You have to provide your own tools and diagnostic equipment?

Let me guess, you also have to use your own car as transport.

Anywho, I have used something like this to test network cabling continuity and pinout.

TRENDnet Cable Tester 10/100 COAX and TP ( TC-NT2 )
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-Cable-Tester-COAX-TC-NT2/dp/B0000AZK08/ref=sr_1_1

It's about 40 bucks.

RussM

I've never been an OP or a service tech, and I only service my own pins. So someone may chime in and say it's not necessary, but I absolutely LOVE my pocket oscilloscope for working on MPU issues.

It's a DS203, you can see more at:

I was using it before I was into pins. For me it doubles as a logic probe and a voltmeter a lot of times, but i also have a good DMM that I use.

I would also suggest a nice variety of quality test leads for your DMM. I imagine you will run into a myriad of pins, connectors, etc.. that you will need to test, and having the right test leads will make it so much easier/faster.

Again, i've never been responsible for servicing anything other than my own pins, so someone may tell you these are worthless suggestions.

Now that's cool ^^^^

There's something out there that let's you use an iPhone/iPad as a scope, too. Not sure how good it is. Someone on pinside had a topic about it a while back.

Yes, I love buying tools, only thing Ive ever rented was a 60ft JLG boom lift.

A few thoughts.

You are pretty well covered with your pin tools.

Two sets of large allen wrenches, at least 10 inches T handle is nice, metric and regular.

I would get a big honking soldering iron in case you run into heavy stuff.

And not knowing what you have in tools and wrenches - consider larger sockets and wrenches, both American and Metric. I have 1/4 drive, 3/8 drive, and 1/2, the 1/2 inch up to 1 3/4". And a breaker bar.

A real good cordless drill and good bits.
A set of roll pin punches. And a hunk of wood to pound stuff on. 2X4 with a V groove is nice.

A huge channel lock pliers, and a pipe wrench.
Very large screw drivers - phillips and flat head. And a set of mixed driver bits for the odd ball screw heads.

The larger items you may only need once, but when you do, you'll be glad you had them.

Best wishes on your new job.
LTG : )

Good stuff, LTG.

I just picked up a nice set of t-handles at home depot (husky, free lifetime replacement if they break) for $10. Metric & SAE.

Seems like good quality. I'll probably croak before I break one of them.

Get a Leatherman. It will be your tool of choice for 90+ percent of your problems.

wow gratz on the new job! its nice to have a job that you like to do!

A good worklight or flashlight. My mini Maglight AA flashlight with LED gets used constantly.

Especially if you are going to be running cable/messing with cat5. A leatherman type tool will save you a lot of trips up and down a ladder.

When I got my job working for a route op (see my profile story), We were "given" a $5k car loan which was enough to buy a stripped GM X car. Any options/accessories were on your dime, cash or a separate car loan. You could buy and vehicle you wanted but had to make up the difference. One guy bought a Corvette, one had a full size Chevy Blazer, one had a Bronco, there were a few X Cars. I bought a VW Scirocco S. The deal was if you quit prior to the three year loan being paid, you were handed the payment book. The company paid for your gasoline(work use only, personal gas was your own) and insurance. This was a huge deal for an 18-19 year old punk kid.

We also had to provide our own hand tools because they experienced tons of *missing tools* prior to my employment there. They did offer up to a $500.00 interest free loan (payment was $7.50/week deducted from your paycheck) for new employee tools (this was 1979-80) once you hit six months of employment so as soon as I hit my six months using a cobbled up Sears Craftsman steel tool box I bought the Xcelite technician kit for $350.00 or so. Within a year I sold them to a new employee and bought the Jensen field engineer kit for $500.00 I was the only tech with all four Bally AID kits. I had a factory source though!

Good luck with the career change. I suggest PC repair skills if they have Incredible Technologies, AMI Network games & music systems as well as most driving games. That is the huge difference between when I made a career out of being a route operator technician back then and today.