What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

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  • TechCrow
    Junior Member
    • Aug 2023
    • 2
    #1

    What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

    Hi everyone! New to the copier repair scene. I come from a computer hardware/computer networking background with some sysadmin experience, for reference.

    To all the vets out there, what are some things you wish you knew when you started working on copiers? Additionally, if you had to recommend one tool for a newbie's toolkit, what would it be?

    My company issued tools cover all the basics but there are always some small tidbits for every industry that are very useful but my not be obvious. I have already invested in a nice rechargeable flashlight and an electric bit driver. My boss has recommended a piece of foam to kneel on, which also seems wise because I have bad knees.

    Excited to learn more in this field and work with the community. Cheers.
    Tags: boss, recommend, started
    • tsbservice
      Field tech

      Site Contributor
      5,000+ Posts
      • May 2007
      • 7911
      #2
      Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

      Welcome to the forum!

      You have some good points but this is forum to introduce yourself mostly for new members to say hello. You can try and start a new thread here:
      https://www.copytechnet.com/forums/business-talk/ or here:
      Copytechnet.com
      https://www.copytechnet.com/forums/rants-raves-and-everything-else/
      A tree is known by its fruit, a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost, he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
      Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.

        Comment

        • blackcat4866
          Master Of The Obvious

          Site Contributor
          10,000+ Posts
          • Jul 2007
          • 22930
          #3
          Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

          I think that's a completely original topic.

          What do I wish that I had known? How about this?:
          I wish I had known that there are a large number of factors in machine maintenance that are completely out of my control. Just a short list: Paper Quality, Toner Quality/Availability, Customer Behaviors, Network inconsistencies, Temperature, Humidity, Parts availability, Machine Capabilities (quality/media handling) ... those are just some of the broad topics. Even when you can know exactly what is causing the issue, it is often unlikely that you can get the required changes enacted. If it was always just busted machines life would be easy.

          Your toolkit is something completely unique to you. I've known techs that walked around with a #2 Phillips in their pocket ... that was it. I'm closer to the other end of the spectrum: I carried a hard case with #37 of tools + vacuum + laptop. I bought the thicker case to include the laptop, but the full case was too heavy to cart around. #37 is manageable. My recommendation is that you build your kit one piece at a time as you see the need. If I had to pick one thing, I'd choose the UV flashlight for doing color calibrations/alignments. Yellow alignment markings are nearly invisible, until you hit them with some UV light. Indispensable.
          =^..^=
          Last edited by blackcat4866; 09-21-2023, 10:49 PM.
          If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
          1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
          2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
          3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
          4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
          5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

          blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

            Comment

            • slimslob
              Retired

              Site Contributor
              25,000+ Posts
              • May 2013
              • 36831
              #4
              Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

              Glad to have you join us.

              The 2 hand tools you will most likely use the most are a #2 Phillips screw driver with at least as 9 inch blade and a 5.5mm nut driver, magnetized. That will cover most fasteners that you will have to remove.

                Comment

                • Phil B.
                  Field Supervisor

                  10,000+ Posts
                  • Jul 2016
                  • 22798
                  #5
                  Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

                  Welcome.
                  +1 to slim's recommended items.
                  If working on Xerox, a good set of torx drivers

                  Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

                    Comment

                    • blackcat4866
                      Master Of The Obvious

                      Site Contributor
                      10,000+ Posts
                      • Jul 2007
                      • 22930
                      #6
                      Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

                      Originally posted by Phil B.
                      Welcome.
                      +1 to slim's recommended items.
                      If working on Xerox, a good set of torx drivers

                      Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk
                      Same for HP.
                      If you'd like a serious answer to your request:
                      1) demonstrate that you've read the manual
                      2) demonstrate that you made some attempt to fix it.
                      3) if you're going to ask about jams include the jam code.
                      4) if you're going to ask about an error code include the error code.
                      5) You are the person onsite. Only you can make observations.

                      blackcat: Master Of The Obvious =^..^=

                        Comment

                        • rspicer
                          Technician

                          Site Contributor
                          50+ Posts
                          • Oct 2015
                          • 97
                          #7
                          Re: What do you wish you knew when you started? What one tool would you recommend?

                          To add to the tool list. I think my most used tools, other than a #2 Phillips screwdriver (magnetized), would be a small flat blade (tweaker) screwdriver and a pair of duckbill pliers.

                            Comment

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