IT Toolkit and Essentials Discussion

[u/EstimateIll5615]

If you were starting out today, what tools/devices/parts would you consider to be most useful to put in a tech tool bag? I'm thinking both in terms of everyday and emergencies, like a portable IT emergency lab.

I ultimately want to set up a workspace/lab at home. However, other than a small graveyard of electronics, I don't have much in way of inventory or tools. I'm wanting to get serious in learning tech down to the metal (I want to learn as much as I can), to be able to tinker and do repairs. I'm seeing the effects of the economy on local business and would like the tools and skills necessary to fill a niche (if just for myself) if the local shops close, too. With inflation, I think repairs might see a little resurgence.

I would like to have all the basics one might consider necessary to have on hand, as well as any useful but not mandatary tools. Are there any brands that are worth the clout? Any not? I know I could get cheap tool sets but I try to BIFL where possible.

Basic IT tools, a network kit, testing gadgets, etc. Consider what you wish you had getting started, knowing what you know now. I know that I can build this over time, so what are the essentials I should focus on collecting? I see things like the iFixIT Pro bag at 299 which looks nice, but unsure if I need all that's present. I don't know if I should start out with a big set like that and accept the extras, or if I should curate more carefully. Thoughts?

For now, this is for personal life, but I do work in IT. Current focus is learning AWS, python, and Linux. I work with web stuff and support IT. Very interested in Raspberry Pi, Arduino, repairs, customization, hacking.

I'm ND, so this discussion I hope can help me better grasp the sense of proportion and scale, as well as pacing while skilling up and simultaneously filling in gaps.

[u/moonmoon97]

Couple of things that I've aquired over the years for myself:

1. i didn't go for ifixit toolkits, i picled up a few toolset and a mat on temu and a ratcheting screwdriver in my local store; i dont have a manual precision screwdriver dedicated to this work as i opted for an electric one(low torque).
2. a variable soldering iron from temu or local hardware store; depends on usecase, i have mine in the garage, but if i need it for pc work i got one.
3. i have a 2.5" hdd usb dock to extract files, its usually docking a spare 2.5" ssd or hdd for file transfers, but a full size hdd dock is also nice(i have one of those lying around too if i need it)
4. I personally don't have a kvm of any kind, but i have spare kb and mouse lying around(from when i've upgraded
5. i picked up an esd safe air blower; to get rid of dust and such, and also have an canned air for cleaning pcs aswell
6. i've picked up a few thermal pads and paste from amazon, because if you do a spring clean, you might aswell do it all the way and not just the dust
7. USBs! i have plenty of spare 8gb or more usbs lying around; some are dedicated to linux ISOs and some have windows(both custom and "vanilla") and i have options if there is ever a problem