iFixit Toolkit Review

I was watching a Linus Tech Tips video recently and he happened to use an iFixit toolkit while assembling a pc which was interesting as i’ve been looking for a good quality set of tools for opening and repairing my various technology. Before this I had been looking for a set of tools for a few weeks non-actively since I had moved out of home and only had a few philips head screwdrivers, iFixit looked to be my holy grail of toolkits so I bought one and this is the review.

Firstly here’s a list of what’s included in the kit, as stated on the iFixit website:

Kit Contents

• 4 mm Aluminum Driver – featuring a magnetic socket, rubber grips, and a ball-bearing swivel top
• Flexible Shaft Extension – snake into hard to reach places
• 60 mm Shaft Extension – doubles as a T-handle for extra torque
• 1/4″ Adapter – use this kit’s 4 mm bits in standard 1/4″ drivers
• 54 bits in the following sizes:
  • Pentalobe sizes 2, 5, 6 (iPhone, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro)
  • Flathead sizes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4 mm
  • Phillips sizes #000, #00, #0, #1, #2
  • JIS sizes 000, 00, 0, 1
  • Torx sizes T3, T4, T5, T6
  • Torx Security TR7, TR8, TR9, TR10, TR15, TR20 (compatible with non-security)
  • Hex sizes 0.7, 0.9, 1.3, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6 mm
  • Square sizes #0, #1, #2
  • Triangle size 3 mm
  • Tri-wing sizes #0, #1
  • Nut Driver sizes 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5 mm

If you’re like me and like the look and feel of compact tool kits, you’ve hit the jackpot here, not only is this kit functional and well-built but it’s also aesthetically pleasing with it’s blue and silver color scheme. Even the iFixit website is extremely pleasing to the eye and designed well this is obviously a sign that these guys take pride in their work and are devoted to bringing you the highest quality products at a fair price.

This kit contains pretty much every bit you’d ever need when opening today’s technology, from Pentalobe to Hex, Tri-wing, Torx and the typical Flathead and Philips drivers you expect to see in any kit, there’s ‘almost’ nothing they’ve left out. Since being a child I was always interested in opening various bits of technology and seeing how they work, but the problem back then was my Dad only had a limited number of screwdrivers and were basically all Phillips head or flat. This changes everything and now I can open hard drives, water coolers, unscrew the pentalobe screws on my lamp and even those maccas toys with the triangle screws. There’s basically no technology this kit can’t open.

The only screws I couldn’t open with the set was my Nintendo 64 console screws which have a very strange proprietary screw type. I would like to see a larger kit in the future especially for gaming systems and peripheral screws as this is where you will generally see the strange screw types where the developer doesn’t want you peeking around inside.

My greatest love of this toolkit is that almost every piece in this kit is magnetised and easily snap locks into place with the screwdriver’s business end. If you require more power to turn those stubborn screws then you can use the included shaft extension, which is also useful for increasing the distance of the screwdriver if you need to reach further. Another interesting component is the flexible shaft extension which lets you unscrew things around corners! Although it’s a bit tricky to get the head into the screw with this it’s still a useful addition to the kit again shows the dedication iFixit have for their customers.

Here’s the link to the 54-Bit toolkit if you’re interested in buying a set for yourself:
https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/54-Bit-Driver-Kit/IF145-022

I wish I bought my kit straight from the iFixit website rather than eBay because I found that after buying it the price is so much cheaper, even factoring in the price difference between USD and AUD and the shipping costs. Not to mention I would have bundled it with other items to save even more on the shipping and got some of the other neat items they sell such as tech opening kits, rulers, guides and crimpers as well as supporting iFixit directly.

Keep the products coming guys, so I can review more of them!

Conclusion

Legend

0% – 25% = Terrible Item, The item will break shortly after purchase and will leave you with a paperweight only left for discarding.
26% – 50% = Meh Item, A very poor item that you would use and forget about after a few months of use, or may break quickly and degrade over that time.
51% – 75% = Good Item, This item would satisfy your needs for a long time but isn’t the best quality around and may need replacing or become outdated after a year or so.
76% – 90% = Fantastic Item, An item that you need but may either cost lots or wear out over time and may eventually need replacing after 2 or so years.
91% – 100% = Amazing Item, An extremely durable item that will suit all your needs for the device and more, as well as lasting many many years.