I don't know about you, but I never seem to own enough tools.  I carry several tool boxes in my car for work, with everything from jeweler's screwdrivers to power tools.  I've equipped my shop with its own set of tools sufficient for most work.  It is worth spending more money to buy high quality tools - they will last much longer and do a better job.

Here are the tools that I consider essential:

• Screwdrivers - 3/16" and 1/4" straight-blade, as well as #1 and #2 Phillips.

• Nutdrivers - 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 7/16" and 1/2" should handle anything you are likely to encounter.

• Pliers - slip-joint, longnose and needlenose.

• Wire strippers (adjustable).

• Hex key set (Allan wrenches).

• Small hammer.

• Assorted files.

• Dusting brush - either a small paintbrush, a large artist's brush or (my choice) a stencil brush.

If you want to buy new hand tools for the shop, consider some of the smaller tool sets sold at Sears and at hardware stores, especially when they are on sale.  The core of my shop hand tools is an Xcelite No. 99 Service Master tool roll containing two handles with screwdriver and nutdriver bits, as well as a reamer bit, diagonal cutters, longnose pliers and a small adjustable wrench.  Don't plan to buy a large tool set - start with a small one that has only the basic tools that you need and then add individual pieces.

Also essential are:

• Soldering iron - this should be a pencil iron, and you may want a few different wattage heaters and a few sizes of tips.  I use an Ungar #7400 handle with matching 35 watt heater and a small chisel tip.  This series of iron is now discontinued but I have spare heaters, plenty of tips and a spare handle.

• Soldering iron stand - this should also hold a tip-cleaning sponge.  My stand is mounted on a cabinet that contains a voltage control to vary the temperature of the tip.

• Pump desoldering tool and desoldering braid.

• Alignment tools.

• Small C clamps (great for holding a chassis on the bench with the transformer end up).

Here are some of the other tools in my shop:

• Soldering gun or extremely large soldering iron - for connections that are soldered directly to the chassis.

• Dental picks.

• Hemostats and surgical tweezers - for holding and clamping small parts.

• Screw starters - straight blade and Phillips.

• Nut starter.

• Split-blade screwdriver for gripping screws.

• Tuning wand (made from a rigid plastic tube with a ferrite core and a piece of brass rod glued into the ends).

• Inspection mirror and mini flashlight.

• Magnetic pickup (to retrieve dropped screws and nuts from inside a chassis, and you will drop them!).

• Miniature hacksaw.

• Tape measures and rulers.

• Bench vise.

• Electric drill (variable speed) and bits.

• Dremel Moto-Tool - variable-speed, with a large assotment of bits, grinders, sanders, polishers and other accessories.