Technician Equipment

[penfold]

At the moment I am borrowing most stuff that I need (such as screwdriver etc) and generally at the moment dont need to be taking things apart too much so it has been ok. But what I need to do is put together a small "wish list" of things that I may need for my daily duties. So what I'm after is what are the essentials you all use daily that I need to order? Other than the obvious screwdrivers, what else are needed, I was thinking CD's as I find it quite useful when people ask for things but dont have a memory stick. I would like to create a list and then prioritise the "essentials" down to the "would be nice to have".

 

Off the top of my head I would start with...

Screwdriver

Memory Stick 2/4GB (useful for instances where you dont have a network connection)

CD Rs (to provide to staff for resources to take home - when they dont have a memory stick)

Digital Camera(we use Xibo here and I'm trying to get staff to provide more content - and imagery works well)

 

So your suggestions (and reasons) please...

[andyturpie]

Small Mini Toolset and jewellery screwdrivers

A driverset with torx and security bits

OS images on CD/DVD

Bootable diags disk ie PC Check

Bootable XPPE tools kit for data transfer etc.

500gb external USB2.0 HDD

Voltmeter (only really used for confirming laptop PSU faults)

ATX PSU tester

 

and thats about it really

[TechMonkey]

Hammer.

Larger Hammer.

Dust pan and brush.

 

Day to day we have:

2 x changeable headed screwdrivers (one stubby, one long)

a ton of heads covering philips, flat, torx, posi, security etc etc

set of small screwdrivers, philips and flat (think they are called jewellers or watchmaker sets)

Allen keys

Various pliers

memory sticks

usb floppy

leatherman multitool

& joking aside a hammer.

 

Beyond that we have some rods for when we cable, cabling tools, hack saw for trunking, tape measure, alcohol for cleaning, various dusters and cloths, can of freeze/compressed air, voltmeter for checking fuses and testing power adapters and a ladder.

[leco]

Variety of self adhesive hooks and clips for the inside of pc cases.

Various sizes of cable ties.

Earthing wrist-strap - though I tend to forget to use it!

Copious amounts of screws, nuts and other fastener type things.

Anti-stat wipes, cleaning cloths and sprays.

Post-it notes and Blu-tac

[elsiegee40]

The contents of my toolbag:

 

Screwdriver with interchangeable heads

Stubby Screwdriver with interchangeable heads

Security Bit set (heads fit above screwdrivers)

wrist strap

can of compressed air

pliers

wire snippers

scissors

adjustable spanner

cable ties

laminated "out of order" signs (as per those posted on edugeek by webman(?) a couple of years back)

lump of blu-tak

spare mouse

Cat5 cable

Blusher brush (excellent for dusting projectors - 99p from Super Drug!)

permanent marker

tippex (for when I need to write in white)

hidden stockpile of CD-Rs (don't broadcast I've got them!)

 

8GB Memory stick is permanently on my key ring!

[LeMarchand]

Although I carry a huge amount around from site to site, the things I use daily would be:

 

Selection of discs (including various Windows flavours and UBCD4WIN)

16GB USB with selection of "standard" software and large collection of portable apps (Autopatcher, CCleaner and JDisk Report get used a lot)

8GB "blank" key for transfers

8GB USB boot key including a lot of the stuff on disc

UBCD4WIN boot key

Poundshop jewellers drivers + screwdriver + pliers set

Small electric screwdriver + selection of normal/security bits

Multimeter

The largest capacity "Rugged" 2.5" drive I could afford (image storage, mainly)

Torch

Multitool (TrueUtility jobby cost around £25 includes driver/bits, but if you can afford a "name" one...)

Smartphone w. net access + WiFiFoFum

Laptop

 

Like I said, I actually tote around a lot more though - including some items not even on this list.

[pete]

CD-Rs, DVDs (plus secret secondary stash for your use)

Decent multitool - I like the Leatherman Skeletool

Headtorch (for working behind racks / in roofspaces / dim areas) - Petzl Tikkas are cheap enough and reliable.

Single (or double if cargo pockets/jeans) AA LED torch that'll fit in your pocket for impromptu light and as a backup for when your headtorch dies and leaves you alone in a gloomy roofspace - I like Fenix, but I have a torch addiction.

USB battery charger + rechargable batteries - Eneloops are preferred as they hold the charge for a long time in storage.

Own set of screwdrivers / torx drivers / pliers that you don't lend to anyone.

Bosch pistolgrip electric drivers are good and cheap if you're doing a lot of rack work - mine was £30 on sale.

Isopropyl alcohol (universal cleaner).

Small paintbrush for cleaning out delicate stuff

Box of 100 biros to saturate your local area with pens

Medium-tipped permanent markers (cheaper than cd pens and can write on metal if needed).

Velcro cable ties and/or spool of velcro.

Good, dependable cable tester - I have a Testum Lanscaper + Kit. Not cheap, but one of the best tools I've bought.

Stack of A5 (fits in front of a keyboard) notepads so you're writing stuff down in one place rather than random scraps of paper.

Whiteboard for the office wall - scribble known upcoming dates there (as well as in calendar).

SATA to USB dock

Gender changers for audio / video / usb. You'll often have to create temporary frankencables.

Console cables and known-good usb-serial adaptor for your mobile computer of choice.

Linux live cds / usb sticks for data recovery.

A wiki. That you update. Regularly. Before you forget how you did "X". We use Dokuwiki.

The cheapest, nastiest scissors you can find - you're looking for poorly finished blades with micro-burrs in them. You can cut steel and kevlar with the ones we have (the burrs grip the kevlar).

 

Oh, and definitely a smartphone with a decent data contract.

 

I could go on.

Edited June 8, 2010 by pete

[penfold]

Thanks guys, I do have a 2GB memory stick but am finding I am moving things around on it as I'm using it, but wasn't sure if that was just me. Think I will have to increase capacity there. There are also a few things that I will need to add to my list, but one thing I wasn't sure of was a PDA with wireless to recieve emails while away from the office. I noticed a few of you put down a smartphone, but how did you justify this purchase and have you ended up with a contract phone?

[sippo]

Most that has been mentioned and an External USB CD-ROM.

[penfold]

Most that has been mentioned and an External USB CD-ROM.

 

Why? - Would you need one if you had a USB memory stick? Not being critical, but I just cant see me using/needing one but dont want to overlook anything.

[danrhodes]

Personally I have a massive tool kit provided by work, it includes drills full sets of screw drivers, pliers, goggles, mask, full networking kit, loads of stuff really, but then again I dont work for the school, and I do network, projector install over the hols so its to be exected really I suppose.

 

D

[LeMarchand]

I noticed a few of you put down a smartphone, but how did you justify this purchase and have you ended up with a contract phone?

 

It's my own. TBH, I don't see the point in petitioning for something that I would have even if I wasn't doing the job I do. (Unlike one - highly paid - member of the council team I know who will not pay for Broadband as they reason that if they hold out, the council will eventually relent and pay it for them...)

[sippo]

Why? - Would you need one if you had a USB memory stick? Not being critical, but I just cant see me using/needing one but dont want to overlook anything.

 

I've always been asked to put software on PC's/Laptops/Netbooks. Its mainly for netbooks which haven't a CD-Rom.

[pete]

Aye, own smartphone. And it's for my use, rather than checking work email. It gives me a backup connection to the Internet and a means by which the monitoring gear can contact me if it detects an alert that I'd rather be woken up about than discovering without warning when I arrive in the morning.

[sidewinder]

Usually its spread all around the office so never really inventory what I use but if say I had to assemble a kit to last a few days of normal work:

 

laptop/netbook (nothing beats having your own machine with useful tools preinstalled)

known good cable tester

known good cat5 cables

selection of screwdrivers

pliers

scisscors

external HDD

memory stick

screenwipes

alcohol wipes

compressed air

bootable linux cds etc

usb - sata/ide cable

post-its

lots of pens

[korifugi]

As I support several sites, my general useage toolkit is my laptop rucksack. It contains errr........

 

Laptop (with server management tools installed and a few installation programs on - plus contains my 'portable' documents)

Mini Toolkit - containing screwdriver with a big range of different bits, jewel 'driver set, snips, pliers, torch, cable stripper, long tweezers, allen keys, solder iron and punchdown tool.

Cable stapler (and staples)

Tape Measure

Electrical tape

Cable Ties

CD Wallet full of software (and a few spare cd/dvds)

USB pen drive

Couple of spare patch leads

Cable Testers

Handful of RJ45s

Sony PSP

and most importantly...

 

Edugeek Mug.

 

Well, that's what it usually contains for day to day work - but things can be added/taken out as needed.

Edited June 9, 2010 by korifugi
found more in the bottom!

[ricki]

Hi

 

Dont forget a noggin knocker.

 

Richard

[sippo]

Or a crystal ball...

[Mr.Ben]

Hi

 

Dont forget a noggin knocker.

 

Richard

 

And a Knobkerry

[danrhodes]

And a Knobkerry

 

A what??

[Arcath]

I work in multiple schools so my bag of things i need to work contains:

 

• Netbook
  
• 120GB USB 2.5" Drive Caddy
  
• Disks for common software and drivers
  
• Lunch <- Most important bit
  
• Network Tester
  
• Assorted lengths of network cable
  
• Allen Keys for projector mounts
  

 

And the most important tool has its own pouch on my belt, leatherman multi-tool.

[penfold]

Aye, own smartphone. And it's for my use, rather than checking work email. It gives me a backup connection to the Internet and a means by which the monitoring gear can contact me if it detects an alert that I'd rather be woken up about than discovering without warning when I arrive in the morning.

 

Fair enough...I'm fairly reluctant to use my own phone for work. I have done that in the past and ended up with phone calls while off asking to sort things out over the phone. Frankly I dont get paid enough to warrent 24 hrs help so try not to give out my mobile number. But if it's your own phone for your own needs then I dont suppose you have to give out your number anyway.

[penfold]

Or a crystal ball...

 

OK, now that is probably the MOST important thing you can have....I know mines gone missing as of late:D

[Arcath]

Fair enough...I'm fairly reluctant to use my own phone for work. I have done that in the past and ended up with phone calls while off asking to sort things out over the phone. Frankly I dont get paid enough to warrent 24 hrs help so try not to give out my mobile number. But if it's your own phone for your own needs then I dont suppose you have to give out your number anyway.

 

I use my personal phone for work (get to claim work calls back on expenses) I'm yet to have a school phone me over the weekend or whilst i'm on holiday, I do get the mad panic bang on 8:30am calls where $problem appeared at 6pm last night and they need it fixing. If someone where to call me whilst on holiday i'd let it run through to answer phone

[danrhodes]

How about a magic wand, or the Techy force field that makes thing "miracuously" work when we go to a job and get "I swear it wasn't working a minute ago!"

 

D