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Community repair events come in all shapes and sizes. Below is a list of items that have come in handy. Please help us by adding to this list:
Extension cords and outlet stripsComputer Access / Laptops to research problems and access disassembly guides, order parts on the internetSignage / BannersCheck-in tableE-mail signupHave Business Cards outSign in Sheet / Waiver
Jewelers Screwdriver Sets, both phillips and flat head (Lots of good 0 and 00 phillips) Specialty screwdrivers and bit heads - torx, security torx, metric hex, pentalobe, tri-wing (for cell phone disassembly). etc. Tamper proof fastener tool setWrench and hex nut drivers of various sizes Pliers Needle nose pliers Clamps and hemostatsSmall saw / Hacksaw / coping sawDrill and drill bits, bit gaugeDremel tool Goggles to protect eyes when using power tools like the dremel toolOld credit cards and guitar picks as “spudgers” to pry open tabbed plastic things without marring (like you would with a screwdriver)Lighting! - Anything providing light, especially lighting that can deliver a focused beam of light like a flashlight or headlamp will be very useful.
Multimeter - VOM - continuity testerAlligator clip test leads, small sizes91% drugstore isopropyl Alcohol (and, ideally, an eye dropper to apply it), Q-tips to apply alcohol. If you can get it, 99% isopropyl alcohol’s even better. It’s usually available in specialty stores and not drugstores.Compressed air Clean paint brush for dusting things off, old toothbrushes, rags/towels for cleaning things Batteries: AA and AAA, at least 4 of each, Button cell batteries of various sorts is a plus Eraser for cleaning electrical contacts, battery contacts Steel wool for cleaning electrical contacts, battery contacts Emery board for cleaning electrical contacts, battery contacts Files (particularly jeweler’s files), fine sandpaperContact cleaner spray Freon spray to test thermal behavior of components¼” to ⅛” stereo adapter, and vice versa, to use earbuds with older stereo equipment, older headphones with new stereo equipmentColored sharpie magic markers to mark electrical wires before pulling them (or different colors of nail polish) 1-3 music CDs to check CD players (and changers) 1-3 DVDs to check DVD players (and changers) Small monitor (or TV) with line input to display video, appropriate RCA cable for video input
Healthy assortment of lubricants e.g. WD-40, lithium grease Healthy assortment of glues and adhesives, super glue for sure Hot glue gun Clear packing tape, scotch tape, electrical tape Scissors Soldering Kit - iron and solder, rework station would be great (and someone comfortable with using it) An assortment of DC power supplies: 5V, 6V, 9V, 12V, (?), both to test things and to offer as replacementspaper clips assorted wire, various gauges and lengthsAC zip cord, plugs (some sort of way to determine if the AC line cord and/or power switch is bad)Shrink tubing
IDE and SATA hard drive external housingsVGA cable, computer monitor (to test laptops with bad LCD panels)Windows Install / Recovery CDUbuntu Install CD and/or USB
Rework station (Iron + Hot-air). A heat gun can be a good substitute.Extra bench iron Bench power supplyLogic analyzerHandheld OscilloscopeSignal generator with various cablesDVMAssorted hose clampsInner tube rubber of various diameters (to make rubber bands, insulating sleeves)Lamp cord wire and a light bulb socket
Directions to the nearest hardware store and/or electronics store (e.g. Radio Shack)Information about the community repair organization
We created this handy PDF with ‘Tips for successful smartphone and small electronic device repair’.
Tips for successful smartphone and small electronic device repair
