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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: Minskleip on Mon, 03 January 2011, 14:14:38

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Minskleip on Mon, 03 January 2011, 14:14:38

What tools do you use?

I have this cheap ampermetre; is it sensitive enough for working with keyboards?

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 03 January 2011, 17:16:09

The tools that I use when working with plastic. I got most of them from plastic model shops.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14507&stc=1&d=1294096008)
A set of files of various grades, The ones that are the most critical are the finest ones. "needle files".
A razor saw. It really is a serrated razor-blade on a handle. There is also a much larger saw available that is also called "razor saw" that might be more suitable for cases. There are also smaller serrated hobby knives available, but I find them to be more rare.
A scoring knife and a metal ruler. The "score and snap" method is the best for cutting sheet plastic. Pull the knife against the metal ruler backwards over the workpiece to make a perfectly straight score. Then snap the pieces apart.

If I want a smooth finish, I always do the really fine work with sandpaper.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Mon, 03 January 2011, 18:37:47

I am a fan of the dremel. It is a compromise tool, but makes up for it in flexibility.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Voixdelion on Mon, 03 January 2011, 19:33:34

And where the dremel falls short, the jewelers saw picks up.  I got one of the c-clamp flying-V bench extensions too, though I wish I'd gotten the adjustable saw instead of the fixed one to make use of some of the broken blades.  But IMO definitely a modder's "must have" tool for making fine cuts in metal, plexi or plastic.  I may be using mine to make a fan grille that I can't find for sale anywhere.  

I never thought that an art class I took in high school would prove so useful in the real world.  Kinda neat that they let us play with torches and heavy equipment in high school - my friend can actually enamel metals and do stone setting, but I only took the intro course cause I wanted to try ceramics and drawing as well.  Still, metals I was enough to give me the skills to do the body work on my own car...

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: nanu on Mon, 03 January 2011, 19:59:48

Various grades of wet/dry sandpaper are good to have. I try to get by with a multitool or whatever else is at the desk, before making a trip to the toolbox.

I feel this thread isn't focused enough. We could list everything in a toolbox, then go on to listing power tools (other than a Dremel I only have a keyed-chuck drill).

I like 28 AWG wire, although I feel it's a bit thin. I think 26 would be sweeter for keyboard circuitry.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Minskleip on Tue, 04 January 2011, 02:59:12

Awesome! I used my fathers dremel and tools when I did case modding, but now I moved so far away. I need a second birthday, or maybe I can become a father myself and get fathers' day presents. Smart..

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Findecanor on Tue, 04 January 2011, 03:02:21

Quote from: ripster;272615

Scoring works great for the more brittle plastics like PBT.  ABS is pretty tough stuff though.

No, scoring works very well with ABS. If the plastic is thick, you might have to score twice, though. The second time, you just deepen the score that you have already made, without any ruler.

It gets tricky when there are curves, or an inconvex shape such as when you are scoring on the inside of a case.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Half-Saint on Tue, 04 January 2011, 03:42:49

I use a PROXXON IB/E rotary tool.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: bladamson on Tue, 04 January 2011, 04:46:26

I'm not sure where the lines between modding, hacking, and working are, for the purposes of tool-kit descriptions, so...

Portable kit:
 - 144-piece computer toolkit w/case from newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16899263013&cm_re=computer_tool_kit-_-99-263-013-_-Product).  The tools aren't the greatest, but at least it's well-organized and portable.
 - Pre-Lenovo IBM T61 running Linux (with Win7 and MacOS in VMs).
 - Various boot and utility CDs.
 - USB to SATA / 3.5" PATA / 2.5" PATA dongle.
 - Hunting knife (http://www.heimerdingercutlery.com/buck-knives-buck-192brs-vanguard-with-woodgrain-handle-p-1231.html).  I find these more versatile than those utility knives with retractable blades.
 - Greenlee tool pouch (http://www.toolbarn.com/greenlee-56352.html) containing
 --- Linesman's pliers.
 --- RJ-11/45 crimper, a nice ratcheting one with cut & strip spots. Trying to cut & strip cat-5 any other way is more trouble than it's worth. :3
 --- Punchdown tool.
 --- Large leatherman tool.
 --- Cheap utility knife for cutting on stuff that will ruin the edge on the Buck.

Other stuff that I generally only use at home/office:
 - Somewhat decent soldering station.  If you've not experienced this one, you'll be amazed at the difference between a decent soldering iron and a crappy one.  This tool is worth spending a little money on, imo.
 - Good & sturdy high speed AC dremel tool (single speed) for cutting and shaping metal.
 - Less good rechargable variable-speed dremel for cutting and shaping plastic (you need to use a fairly slow speed for plastic to avoid melting it).
 - A good assortment of dremel and drill bits.
 - Regular hacksaw.
 - Scroll saw.
 - Decent digital multimeter.  Not a Fluke, but better than the $10 analog crap that you find at Walton's Emporium of Sweat-Shop Goods.
 - Crappy old worn out dual-channel 40MHz o-scope from the 60s.  I don't use this often enough to justify buying a better one.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 04 January 2011, 07:09:03

My favorite tools?  You guys.

Hugs and kisses.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: instantkamera on Tue, 04 January 2011, 09:39:35

Quote from: itlnstln;272875

My favorite tools?  You guys.

Hugs and kisses.

funny, as much as you talk about your tool, I'd have thought you would relish any chance to show it off. Maybe rip could come over to take it's picture. (Rip, I hope you own a good macro lens).

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 04 January 2011, 10:55:18

He doesn't need to come over.  He'll be able to see it where he's at.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: instantkamera on Tue, 04 January 2011, 10:59:54

well played, sirs.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: instantkamera on Tue, 04 January 2011, 11:28:01

peeping rip.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Minskleip on Thu, 06 January 2011, 17:24:37

Guess I need a soldering station 'soon'. Any recommendations? The last time a used one I burned my fingers and destroyed my graphics card. One with laser pointer for accuracy would be nice.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: ironman31 on Thu, 06 January 2011, 22:08:45

Quote from: Minskleip;274192

Guess I need a soldering station 'soon'. Any recommendations? The last time a used one I burned my fingers and destroyed my graphics card. One with laser pointer for accuracy would be nice.

Hakko 936. Some call it pricey, but you can get one for under a hundred dollars, which doesn't seem bad for such a high quality product.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Minskleip on Thu, 06 January 2011, 23:16:00

Oh that's no good at all, I want to move! But thank you, I'll think about this with careful consideration; don't want to lose my keyboards.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Lanx on Thu, 06 January 2011, 23:20:37

+1
my hakko 936 going pretty strong 80bucks on amazon.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: ironman31 on Fri, 07 January 2011, 08:22:56

Quote from: ripster;274352

Weller.  AutoTurnoff so your house doesn't burn down ...

usually the blinking light tells me it's still on

also: These (http://www.drillspot.com/products/643708/klein_tools_2100-8_electricians_scissor?s=1) are great. I got them for Christmas and they're perfect for replacing your old workstation scissors.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: Lanx on Fri, 07 January 2011, 13:02:23

Quote from: ironman31;274521

usually the blinking light tells me it's still on

also: These (http://www.drillspot.com/products/643708/klein_tools_2100-8_electricians_scissor?s=1) are great. I got them for Christmas and they're perfect for replacing your old workstation scissors.

holy crap, 30bucks for scissors, reasons please. (i have no idea why)

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 07 January 2011, 13:04:46

Quote from: itlnstln;272875

My favorite tools?  You guys.

Hugs and kisses.

I had a different "tool" in mind...

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 07 January 2011, 13:08:06

A pair of pliers?

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 07 January 2011, 13:37:54

A rock.  When you live in the stone age, you have to use what you have available.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: ironman31 on Fri, 07 January 2011, 18:01:51

Quote from: ripster;274703

Is it the 5:00 giveaway?

Anyway, I already posted my #1 favorite tool.... (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=5974)

Show Image

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41EevSEiOnL._SL500_AA280_.jpg)

I've got one that I've been using for work for the past 2 years. Absolutely love it

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: ironman31 on Fri, 07 January 2011, 18:02:36

Quote from: Lanx;274668

holy crap, 30bucks for scissors, reasons please. (i have no idea why)

lol, I don't know, cause they're good scissors? I didn't pay for them.

Title: Tools! (for modding)
Post by: PikachuDX on Sat, 08 January 2011, 20:45:11

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