Tools every copier technician should have

Any copier technician should already have a toolbag full of screwdrivers, pliers, and various other tools.  However, if you're compiling a standard list for new techs, or if you're putting together your own set of tools, here are the tools that every copier technician should have:

• Screwdrivers (magnetized): At least one large Phillips screwdriver, one small Phillips screwdriver, one flathead screwdriver, and one tweaker (very thin flathead screwdriver).  If you can get screwdrivers with detachable heads and extra bits, do it.

• Phillips screwdriver (non-magnetized): For working on circuit boards.

• Nut driver (magnetized): If you work on machines that use a lot of hex-head screws (like Ricoh copiers).

• Magnetizer: For re-energizing magnetic screwdrivers.  (Old solenoids make great magnetizers, if your company won't buy you one.)

• Pliers: At least a pair of needle-nose pliers, a pair of slip-joint pliers, and a pair of diagonal (cutting) pliers.  If you work with snap rings at all, a pair of snap ring pliers (aka retaining ring pliers) is a necessity.

• Spring hook: For removing and attaching springs.

• Captive spring hook: For removing and attaching tiny springs, or springs in hard to reach places.

• Flashlight: The insides of a copier can be very dark.

• Multimeter: A voltmeter can be substituted, but a multimeter will allow you to check the continuity of electrical components such as lamps and fuses.

• Ruler/millimeter scale: For measuring gaps, alignment, or skew.  If the ruler/scale is metal, it can also be used to scrape toner off of metal cleaning rollers.

• Tweezers: For retrieving springs, clips, and paper scraps from hard to reach places.

• Cleaning agents: Alcohol, D-Ink, and some sort of rubber rejuvenator will all come in handy.

• Rags/cloths: Oil rags are great for general cleaning of machine covers and guides, and lint-free cloths work well on more sensitive areas (such as photoconductors or mirrors).

• Scouring pad: For scraping built-up toner off of metal rollers.

• Lubricant: Oil and grease are both good to have, depending on what you are lubricating.

• Setting powder: For drum surfaces or any belts that require powder to be applied.

• Laptop or tablet: For looking up manuals, parts guides, and service bulletins, and for downloading firmware or print drivers. You can use a smartphone in a pinch, but finding part numbers or tracing an electrical circuit on a phone's small screen will get old very quickly.

• Plastic bags (not grocery bags): for emptying waste toner or developer.

In addition to the tools on this list, there are probably other tools you'll want to carry, depending on what you're used to, what machines you work on, and what problems you commonly see.  Some other tools that can be nice to have if you have the space (and the budget) are a soldering iron, a level, superglue, a set of thick gloves (for handling fusers) and a set of hex keys.

(Originally posted on Helium.com, Sept 2009 in shorter form - updated)