No electronics technician, computer repair technician, network equipment technician, maker or DIY hobbyist can get by with a good kit. tools for electronics. For this reason, in this article we will recommend some of the best that you can buy, in addition to presenting which are the most common tools and what each of them is for, if you are starting out on this subject and did not know them yet.
Purchase Recommendations
If you are looking for good tools for electronics, you should know these recommendations of briefcases or kits with everything you need to start:
- Replacement PC and Universal Laptop Screws:
- Replacement CR2032 battery for BIOS/UEFI:
- Electrical, network and coaxial cable crimpers:
- Diagnostic POST Card for PC:
- Universal Laptop Charger:
- Supports for welding and repair:
- Anti-static (ESD) gloves and finger cots:
- 3M FFP3 mask to avoid problems with welding fumes and other toxins such as resin vapors, or dangerous particles:
- Magnetized tray to avoid losing the screws during the disassembly of equipment and anti ESD tray:
- Screw organizers and Electronic components:
- Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning:
- Spray and vacuum for cleaning slots, heatsinks, keyboards, ports, etc.:
- Kits or tool cases for repairing and opening PCs, laptops, electronic equipment and mobile devices of the prestigious iFixit brand:
What are the essential electronic tools
As for the most popular electronics tools, here you go a list with some of the most used and their usefulness:
- Screwdrivers: For tightening (clockwise or clockwise rotation) or loosening (counterclockwise or counterclockwise rotation) screws of various types and sizes. Depending on the tip they use, we can find:
- Plano: It is one of the first screwdriver bits that appeared, to tighten or loosen screws with flat or slot head. They are not the most popular in electronics (increasingly obsolete), nor the safest, however, it never hurts to have one of these screwdrivers on hand.
- Philips or star: This type is one of the most popular. They are used for screws with a head with a star. They were patented by Henry Phillips in the 30s, hence their name. This is much safer, although the head of the screws can be deformed with strong pressure.
- pozidriv: They seem very strange, but the truth is that they belong to the previous group, but they have been improved. They were devised in the 60s and are the most used in electronic devices. They are used for screws that also have a cross, but they have four additional contact points that prevent them from being damaged so easily, offering better results and greater safety.
- Torx: They are among the best when it comes to anti-slip. These screws use a six-pointed star, offering a larger contact surface to support higher torques. However, it is not that popular.
- Allen: their tip is hexagonal, and they are also integrated inside the screwdrivers.
- Precision: they are screwdrivers that can have flat, star, Pozidriv, etc. tips. But the difference is that the size is much smaller than the previous ones. They are used for precision work, such as for small devices, watches, etc., where the others are too big.
- Pliers: a tool that can serve as a pliers to cut wires or cables, even to hold, mold, etc. There are also several types of them:
- Universal: they are the most common, and allow cutting, bending, tightening, loosening, etc. That is, a multipurpose tool depending on the part of the mouth you use. For example, the outermost one that is serrated is for holding, the sharp part for cutting, but don't use them for nuts, they are not intended for that.
- cutting: instead of several zones like the universal ones, they only have a few points to cut. Some use it to strip cables, but this is not its purpose and it can end up damaging the conductor.
- On end: also called stork tip. They have a much thinner and longer tip, to reach places where the universal ones do not reach. In addition, they usually have several areas like the universal ones, so they can be used to hold, cut, tighten, etc.
- Round tip: they only differ from the previous ones in that they have a curved mouth, ending in two conical or cylindrical points. They can serve as tweezers for manual crafts, or for jewelry work.
- curved tip: they are also very similar to those with a point, and with a curve like those with a round point, but specially designed to work in the disassembly and assembly of safety rings (Seeger-type rings, elastics or circlips).
- Adjustable: they can be similar to the universal ones, but the joint union screw is mobile, to open more or less the amplitude, having extensible grip dimensions.
- Depression: They may be similar to the previous ones, but the difference is that when they bite, they do not release it even if you remove the pressure from your hands, thanks to a locking system.
- cable cutters: It is a tool that, as its name suggests, is for cutting cables. Although a different type of pliers can do it, there are also specific tools for it. You can find them in various sizes for all types of cables.
- Wire strippers: When it comes to stripping ends to make wire splices or to insert them into some connectors, this wire stripper is used. Many of them have different holes with various diameters of cable to be able to strip many of them.
- Crimping tool: Some people confuse the crimper with the wire stripper, and it is true that some tools can have both functions. However, the crimper is for crimping, crimping, or crimping, whatever you want to call it. That is, it deforms a piece of conductor to keep it attached to the end of the cable. It can be used for copper wires, for braided cables, fiber optics, coaxial cables, network cables, etc.
- jaws: they are elements used to anchor a piece to the work table and keep it fixed to work on it, either for cleaning, welding, repairing it, etc.
- magnetized tray: It is a simple and practical tool, being able to keep the screws safe and not lose them.
- ESD wrist strap: It is a bracelet with a contact that is in contact with the technician's wrist and attached to a cable with a crocodile clip (generally), which will then be connected to ground. This will prevent certain integrated circuits from being damaged by ESD.
- Tweezers: they are small utensils to be able to hold or pick up very small components. For example, it can be used to hold or remove surface mount components, reach less accessible places, etc.
- Magnifying glasses: magnifying glasses are used to increase vision and thus be able to see even the smallest detail, either to locate small flaws or breaks, to weld very small parts, etc.
- soldering iron and desoldering iron: (see this article)
- Multimeter: (see this article)
- Isopropyl alcohol: It is a good companion for your electronics workshop, with which you can clean PCBs and chips if necessary. This alcohol leaves no moisture behind and evaporates quickly, making it perfect for these electronic devices.
- Vacuum cleaner or CO2 spray: Sometimes some slots, ports, heatsinks, fans, or between the keys need to be cleaned. Quite complicated places to be able to clean them with other tools, but with the small existing vacuum cleaners for this purpose, or with the CO2 spray to blow, you can do it easily.