Last year, to mark its 20th anniversary, gadget repair company iFixit gave its Repair Business Toolkit a 2023 refresh. I’ve used the kit for over a year and it’s still going strong.
Aimed at professionals and amateur enthusiasts alike, if you’re looking for an entire tech repair shop of tools in a single messenger bag, this is the toolkit for you. Now, $300 might seem like a lot of money, and it is, but you’re getting your money’s worth with tools that you’ll be using to repair things in a decade or two.
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I’m not kidding here, I have a Pro Tech Toolkit that has to be 10 years old that’s still going strong, along with a Mako and Manta kit that are not far off the same age, and all are still solid.
As mentioned above, I’ve used the updated Repair Business Toolkit for over a year. I’m blown away by the quantity and quality of the tools in one messenger bag. After considerable use and wear, everything still looks and works like new.
Let’s have a quick tour of the kit. The kit has a padded, easy-to-open messenger bag that puts the tools in close reach. It’s made of tough nylon, making the bag durable enough to store your tools and take them from job to job.
The bag only comes in this black color, which is fine.
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Let’s dig through the bag to see what we find.
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First up, there’s a multimeter, which is used for measuring voltages and current. The unit is nice and well-made, and you even get the batteries.
Here’s what the multimeter looks like.
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Next up, a set of 15 precision screwdrivers. I like these tools a lot, not only because they are sturdy in the hand, but because each is clearly labeled on the sides.
All the iFixit precision screwdrivers.
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Inside the bag is an antistatic mat that acts as a workspace when you’re away from your bench.
The portable anti-static mat in iFixIt’s signature blue color.
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There’s also an iOpener, a tablet opening tool designed to apply heat directly and evenly to case components joined with adhesive. This tool is microwavable and applies just enough warmth for easy part removals.
iOpener tool for opening tablets.
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Those tools are in the front compartment of the bag.
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Let’s delve into the main compartment. Here’s a list of every product that’s included:
- A set of digital calipers for precision measuring
- A pack of microfiber cloths for cleaning
- An ‘Anti-Clamp Tool’ to safely remove screens from phones
- A Pro Tech Toolkit that contains screwdrivers, prybars, and other repair trinkets
- A bottle of screen cleaner
- A handy magnetic project tray to keep all your screws and bits organized
- Suction cups that come in handy when removing displays from laptops, monitors, and all-in-one PCs
- A tool for magnetizing and demagnetizing screwdrivers
- A roll of non-conductive polyamide tape and double-sided Tesa tape
- An insert that holds things like tweezers, a dust blower, plastic prybars, a brush, a knife, and other bits and bobs (see below)
An assortment of random — but useful — tools.
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Lastly, there’s a repair manifesto poster.
The Repair Manifesto poster.
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The first 200 people to buy the Repair Business Toolkit received a limited-edition patch.
Limited edition iFixit patch.
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iFixit’s tools have helped keep countless devices out of the junk pile. After more than a year of use, this kit has helped items live longer than manufacturers expect.
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Over the year, I’ve added a few things to the kit. A USB soldering iron was a must for me, as was a pocket oscilloscope. I also keep my recharegeable precision screwdriver kit in the bag, too.
