What's The Best Multitool For The Job?

Bart van der Ouderaa asks: "With the Christmas bonus in the pocket, I decided to invest it in a multitool/Swiss army knife so I don't have to borrow the screwdriver every time from a co-worker. Yet in surfing the Web for reviews, I only came across reviews made by outdoorsman, etc. none of which tell me anything about how good they are for disassembling a computer. With all the different implementations (Leathermans, SOGs, Gerbels, Vincerinox cybertool) I have a hard time deciding. So If you needed to disassemble everything in your office/cubicle and reassemble it and you could only use one non-electric in your pocket fitting tool (including attachments if needed) which one would it be?"

Comments

Re:leatherman

[Alan Shutko]

If it's like mine (a security torx screw for the pivot) it's fairly easy to find a hex bit for them. I have a hex bit for a smaller security torx screw used at an old job.

Not a multitool but

[CharlieG]

I carry a multitool, but it's a LAST resort kinda thing. I built a tool kit. I dug up an old, empty Jensen Tool case ( http://www.jensentools.com )and stocked it with the tools I wanted.

5 in 1 screwdriver
GOOD needle nose pliers
good pair of diagnal cutters (mid sized)
a pair of flush cutters
a small soldering iron, solder, a jar of flux
desolder braid
flashlight
a couple of cylume sticks
an excelite nut driver set
a BUNCH of misc stainless hardware in both Imperial and Metric sizes
Regular pair of "plumbers" pliers
small cheap multimeter
a KNIFE
some tie wraps
electrical tape

I normally carry a "Pocket Ref" or I'd add that too.

Yeh, it's to big to carry all the time (it's about 8x11x2) but it fits im my bottom left desk drawer. If I need a tool and I'm at my desk, or a reasonable distance, I'll grab the case. Multitools are overrated

That said, the most important tool I carry, EVERYWHERE, is a SHARP knife

A multi tool never does it all..

[technos]

I've tried em all (with the exception of the Wave) and frankly none of them is good all the time. They'll do the job right 20% of the time and barely cut it another 50%.. The remaining 30% you're either dead in the water or you broke something trying to get by.

Now this may be a verbatim parrot of another gentleman, but it's what I've found to be the most versatile.

Ratcheting screwdriver: I like the small 'thumbwheel' ones with a pair of extensions in hex and 1/4. Add a nice compliment of bits and a couple sockets and it'll still fit into a package about as big as your wallet. I don't do 'flexible' extensions, they just get in my way. I do keep a 1/4 swivel in there though..

Needlenose: One good pair of needlenose. Small enough to get between a jumper block and its neighbor, but long enough to use as a lever on those PITA heatsinks. If it has an integrated wirecutter/wirestripper, it's a small plus.

Knife: I carry a nice big Gerber Gatorback in 60/40 serrate; Holds an edge well, fits your hand, and beefy enough to handle whatever cable you throw at it. Spyderco also makes some very nice (and pretty) knives, but I find the blades to be a little thin and breakable, especially when you're buying the longer blades. The serrated edge on the Spyderco seem to last a bit longer against abuse. The Gerber has the added bonus of scaring people; It's rather thick and wide for its length.

Flashlight: Get a 2 cell AA Maglight and a one cell AAA Maglight. The slip on fiber optic deals always struck me as cheesy, and there isn't any place you can't fit a single cell AAA Mag anyway.

Mirror: I got tired of lugging around a telescopic mechanics mirror; There are cases where you need it, but they are few and far between.. A small dental mirror cuts it for the majority of cases anyway.

Errata: I keep a small (1.5cm x 20cm) stainless steel rule around. It's great for stuck connectors, bent pins, and general prying. Also, a small donut magnet on braid fishing line, for those "I dropped the clip/screw/nut behind/under the rack/desk/bench" events.

Tools for the job...

[Spoing]

Multitools are handy, and feed the need for a single answer to cover all problems. Unfortunately, getting one tool that can be used optimally for all tasks isn't very likely. What I decided on was to first focus on the tasks I do most, and then build my tool chest up from those requirements. What I decided on were a bunch of small, light weight, tools that cost about as much as a single multitool but are much more capable as a set.

Here's a break down;

List of tasks in order of frequency and time used

1. Philips head screw or nut insertion/extraction.
2. Removing/adding jumpers and fan cables.
3. Examing settings and part numbers; using light in exactly the right place, and sometimes looking around cables at odd angles to read numbers and and diagrams on chips and PCBs.
4. Hardware diagnostics (SCSI, power, network, battery/CMOS, ...)

Tools chosen;

1. Radio Shack ratchet wrench: ~$8
   
   1. Why: This is light weight, and includes a nice set of bits and sockets including popular Torx 8/10/15 and 1/4" socket. The thumb wheel makes short work of loose screws, and the handle can be used briefly to tighten any remaining screws. Fits easily in any pocket.
      NOTE: As-is, this tool is almost useless since it has no extention; taking out adapter cards can rip up your hands. Also, the ratchet direction can pop to the wrong direction on occasion, but not so often as to be annoying.
2. Drill bit extention and adapter kit: ~$14 (Sears or a mega hardware store)
   
   1. Why: This has only two assets needed to make the Radio Shack tool of value; a 5" hex extention with a flexible shaft, and a bit adapter with one hex and one square end (both male). The slight flex in the shaft can be used to get at those screws that are in tight locations. Do not get one of the ~10" adapters, since these aren't needed and will only make using the tool harder. To use the sockets in tight locations, the hex-to-socket adapter is needed.
      NOTE: These kits usually come with some magnitized parts that should not be used, and some others that are simply not needed. The hex-to-socket adapter is usually not included, so be careful or buy this seperately if necessary. Getting a kit is usually cheaper then getting a single part.
3. Cheap multitool ~$10-25
   
   1. Why: Most of the value of a multitool -- once the above tools are available -- is for the pliars and a small knife. Not much else is really needed.
4. Mini Maglight (AA batery size) ~$12
   
   1. Why: Light! If you own a Maglight, you know why this is important.
5. Fiber optic light extention ~$7
   
   1. Why: Light...in the right place.
      NOTE: This is made for the Mini Maglight. Get one that is made of plastic, not metal. These can be hard to find. I found mine at an outdoor equipment store. The unfortunate fact with these is that the light is not amplified , just redirected.
6. Telescoping mirror ~$5
   
   1. Why: Rarely needed, but can be quite handy when doing inventory or trying to discover the quirks of a specific chipset without taking the whole computer apart.
      NOTE: I only found this in chrome plated metal.
7. Cable adapters and testers
   
   1. Why: If you have to ask! I've never had a problem having too many adapters and testers (multimeter, scsi, serial including nullmodem, parallel, ...).
      NOTE: Get an RJ-45 extender and create a small cross over cable for it. That way, you can always connect two machines together regaurdless of the cable available.

Re:spyderco!

[gtx]

yes, it does say that, but it was released early. -gtx

spyderco!

[gtx]

http://store.knifecenter.com/pgi-ProductSpec?SPT01 P check it out!

i cannot stress exactly how useful the spyderco is, and how compact it makes itself. i swear by spyderco. it's perfect for digging around inside a computer, too.

also on my list is one made by victorinox that i got my dad last christmas. it's nice, and the store i got it from was going out of business, so i got it at like a 35% discount (65 bucks instead of 100) it's got alot on it, but it doesn't have the same cool look as the spyderco, and it's not as compact, either. however, it does rock hard as well for functionality. i shy away from leatherman because there really are alot out there that are better, although alot of people think leatherman is the best (mostly because they haven't seen anything else). tey out spyderco and victorinox. it's the shit.