[CB_HK]

Repair Tools of the Trade
Tools you use to repair your SGIs

Hello everyone! I wanted to start a thread that discusses the various tools we've found to help make our lives easier when it comes to maintaining and repairing SGIs. The intent of this thread is to help members discover new tools, techniques, and methods that they can use to perhaps make the job of keeping these machines running just a little bit easier.

Please feel free to add photos, comments, or other info that you think would be helpful!

To get started, here are two of my most used tools: a PGA chip puller and a Toshiba Libretto.

The PGA chip puller is an absolute lifesaver when it comes to having to pull and reseat chips. I've found that boards can be revived quite often by pulling the chips, applying DeOxit, and then reinstalling them. This is 100% similar to pulling EPROMs or other ICs and reseating them (common amongst other vintage computer hobbyist groups).

Note: If you're looking to acquire a PGA puller, shop around! I managed to find mine on eBay for less than $100. A Google search afterward yielded a lot of sellers asking $200 or more for them. They can definitely be found for a reasonable amount and while a little pricey, if you have machines loaded with these chips, they are an amazing time saver.

The Libretto is my compact, portable terminal that I can easily move around the house and plug in just about anywhere to talk to my machines. If you're new to the SGI hobby, it is a must to get a terminal of some kind. There are many, many ways to setup a terminal on various different computers. I just happen to use this one the most often due to it's convenience. I have Windows 95 installed, but use ProComm through DOS to setup my connections.

[robespierre]

Nice find on the PGA-X: I don't think they are making them anymore.
They sometimes sell for fairly cheap when they turn up.

My favorite "little-known tool" is the Edsyn WP-286. It can be used for its intended purpose as a desoldering aid, but its real strength is in straightening bent IC pins. The hollow point fits perfectly over the pin and can align it very precisely. Still in production, and not very expensive at around $7.