iFixit screwdrivers, bits, and other products are actually pretty darn nice

[bushmechanic]

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[sberry]

Link for it? I should gather the tools and some parts but we havnt got anyone too interested in that fussy ****. I was trying to lead my tech toward it but he wasn't biting, was working on my 9 yrs old but his idea is to sent his tab to a shop for a charge port.
Where would we find a few parts for that stuff?

 

[928'er]

Haven't seen him post in awhile, but Eric at iFixit is a member here.

James

 

[arbadacarba]

I bought the older version that came with a nylon/canvas roll instead the the plastic box...
it also came with the silver tweezers that while good, were nothing compared to the newer black ones.

When I inquired about buying the black ones in a complete set (They were not available separately at the time) they responded by sending me a set of them free... These guys are terrific.

Have bought again and will continue to recommend.

 

[cheechi]

for several hundred laptops I used a no name red multi bit driver I think was $5 at Lowe's around 2000 or so. Since, I've tried out several others as needed, manufacturers adding torx and then other sizes of torx and so on and so on. Eventually I stumbled across ifixit and tried it out and still have the whole set fully intact in my travel repair kit.

Since, I've bought several parts from them and either to get free shipping or part of a promo several tools along the way also. Their chief tool officer Eric is a GJ member and a really cool guy. He designed the dry erase magnet mat and you have to have one, just for this one thing he is a genius.

I fix computers and electronics for a living, and my wiha drivers are indispensable. For everything I don't use them, I use ifixit tools. Many things, ifixit makes the 'industry standard' tool, like the jimmy, suction cup, spudgers, etc.

They also sell the neji-saurus/vampliers screw grabbing pliers. Again, must haves.

 

[bushmechanic]

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[ddawg16]

Link for it? I should gather the tools and some parts but we havnt got anyone too interested in that fussy ****. I was trying to lead my tech toward it but he wasn't biting, was working on my 9 yrs old but his idea is to sent his tab to a shop for a charge port.
Where would we find a few parts for that stuff?

Yea....link and some pics

 

[jcfields]

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[Infinia]

I bought the Lowes version.https://www.google.com/search?q=kob...=1003#imgrc=zx0rwvxchpufGM:&spf=1497702201449 Same exact bits and plastic holder thingies for 5 bux. vs $60 for the more inclusive I fixit version. it's decent enough but I would NOT call any of these 1/8" bit drivers "pro" vs Wiha. If any of these tools saves E-gear from hitting the landfills, I'm all for it.

 

[cheechi]

I may not have that exact kit from Lowe's, but I have at least one Kobalt branded kit maybe 1-2 versions prior to it. I will say for the time being I'm comparing apples to apples with you.

this kit is the closest equivalent to your kobalt. It's worth the money. I have found that in several kits, Kobalt, Husky, Radioshack (forget the brand), 'bulldog', etc there are 3-4 common size bits that are 'better' than the others, if you buy it for a size you don't have like a T3 or T5, you probably won't get much life out of it. Very small screws don't need that much torque most of the time, but every once in a while you find a T5 1" long screw with the entire threading covered in blue locktite tape. You need a decent amount of torque to break this free and many of these 4mm bits are only good for 10 of those or fewer. This particular ifixit kit, the bits won't last forever but they are better than the average. If you need better, this set is worth the money. This is/was the standard issued set in any Apple certified repair center.

Now for $60, this is worth the money. it is a fairly complete kit for fixing small electronics, with efficient storage. I hate tool rolls and this one does not ****. the driver kit in it is only $25 here


So I can tell you firsthand, not the same exact bits and plastic holder thingies. The ifixit ones are better bits at least, although if you get your money's worth for $5 that's good. I can suggest that both similar kits at HF get pretty good reviews and if I have a new tech who can't afford good tools their first job is a trip there with a shopping list. I am not a tool loaner; some guys only upgraded from the HF kit when they couldn't do a job because their kit didn't have the bits, others cause they lost or wore down one. I had a guy work with me for 8 months that didn't need to, he even used the ****** hf 'precision' pliers the whole time. He handed back working phones so what's there to complain about from my viewpoint right?

On the topic of pricy kits though, their current universal bit kit is fancier than the one I got several years ago. It's one of those kits that I don't drink beer often, but when I do it's ifixit. If you're an electronics repair shop quite often looks are what sells good work. This is probably a factor in the presentation and cost of this particular kit, but if it has one bit you can't find elsewhere, then it's going to pay for itself it's just a matter of how long that takes.

and in that same vein, this set seems overpriced but it's not. If I had a retail spot and looks were important I'd have a bamboo workbench with these two kits on it and nearly nothing else. Especially to Apple people, you have to look the part.

this tool may be a bit overpriced I will give you that.

 

[chrisexv6]

I feel like most of the value in the iFixIt stuff is all of the tools used to open the cases. Picks, spoons, etc.

You can buy those in a separate kit for about $25, then just combine it with whatever driver kit you use.

I actually have to take apart my "untakeapartable" Nexus 6P soon, and will be picking up one of the iFixIt kits to do so.

 

[swampdog1950]

ifixit.com Good info in videos and answer forum also.

 

[bushmechanic]

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[bushmechanic]

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[Infinia]

Not the same thing.
.

IMO the plastic bit holder thingy gives it away. Your conclusions that ifixit bits are head and shoulders above all the other Chinese bits, are purely subjective, nothing more! I'm not denying your experience, its indeed valid but everyone has their own bias too (thanks mostly to marketing & packaging).. Ifixit provides a good kit at a reasonable cost, esp. IF you need the pieces that aren't included in some other kits. Yes sure there are also some terrible quality tool kits out there < Lowes changes their Kobalt product line so much, I wouldn't count on getting consistence results either so Ifixit indeed may have it there..
The bits I have and from my experience are indeed the same quality, coming from the same PRC factory, The tool buyers from Lowes and iFixit, if they compared notes would know for sure.

 

[bushmechanic]

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[Gmonkee]

I picked up a 50 bit Chinese set up to do the very occasional cell phone repair.

Tiny screws of all different head patterns that thankfully are magnetic. The darn thing has been handy the little daylight it sees.

What I have noted is the hardware is softer than the bits. In what I need them for the chances of mushing a philly tip are pretty remote.

If my profession required them the fancy stuff may be handy. But I can't see parking sixty bucks on something that gets used maybe twice a year.

Check out the Fixitstick guys if you like these, they cater to bike and gun guys more. For a minimalist that stuff is quite capable.

 

[cheechi]

Your conclusions that ifixit bits are head and shoulders above all the other Chinese bits, are purely subjective, nothing more! I'm not denying your experience, its indeed valid but everyone has their own bias too (thanks mostly to marketing & packaging)

You're right. The first tool kit I got from ifixit was tossed in to get free shipping threshold and/or because it had a size I didn't have at the time. Could have been both. I was at the time a die hard 'Kobalt is the best' guy. This was when Williams was their oem. So my bias at the time is let me get this pos and use it till it breaks. Changed my mind pretty hard.

When I speak from experience I have worn out more 4mm bits than most people have ever seen at one time. When I said before 'several hundred laptops' think 20-30 a week for 2 years I've got a few thousand under my belt. This is not warranty work where it's the same 2-3 sizes over and over either. In addition to laptops & car pc's, game consoles (controllers are the worst for needing speciality sizes), projectors, monitors & tv sets, GPS, phones & tablets, musical electronics you name it.

For $20 you can't get a better set than ifixit's cheap set. for $25, you can't get a better set than their better set, and for $40-50 you can't get a better set than the Wiha.

 

[bleomycin]

For $20 you can't get a better set than ifixit's cheap set. for $25, you can't get a better set than their better set, and for $40-50 you can't get a better set than the Wiha.

This thread has been quite a surprise, i've passed up all of the ifixit tools on purpose over the years assuming they'd just be junk. Considering you have vastly more experience actually wearing out drivers in these size ranges than I do who do you believe makes the best fitting/most durable precision drivers if cost is no concern (phillips,hex,torx)?

I work a lot with 1.5-4mm hex screws that are often torqued down much harder than you would expect. My Wiha, Bondhus, and PB Swiss drivers all have too much play in the fastener for my liking which led me to MIP Tools drivers. They're great, fit fasteners incredibly snug with 0 play, but I HATE their hard plastic handles (plenty of people love that though).

 

[timbitca]

Oh great. Something else I didn't know I needed.

Might as well stick 2 on the perpetual wish list too, seeing as one at the office would be nice too since I can't be arsed to call tech support half the time for my work computer.

 

[cheechi]

if cost is no object this is the best bench set I have used. The wiha insert bit set is the best of the bit type ones I have used.

In the past 3 years I have gone through more T3's than anything else. i think maybe a P00 also in that time. I have looked at my hexes in these kits and they all basically look brand new. Based on that I can recommend either ifixit or wiha equally. Most of the time I use either L keys or T handle drivers from Bondhus. I have turned several 4mm hexes today even, my 1.5, 2, and 4 are my most used ones in one set. The ones today were with a Williams era Kobalt 3/8 drive. worked great fit nice and snug.

To be fair I haven't tried PB Swiss. I have had some wera precision drivers available but they aren't as comfortable to me so I never used them much and didn't have any interest in owning them. As a result couldn't speak to much but I know some people that love them.

Xuron pliers were sold bundled with some brand of drivers that I don't remember now, I can't remember if it was Fry's or Compusa, or maybe Tiger. I looked at the full set but only bought a partial, but at the time those were the best small hex drivers out there period.


now MIP tools, what kind of idiots put an auto play video with sound at the very bottom of their page?

 

[bushmechanic]

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[bushmechanic]

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