Hardware Hacker’s Tool Kit: Pt 1

Posted August 2, 2009 – 21:11 in: Shinmaryuu, syndicated

This will be an ongoing series of posts dealing with very useful tools in the area of breaking things apart for your own personal enjoyment. As the MAKE: motto says “if you can’t open it…don’t buy it.”

This first tool or in this case set of tools is vital for any hardware hacker today. Everything these days seems to be closed with some strange shaped screw. Even basic items such as a recent fan cleaning and repair i have been doing. I am looking to repair a small vortex fan for my lab area for removing fumes and cooling me off. Problem came in taking it apart to clean the GROSS dust build up. 4 screws were your normal Phillips the other 2 were size 8 Torx Security Screws. The kind with the pin in the middle. Well crap what is a hacker to do? Well i hit amazon and with my prime account i picked up a 100pc security bit set for under $10. This along side my Gamebits and Triwing drivers means i can open damn near anything that is held with screws. Here is some pics of the set i got….the sticker with skull is optional .