There’s no doubt that we all love our personal tech gadgets like mobile phone, PC etc., but what happens when something goes wrong with your phone, PC or any other item you rely on day to day?
Before panic sets in over the downfall of one your beloved gadgets, just remember a repair isn’t never too far away. There are plenty of people and services out there to help you get your tech back up and running, but those services can come at a significant cost to you.
If you’re passionate about the world of tech, looking into doing your own repairs can not only be pocket friendly but interesting, too – maybe even hobby worthy. Of course, you’ll need to know your stuff, and have the kit to do the job. If you’re just getting started, here are five essentials you’ll need for your tech toolbox.
A Pry Tool
Anyone who’s ever tried to get their fingernails in between two pieces of well fitted plastic casing and tried to pry them open will know what an awkward, frustrating and even slightly squeamish job it is.
Sometimes the best tools are the simplest ones, and a specialist prying tool will help turn the opening up of devices from nigh on impossible (and fingernail endangering) to a walk in the park. Check out the iSesamo – a thin non-slip metal sheet that will happily get into the smallest of cracks in devices. It’ll set you back a tenner or so but save you an awful lot of pain.
A Magnifying Glass
Let’s face it, most of the repair work you’re going to be doing will be fiddly, microscopic and require serious attention to detail. Thus, you need to see what you’re doing, so good lighting and a close-up view are essential.
Now, there are plenty of great micro-flashlight options out there for illuminating smaller jobs, but why not go one better with an illuminated magnifying glass. Not only will you be able to see what you’re doing, but you’ll get a more detailed view as well. RS Components do a solid array of cheap magnifying options that are up to the task.
Spare Screws and fasteners
The simplest of simple additions to your toolkit, but the truth is you can never have too many screws and fasteners as replacements for pesky missing pieces. If you do a lot of repairs, chances are you’ll run into missing screws in the process, so it’s always good to have a few on hand for when the inevitable occurs.
A Magnetic Tray
On the subject of lost screws, a magnetic tray is a pretty effective way of minimising the loss of your own. A great timesaver, having one on hand also saves you the anguish of dropping and then having to find screws while in the process of repairs.
Threadlocker
Sometimes, when it comes to fasteners or screw threads, bad fit, low quality parts or damage can mean screws constantly coming loose. This is a tough problem to deal with efficiently, indeed your first instinct might be to tighten the fastener or screw further, but this can cause more harm than good in the long run.
Instead, invest in some Loctite Threadlocker – a simple thread adhesive that’s designed to fix your screws and fasteners in place and overcome any fit or damage issues.
So, five decidedly simple tools that will go a long way in setting the foundation for a solid tech repair tool kit. The good news is everything mentioned is inexpensive, easy to find and really effective, so you can get started with a few repairs of your own.
