Must-Have Tools for 3D Printing and PC Repair: My Recommended Starter Kit

I have often been asked what tools I use and recommend for my daily 3D printing and PC work. While I have a nice collection of tools from my years doing IT and electrical work, this is a list of tools I recommend for PC and 3D printing work when starting out in no particular order.

1. Klein 15-in-1 Ratcheting Screwdriver: This is a solid screwdriver that includes 14 bits in the handle. It’s my everyday screwdriver that I go to.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/426GlTk
    
2. Klein Precision 14-in-1 Screwdriver: This is a compact screwdriver that’s often in my pocket when I’m not in need of a full toolkit. The bits fit inside each other like a little puzzle.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3LljKfH
    
3. iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit: This is one of the nicest toolkits out there for technicians. While I personally prefer the actual Klein drivers, I will often pull out my iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit as well for the bits I may not have in the Klein set, or the additional tools to work on my cell phones.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3JEiy69
    
4. Amartisan 42 Piece Toolkit: This 42 piece toolkit is perfect for lighter work such as working on computers or 3D printers, and includes most, if not all, bits you will need for PC repair and 3D printing maintenance. The hex bits and socket driver give me a wonderful grip when needing to make sure screws are really tight. It’s inexpensive compared to other kits, and while it may not be top of the line, it has served me well for several years with no issues alongside my other tools.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3JBRGDC
    
5. Bondhus Hex Balldriver Set: This set is excellent for building and rebuilding 3D printers with more ease than allen keys. The balldriver allows you to angle the driver as well and still drive the screws in. These have faithfully helped me build and rebuild my 3D printers with more ease than allen keys. These are a regular staple in my use to the point I have a 3D printed piece to store them on one of my 3D printers. While other tools in this list have hex bits, the ball driver comes in handy in many situations.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3yBttak
    
6. SKIL Cordless Screwdriver: If working on a lot of computers, parts, and especially if building/rebuilding a 3D printer it can be a lot of pain on the hands driving all those screws in. The SKIL Cordless screwdriver is light and compact compared to my usual cordless drills for carpentry, but perfect for working on 3D printers and Computer repair.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3ZHCWss
    
7. Magnetic Hex Bit Set: If you purchase the SKIL Cordless screwdriver this is a heavy recommendation if working on 3D printers as it makes working on hex screws so much easier. This also works excellently with the other drivers listed in this page.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3JCuOnG
    
8. BIQU Crab Nozzle Change Tool: Nozzle changing is one of the biggest pains of 3D printing maintenance. The BIQU Crab nozzle change tool makes that so much easier for all kinds of 3D printers. Easily remove the heatblock or just the nozzle with this tool with so much more ease than nozzle wrenches and other methods.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/401gsCy
    
9. NoClogger: 3D Printer Clog Cleaning Tool: This is a tool I stumbled across on Tiktok one day and ever since, it’s been my go-to in busting my clogs out of my printer. Before when I had a clog it required a time consuming process of removing the hot end, removing the nozzle and cleaning/replacing it, checking the path, reassembling and recalibrating. Now when I suspect I have a clog, I just unload filament, release the tension, and ram this down the extruder pushing out old filament. This has saved me from cold pulls and rebuilding the extruder so far for about eight of the last nine possible suspected clogs I had and it’s reduced what took hours to fix to a mere 15 minute process.
   You can purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3FnNyVs
    
10. 3D Printer Needle Cleaning Set: Whether or not you get the NoClogger, you will need some acupuncture needles to clear out the nozzle side of the hot end for a possible clog. Here is a set I found that is inexpensive with a range of sizes for most people.
    You can Purchase it here: https://amzn.to/3Tf7oIf
     
11. Brass Cleaning Brushes for 3D Printing: Your nozzle will get dirty and build up burnt plastic over time, best to keep that clean and I recommend brass brushes. They will also need to be replaced often as the plastic you clean will stick to the brass.
    Here is an inexpensive set of 30 brass brushes I recommend: https://amzn.to/3Fm0LxN
     
12. Thermal Paste: Whether you are working on a 3D Printer or a Computer repair or build, you will need some good thermal paste. My favorite thermal paste is Kryonaut by Thermal Grizzly, and believe it or not it’s actually rated well enough for low end 3D printing uses (I was using it at 240 Celsius) but it will not work as well or last as long as a proper Boron Nitride thermal paste. But Thermal Grizzly by far makes the best PC thermal paste as of right now, and for 3D Printing I recommend Slice Engineering’s Boron Nitride thermal paste which is rated up to 850 Celsius.
    You can purchase Kryonaut by Thermal Grizzly here for computers: https://amzn.to/3mFk52A
    You can purchase Slice Engineering’s 3D Printer thermal paste here: https://amzn.to/3JBzTwg