriver with bits, Large and small sizes.

Soldering iron, hot air station , IR rework station.

Multimeter,and other various meters for electronics diagnosis and repair.

Various magnifiers and loupes.

USB DVD drive and USB sticks loaded with various software.

Big hard drives for cloning.

Tweezers and sidecutter.

Decent thermal paste.

[mac_shinobi]

I bought a dental compressor for home, quieter than a normal one and is oil and water free, ensuring the air is clean and dry.

Screwdriver with bits, Large and small sizes.

Soldering iron, hot air station , IR rework station.

Multimeter,and other various meters for electronics diagnosis and repair.

Various magnifiers and loupes.

USB DVD drive and USB sticks loaded with various software.

Big hard drives for cloning.

Tweezers and sidecutter.

Decent thermal paste.

 

The most important item and I missed it off, also if you are getting thermal paste then you will most likely need an alcohol ( not the drinkable sort ) and cotton pads or something similar to allow you to clean off thermal paste, or failing that you can get something like ArctiClean : ArctiClean 60ml Thermal Material Remover and Surface Cleaner

 

Maybe also a thermal paste spreader ie a plastic card

Edited May 20, 2014 by mac_shinobi

[mac_shinobi]

Coffee machine...

 

and a large assortment of biscuits / cookies etc !!