Starting over after the LA fires

[ruairi]

Hey all,

An often posited question is "What tools & equipment would you buy if you were starting over?". Well the Eaton fire took our home and everything in it so it's real life for me now!

I am a Mastering Engineer working with artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish etc. So needless to say I lost a ton of audio equipment, 7 guitars and books etc. Relevant to this forum however is my bench and tools...

Given my current workload I won't be rebuilding anything like what I had, I just don't have the time (or space) I used to for electronics but I would like to get the solid basics in place and replace the 30 years of tools I had accumulated with quality new tools.

A quick summary of what was lost - 5 Multimeters (Fluke 179, Keysight 34465, 34410), 2 scopes (Tek and Iwatsu), Instek LCR, Prism dScope Audio Analyzer, 6 bench PSUs (HP x 3, Tek x 1, Eico x 1, and one other tube PSU), 2 x Metcal irons and so many hand tools and audio parts.

Anyhow, the crux ... I want to start by buying a new tool case and new hand tools.

I loved my Wiha screwdrivers, what are some of your favorite brands for

Cutters
Pliers
Hammer
Allen & torq wrenches
Precision screwdrivers
Nut drivers

I'm going to buy slowly and high quality and hopefully these will last me the next 30 years and to the end of my life! Any input welcome.

[ruairi]

I should add there seem to be more and more counterfeit tools around, so another question is where to buy that you trust?

[wraper]

I should add there seem to be more and more counterfeit tools around, so another question is where to buy that you trust?

At least in Europe, Amazon (itself as a seller) usually has very competitive pricing when it comes to the tools. Its search sucks though and promotes all sorts of Chinese shit, so I usually select tools somewhere else and then find on amazon. Consider Wera, knipex, Weidmuller tools. IMHO Wiha is only good at screwdrivers, a few other tools I bought were not up to the price asked.

Precision screwdrivers

Consider this Wiha/Xiaomi collaboration. https://www.amazon.com/Precision-Screwdriver-Household-Magnetic-Aluminum/dp/B093XWZ1K9 It's excellent even for semi-professional amount of work and has very high quality bits. Buy original only, there are clones of it which are garbage.

[Analog Kid]

Cutters: Klein Tools (mine is a D275-5)

[bdunham7]

Sorry to hear that.  We have friends and colleages in Altadena and Sierra Madre and while they were dislocated and their neighborhoods trashed, all their houses didn't burn somehow.  I hope you are safe and have found accomodations, also I hope your insurance comes through.  I'm glad you're here to tell us about it!

Just a couple of thoughts on your replacement scheme.  If there's stuff you really liked and are used to--perhaps your screwdrivers and Metcal soldering stuff, etc, then just replace it.  Other stuff where you don't have strong preferences, don't be afraid to experiment and shop around.  Some stuff from China is pretty good, which is fortunate since most of it comes from there now anyway.  I have Snapon, I have Knipex and I have Harbor Freight.  All of them have good tools and some not-so-good tools or ones that aren't worth the money.  So don't be afraid to visit Home Depot or Harbor Freight.  Of course there's Chads Toolbox as well.

https://chadstoolbox.com/

As for the specifics you asked about:

Small cutters-- I like the inexpensive Hakko flush cutters (they have 3 sizes) and for larger cutters Knipex.
Pliers--Knipex, $nap-on,
Hammers--I don't even think about those although I have a few nice ones from Home Depot.
The rest--I'd probably look at Harbor Freight or Chad's.  I got a nice Wera insulated driver set from Chad's that have somehow become my main bench screwdrivers.

For your test and bench electronic equipment if you decide you want to replace what you had and don't want new stuff, post what you are looking for and some of us can look in our closets. 

[Njk]

That's quite a loss. But California fires is not a new thing. It happens yearly. What type of houses there are? Is there some kind of fire-proof basement or bunker where the owner can evacuate all the belonging? I think the first item is to create a plan for how to prevent it from happen again, or this can repeat next year

[rogerggbr]

Side cutters - I like the NS04 & 06 (Japanese). Available on Amazon and various other online sellers. Good luck.

[themadhippy]

For pliers lindstrom would be my choice just for there longevity.The pair sitting here are   more than capable of cutting  10mm t+e  even though there nearly as old as me,and certainly haven't had an easy life.

[David Hess]

I loved my Wiha screwdrivers, what are some of your favorite brands for

I like Wiha for smaller screwdrivers and nutdrivers, but I recently made the jump to Pozidriv by picking up the two smallest 1/4" hex drivers made by Wera, and am very happy with them because they hold a standard 1/4" hex bit tightly without slack.  I attached the photograph below to show their scale.

https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05051464001-Bitholding-Screwdriver-Non-Magnetic/dp/B003GDIQIQ
https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05051464001-Bitholding-Screwdriver-Non-Magnetic/dp/B003GDIQJ0

I do not like Xcelite drivers anymore because they changed the plastic cases and now they break too easily, and replacements are not available.

Cutters
Pliers

I suspect Tekton has the best cutters and pliers for a low price.

Knipex might have the toughest small cutters and pliers.  They give the best specifications anyway including for cutting piano wire.

I would also consider Wiha, Klein, and Williams.

Allen & torq wrenches

I like Bondhus L-keys, especially the ones *without* ball ends, although I have both.

[ruairi]

Sorry to hear that.  We have friends and colleages in Altadena and Sierra Madre and while they were dislocated and their neighborhoods trashed, all their houses didn't burn somehow.  I hope you are safe and have found accomodations, also I hope your insurance comes through.  I'm glad you're here to tell us about it!

Just a couple of thoughts on your replacement scheme.  If there's stuff you really liked and are used to--perhaps your screwdrivers and Metcal soldering stuff, etc, then just replace it.  Other stuff where you don't have strong preferences, don't be afraid to experiment and shop around.  Some stuff from China is pretty good, which is fortunate since most of it comes from there now anyway.  I have Snapon, I have Knipex and I have Harbor Freight.  All of them have good tools and some not-so-good tools or ones that aren't worth the money.  So don't be afraid to visit Home Depot or Harbor Freight.  Of course there's Chads Toolbox as well.

https://chadstoolbox.com/

As for the specifics you asked about:

Small cutters-- I like the inexpensive Hakko flush cutters (they have 3 sizes) and for larger cutters Knipex.
Pliers--Knipex, $nap-on,
Hammers--I don't even think about those although I have a few nice ones from Home Depot.
The rest--I'd probably look at Harbor Freight or Chad's.  I got a nice Wera insulated driver set from Chad's that have somehow become my main bench screwdrivers.

For your test and bench electronic equipment if you decide you want to replace what you had and don't want new stuff, post what you are looking for and some of us can look in our closets.

Great info thanks. I definitely have a preference for having a much smaller collection of tools but keeping them higher quality, though like you I've had good luck with Hakko etc over the years

[ruairi]

That's quite a loss. But California fires is not a new thing. It happens yearly. What type of houses there are? Is there some kind of fire-proof basement or bunker where the owner can evacuate all the belonging? I think the first item is to create a plan for how to prevent it from happen again, or this can repeat next year

Thank you! I'm not really interested in talking about the big picture here, it would just devolve.

I'd love to keep it on topic.

[ruairi]

I loved my Wiha screwdrivers, what are some of your favorite brands for

I like Wiha for smaller screwdrivers and nutdrivers, but I recently made the jump to Pozidriv by picking up the two smallest 1/4" hex drivers made by Wera, and am very happy with them because they hold a standard 1/4" hex bit tightly without slack.  I attached the photograph below to show their scale.

https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05051464001-Bitholding-Screwdriver-Non-Magnetic/dp/B003GDIQIQ
https://www.amazon.com/Wera-05051464001-Bitholding-Screwdriver-Non-Magnetic/dp/B003GDIQJ0

I do not like Xcelite drivers anymore because they changed the plastic cases and now they break too easily, and replacements are not available.

Cutters
Pliers

I suspect Tekton has the best cutters and pliers for a low price.

Knipex might have the toughest small cutters and pliers.  They give the best specifications anyway including for cutting piano wire.

I would also consider Wiha, Klein, and Williams.

Allen & torq wrenches

I like Bondhus L-keys, especially the ones *without* ball ends, although I have both.

Great info re Wera, thank you! Have had good luck with Bondhus keys too, tanks for the reminder there

[Analog Kid]

Regarding non-electronic-specific tools, like drivers, wrenches, etc., consider Ace brand or Craftsman tools, available at a lot of Ace stores. (Stock varies from store to store. Ace isn't a chain: it's a cooperative that independently-owned stores buy from.)

I worked in an Ace hardware store, and some of the Ace brand tools are pretty damn good. And Craftsman was still pretty high quality as well (this was ~7 years ago at this point). Craftsman is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker, but the tools seem to be made in the same plants with the same quality.

[macboy]

You already know Metcal soldering tools are second to none, stick with that. If I lost everything, the first items on the list for replacement would be a good handheld multimeter (Fluke probably), a couple good HP/Agilent power supplies, and a Metcal soldering/desoldering station. The rest would come over time as needs arise or as deals were found. I'd want at least one 4ch scope soon enough, and for some of the projects I like to do, I'd want to replace my Panasonic (National) VP-7722 audio analyzer with the same or something similarly capable.

I hope your insurance company plays nice. I've always wondered how they might handle my substantial hoard of "stuff" including TE. Many of us "collect" TE but are they actually "collectables" and subject to the limits written into most policies for those? How would they value my LeCroy scope which was ~$30k new in 2002 but cost me maybe ~$1k five years ago?

[Analog Kid]

How would they [the insurance co.] value my LeCroy scope which was ~$30k new in 2002 but cost me maybe ~$1k five years ago?

As low as possible, one would presume.

[ruairi]

You already know Metcal soldering tools are second to none, stick with that. If I lost everything, the first items on the list for replacement would be a good handheld multimeter (Fluke probably), a couple good HP/Agilent power supplies, and a Metcal soldering/desoldering station. The rest would come over time as needs arise or as deals were found. I'd want at least one 4ch scope soon enough, and for some of the projects I like to do, I'd want to replace my Panasonic (National) VP-7722 audio analyzer with the same or something similarly capable.

Indeed, this sounds like where I'll start too. A new Fluke or maybe EEVBlog handheld, a bench PSU, a scope, and a Metcal. I used to work with Prism Sound so hopefully replacing my dScope should be a little more pain free than it would be for most people

[nidlaX]

I will add a few great tools/brands I've discovered in the past two years that you may want to consider:

• Xuron pliers and cutters: amazing tools for working with small parts, great value for the money
• Gyro screwdrivers: the Miniware ES15S is excellent for small electronics and parts, and there are many more models and brands available now
• Thermal cameras: 256x192 res small handheld units and USB-C dongles for phones are readily available under $250 and are useful for many purposes including electronics repair and home inspection

[ruairi]

I will add a few great tools/brands I've discovered in the past two years that you may want to consider:

• Xuron pliers and cutters: amazing tools for working with small parts, great value for the money
• Gyro screwdrivers: the Miniware ES15S is excellent for small electronics and parts, and there are many more models and brands available now
• Thermal cameras: 256x192 res small handheld units and USB-C dongles for phones are readily available under $250 and are useful for many purposes including electronics repair and home inspection

Xuron and Gyro both new to me, thank you. I won't need a thermal camera in the new setup, I could have used one when I was doing way more tech work but never splurged.

[Geoff-AU]

I should add there seem to be more and more counterfeit tools around, so another question is where to buy that you trust?

Buy from somewhere with a trustworthy supply chain (this is a subjective judgement).

I trust Digikey/Mouser.  I trust the local hardware store, or any large chain.  I don't trust online grey markets (Amazon, ebay, etc) - the marketplace is huge but the individual vendors are infinitely fungible and there is no accountability.

[wraper]

I don't trust online grey markets (Amazon, ebay, etc) - the marketplace is huge but the individual vendors are infinitely fungible and there is no accountability.

That's why I buy items susceptible to counterfeiting from Amazon itself, not marketplace sellers.

[David Hess]

Regarding non-electronic-specific tools, like drivers, wrenches, etc., consider Ace brand or Craftsman tools, available at a lot of Ace stores. (Stock varies from store to store. Ace isn't a chain: it's a cooperative that independently-owned stores buy from.)

Lowes also carries Craftsman.

I worked in an Ace hardware store, and some of the Ace brand tools are pretty damn good. And Craftsman was still pretty high quality as well (this was ~7 years ago at this point). Craftsman is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker, but the tools seem to be made in the same plants with the same quality.

The Craftsman hand tools seem the same, but they no longer have their pass-through or universal socket sets, and I assume their newer tools from before they were sold.  Their power tool quality dropped before they were sold and I have no idea what it is like now; I switched to Milwaukee after a particularly poor Craftsman hammer-drill.

[wraper]

BTW I highly suggest this Wera screwdriver kit. https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftform-Bitholding-Screwdriver-33-Pieces/dp/B000NI7RRS It lacks smaller flat bits, square drive and imperial hex bits but otherwise in addition with xiaomi/wiha kit I mentioned it covers basically all the rest of screws you may stumble upon. Bits are of excellent quality as well.

[Someone]

I trust Digikey/Mouser.

Their prices have been coming down for many volume/production tools.

Xuron and Gyro both new to me, thank you.

Xuron serve two lucrative markets: aerospace, and jewellery (including hobby) and span cheap to moderate but don't let the lack of "top end" pricing fool you into thinking they are lesser tools. All excellent value and "off the shelf" at many retailers. Highly counterfeited as the assembly/shape is rather simple but the grinding tolerances and hardness + surface finishes are where they differentiate themselves from other similar looking tools.

Setting up a toolbox from scratch, the following would be highly recommended:
485 (have the 450 but never needed the finer option)
2175
9200 (or 9250 if smaller is the preference)
170-IIF (through hole lead eating monster)

if working with kevlar reinforced cabling then add in the "for purpose" 9180

Having all sorts of other tool brands and models floating around, those are the ones that get used 99% of the time by myself.

[nidlaX]

485 (have the 450 but never needed the finer option)
if working with kevlar reinforced cabling then add in the "for purpose" 9180

I have the ESD safe 450AS Tweezer Nose Pliers and the 9180 High Durability Scissor (which I deem "all purpose"). They're an absolute joy to use for all sorts of fine work like post-processing 3D prints. The superior heat treatment absolutely makes a difference. The jaws have almost no deformation after hundreds of cuts and plies, whereas cheap knockoffs might only last a few dozen uses. And I say the 9180s are "all purpose" because they're so versatile and are good at cutting so many materials in addition to Kevlar.

Can you tell that I love these things?

[ruairi]

Appreciate the continuing insights here team, thank you