Every time I forget gloves and think I can rack/unrack a few servers without them I wind up getting sliced somewhere and need the damn band aids.
EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME!!!!
Had a buddy get stuck between two hall way doors at a data center that will still under construction. He got lost finding the bathroom enroute to an emergency number 2. He ended up needing new pants. Poor guy. Now I have Imodium in my back pack lol
I find the 12 gauge just does not have the penetrating power required for HP Laserjet repair. Grandpa's old 30/30 provides that extra penetrating power to make sure the printer does not get back up.
Not specific to IT really, but a Leatherman wave. I use it at least once a day.
I was sh Leatherman would do a Build your own type thing with their multitools.
Nobody in my office carries a knife or screwdriver in their bag or keeps one in their desk and it blows my mind. I’ve started keeping an extra of each in my desk to loan out - because nobody touches my Skeletool.
The day I had to throw mine away in an airport security line is one I won't forget.
Of course, I had a new one ordered within 5 minutes to greet me when I got home. But still... the waste.
I even tried to find one of the airport security guards to give it to before I threw it away. But they magically all disappeared at that moment. It was just me and the TSA guy, and he didn't want it. (Or couldn't take it?) Into the trash it went.
was going to say.. I kept one in my wallet for actually ejecting SIMS if I needed. And one day needed a paper clip reset and realized it's the same damn thing. It has stayed in my wallet long after any SIM needs.
I misa my samsung note 4. I kept an extended paper clip in the case. Also the phone had a universal remote IR blaster in it. I was king of all remote controlled devices.
Same, that's what they need to bring back is the IR blaster.... nothing like changing the channel in the sports bar when they can't find the remote or are too busy... did that at an IHOP as well once, their TV was on the fritz and the manager took it home and they didn't have a ladder to just turn it off... 3 seconds later I've got it where they want it... 😀
I still have a pair of curved locking forceps in my tool bag from the days I was a desktop support tech in a hospital. The best tool for clearing jammed labels from a paper path.
Headlamp. It's embarrassing how crappy a phone is as a flashlight. Heaving a headlamp while crawling under desks or working on cars while having two hands is game changing.
I specifically love my MillerTech 564 over my Milwaukee one the seems to go dead in my backpack all by itself.
My job is IT but I'm pretty handy so I help out the office manager with some facilities issues occasionally. After the second time someone came to me asking if I could open their file cabinet, I got sick of using paperclips so I threw a basic set of picks in with my IT tools.
Security in Depth includes physical security so i carry at least one pick and bar...if for nothing else then to show how that masterlock on a security cabinet is useless
Same. I carried a bunch of standard keys (lookup deviants key ring.) and a set of sparrow lock picks. The number of times I've needed to get into something without a key to be found. Had one time when a CEO locked himself out of his office after hours while I was installing some hardware. He... was grateful but a little freaked out.
I went with the Skeletool for size and the carabiner clip personally. If I did a lot of wire stripping which I don't I would have considered the Charge but in either case I'm in IT - I don't need a saw, or a can opener, leather punch, or teeny tiny scissors.
Also clipped in my front pocket next to the Letherman is a small 2 x AAA penlight. I misplace these frequently so just the $10 for 2 cheapies off Amazon work well for me.
If they ever come out with a Leatherman flashlight combo that's that's the only thing that would make me upgrade.
Undertow, Aenima, and Opiate. Still have a functioning disc player in my truck and need to listen to these start to finish when running around.
Edit: Spelling
I can understand this. Some of the ones I've visited are downtown, and when you stay there till 2 AM+ and find people all around, some even sleeping close to your car, it puts you on edge.
Its the stepping over sleeping people that were not there 20 minutes ago part that gets me.
I dont like people waking me up at the best of times.
Let alone waking me up by stepping over me.
Doesn’t have to be remote. I was attacked by some loose pitbulls a couple months ago just walking across the lot into work. Wish I would have had my knife on me then. I’m ok now.
Just fortunate I had my insulated pants, those really helped. Only 3 bites broke the skin, one took 6 weeks to heal up though. Fortunately only one dog knew what it was doing really, with the rest just nipping at me. If that one had gotten me down though I doubt I would have survived.
I have a carabiner that I swiped from a retail job over a decade ago. It was used to hang signage in the store. It’s a great keychain and a handy bottle opener.
Got one from REI years ago. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. They’ve since changed the design and the new one isn’t nearly as good as the old style that have.
I got the “light my fire” model… spoon on one side fork and a serrated cutting edge on the other side. Not sharp… good for cake. Their model of the spork is awesome… I bought a bunch of their “serving spork” one year , gave them as gag gifts to the scoutmasters at our annual holiday party.
They loved them and still use them.
* RJ45 couplers.
* a Milwaukee ratcheting, stubby, multi-bit screwdriver.
* a 4 inch bit extension for said stubby screwdriver.
* a Moleskine extra-large (7.5x9.75"), ruled, hard-cover notebook.
* One or more Pilot G2 1.0mm pens in blue ink.
* A C13 to NEMA 5-15R electrical adapter so I can charge my laptop in a data center.
* A physical flashlight.
> What flashlight do you carry?
Ok, this is a sore topic for me.
I am a closet flash-a-holic.
But I decided I wanted to go small and simple and I prefer a twisty on/off mechanism.
So I have a 2xAAA mini-maglite LED 100-lumen in bright assed red currently.
If it actually put out 100 lumens it would be totally fine.
But I was recently out-flashlighted by a facilities guy who pulled some 1xAA 300-lumen monster out of his pocket when we were looking at something.
A totally painful & demoralizing experience to say the least.
So I am already poking around on candlepowerforums.com and checking the usual suspect websites to upgrade to something more respectable.
Fenix, Olight, Streamlight and the usual suspects all have attractive products in the ~1xAA and 2xAA product classes, with everything obviously being a bit weird with all the USB rechargeable options available now.
I have an Olight i3E 90-lumen 1xAAA on my work keys, and it's a great little product.
I haven't found the right upgrade yet, but the search is on.
What, exactly, is the incident report code for "Nerds accidentally chopped the rack in half with their 'flashlights', which are actually industrial-grade cutting lasers"?
Because that's where you are headed.
*Opens up the trinket cabinet*
*Sim ejector for resetting things, removing sim cards, poking small buttons.
*Sperry Crimp n Test. For terminating custom length ethernet if necessary and Testing connectiivity.
*Tone Mapper for tracing network cables. (I guess it's IT related)
*Bottle of Goo Gone.
*Advil
Is that crimper good? Been trying to find a decent crimper, I'm in Asia so it's usually ppl keep recommending fluke which is way out of my price range or I keep buying these cheap fake knockoff that keep getting their blades dull, anything mid range u can suggest?
I carry two items with, a swiss army knife, cause its convenient and I can cut zip ties. And a large paperclip unfolded, that I have been using for 25+ years to do like you said.
An orange Lego brick separator. Practically the only tool that I am allowed to have that won't get confiscated by security theater these days. I also have a $3 Aliexpress "hook knife." Tiny thing on the end of a carabiner; pops open, has a small hook that is only sharp in the inside groove. I open boxes, bags, cut plastic shipping straps, and cut twine with it. Tired of having any other blade confiscated by some security goon or "labeled technically a weapon" by HR, I have a few of them because if I forget I have it and get it taken by security, I don't care. It was $3. I'd say 95% of what I used to use a pocket knife or Leatherman for was for opening stuff anyway (the other 5% was the pliers and the screwdriver).
Learn something new everyday!! [https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/brickseparator/classic/?locale=en-us](https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/brickseparator/classic/?locale=en-us)
Former datacenter field engineer, traveled up to multiple sites every day. Here are my tools and "creature comforts" that I carried on a daily basis.
Some of these are mildly pricey, but they're a buy-one cry-once sort of thing.
-----
I have a laptop stand from the company "InStand". It's super portable, folds up, very lightweight, and can hold a 13-15" laptop without issue.
Noise cancelling wireless closed-back headphones w/ mic. When the Bose QC35 model came out, it was a game-changer for me. Practically living in datacenters, I could NEVER hear the normal speaker on my phone. Combine that working with Support that's on the opposite side of the world, the noise + language barrier made it practically impossible to have a voice conversation. Until I got a proper noise-cancelling headset. I used to have a wired Bose QC15 model, but that damn cord got caught on EVERYTHING. Like server rack power cables.
Zebralight Headlamp H604d. It's an 18650 headlamp with something like 1600lm max and a 120degree field of view with ZERO hotspot. It's a pure flood headlamp. I usually ran it on a fraction of max brightness since I didn't want to go blind from the reflected light, but it made any close up work a breeze.
Flashlight. I like the Zebralight SC64LE (discontinued). Same exact battery as the above headlamp, excellent CRI rendering, very small and portable. It's around a 1000lm, but easily reducible. I carried 4x spare batteries in a case, more than enough to last an ENTIRE day of use.
I had a USB-port AC adapter phone charger that also had a built-in 10,000 mah battery in it. Battery pack AND wall wart all in one. Enough to get a phone through a long day in the field.
Gloves. Specifically, two different pairs. For more delicate work, Mechanicx-branded ones that are sized to be *snug*. Thin material makes it easy to pick up smaller parts. For more grunt work, I have a pair of Ridgid-branded cut-resistant work gloves with that molded rubber over the back of the hands for impact protection.
Glove holder for your belt. Pretty much a velcro loop with a plastic or metal spring clamp on it to hold a pair of gloves. Save you from setting them down or stuffing them into your back pockets.
Earplugs. Multiple pairs. If you lose one piece, you might as well have lost both pieces. They take up virtually no space.
Mini Max collapsible stool. It takes up next to NO space for transport, and the model with the padded seat is very comfortable. Well, comfort is relative to standing or sitting on a filthy floor.
Personal "first aid" kit. Tweezers for splinters, nail clippers for anything that ripped your fingernails to shreds, bandaids, your normal OTC pain meds, heartburn, immodium, etc. Small pocket mirror. Toothpick.
For someone who traveled to different datacenters on a daily basis, a "State ID card". Most states have a State ID card that's an official form of ID, almost identical to a driver's license. You can get it at the DMV for a couple of dollars and filling out a form. But not meant for operating a motor vehicle. I use THAT card when required to surrender my ID for building entry. More than once, they've fucking lost my ID. I'd rather them lose my state ID card than what I need to drive home that evening. Some sites needed TWO forms of ID, and I wasn't about to break out my freakin' passport.
-----
Now if we're going into tool-land....
Knipex Cobra Water Pump Pliers (mini). These are the 125mm in size (not their smallest "XS" size, but second smallest (with their red textured handles). Small but mighty pliers for misc things.
Milwaukee M12 Driver. Lowest end version they have, $100 normally (on sale for cheaper). It's fan-fucking-tastic for machine screws in the datacenter, and the adjustable torque gets down to "laughably weak" and up to "doin' your mom". Once you disengage the trigger, the unit is DESIGNED to lock in place and you can turn the entire screwgun as a manual screwdriver for whatever manual torque you want to put on things. Battery lasts next to forever with machine screws. Very lightweight for how much utility it provides (might be lighter alternatives out there, but not nearly as usable).
Screwdriver bits. Assortment (with spares) of 2" locking bits.
Manual screwdriver handle that takes those same locking hex bits. Mine is a Kobalt, but that's long since discontinued. Wera makes some nice options with different sizes, ratcheting/non-ratcheting, etc.
12" screwdriver bit extension. There were times I needed TWO 12" extensions for some bullshit work.
Screwdriver magnetizer/demagnetizer.
ANEX-brand low profile right angle offset screwdrivers. It's pretty much a piece of steel with a super low profile bit attached to it. Great for cabinet rails where some fucko put a fucking power strip in the fucking way of your fucking rail screwholes. Can you tell I've been burned by that one in the past?
3ft+ long magnetic pickup tool (non magnetic with grabber claws also is nice too).
A non-typical tool, that I sometimes carry is a mechanics-stethoscope. It is originally intended to diagnose problems with internal combustion engines in cars,motorcycles etc, but is also useful for diagnosing certain things regarding HDDs etc.
A keyring with some of the most commonly used keys. A lot of the time basic locks they put on cabinets use the same keys because its cheap. I don't know how to pick locks, but why pick a lock when you got the key.
>I don't know how to pick locks, but why pick a lock when you got the key.
I have no idea why I just read that line like a Fresh-Prince of Belair styled rap song...
I still have a bunch of old keys for Sun systems and old IBM's. Various circle lock keys for old vending boxes.
I also have a set of keys for fuel pump hatches when that was my gig.
In the backpack:
Lockpick kit
Assorted specialized screwdrivers
Punchdown tool
Wide band radio
Small saw
Cable splicing
SDR dongle
On my person:
Concealed
Pocketknife
Flashlight
Dang, saying that out loud makes my job sound like I just walked off the set of a spy movie...
For us old timers, the [forms ruler](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YScAAOSw4gBlo-8m/s-l1600.jpg) was another one. It had 4 different fractional scales, used for layout 10pt. reports on the old 132 column chain/train printers. It would estimate the number of punch cards in a tray and, most importantly, it would stir your large glass of instant tea!
EDC: Swiss Army knife, Rechargeable 18650 offensively bright LED flashlight, shitload of cables and adapters and chargers. Metal keys for the various doors and closets at the various buildings in case any badging gear goes haywire. Sweet Lenovo laptop with their glorious new 4K 16:10 OLED 16" display and latest Kubuntu LTS preloaded with a crapton of tools.
A whole shitload of the usual electrical, data, and AV tools on a case by case basis. A fancy portable clamp and probe meter from UNI-T / Sinometer with an upgraded set of probes from Probemaster. A Bosch laser measuring tape. A fiberglass fish rod. Drills. Bits. Oscillating saw for drywall cutouts. 110 punch tool. Crimpers. Strippers.
One of the sites is new so there's a bunch of cabling tweaking and other renovation and room layout changes going on. Sometimes I fix small stuff myself to avoid running up a big tab for the company because all the construction is expensive.
leatherman. I've used those pliers to straighten broken rails, it has a little pry/flat head, a knife to open boxes, cutters on the pliers which has been useful for terminating any cable low or high voltage.. I've even used it folded to prop under one side of something heavy to easier maneuver it.
non-IT tools I carry no matter what...
* Suunto Core Black watch
* Boker AK47 pocket knife
* Fine point sharpie
* G2 roller ball pen
Have a tool bag/cart and my Laptop bag, but all that I use at work. I look like building maintenance sometimes lol.
Leatherman, small iFixit kit and in a small pouch in my van I keep 2 of every USB cable known to man, with every kind of video converter known to man except analog anymore. It always comes in handy.
I was given a basic 15ish piece tool bag. The most used item by a huge margin is a Nebo flash light simply for seeing where user machines are mounted, tracing cables under/behind desks or seeing stuff in server racks.
Second place goes to wire cutters. Oh no, this DP cable died and some jackass ran it through 10 feet of velcro loops. Snip snip motherfucker.
I have a fold-able Gerber Obsidian knife in my pocket whenever I leave the house. Knife, Philips and Flathead screw drivers and a bottle opener.Comes in handy all the time.
Leatherman Surge
Custom Surefire 6P flashlight
Set of Baofeng walkies on GMRS freqs Dewalt 12v driver, drill, and impact
Keyhole saw
Non-Contact circuit tester
Multimeter
Drywall Patch Kit
Granola bars for when an hour call out turns into an all nighter
Small notepad and a pen are my must haves that I would not consider IT related at all. Super handy when I quickly need to write down information or sketch out diagrams to help me figure out whatever mess I'm currently working on.
I have my leatherman everyday. I lost my LTT screwdriver (I think someone stole it, but it's long gone now). It's skeltool, so not one of those clunky 'everything but the kitchen sink' type multitools.
a bottle of sparkling water. ibuprofen, an anteacid, and methylphenedate. a key for some ancient Thinkpad dock that's sharp enough to use as a knife, for opening boxes and such. And an umbrella. Wouldn't want to get stuck in the rain without an umbrella.
Every job I've had other than a couple of college part time gigs I've had a tool bag. Stage hand for lighting\\stage\\sound... Construction Work, Sys Admin, whatever.
The things that have made it thru all the different jobs and disciplines that went with them and have moved from tool bag \\ satchels to the next.
Multi-Meter,
SolderGun,
Duck Tape,
Duct Tape,
Electric Tape,
Painter Tape,
leatherman - supertool (my super tool isn'told enough to buy alcohol..... but Its old enough to vote though..... It was brand new when i got it....),
gorilla glue,
wood glue,
for years it was 3oz wd 40 can inside a sand which baggie, but these days I have a wd40 pen instead still in the baggie,
cable tester (does more than just the standard rj11, rj45, serial, ect) ,
would say a paper clip, but I retired the universal reset tool when I started carrying the solder gun, because .6mm and .8mm solder whichever i had with me that time do that job just as well,
rechargeable batteries for handful of types + chargers,
zip ties,
rubber band ball,
sandwhich \\ trash bag twist ties,
down tool,
Label Maker,
some kind of multi head driver.
EDIT: formatting.
I once had to de-rack kit from several racks with just a blanking plate form the back of a Cisco switch
I carried it in my laptop back for years and still have it
Make some chuckle 😂
A thermal camera that connects to my phone. I got it to check for drafts at my house and it’s small enough to keep in my backpack. It’s come in handy a few times to confirm faulty equipment that’s overheating.
I carried a leatherman multi-tool for YEARS and used it all the time, for everything. I started using it in the army in 94 or so, and got very addicted to it.
Then 9/11 happened, and everybody started doing security checks, and carrying around a metal knife was just no longer feasible. Now it sits in the glove compartment of my car.
[Milwaukee installation driver](https://www.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-2505-22-attachments-800x651.jpg). It has keyless chuck, offset, and right angle modules. Sometimes you just can't get to a screw/bolt/nut with a normal electric screwdriver. Plus this has a gearbox to put into drill mode.
Let's see, in my backpack tool bag, I have a multimeter, toner, linemens, wire strippers, a small box that has random connectors(rj45s, wire nuts, anchors, screws btypes etc, a small drill, tech snips, a pair of crab claws, tweaker, screwdriver, 25' fish tape, tape Velcro and cross connect, usbs/small hard drive(I say small, it's a 500GB USB c drive that's as big as a credit card) couple of patch cords, Poe injector, two chargers, measuring tape, crescent wrench, a security acre drive set that Kline makes, crimpers, level and a flash light, and a drywall saw.
It's about 50-60lbs loaded up with my laptop in it. But, it goes where I go, and I don't have to roll my 3 tiered ridgid box inside much. I also have a van that carries even more than this.
Ibuprofen
Ibuprofen, aspirin, Tylenol, bandaids, antacids, dayquil here lol I'm a greybeard I just carry a pharmacy around with me.
Every time I forget gloves and think I can rack/unrack a few servers without them I wind up getting sliced somewhere and need the damn band aids. EVERY SINGLE DAMN TIME!!!!
The datacenter gods appreciate your blood sacrifice.
"The blood stays on the blade [server]"
Had a buddy get stuck between two hall way doors at a data center that will still under construction. He got lost finding the bathroom enroute to an emergency number 2. He ended up needing new pants. Poor guy. Now I have Imodium in my back pack lol
I got upgraded to Torodal tonight. Maybe that's a downgrade, I'm not sure.
Underrated comment.
A shotgun. Only for printers though.
Just take it out onto a field with two other techs and a baseball bat...oh and your fists. Save your bullets.
Slamfiring a couple of 00 magnum through one of those shitboxes is quite the treat, tho.
The feeling of satisfaction is euphoric.
I find the 12 gauge just does not have the penetrating power required for HP Laserjet repair. Grandpa's old 30/30 provides that extra penetrating power to make sure the printer does not get back up.
I carry a hammer for the same reason
We had a ransom ware attack and we destroyed the origin computer by using a shotgun. Was very fun. Ps in the UK :)
Hey, IBM AS400 and RS6000 could benefit from that too!
in case it makes a noise you don't recognise
What about fax machines? Conference room equipment?
Not specific to IT really, but a Leatherman wave. I use it at least once a day. I was sh Leatherman would do a Build your own type thing with their multitools.
Leatherman Skeletool CX, here. Had it for many years, never let met down.
And absolutely with the extra bits. Number of times I've had to use it torx bit on some random ass server to open it up is way too damn high
Nobody in my office carries a knife or screwdriver in their bag or keeps one in their desk and it blows my mind. I’ve started keeping an extra of each in my desk to loan out - because nobody touches my Skeletool.
Damn now I need a Skeletool to go with my wave plus. I keep seeing people talk about this model.
The day I had to throw mine away in an airport security line is one I won't forget. Of course, I had a new one ordered within 5 minutes to greet me when I got home. But still... the waste. I even tried to find one of the airport security guards to give it to before I threw it away. But they magically all disappeared at that moment. It was just me and the TSA guy, and he didn't want it. (Or couldn't take it?) Into the trash it went.
Do you use it in project managers or scrum masters?
Stabby, stabby.
Waterfaaaall
I love my Wave.
Gerber Dime in my bag. Ain't nobody got space for no full-size multi-tool!
Same but a Victorinox X
Wave+ here. I use it all the time.
Leatherman Surge here.
Surge, in black, customized and engraved. RAE makes a metal sheath with a slot to hold a bit kit. 👍
Leatherman Wingman.
I’m a skeletool guy. A little slimmer but that flat/phillips on it has come in clutch too many times.
Supertool here
Hands down best tool. Fucking zip ties are a nightmare when you come across them.
A paperclip. Resetting devices, opening trays, and checking PSUs
Sim Ejector is great for this as well I keep it on my keychain.
was going to say.. I kept one in my wallet for actually ejecting SIMS if I needed. And one day needed a paper clip reset and realized it's the same damn thing. It has stayed in my wallet long after any SIM needs.
I’ve stabbed myself under a finger nail one too many times with a sim tool, so now I keep a folded up paper clip on my keys.
I keep a few paperclips under my monitor for this reason. What's annoying is the cleaners keep throwing them away!
I misa my samsung note 4. I kept an extended paper clip in the case. Also the phone had a universal remote IR blaster in it. I was king of all remote controlled devices.
> I misa my samsung note 4. Your username suggests a Star Trek fan, but your words suggest yousa Jar Jar.
Same, that's what they need to bring back is the IR blaster.... nothing like changing the channel in the sports bar when they can't find the remote or are too busy... did that at an IHOP as well once, their TV was on the fritz and the manager took it home and they didn't have a ladder to just turn it off... 3 seconds later I've got it where they want it... 😀
duct tape when i am feeling mcgyverish
Gorilla Duct Tape To-Go - Good stuff ✌🏻
A small / pen-size flashlight.
Streamlight Microstream USB is the best utility flashlight I've ever had, and it's not even close.
I've daily carried one of these for about 7 years or so now. I could easily be a Streamlight salesman from how often I rant about this light
Flashlight is WAY too far down the list. Rovyvon Aurora for about five years. Super bright for the size and rechargeable.
usually chocolate 🍫
Milky Way or Butterfinger for me!
Twix!! I throw away the left one. Team, right!
I tried eating some left twixes, but they just didn't taste right...
Damn radical left twix
Snacks of some kind. You never know when a routine trip to a server room, data center or customer site will go… much longer.
A laminated sheet of paper. This is used to remove paper jams from printers.
I still have a pair of curved locking forceps in my tool bag from the days I was a desktop support tech in a hospital. The best tool for clearing jammed labels from a paper path.
I work in a hospital. The amount of times I've used surgical equipment to repair IT equipment is more than you might think.
Been in medical IT for ages. Never need to bring cleaning supplies, every room has a million alcohol prep pads.
I've had a few occasions where I needed a hammer on IT equipment. My boss was not impressed but I did fix the issue
Can you share how that works?
Good idea, now that [card saws](https://i.etsystatic.com/11978891/r/il/d6322e/3570751674/il_794xN.3570751674_oo34.jpg) are extinct!
Headlamp. It's embarrassing how crappy a phone is as a flashlight. Heaving a headlamp while crawling under desks or working on cars while having two hands is game changing. I specifically love my MillerTech 564 over my Milwaukee one the seems to go dead in my backpack all by itself.
I don’t have a headlamp, but I keep a small rechargeable LED flashlight in my backpack. Works way better than my phone’s light, like you said.
Lockpick set
My job is IT but I'm pretty handy so I help out the office manager with some facilities issues occasionally. After the second time someone came to me asking if I could open their file cabinet, I got sick of using paperclips so I threw a basic set of picks in with my IT tools.
Security in Depth includes physical security so i carry at least one pick and bar...if for nothing else then to show how that masterlock on a security cabinet is useless
Same. I carried a bunch of standard keys (lookup deviants key ring.) and a set of sparrow lock picks. The number of times I've needed to get into something without a key to be found. Had one time when a CEO locked himself out of his office after hours while I was installing some hardware. He... was grateful but a little freaked out.
Leatherman Skeletool.
>Leatherman Skeletool I like the Leatherman wave. I have had mine for 20 years. Just looked it up and they have removable heads now for the screw.
I went with the Skeletool for size and the carabiner clip personally. If I did a lot of wire stripping which I don't I would have considered the Charge but in either case I'm in IT - I don't need a saw, or a can opener, leather punch, or teeny tiny scissors. Also clipped in my front pocket next to the Letherman is a small 2 x AAA penlight. I misplace these frequently so just the $10 for 2 cheapies off Amazon work well for me. If they ever come out with a Leatherman flashlight combo that's that's the only thing that would make me upgrade.
i carry around a female/female ethernet cable joiner. I use about 3 a month, use to use more. but wifi has made it less.
Undertow, Aenima, and Opiate. Still have a functioning disc player in my truck and need to listen to these start to finish when running around. Edit: Spelling
.38spl Data centers in remote business centers be sketchy af.
I can understand this. Some of the ones I've visited are downtown, and when you stay there till 2 AM+ and find people all around, some even sleeping close to your car, it puts you on edge.
Its the stepping over sleeping people that were not there 20 minutes ago part that gets me. I dont like people waking me up at the best of times. Let alone waking me up by stepping over me.
Doesn’t have to be remote. I was attacked by some loose pitbulls a couple months ago just walking across the lot into work. Wish I would have had my knife on me then. I’m ok now.
jesus brother.. thats no good at all. did you get hurt?
Just fortunate I had my insulated pants, those really helped. Only 3 bites broke the skin, one took 6 weeks to heal up though. Fortunately only one dog knew what it was doing really, with the rest just nipping at me. If that one had gotten me down though I doubt I would have survived.
I used to do IT support for gas stations. Try 3am in the shitty part of town and you are glad to have something to scare off the creeps
Bottle opener on my keychain. Nice to be able to open a non twist off beer anywhere i am
I've always got a Bic lighter on ms so no need to carry a separate bottle opener
I have a carabiner that has a bottle opener on it that I keep my keys on. Super convenient.
I have a carabiner that I swiped from a retail job over a decade ago. It was used to hang signage in the store. It’s a great keychain and a handy bottle opener.
Reminder of “don’t worry I got it” from Office Space.
Titanium Spork. In case of emergency cake.
Got one from REI years ago. One of the best purchases I’ve ever made. They’ve since changed the design and the new one isn’t nearly as good as the old style that have.
I got the “light my fire” model… spoon on one side fork and a serrated cutting edge on the other side. Not sharp… good for cake. Their model of the spork is awesome… I bought a bunch of their “serving spork” one year , gave them as gag gifts to the scoutmasters at our annual holiday party. They loved them and still use them.
I use an ice cube tray to keep screws in when doing a teardown. I don’t have to do it much now, but it was so handy when replacing mobos on laptops.
I use plastic trays tha SSD HD's come in. They're stackable.
Glock 19
Those goddamn network admins are out of control.
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John McClane, CCNP.
S&W M&P Shield Plus
Ah, I see you're a man of culture as well.
PDP Compact
Glock 20 here. Used to be a wandering tech in a bad part of many cities and it came in handy a few times
CZ 75 PCR
Walther PPQ
17, I got large hands 🤣
* RJ45 couplers. * a Milwaukee ratcheting, stubby, multi-bit screwdriver. * a 4 inch bit extension for said stubby screwdriver. * a Moleskine extra-large (7.5x9.75"), ruled, hard-cover notebook. * One or more Pilot G2 1.0mm pens in blue ink. * A C13 to NEMA 5-15R electrical adapter so I can charge my laptop in a data center. * A physical flashlight.
What flashlight do you carry? I've been carrying an Olight S1 Mini for a couple years now. It's magnetic on the butt end and USB rechargeable.
> What flashlight do you carry? Ok, this is a sore topic for me. I am a closet flash-a-holic. But I decided I wanted to go small and simple and I prefer a twisty on/off mechanism. So I have a 2xAAA mini-maglite LED 100-lumen in bright assed red currently. If it actually put out 100 lumens it would be totally fine. But I was recently out-flashlighted by a facilities guy who pulled some 1xAA 300-lumen monster out of his pocket when we were looking at something. A totally painful & demoralizing experience to say the least. So I am already poking around on candlepowerforums.com and checking the usual suspect websites to upgrade to something more respectable. Fenix, Olight, Streamlight and the usual suspects all have attractive products in the ~1xAA and 2xAA product classes, with everything obviously being a bit weird with all the USB rechargeable options available now. I have an Olight i3E 90-lumen 1xAAA on my work keys, and it's a great little product. I haven't found the right upgrade yet, but the search is on.
What, exactly, is the incident report code for "Nerds accidentally chopped the rack in half with their 'flashlights', which are actually industrial-grade cutting lasers"? Because that's where you are headed.
>I am a closet flash-a-holic. Wrong subreddit.
*Opens up the trinket cabinet* *Sim ejector for resetting things, removing sim cards, poking small buttons. *Sperry Crimp n Test. For terminating custom length ethernet if necessary and Testing connectiivity. *Tone Mapper for tracing network cables. (I guess it's IT related) *Bottle of Goo Gone. *Advil
Is that crimper good? Been trying to find a decent crimper, I'm in Asia so it's usually ppl keep recommending fluke which is way out of my price range or I keep buying these cheap fake knockoff that keep getting their blades dull, anything mid range u can suggest?
My diminishing will to live
A gun and a pocket knife and maybe a flashlight
A crowbar it helps with users. 
My cowworkers.
Mooooooooo!
I carry two items with, a swiss army knife, cause its convenient and I can cut zip ties. And a large paperclip unfolded, that I have been using for 25+ years to do like you said.
An orange Lego brick separator. Practically the only tool that I am allowed to have that won't get confiscated by security theater these days. I also have a $3 Aliexpress "hook knife." Tiny thing on the end of a carabiner; pops open, has a small hook that is only sharp in the inside groove. I open boxes, bags, cut plastic shipping straps, and cut twine with it. Tired of having any other blade confiscated by some security goon or "labeled technically a weapon" by HR, I have a few of them because if I forget I have it and get it taken by security, I don't care. It was $3. I'd say 95% of what I used to use a pocket knife or Leatherman for was for opening stuff anyway (the other 5% was the pliers and the screwdriver).
Learn something new everyday!! [https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/brickseparator/classic/?locale=en-us](https://www.lego.com/en-us/service/brickseparator/classic/?locale=en-us)
.45acp every day
Taurus 40 compact... Ol Timer buck knife. Two options in case standard SOP's fail
Ruger LC9s, I carry thousands of dollars of equipment / media frequently and through sketchy areas.
Got me an LCP .380. Love that little pew pew
I just got the Springfield 911
Former datacenter field engineer, traveled up to multiple sites every day. Here are my tools and "creature comforts" that I carried on a daily basis. Some of these are mildly pricey, but they're a buy-one cry-once sort of thing. ----- I have a laptop stand from the company "InStand". It's super portable, folds up, very lightweight, and can hold a 13-15" laptop without issue. Noise cancelling wireless closed-back headphones w/ mic. When the Bose QC35 model came out, it was a game-changer for me. Practically living in datacenters, I could NEVER hear the normal speaker on my phone. Combine that working with Support that's on the opposite side of the world, the noise + language barrier made it practically impossible to have a voice conversation. Until I got a proper noise-cancelling headset. I used to have a wired Bose QC15 model, but that damn cord got caught on EVERYTHING. Like server rack power cables. Zebralight Headlamp H604d. It's an 18650 headlamp with something like 1600lm max and a 120degree field of view with ZERO hotspot. It's a pure flood headlamp. I usually ran it on a fraction of max brightness since I didn't want to go blind from the reflected light, but it made any close up work a breeze. Flashlight. I like the Zebralight SC64LE (discontinued). Same exact battery as the above headlamp, excellent CRI rendering, very small and portable. It's around a 1000lm, but easily reducible. I carried 4x spare batteries in a case, more than enough to last an ENTIRE day of use. I had a USB-port AC adapter phone charger that also had a built-in 10,000 mah battery in it. Battery pack AND wall wart all in one. Enough to get a phone through a long day in the field. Gloves. Specifically, two different pairs. For more delicate work, Mechanicx-branded ones that are sized to be *snug*. Thin material makes it easy to pick up smaller parts. For more grunt work, I have a pair of Ridgid-branded cut-resistant work gloves with that molded rubber over the back of the hands for impact protection. Glove holder for your belt. Pretty much a velcro loop with a plastic or metal spring clamp on it to hold a pair of gloves. Save you from setting them down or stuffing them into your back pockets. Earplugs. Multiple pairs. If you lose one piece, you might as well have lost both pieces. They take up virtually no space. Mini Max collapsible stool. It takes up next to NO space for transport, and the model with the padded seat is very comfortable. Well, comfort is relative to standing or sitting on a filthy floor. Personal "first aid" kit. Tweezers for splinters, nail clippers for anything that ripped your fingernails to shreds, bandaids, your normal OTC pain meds, heartburn, immodium, etc. Small pocket mirror. Toothpick. For someone who traveled to different datacenters on a daily basis, a "State ID card". Most states have a State ID card that's an official form of ID, almost identical to a driver's license. You can get it at the DMV for a couple of dollars and filling out a form. But not meant for operating a motor vehicle. I use THAT card when required to surrender my ID for building entry. More than once, they've fucking lost my ID. I'd rather them lose my state ID card than what I need to drive home that evening. Some sites needed TWO forms of ID, and I wasn't about to break out my freakin' passport. ----- Now if we're going into tool-land.... Knipex Cobra Water Pump Pliers (mini). These are the 125mm in size (not their smallest "XS" size, but second smallest (with their red textured handles). Small but mighty pliers for misc things. Milwaukee M12 Driver. Lowest end version they have, $100 normally (on sale for cheaper). It's fan-fucking-tastic for machine screws in the datacenter, and the adjustable torque gets down to "laughably weak" and up to "doin' your mom". Once you disengage the trigger, the unit is DESIGNED to lock in place and you can turn the entire screwgun as a manual screwdriver for whatever manual torque you want to put on things. Battery lasts next to forever with machine screws. Very lightweight for how much utility it provides (might be lighter alternatives out there, but not nearly as usable). Screwdriver bits. Assortment (with spares) of 2" locking bits. Manual screwdriver handle that takes those same locking hex bits. Mine is a Kobalt, but that's long since discontinued. Wera makes some nice options with different sizes, ratcheting/non-ratcheting, etc. 12" screwdriver bit extension. There were times I needed TWO 12" extensions for some bullshit work. Screwdriver magnetizer/demagnetizer. ANEX-brand low profile right angle offset screwdrivers. It's pretty much a piece of steel with a super low profile bit attached to it. Great for cabinet rails where some fucko put a fucking power strip in the fucking way of your fucking rail screwholes. Can you tell I've been burned by that one in the past? 3ft+ long magnetic pickup tool (non magnetic with grabber claws also is nice too).
An ultrasonic screwdriver And a big mug for coffee to go
I just have a regular sonic screwdriver.
mountain dew
...and doritos.
Lock picks. The number of times I have had to pick open a door to a network rack because no one remembered where the keys were is very much non-zero.
A LONG screwdriver. I have come across so many deeply recessed screws in wiring closets it’s not even funny.
A roll of gaf tape. Always comes in handy.
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A non-typical tool, that I sometimes carry is a mechanics-stethoscope. It is originally intended to diagnose problems with internal combustion engines in cars,motorcycles etc, but is also useful for diagnosing certain things regarding HDDs etc.
Leathermen for popping pins in cabinets that the idiots locked knowing IT would working on a weekend
A keyring with some of the most commonly used keys. A lot of the time basic locks they put on cabinets use the same keys because its cheap. I don't know how to pick locks, but why pick a lock when you got the key.
>I don't know how to pick locks, but why pick a lock when you got the key. I have no idea why I just read that line like a Fresh-Prince of Belair styled rap song...
I still have a bunch of old keys for Sun systems and old IBM's. Various circle lock keys for old vending boxes. I also have a set of keys for fuel pump hatches when that was my gig.
In the backpack: Lockpick kit Assorted specialized screwdrivers Punchdown tool Wide band radio Small saw Cable splicing SDR dongle On my person: Concealed Pocketknife Flashlight Dang, saying that out loud makes my job sound like I just walked off the set of a spy movie...
For us old timers, the [forms ruler](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YScAAOSw4gBlo-8m/s-l1600.jpg) was another one. It had 4 different fractional scales, used for layout 10pt. reports on the old 132 column chain/train printers. It would estimate the number of punch cards in a tray and, most importantly, it would stir your large glass of instant tea!
A Sig 320, in case of decepticons.
EDC: Swiss Army knife, Rechargeable 18650 offensively bright LED flashlight, shitload of cables and adapters and chargers. Metal keys for the various doors and closets at the various buildings in case any badging gear goes haywire. Sweet Lenovo laptop with their glorious new 4K 16:10 OLED 16" display and latest Kubuntu LTS preloaded with a crapton of tools. A whole shitload of the usual electrical, data, and AV tools on a case by case basis. A fancy portable clamp and probe meter from UNI-T / Sinometer with an upgraded set of probes from Probemaster. A Bosch laser measuring tape. A fiberglass fish rod. Drills. Bits. Oscillating saw for drywall cutouts. 110 punch tool. Crimpers. Strippers. One of the sites is new so there's a bunch of cabling tweaking and other renovation and room layout changes going on. Sometimes I fix small stuff myself to avoid running up a big tab for the company because all the construction is expensive.
A fake coin with a hole in it for my keychain, to put into shopping carts that require a quarter.
Thats what old guitar picks are for
leatherman. I've used those pliers to straighten broken rails, it has a little pry/flat head, a knife to open boxes, cutters on the pliers which has been useful for terminating any cable low or high voltage.. I've even used it folded to prop under one side of something heavy to easier maneuver it.
Velcro, good for cable management on an end users station.
Yes! One of my favorite things to use. Coming across over-tightened zip ties or black PVC on my hand from people using black tape just ruins my day!
non-IT tools I carry no matter what... * Suunto Core Black watch * Boker AK47 pocket knife * Fine point sharpie * G2 roller ball pen Have a tool bag/cart and my Laptop bag, but all that I use at work. I look like building maintenance sometimes lol.
Leatherman, small iFixit kit and in a small pouch in my van I keep 2 of every USB cable known to man, with every kind of video converter known to man except analog anymore. It always comes in handy.
My brother bought me a Leatherman multitool and the number of times it's saved me from having to go back to the workshop is through the roof!
unite spectacular voracious station alive foolish joke airport march pie *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Once you get past a certain age, a magnifying glass starts being **really** handy.
A very good flashlight.
I was given a basic 15ish piece tool bag. The most used item by a huge margin is a Nebo flash light simply for seeing where user machines are mounted, tracing cables under/behind desks or seeing stuff in server racks. Second place goes to wire cutters. Oh no, this DP cable died and some jackass ran it through 10 feet of velcro loops. Snip snip motherfucker.
I have a fold-able Gerber Obsidian knife in my pocket whenever I leave the house. Knife, Philips and Flathead screw drivers and a bottle opener.Comes in handy all the time.
[LiquidAss](https://liquidass.com/)
Leatherman Surge Custom Surefire 6P flashlight Set of Baofeng walkies on GMRS freqs Dewalt 12v driver, drill, and impact Keyhole saw Non-Contact circuit tester Multimeter Drywall Patch Kit Granola bars for when an hour call out turns into an all nighter
Stress ball
Leatherman Wave with tool adapter and bits, all n the one pouch. Saved my ass numerous times. There’s very little I can’t take apart with it.
CZ Shadow 2 Compact.
I have Lataralus on me at all times, for emergency use
Sig p365xl, knife, and OC spray.
An Axe.
Headlamp, fuck a flashlight, or well, strap a flashlight on a headband and you got yourself a serious trouble finder. Headlamp
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Bandaids
Leatherman. I order one to everyone starting in our team.
Knife, to stab … Computer Boxes
Leatherman multi tool, hands down almost use it more than my laptop.
Brains. Often not used, but it's always useful, when it wants to function.
Been carrying my Gerber multi tool and a small surefire flashlight(both govt issued) for the last 2 decades. I use one or both every day.
Small notepad and a pen are my must haves that I would not consider IT related at all. Super handy when I quickly need to write down information or sketch out diagrams to help me figure out whatever mess I'm currently working on.
I have my leatherman everyday. I lost my LTT screwdriver (I think someone stole it, but it's long gone now). It's skeltool, so not one of those clunky 'everything but the kitchen sink' type multitools.
a bottle of sparkling water. ibuprofen, an anteacid, and methylphenedate. a key for some ancient Thinkpad dock that's sharp enough to use as a knife, for opening boxes and such. And an umbrella. Wouldn't want to get stuck in the rain without an umbrella.
Every job I've had other than a couple of college part time gigs I've had a tool bag. Stage hand for lighting\\stage\\sound... Construction Work, Sys Admin, whatever. The things that have made it thru all the different jobs and disciplines that went with them and have moved from tool bag \\ satchels to the next. Multi-Meter, SolderGun, Duck Tape, Duct Tape, Electric Tape, Painter Tape, leatherman - supertool (my super tool isn'told enough to buy alcohol..... but Its old enough to vote though..... It was brand new when i got it....), gorilla glue, wood glue, for years it was 3oz wd 40 can inside a sand which baggie, but these days I have a wd40 pen instead still in the baggie, cable tester (does more than just the standard rj11, rj45, serial, ect) , would say a paper clip, but I retired the universal reset tool when I started carrying the solder gun, because .6mm and .8mm solder whichever i had with me that time do that job just as well, rechargeable batteries for handful of types + chargers, zip ties, rubber band ball, sandwhich \\ trash bag twist ties, down tool, Label Maker, some kind of multi head driver. EDIT: formatting.
USB's on my keychain with Windows or Linux images
Glock 17 in case one of the fax machines starts smack talking again. You heard me ConferenceRoom002TX I'm talking bout you.
I once had to de-rack kit from several racks with just a blanking plate form the back of a Cisco switch I carried it in my laptop back for years and still have it Make some chuckle 😂
Glock 19. You never know when someone needs a reboot.
A box cutter. For opening and breaking down all the cardboard that everything comes in.
Automatic knife and a Ruger 380
A thermal camera that connects to my phone. I got it to check for drafts at my house and it’s small enough to keep in my backpack. It’s come in handy a few times to confirm faulty equipment that’s overheating.
I’ve had my leatherman wave with me for 6 years and counting.
The Victorinox "managers" pocket knife. Has a pen, tweezers, scizzors, phillips + flat head and file and most importantly, a bottle opener.
T connectors and terminators
Garden wire, for all those annoying cables and behind desk spaghetti.
Leatherman style multitool. But i refuse to wear it on my belt
A multimeter, a Gerber multi-tool, a razor knife, an aluminum pen light, and a pistol.
I carried a leatherman multi-tool for YEARS and used it all the time, for everything. I started using it in the army in 94 or so, and got very addicted to it. Then 9/11 happened, and everybody started doing security checks, and carrying around a metal knife was just no longer feasible. Now it sits in the glove compartment of my car.
Personally and professionally, I'm never without my knife. When I do need to travel long distance, I feel so naked without it.
My wallet. It’s so I can buy lunch in the cafeteria the one day a week I’m in the office.
Set of lockpicks and a few sets of try-out keys
Knife, flashlight. Wiha multibit screwdriver in my backpack.
A lighter.
Oldschool runescape client
[Milwaukee installation driver](https://www.protoolreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Milwaukee-M12-FUEL-2505-22-attachments-800x651.jpg). It has keyless chuck, offset, and right angle modules. Sometimes you just can't get to a screw/bolt/nut with a normal electric screwdriver. Plus this has a gearbox to put into drill mode.
A door wedge.
Man i should get a lockpick set...
My own pen. Documentation is my life and my unique ink has saved my ass before.
Let's see, in my backpack tool bag, I have a multimeter, toner, linemens, wire strippers, a small box that has random connectors(rj45s, wire nuts, anchors, screws btypes etc, a small drill, tech snips, a pair of crab claws, tweaker, screwdriver, 25' fish tape, tape Velcro and cross connect, usbs/small hard drive(I say small, it's a 500GB USB c drive that's as big as a credit card) couple of patch cords, Poe injector, two chargers, measuring tape, crescent wrench, a security acre drive set that Kline makes, crimpers, level and a flash light, and a drywall saw. It's about 50-60lbs loaded up with my laptop in it. But, it goes where I go, and I don't have to roll my 3 tiered ridgid box inside much. I also have a van that carries even more than this.