HN Reader

I keep an entire electronics toolbench in one of those two layer travel cable organizers. I've got a Pinecil, flat metal folding stand, a 3D printed wire holder, a magnifying stand with three long Doc-Ock style helping hands, a box of six different color 22AWG wire, calipers, solder, a flux pen, three kinds of gripping tweezers, and an incredibly useful simple non-mechanical 3D printed round vise with different wedge-shaped parts to mix and match to hold stuff, a silicone workmat with molded screw trays, wire cutters, and a small flat cutting mat with a grid and ruler on it. I throw it in my backpack with a big ass Anker power brick that can power the Pinecil easily and a project box of whatever I'm currently dicking around with and go to my local cafe and do all my soldering at an outside table like a big ol nerd. It's all verrrrry tightly put in the case but it's still easy to carry, if not light.

(I have another identical one for all of my little Pi cyberdecks I like to build, the small touchscreen I use with them on the go, and various cables and adapters.)

But I just ordered one of these bags to put my actual tools in - screwdriver set, another wirecutter, the tiny adjustable wrench I got from Temu, my multitool, etc.

I have an entire low rent electronics/fabrication/3D printing/woodworking workshop mostly of Marketplace finds, but I dig being able to just throw this stuff in my old Boblbee backpack and go sit in the park and do nerd stuff. :D <3

I keep a similar kit of tools. However I still had problems fitting _everything_ i typically need in a small case. Typically I'd have to decide if I needed more socket or driver options and add/remove tools to accommodate.

I have since solved this problem: 1) Tool-Check PLUS from Wera: fantastic and highly condensed set of sockets, bits, ratchet and driver. all high quality. 2) Leatherman ARC: replaced a more basic multi-tool. I like the high quality blade material and the whole thing is very durable, i can squeeze and crank the pliers without worry.

The leatherman is a bit of a splurge but I highly recommend the tool-check for tool-using EDC minded folks. They make good gifts too.

Given the popularity of EDC, I'm still quite surprised that Bonsa toolkits (if you search for them, remove "bonsai" from the results with -bonsai) haven't come back.

I have a ~70s-ish version, and I'd love to get a vintage one:

https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/bonsa-pocket-tool-kit...

I suspect having one which removed the duplication of tools would still save a bit of weight. Nascent discussion at:

https://www.metmo.club/t/i-wonder-what-metmos-spin-would-be-...

I still wish that there were more tools which took the approach of the Spyderco SpydeRench which separates into two parts, affording one a bit driver (with bits stored in the tool) to hold a bolt head, while the other part affords an adjustable wrench for the nut on the bolt.

For my part, I just carry a Niwa camera tool kit stored in a Levenger Safety Case (modeled on the tool kits carried by knitting machine mechanics) and a Leatherman Mini (for pliers) and the afore-mentioned SpydeRench (for the adjustable wrench and larger bit driver), a USB adapter cable and various adapter ends and a pair of mini shears in my laptop bag, and in my pockets, a multi-pen, Fisher Space pen, fountain pen, Swiss Army Knife, CRKT Getaway driver, EverRatchet, MagLight Solitaire, and a small Peter Atwood fork/scraper (all the other Atwood tools/whistles I've scored have been given away as gifts).

If need be, there's a small toolkit in the car/truck.

Curious what other folks carry/use on a regular basis.

Whenever I see a quality EDC post, I am reminded of why Batman is one of my favorite superheros ... the utility belt is OG EDG.