As a service technician, I have purchased and own many tools. Maybe too much. Nah! There is always room for more tools. And among those tools I have my short list of favorite tools. Tools that I must have, almost like a good luck charm but not quite.
Unfortunately I recently broke one of those favorite tools. A screwdriver that I purchased over twenty years ago, made by Fuller. I have tried others but that Phillips screw driver was better than any of them. Surprisingly it didn't cost that much. I knew it wouldn't last forever but it was always there, ready to do the work. Now the tip has broken off. It deserves a special retirement. I think I will frame it and hang it on the wall by my desk.My basic tool pouch contains the following;
Volt meter - definite must have
Pliers
Screw drivers (Robertson, Phillips, flat)
Allen keys (Metric and NAS)
Nut Drivers (1/4" to 9/16")
Open wrench (3/8" to 1/2" and 7mm to 11mm)
Knife
Threaded screw driver
File
Piece of wire
Tape, Teflon.
Search light
With that, I can troubleshoot and repair about 95% of the time. The most important tool is knowledge. Knowing how it is suppose to work, and behave. Asking the right questions. Looking at the environment. All those factor and more will give the clues to help repair the equipment.
Among those tools, I have purchased the nut driver when I first started, back in 1986. If it wasn't for the fact that it is easy to lose tools I would have kept them all. Purchased from Snap-on and tuff. Quality names like Snap-on is not just a gimmick. All the Snap-on tools that I have purchased are still good and working hard. The only reason I don't have all of them is negligence. I can't tell you how many time I have lost tools in the snow or kicked them under the equipment or better yet, forgot them inside the equipment.
I have found many tools like that. The worst is being robbed. It is always when the tool case is left unattended, someone will lift a tool. If I realize that I am missing the tool and made every effort to find it and failed. I advise the owner and charge him for it.
I try to carry only what I need. I have the rest in the truck. The socket wrench, open keys, hammer and all the rest are at my disposal in the truck. A customer may ask me to change a light bulb (It has happened!), it is all okay as long as I know my limitations and explain them to him. Not that I don’t know how to change a light bulb. It’s a two men job… I digress. I don't have an electrical license or a plumbing license so I can only work on the equipment. I have done work on stainless tables, shelves, sinks, you name it. If I don't know how to do a job, I ask question or simply say that I can't. My customers prefer the truth to a half-ass job.
In essence, the right tools are really important for the job. And quality makes the difference.
