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Small Drivers- Computer Tools

Greatwhitewing

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Nov 20, 2011
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Suggestions for small driver kit suitable for computer disassembly

I think they are torx fasteners. I have plastic and metal prybars for separating case but seriously lacking in decent quality small drivers. Preferably something made with tool steel and not Chinese soft steel.

Thank you in advance
 
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M_George

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I use a small green handled SK Phillips screw for most. Support mostly Lenovo laptops the last few years.
 

Nineeightyone

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Pennsylvania
I work in a laptop repair facility where we work on most of the major brands, Apple included. We have kits from iFixIt as well as Wiha screwdrivers, and I think that's the best overall combination from tools I've used. The Wiha screwdrivers take a beating, and are great for just about anything we've needed. The iFixIt kit has bits to cover anything non-Phillips/Flathead that we would ever run into, we particularly use T4, T5, T6, T8, and P2, P5 for Apple products, though some Dells and some business-grade HP laptops also use T8 screws.

The bits seem to hold up decently well, I broke the tip off of one T5 but on a far-too-stuck screw that realistically should've been dremel/drilled out.
 

Tallpilot

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I like Wiha. They have several different handle variations. Get a few samples to decide which you like best before buying a full set.
 

M6erfan

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Build your own kit...

Slotted screws-PB Swiss 120 series
PH screws- Vessel 9900 series
Torx-Wiha 267 series
 

Rabid Badger

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You're going to have a hard time beating the iFixit 64 bit kit for less than 3-4 times the price. The bits are machined tool steel and the handle is excellent. The case is very nice as well, with a lid that doubles as a screw tray.
 

signcrafter

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I just bought the wiha 7 piece precision driver set last week. Unfortunately it's delivery was delayed so I had to use my old ones and didn't get to try them out but they look and feel very well made. And just looked on amazon and they are 24 bucks right now, think they were just over 30 when I ordered them.
 
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Greatwhitewing

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Nov 20, 2011
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Suggestions for small driver kit suitable for computer disassembly

I think they are torx fasteners. I have plastic and metal prybars for separating case but seriously lacking in decent quality small drivers. Preferably something made with tool steel and not Chinese soft steel.

Thank you in advance

Replying to my own post. I should have also said I am not sure what the particular heads I need a driver. Too small. I am liking the Ifixit kit linked since it has a LOT of bits so I just pick the bit that fits.
 
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Greatwhitewing

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You're going to have a hard time beating the iFixit 64 bit kit for less than 3-4 times the price. The bits are machined tool steel and the handle is excellent. The case is very nice as well, with a lid that doubles as a screw tray.

Thanks for the link. This kit seems right to me since it comes with 64 bits. Not really sure if it's torx or something else. Not very familiar with the small stuff.
 

5ktq

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I've always been a fan of wiha, though I haven't used their torx stuff much. I'd imagine it's just as good as the other drivers, though.
 

Bubba Fett

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Wiha is the go-to brand for quality precision screwdrivers. Expensive, but worth every penny.

I also have the i-fixit bit kit. Not bad, but they have pentalobe, security Torx, etc.

For regular size screwdrivers, Klein is the obvious choice.The magnetic driver with the security bits, and the set of regular bits should cover most of your needs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018BS7GY/?tag=atomicindus08-20
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00166YVUM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you are looking for a good electronics tool set, the Black Box technicians tool kit is a good start. Not the highest quality, but better than most other PC /electronics tool kits. The screwdrivers are pretty comfortable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MNS02JG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Xcelite is also a great choice, but they can be pricey.
 

M6erfan

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A lot of recommendations for bit drivers. Respectfully I disagree with that. I've been in too many situations where the fat bit holder wouldn't let me get into the fastener. Probably not an issue with laptops or phones but the fixed blade drivers are way more versatile. Better in almost every way over bit drivers, except maybe price and portability.

On Xcelite, be careful with their made in the USA drivers. I ordered some a couple years ago and the blade quality was awful, i ended up returning them. The Xcelite precision drivers that are made in Germany (Felo) are decent though. Sadly, I've read similar reports of the quality demise of U.S.A. Xcelite drivers.
 
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Rabid Badger

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A lot of recommendations for bit drivers. Respectfully I disagree with that. I've been in too many situations where the fat bit holder wouldn't let me get into the fastener. Probably not an issue with laptops or phones but the fixed blade drivers are way more versatile. Better in almost every way over bit drivers, except maybe price and portability.

For small electronics repair the iFixit kit is an excellent choice. Throw in a spudger and you can work on anything from smart watches to desktop computers.

For the rare occasion that I need to remove a deeply recessed torx screw, I use one of these.
 

jmcf1949

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I've used a lot of Wiha over the years but recently bought a set of Felo precision screwdrivers. I like them more than Wiha because the handles are a bit larger. Going to try and find some Felo Torx drivers soon.
 

JBH

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Jan 17, 2018
Messages
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Build your own kit...

Slotted screws-PB Swiss 120 series
PH screws- Vessel 9900 series
Torx-Wiha 267 series

Agreed with the "own kit" approach. Mine has seemingly a little of everything: Wiha, Wera, Felo, Facom/USAG, Witte/Stahlwille, Oplast (Hazet/Gedore/some Elora), PB Swiss, Athlet/Elora, Vessel. I use the Weras a lot...

Also agreed on PB Swiss slotted. Note that the SwissGrip handle ones have standard cabinet tips and not the Swiss norm tips. That disappointed me. The 120-series don't have quite as nice a handle, but they have the Swiss norm tips. Pricing is competitive with Wiha and Wera, too. They're usually cheaper than Witte/Stahlwille or Oplast OEM'ed models. Oplast OEM'ed slotted are also excellent, though I've not seen them offered in shorter blade lengths that are often more useful. Most are 75mm or 100mm blades.

Ditto on Wiha 267. Great tools, look old fashioned at this point but just work and Wiha offers every tip style. I don't think PicoFinish are any better in the hand or have better tips, but they are more expensive. (The best use of Picofinish is probably as an aid to quickly distinguish PZ from PH if you use Wiha for both.)

The Vessel PH, not so much. I'd go Wera, Wiha, Felo, or if you can find 'em the old Witte/Stahlwilles. The Vessel tips are probably great. However, the handle is just too thin for me, and at least the ones in the pack I purchased are too long for most tasks. If I need to get a PH0 recessed 3" it'll be my go-to. I'd probably pick up one Wiha standard and one Wera, and see which suits you better. I'd avoid Facom/USAG. The handle shape is actually great, but the finishing is subpar. I've yet to see one that doesn't have severe mold lines seemingly placed to maximize fingertip irritation.

One other standout: this Felo made Heyco 2.5mm slotted is my go to or terminal screws and such.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07856S7C4/?tag=atomicindus08-20
It looks like a toy but there's something about it that just works. Felo does not offer the 2.5mm tip/60mm shaft combination in their own line that I've seen.

A lot of recommendations for bit drivers. Respectfully I disagree with that. I've been in too many situations where the fat bit holder wouldn't let me get into the fastener.

Ditto.

Get a set of long bits to go with the magnetic drivers. ;)

That doesn't quite work. The shafts are often still too thick. That was my thought too when I bought a kitchen-sink-included set of Wiha System 4 blades. So many options in a little green pouch! Turns out I rarely use them because if the fastener is recessed at all often the 4mm hex blade won't fit.

I've used a lot of Wiha over the years but recently bought a set of Felo precision screwdrivers. I like them more than Wiha because the handles are a bit larger. Going to try and find some Felo Torx drivers soon.

The other nice thing about Felo is the cushioned ring for your fingertips. Finish quality is generally not quite as good as on Felo's other screwdrivers, but unlike USAG/Facom I've never seen anything that impacts use. Someone who likes the Vessels M6er mentioned above would hate the Felos.
 

Davefr

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It comes down to personal preference, but I find Wera's precision screwdrivers superior to all others. The design of the handle has a hexagon hump which serves as a torque amplifier for thumb and forefinger.

By contract the Wiha driver's handle is slimmest where you need to apply the most torque.

Wera also has a wider rotating cap that tends to be more ergonomic. They also have a wide hexagon bolster that helps apply torque close to the shank.

The problem with Wera is that don't have the breadth of drivers that Wiha has. (like the Wiha master's technician set)

WR118019_c74200aa-1c11-4f42-a823-73b454254514__61325__04695.1461677644.jpg


26331-2__56646__38181.1461701139.jpg
 

JBH

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It comes down to personal preference, but I find Wera's precision screwdrivers superior to all others. The design of the handle has a hexagon hump which serves as a torque amplifier for thumb and forefinger.

One other design choice Wera makes is to use a consistent handle size for all their precision screwdrivers. I think Vessel, Athlet (Elora, etc.), and Oplast (Hazet, Gedore, some Elora) use one handle size, too.

Wiha, Facom/USAG, old-style PB Swiss, and some others scale the handle size to blade length. Which is the better approach? Personal preference.

I've attached an sample of handle sizes of 2.5mm slotted screwdrivers. From left to right: USAG (Facom), Facom*, PB Swiss Swissgrip precision, Wiha, PB Swiss old-style ESD, Heyco (Felo)*, PB Swiss Swissgrip standard*, Elora (Athlet), Stahlwille (Witte), Hazet (Oplast), USAG (Facom), Vessel, Wera, PB Swiss Swissgrip standard*)

*No spinner cap.
 

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Davefr

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One other design choice Wera makes is to use a consistent handle size for all their precision screwdrivers. I think Vessel, Athlet (Elora, etc.), and Oplast (Hazet, Gedore, some Elora) use one handle size, too.

Wiha, Facom/USAG, old-style PB Swiss, and some others scale the handle size to blade length. Which is the better approach? Personal preference.

I've attached an sample of handle sizes of 2.5mm slotted screwdrivers. From left to right: USAG (Facom), Facom*, PB Swiss Swissgrip precision, Wiha, PB Swiss old-style ESD, Heyco (Felo)*, PB Swiss Swissgrip standard*, Elora (Athlet), Stahlwille (Witte), Hazet (Oplast), USAG (Facom), Vessel, Wera, PB Swiss Swissgrip standard*)

*No spinner cap.

^^Thanks, excellent comparison image.

I don't understand why most of the others have the slimmest part of the handle where you need to apply the most torque with thumb and forefinger. (it's counter productive)

IMHO Wera is the only one that put some serious thought into effective/ergonomic handle design.
 

bwringer

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The iFixit kit has some specialized stuff you can't easily find elsewhere. I don't think Wera, Wiha, Felo, etc even make pentalobe or some of the other proprietary **** you find sometimes.

That said, if you're not working on phones or Apple stuff, you don't encounter much of that. So pick a color you like and buy one of the high-end brands.

Just to add one more brand, I have a set of "Boxer" brand bits and drivers that's quite nice. Made in Taiwan. That said, I strongly prefer drivers over bits, but for some stuff that's not practical.
 

visionguru

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Jan 2, 2017
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Suggestions for small driver kit suitable for computer disassembly

I think they are torx fasteners. I have plastic and metal prybars for separating case but seriously lacking in decent quality small drivers. Preferably something made with tool steel and not Chinese soft steel.

Thank you in advance

Prybars to disassemble computers? Are you destroying them?
Computers (desktop, laptop) almost never need prybars, and normally only need #1 #2 phillips screw drivers.

Torx is popular on tablets and cell phones. "Chinese soft steel"? Do you have any tool at all? Any brand name is good enough.

Go to a store like Microcenter, they have large selection of computer tools, most made in China. I found Felo brand there, made in Germany, ironically, lower quality German garbage comparing with China/Taiwan made ones.
 

JBH

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Jan 17, 2018
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812
Prybars to disassemble computers? Are you destroying them?

Computers (desktop, laptop) almost never need prybars, and normally only need #1 #2 phillips screw drivers.

Chip lifters (tiny prybars) have their uses.



The iFixit kit has some specialized stuff you can't easily find elsewhere. I don't think Wera, Wiha, Felo, etc even make pentalobe or some of the other proprietary **** you find sometimes.

Wera and Wiha have plenty of pentalobe.

https://www.kctoolco.com/search.php?search_query=pentalobe&section=product&page=1

PB Swiss too

https://www.shop.pbtools.us/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=Pentalobe
 

General Geoff

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Prybars to disassemble computers? Are you destroying them?
Computers (desktop, laptop) almost never need prybars, and normally only need #1 #2 phillips screw drivers.

I disassemble and repair laptops for a living. More often than not, a laptop will need a "spudger" (plastic prybar) to get it apart, because the palmrests and case clamshells are always held together with hidden plastic clips. The seams between the pieces are usually only ~1mm in thickness and the clips hold strong enough that you can't separate with a fingernail. Occasionally there will a set of clips too strong for a plastic spudger, where I use a metal chip lifter to pry it apart.
 

Rabid Badger

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I disassemble and repair laptops for a living. More often than not, a laptop will need a "spudger" (plastic prybar) to get it apart, because the palmrests and case clamshells are always held together with hidden plastic clips. The seams between the pieces are usually only ~1mm in thickness and the clips hold strong enough that you can't separate with a fingernail. Occasionally there will a set of clips too strong for a plastic spudger, where I use a metal chip lifter to pry it apart.

This thread is full of people with little-to-no experience repairing electronics just dying to offer their expert advice.
 

scubadoober

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^^Thanks, excellent comparison image.

I don't understand why most of the others have the slimmest part of the handle where you need to apply the most torque with thumb and forefinger. (it's counter productive)

IMHO Wera is the only one that put some serious thought into effective/ergonomic handle design.

The new Wiha picofinish precision have an updated profile that you might want to look at. Ironically there aren't many good pictures on Wiha's website. https://www.wihatools.com/on-sale/picofinish-pentalobe-screwdriver-6pc-set
 

bwringer

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I disassemble and repair laptops for a living. More often than not, a laptop will need a "spudger" (plastic prybar) to get it apart, because the palmrests and case clamshells are always held together with hidden plastic clips. The seams between the pieces are usually only ~1mm in thickness and the clips hold strong enough that you can't separate with a fingernail. Occasionally there will a set of clips too strong for a plastic spudger, where I use a metal chip lifter to pry it apart.

Yup. And more and more you encounter tape and sticky schmoo... ^%$#@!!!!
 

visionguru

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I disassemble and repair laptops for a living. More often than not, a laptop will need a "spudger" (plastic prybar) to get it apart, because the palmrests and case clamshells are always held together with hidden plastic clips. The seams between the pieces are usually only ~1mm in thickness and the clips hold strong enough that you can't separate with a fingernail. Occasionally there will a set of clips too strong for a plastic spudger, where I use a metal chip lifter to pry it apart.

I see. I did my fair share of desktop, laptop, tablet, and cell phone repairs. I have all kinds of case opening tools.

A driver bit set is probably what you want, such as:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GF0KV6G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0189YWOIO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have 20 or 30 fixed blade precision drivers. It's a chore to find the one I need. I would suggest a good quality #1 #0 fixed drivers, and then pick a torx from a bit set.

Microcenter has a large selection of electronic tools. (there is a store in NW Philly).
 
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JBH

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Thanks! Those look like a much better handle design. You can choose high torque or high speed.

On the finger-spinning area they're barely thicker than the basic Wiha. Here's a comparison of Picofinish, standard Wiha, and Wera.

Maybe the newer ones have slightly altered proportions, but I suspect the change is more cosmetic than anything else.
 

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