Wardriver Wednesday

Inside the Road Warrior's Pack: Tools

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Everything I try write seems to go the same way: I start off with a simple idea that should make a nice little article and I end up with an epic saga. I wanted to do a simple little piece on the stuff and the gadgets that I carry around in my backpack with my iBook and then I got to thinking ...there's the stuff I have, and those things are fine but there are also alternatives to what I have and some of them are better, maybe cheaper or just as good but better suited to some of you than they would be for me. Thinking can get you into trouble.

So, like everything else I've tried to write as a single simple article, this is another series and, from what I can tell, it's going to be an on going series that will be interrupted by other Road Warrior Wednesday ideas and resumed as new gadgets come to light.

Enough of the introductions! This week we're looking at tools. Here's what I have in my pack:

Victorinox Swiss Army CyberTool - This baby was designed with geeks in mind. It has the standard issue Swiss Army knives, scissors, pliers, can opener, bottle opener, corkscrew and awl but adds to that roster 8 different driver bits (including Torx), a dip switch setter, wire stripper, wire cutter, wire crimper and more (depending on which model you buy).

+: Most of the tech support tools present, accounted for and wrapped up in one easy package.
-: Lacks the really tiny hex wrench needed to open my iBook

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Swiss+Tech MicroïPlus - This tiny Transformer wannabe goes from keychain to pliers/screwdriver set in a few easy twists. Contains two slot drivers and two Phillips drivers in the handles of the miniature pliers

+: Hangs on to my keychain so it is almost always on hand.
-: Tiny pliers are not nearly as useful and tiny screwdrivers.

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Swiss+Tech UtiliïKey - Looks like a very hi-tech key but it is actually a simple knife and driver tool that may not be enough for big jobs but, since it stays on you keychain it is almost always within easier reach than any other tool you might use. Functions as a mini and micro slot driver, small Philips head driver, bottle opener and knife.

+: If you can find your keys, you can find your UtiliïKey.
-: The presence of a sharp knife on this tool make the use of its other functions somewhat dangerous.

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Hex wrenches - I carry a couple sizes of Hex wrenches with me: a 2mm to fit the screws on the underside and a smaller one (1.5mm I think) that fits the screws around the screen. Using them will void your warranty and that sucks, but having a cracked open iBook in the middle of nowhere sucks worse.

+: A must have for repairing, mod'ing or assembling 1/10 scale Ikea furniture.
-: A must avoid for warranty compliance.

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Radtech eyelighter - This is simply one of those super bright LED lights fixed to a hook that fits around your ear. Okay. It looks silly and you will look silly wearing it but I can't deny that it comes in handy and it's more comfortable than chewing on the end of a Maglite. If you're everyone's "computer friend" you will most likely find yourself sprawled underneath someone's desk, squinting in the shadows trying to see if this person's CD-ROM drive is set to master or slave. Things will go a lot faster if you can see what you're doing.

+: A simple way to cast some light on your troubled Mac.
-: An easy way to differentiate yourself as a geek without having to say a word.

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Those are the tools I have, but I've been eyeing those collapsible-pliers multitools lately. You know the ones? Like the Leathermans? (Leathermen?) I did a little nosing around and it seems like there are those with very strong opinions for and those with equally strong arguments against the Leatherman as a brand. With the exception of my choice of computing platform, I tend to stay away from brand wars. I don't even have a preference between Coke or PepsióI can't be bothered. The conclusion I've come to (with the help of one very informative salesperson at my local House of Knives) is that, for the Road Warrior, the deciding factor in choosing a compact multipurpose tool is not about the knives or the saws but the screwdrivers and specifically the bit sets, the way they attach to the multitool and the sturdiness of the multitool itself.

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Victorinox SwissTool X - For sturdiness of the tool, test have shown the Victorinox SwissTool X to have superior steel and more ergonomic blade placement than other tools. Do not be tempted by the SwissTool "Plus" with the wrench and screwdriver bit set. The problem with the SwissTool Plus driver bit set is that it doesn't actually attach to the multitool itselfóit is a separate tool. What were they thinking? Stick with the standard SwissTool X and read on to find a better way to screw.

+: Sturdy tool with many handy gadgets.
-: Not worth getting the extra screwdriver/wrench set. Warranty not as good as the Leatherman.

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Leatherman Wave Tool Adapter - The farmer and the cowman my agree to disagree but the SwissTool X and the Leatherman Wave Tool Adapter can be friends. Though it was built to attach to the Leatherman Wave, it actually fits quite well on to the Victorinox SwissTool X and comes with 6 standard size 1/4 inch driver bits. Make sure you ask for the Leatherman Wave Tool Adapter as the standard Leatherman Tool Adapter will not fit the SwissTool.

+: Attaches to the multitool. Accepts standard driver bits.
-: Requires that you have a tool to attach it to.

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Well, that's it for this week...

  


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