Tools to work on Thinkpad

[keithsketchley]

In my thread on display inverter interchange http://forums.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=88933 I described the need for a #000 Phillips to work on the display of the x41. I found a source: www.wihatools.com, or with less selection and poor organization at www.wihatools.ca for those north of one of the big artificial lines dividing North America.

Wiha’s P000 selection includes screwdrivers, short bits, and long reversible bits with various handles including electro-static discharge protective ones plus cases to hold them. They also have a nice set product 26985 of small sizes with Phillips down to P000, Torx down to T1, and several straight blade tips.

Wiha have distributors, but whether they have what you want is stock is a big question (Active Electronics in Vancouver BC do not), but Wiha also sells by mail order. (Who needs to wait 4 to 14 days for distributors without stock to produce when the tools can be on your doorstep within a few days?)

http://www.dinodirect.com/ may be another mail order source, perhaps better for outside North America though Wiha should be strong in Europe, but I did not investigate much, their DIY 38 set has P00 and many other bits.

While I had found a good #00 of the Vessel brand, I don’t see #000 in Vessel’s catalogue (they do say they have bits but not screwdrivers).

Note that the small bits are often 4mm shank, which is smaller than the common screwdriver sets, but Wiha has handles for them and even an adapter up to a ¼” shank driver.

IBM lists drivers 27L8126 and 05K4695 in the HMM are, but I could not find them on the Internet.

[jdrou]

Cheap screwdriver kit with small bits (Torx T2, Ph. 000, various special bits): http://www.meritline.com/k-brand-k-lx-3 ... 43062.aspx
Made by "XINAN LIANXING HARDWARE & PLASTIC FACTORY".
Uses 4mm (5/32") drive.

I picked up a few of these to keep in various locations. Not sure yet how they'll stand up long-term.

[sjthinkpader]

Some versions such as US made T4x uses #0 head case screws. Most X, T, R, A series use #1 head case screws. Screws on the LCD are mostly #0. Too loose fitting such as using #0 or #00 blade on case screws actually strips them easier. The blade should fit in the head snug. Handle and shaft should be relatively short for good handling.

Wiha is a very good driver. Except on power drivers, I don't like to use interchangeable tips. Most Home Depot variety are made of net-shaped powder metal and will not stand up to use. I use a Japanese made broached hard steel tip on my power driver.

[ZaZ]

I just picked up a small five piece screwdriver set at the local hardware store a number of years ago. They've always worked for me.

[sjthinkpader]

Here are the #1 and #0s out of my desk drawer.

The left 3 are #0s and the right 5 are #1s. The right most is a #1 made with very thin shaft. Bought for working on the A series where the case bottom holes are too deep and too small for regular driver tips. It is a great tip that kept its sharp edges thru quite a few years.

My smallest tip is a #00 and largest driver is a #4.

[Unknown_K]

http://www.harborfreight.com/33-piece-p ... 93916.html <== all the tips you need


http://cgi.ebay.com/2pcs-Repair-Opening ... 0625711298 <== to get apart the plastics without marking them up.

[Harryc]

I bought a Wiha set on EBay awhile back that works well. I also use one of those telescoping magnets that you can get in the Autoparts stores. I can't tell you how handy that is...from removing screws from holes to magnetizing screwdriver tips in a pinch. I also use pointed tweezers for many things. They are great for removing screw covers for example. I use a clear compartment box to separate screws on disassembles. If I want to fish a bunch of screws out of a compartment I just use the telescoping magnet . If you work on several machines simultaneously, get several compartment boxes ( I have two of them) and label them for storage while the machines are apart.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Wiha-7-Piece-Precis ... ccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/Telescoping-Magnet- ... ltDomain_0
http://cgi.ebay.com/Slim-Pointy-Straigh ... ltDomain_0
http://cgi.ebay.com/Plastic-Compartment ... tDomain_15

[sjthinkpader]

I only work on a few machine types so I don't bother to separate the screws. Early on, I did put the long middle screw on A series thru the palmrest once. I do use the compartment boxes for my screw stock.

...
http://cgi.ebay.com/2pcs-Repair-Opening ... 0625711298 <== to get apart the plastics without marking them up.

One of these came with a camera LCD that I ordered.

[keithsketchley]

<Most X, T, R, A series use #1 head case screws. Screws on the LCD are mostly #0.>

Reality is that screws on the LCD bezel of the standard x41 are much smaller than #0.

[sjthinkpader]

They may look smaller, LCD assembly screws are no smaller than #0. #00 bits would slip and cause damage to the screw heads.

[keithsketchley]

<They may look smaller, LCD assembly screws are no smaller than #0. #00 bits would slip and cause damage to the screw heads.>

Wrong, larger screwdrivers would slip and damage the screws on my x41.

Are you looking at one with a different LCD, perhaps? (There being at least two models used in the basic x41, then of course there is the different Tablet version.)

[mediasponge]

I use a set like this one from Harbor Freight. The #0 Phillips does everything on my A31p and X41, except the LCD screws, for which I use a #00 Phillips from an iPod tool set. The iPod/iPhone tool sets are all over the place on Fleabay, just search. The plastic pry tools do get chewed up, but they're cheap. After fixing a few iPods, I have a bag full. Guitar picks are also useful, but they're not as sharp and don't provide as much leverage.

[Harryc]

Occasionally I work on Apple or other manufacturers products, and this is the best all in one tool set I've found. The quality is A#1.
http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/54-Piece-Bi ... /IF145-022

Also, if you work on a lot of Thinkpads, I recommend one of these for sticker, screw cover, and clear plate work -
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-XACTO-Art-Hobby ... 2c5824fb3a

[sjthinkpader]

<They may look smaller, LCD assembly screws are no smaller than #0. #00 bits would slip and cause damage to the screw heads.>

Wrong, larger screwdrivers would slip and damage the screws on my x41.

Are you looking at one with a different LCD, perhaps? (There being at least two models used in the basic x41, then of course there is the different Tablet version.)

I won't dispute your claims but X series and X40/X41 in particular is my specialty.

[keithsketchley]

Note that the screws have a very shallow head, thus the Phillips depression in it must be shallow, thus it is more critical that the screwdriver size be matched closely to the head.

Note too that the “Phillips” world is not standardized – some screwdrivers have too fine a point for some screw heads, other screwdriver points are truncated so go into the head enough to engage the flutes properly. I apply a file to the ones that are too pointy. Otherwise careful use of one size larger may work. (One reason for the problem may be that fasteners are often made by a “cold-heading” process, in which a sharp-ended depression is more difficult to make. Or perhaps there are two different specs out there. Cheap screws and drivers may also be a factor. The IBM screws do not have a sharp-ended depression.)

The IBM screws have a relatively large diameter head, which reduces the need for washers or metal pads. But it is thickness that determines depth of the depression.

BTW, screwdriver designation varies somewhat. In the few small ones I have there is both PH000 and P.000 formats, suffixed by x40 or -40 formats for shaft length in mm. However there is little doubt what the parameters are between those two (size 000 and shaft length 40mm in those examples). Cheaper ones may be labelled with a number like #1 instead of PH1, if they are labelled at all (I doubt you’ll get really cheap ones under size 1 as demand is lower and they are probably harder to make well enough).

[ThinkDan]

Note too that the “Phillips” world is not standardized – some screwdrivers have too fine a point for some screw heads, other screwdriver points are truncated so go into the head enough to engage the flutes properly. I apply a file to the ones that are too pointy.

Phillips or Pozidrive... PHxxx and PZxxx markings respectively (if quality tools). One is shallower as you describe, although I can't remember which - I simply have a set of all sizes in both types to hand and select the best fit.

If we're talking small screws and small parts, take care to seat screws correctly before tightening. 'Unscrew' the free screw one turn or so whilst applying light pressure until you feel the screw fall (click) into the thread, then tighten. Saves cross-threading or cutting duplicate threads in soft materials.

[kge420]

'Unscrew' the free screw one turn or so whilst applying light pressure until you feel the screw fall (click) into the thread, then tighten.

Sound advice ThinkDan

[bubbachen]

Occasionally I work on Apple or other manufacturers products, and this is the best all in one tool set I've found. The quality is A#1.
http://www.ifixit.com/Tools/54-Piece-Bi ... /IF145-022

Also, if you work on a lot of Thinkpads, I recommend one of these for sticker, screw cover, and clear plate work -
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-XACTO-Art-Hobby ... 2c5824fb3a

Was looking for a good set to start with, and bought the 54 pieces kit on your recommendation. Used coupon 21010fixit for 5 bucks off. Thanks!

[keithsketchley]

Thanks ThinkDan.
Illustrates the Tower of Babel of the cross-recess subject, there are warps of both Phillips and Pozi.

[keithsketchley]

Thanks Harryc for the lead to iFixit’s set, which includes the magic P000, small hex, Torx down to T3 which PDA owners may find useful, and two sizes of Triwing that Nintendo nuts may want – a good price except for shipping.

Closer to home, people might check:
- eyeglass repair kits, which sometimes have a very small Phillips that might work on those x41 display screws that need P000. A Radio Shack kit I have is useable for the display screws that are reality on both x41s I own, its diameter is a better match than the Wiha P000 but the latter is blunter so gets good engagement. (Yeah, I’m slow – could have avoided buying from Wiha whose shipping is expensive.)
- the “Teeny Turner” screwdriver from Picquic, http://www.picquic.com/catalogs.htm, which has a P00 bit (the Canadian version has R0 – smallest square (Robertson) I’ve heard of, the US version has T5 & up instead of square bits). Available from Amazon and many hardware retailers, probably about the same price for the whole thing as one special P00 screwdriver would cost.

For those on the west side of the Pacific Ocean, I checked with Vessel who advise they don’t make P000 (their P00 is nicely made).

[keithsketchley]

Best to use a magnetic screwdriver, neither the Vessel or Wiha screwdrivers I have are, the Wiha bit handles probably are magnetic to hold the tip in thus should be magnetic to screws.

[Harryc]

I keep a strong magnet handy and brush my favorite screwdrivers/bits against it once in awhile. Instant magnetic screwdriver ...

[ParatoOptimal]

I can't find the post. Didn't someone say they got a Huffy screwdriver from Lowes or Home Depot?
I forget if it was one driver or if additional bits stored in the handle.

[keithsketchley]

A friend says he bought a set of small screwdrivers from the Home Depot in Bellingham WA.

One possible source is a serious hobby shop, selling to people who scratch-build models and tinker with accessories used in them (such as serious R/C airplanes). In the unlikely event you are in Victoria BC, the "BC Shaver and Hobbies" store on Fort St. is such a store.

[http302]

http://www.amazon.com/System4-ESD-Slott ... 29&sr=8-19

There has yet to be a single laptop that has not fallen to this kit.

[keithsketchley]

Good find, http302.

That set is from WIHA company, who have many tools including individual short bits and driver handles.

That set contains P000, so is good for laptops like x41.

It does not go small on Torx, this one does http://www.carbideprocessors.com/system ... iha-26987/. (T4 or T5 are needed to work on Palm PDAs (size varies with model), some other consumer devices are using Torx to slow users from opening them.)

Do not buy the RadioShuck bit set in yellow plastic box, handle is quite poor quality. (Doesn't go especially small in any case.)

[http302]

Actually, if you want all the small drivers too (which in my experience are not necessary unless you are doing watchmaking/fixing), check this bad boy out.

http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-92190-Master ... B000T9XZFO

[keithsketchley]

Dunno why theorists kept claiming something without having their hands on what I have.
The world is bigger and more varied than theorists like to think.

As for screw length, a Dell manual gives the length of each screw by location, and basic size info.

The pry kit is good, I have some of the long plastic tools, guitar pick is clever, note even a suction cup.