Besides the usual tools that all modders are using, dremel, jig saw, etc. What other tools have you modders found to be essential and why? I am planning my first big project and I would like to make sure I am going to war with a solid arsenal. abombss
*Racheting screwdriver (I'll be damned if I know the actual name, and even more damned if what I just said is the right term for it) for anything requiring a screwdriver *Jewelers screwdriver set for extracting molex pins and working where a racheting screwdriver won't *Soldering Iron, I don't think I need to say why *Multimeter because it should be an international law enforceable by INTERPOL that requires all modders to have one *Drill press because my hands get really shaky using a handheld one *Spiral wrap for easy cable management *Velcro for holding CCFLs in place *Spare ATX power supply for powering stuff while I'm working on it *Battery powered vaccuum cleaner, a nice addition to the CompUSA toolkit my dad got me, useful for getting dust out of your case/fan filters without that nasty static problem *Anti-static bracelet because I've already killed 1, maybe 2 motherboards because I never wore one Think I've covered everything I use, I'm sure people will add other stuff.
Decent temperature controlled soldering station - heats up on 20 seconds and never overheats the thing thats being soldered. Solder sucker - removing solder when I stuff up Nibbler - great for chopping out the stock fan grills Holding hands thing - 2 clips on a stand. Has a magnifying lens too. Anti-static work mat - means I can put things down knoing I wont zap them Anti-static wrist strap - same... Mini plyers - picking up dropped screws off the motherboard
* TINY forceps...like the kind in an operating room...2 reasons.. ** Pickin up dropped screws ** Clamp things down and hold them. * SHARP knife....useful for obvious reasons. * Wire Crimper/Stripper Multitool * Small Metal Files....for cleaning up dremel work * Napkins and a Pen....where ALL the great work starts * Hot Glue Gun....good stuff to hold things if you want it to eventually come off and not worry about conductivity.
drill press bench grinder jigsaw dremel screw driver assortment pliers/wirecutters/wire strippers respirator gloves safety glasses earplugs (ever heard a dremel cutting steel at 35000rpm?) masking tape assortment of drill bits, holesaws table saw bandsaw rubber mallet clamps soldering iron multimeter eyeglass screwdriver drill rivet gun vise anti-static wrist strap variable power supply (5V, 0-20V DC) Air powered die grinder Propane torch heatgun TIG welder (never know what you'll need to put back together) Various glues, adhesives & tapes garden hose air compressor paint sprayer 7" grinder (for buffing finishes/stripping finishes) fire extinguisher (again.... you never know) and but of course the most important one.... my trusty assisstant (read GF)
cderalow thats quite a setup... u sure you didn't miss anything? I don't see any measuring instruments besides the mult. Do you just eyeball everything?
probably did, but its hard to remember all the crap i've got in the garage that I've used in the business of modding..... assortment of screws, nuts, bolts, washers paint thinner rubbing compounds, glazes, waxes sandpaper pieces of scrap metal/wood square metal straightedge 20" box fans (for ventilation) newspaper/drop cloth measuring tape, rulers etc... I'm sure there's more junk that most everyone will have... reciprocating saw.... never used it to mod anything, but it does a hell of a job taking stuff apart...
Drill Press (3) Air Compresser File (7) Hammer (7) Chisel (11) Hacksaw (5) Wire Cutters/strippers (2) Shears Manual Riveter Rachet screwdriver (4) Belt sander Drum sander Kettle (for caffine tea) Clamps (20 or so) Vice Vice grips (4) Pliers (6) Needle nose pliers Jars and jars of screws, bolts, and washers. (all sorted) Ruler Measuring tape GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welder) Mulitimeter Ear Muffs (not the frilly kind) Electrical tape Heat shrink Heatgun Soldering iron Solder Hose clamps Zip Ties Wire Junk I'm sure there's more, but that's what I remember using. (There's a lot more avalible to me. But no mill. )
Well lets see, the stuff on my bench and in my toolbox... Double-sided tape I have like 60 rulers lol soldering iron and solder Exacto Knife AT power supply Caffeine sandblaster Angle grinder general automotive tool set wire Zip ties Caffeine canned air Files Gameboy advance dry-erase marker and mirror Also, on loan from a friend, I have a gravity feed air powered paint sprayer set (used it to paint project mailbu (see sig) hehe)
Dremel Stanley knife Steel rules Masking tape Double-sided sticky foam pads Epoxy resin JB Weld epoxy Sandpaper Screwdrvers Pliers Super glue Solder iron Helping hands Heatshrink + lighter Scissors
Duct tape bailing wire bubble gum spit Hope good wishes. hands BIG hammer (to fit those things that "Almost" fit)
Grump, I just got a set of air tools, how did you manage to fit your die cutter with dremel bits? The chuck in my die cutter seems way to big and the selection of bits that fit are in poor selection. Hook a brother up...
I have exactly 50% of all the tools cderalow listed, in addition to a lot of other stuff. (Every time my dad and I go to a building supplier, we buy at least one new tool... and we go to the building supplier alot) Dad: "Bard, do we need a table saw"? Bard: "Maybe" Dad: "Ok. Chuck one in"
Spring loaded clamps are cheap and very handy I can't believe so one mentioned a mini-fridge to keep their beer, um, er, soda cold and within reach! Sharpie markers are a must! A metal ruler and yard (or meter for those non-US people) stick. Goo Gone to get rid of those stuborn stickers and gooey stuff. Rubbing alcohol to make sure all smudges are removed before painting. May be a little anal, but the stuff is cheap. Bondo to fill in those holes you don't want. Sanding block and/or palm sander. If you're like me, band-aids. Lots of band-aids.
My grinder came with 2 collars. Check tool sellers to see if you can get a smaller collar -- Harbor Freight might have one. Grump
Excellent, I'm going there today anyway... thanks I've been looking for spray guns and had my eye on the very one you have... from what I have seen browsing that looks like the one to have.
