IT Techs : What's in your tool bag?

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Serious Hardware/Software Crap > YOSPOS > IT Techs : What's in your tool bag?

pram: Jun 10, 2001

My kit's scattered across my car and my bench, and most of it I only use occasionally.

* Leatherman Wave. My Most Valuable Tool. It's my second one, since my first one started getting dull and the the small flathead screwdriver was chipped. The newer one has driver bits (already had to replace the tiny phillips/flathead one twice), but it's bulkier so it can't go as deep and gets in the way more often.
* Craftsman magnetic drivers with hollow handles with a spinny plastic lid that lets you apply torque and pressure at the same time easily. Best screwdrivers I've used, although the shafts are bulky and can't get into narrow recesses.
* Small USB keyboard/trackpad combo I got at Fry's for $20. So much nicer than dealing with mice, but have to turn off numlock to use half the keyboard properly.
* IDE/SATA->USB dongle & power supply
* SATA-USB/eSATA dock by Thermaltake
* 8GB Cruzer (I really need to update this)
* Variety of cables--USB, SATA, IDE, network
* Ultimate Boot DVD
* Ubuntu Live DVD
* Windows Vista/7 install discs
* Hammer
* Box of nail-in cable guides
* Velcro strapping
* Velcro with adhesive backing
* Heavy-duty RJ45/11 crimper with the 568a/b cheat scrawled in sharpie on the handle
* Bag of RJ45 connectors
* Bag of RJ45 jacks
* Variety tub of zip ties
* Box of zip tie holder things with adhesive backs and a screw hole
* Small microfiber shammy
* Scissors
* Notepad & post-its
* Boxcutter
* Tape measure
* Variety of screws and molly bolts
* Hole saw
* Dymo labelmaker
* Soldering iron
* Smartphone with dropbox, drive, and onedrive accounts
* Surface RT
* Box of Cat5e cable

If I need to, I can grab a network cable tester, line tracer, and punchdown tool from work. I also have a Dremel set, a Ridgid power driver with a big bit set, and Ridgid reciprocating saw if I really need them.