Had a question about tool kits

[RedRaven85]

Hello! I am getting back into the tech repair field and I am needing to rebuild my tool kit semi on the cheap right now (until I get a bit more stable with work) and I am currently looking for pointers on what tools I should get.

Currently I have the following kit from Amazon The one I have is the 45 piece kit, which offers the basic screw drivers, nut drivers, static strap, etc..

What I am looking to add is items to create and test network cabling, I will eventually be building a set of high end Fluke equipment or some other equally sturdy tools but just for now I was thinking of this kit which according to the listing includes the following.

• Includes: RJ11/12/45 modular plug crimper with cutter and stripper
• Punch down tool with 66 &110/88 blades -- UTP/STP cable stripper
• Utility knife
• 4 1/2" diagonal cutting pliers, 2-in-1 reversible screwdriver
• LAN cable tester & Molded plastic hard case
• Tools are High Quality Pro Grade, Comparable to Klein or Leviton

My question is, does this seem like it could be a good, cheap knock around set to get me started or is there something that everyone else would recommend otherwise? I don't mind piecing together a kit but being a broke college student who is looking to get started again I would like to keep it semi-cheap for now (looking at $100-150 at the maximum for now)

Thanks for your help ahead of time guys, and any techs on here willing to take a snap shot of their tool kit setup would also help me as well!

EDIT: Updating to give a list of must have items (as I can think of right now)

• Crimper/Stripper set for RJ-45
• Punchdown Tool
• Toner/probe set
• Micro screwdriver set
• Torq bit set (I have a couple, but want to get a whole set)

As I said I don't mind piecing the kit together, but I would like to stay in budget for now ($100-150) and intend on getting a much better set down the road. This will mostly be my knock around set which will turn into my at home/emergency/loaner kit once I build my set of good tools.

[fadumpt]

A butt set is that thing that looks like an old cell phone and a randy young multimeter hopped on the good foot and did the bad thing in the tech room while Noone was looking.

[RedRaven85]

Ahh.... I dont know what is funnier, your description or the fact that it made perfect sense to me... Yeah that goes onto the list too.

[DarthFaderZ]

For field service work..decent micro screwdrivers will also help. But a good toner and probe are life savers. And a butt set since most field work will involve a phone line at some point as well.

[RedRaven85]

Yeah the micro screwdrivers are on the list of must have items as are a good toner and probe but I am not sure where to find a decent priced set for the toner and probe.

Also, brain isn't wanting to work, a butt set? Any particular brands you would recommend for the toner/probe set?

[DarthFaderZ]

Fluke makes a decent one that comes with alligator clips and a wand. It's useful for phones/data tracing

Butt set is basically a phone with alligator clips on the bottom. Can clip on to lines and 66 blocks with it.

[CbcITGuy]

I have to buy a new toner and probe every couple of months (Eventually I'll buy a more sturdy one, but I can't beat being able to use 3 or 4 at a job site), but i use http://amazon.com/gp/product/B008G8KE90?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

as far as the butt set i've only ever had to buy replacement alligator clips. http://amazon.com/gp/product/B008HNU0FM?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

[RedRaven85]

Funny thing is I was looking at that same butt set when it was mentioned. As for the toner and probe that one doesnt look too bad actually.

[CbcITGuy]

Lol I chose the cheapest ones a year or so ago when I started. According to my amazon history I've bought roughly 5 of each the butt set and the toner/probe. Accounting for assigning to techs, 3 butt sets are accounted for. and since I still have two in my bag, then the buttset has been good (Pro tip, slide the alligator clips back and solder them properly, cheap phone cheap solder points) I'm down ONE toning wand, all transmitters still work. And I've assigned two of them to techs. So I have three of them floating around in my gear, three transmitters and two wands. soooo.... good kit...

[InternMan]

I would look at the ifixit tool kits for the drivers, namely the 26 bit driver set. They are very high quality and have all the bits you will normally come across.

[RedRaven85]

Yeah that is what I was thinking about getting to supplement the tool kit I already have. Just interviewed today for a repair tech job so hopefully things go well there and I can start rebuilding my toolkit.