Self Repair, Little By Little – Geek Review

Are you still throwing away expensive gadgets that just need a simple fix? With the right tools, like the ones in the iFixit Manta Driver Kit, you can save money, learn how to use electronics inside and out, and get the most out of the devices you paid for.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive kit to spruce up your tech inventory, or even start a repair hustle, I’d go for iFixit’s Pro Tech Toolkit. The Manta Driver Kit is a specialized set of bits that perfectly complements the repair tools you already have on hand.

What’s the deal with the right to redress?

If you are not familiar with right to repair laws, the best time to know about them was yesterday, but the second best time is now.

Why should manufacturers be allowed to withhold vital parts, tools and information to repair the devices you paid for? Take Apple’s Error 53 wackiness, for example. Several iPhone 6 and 6s users took their portable devices to third-party repair shops to repair the home button, a small but essential component. Sounds reasonable, right? Something that doesn’t affect the phone’s ability to function breaks, so you take it in for repair instead of buying a whole new iPhone.

However, Apple did not see it that way. After trying to update the smartphone, 6 and 6s owners quickly became upset when they saw an impassable “Error 53” code. This was Apple’s way of stating: “You may have paid for the phone, but we have the right to dictate when, where, and how it’s fixed.”

Right to redress laws fight this notion tooth and nail. They say that everyone should be able to maintain the devices they own (or easily seek help from a third party), and that tech giants should offer the necessary parts and tools for repair.

This is not only better for you, but it is also better for the planet. The US alone dumped 6,918 lots of e-waste in 2019. How much of that was the result of planned obsolescence, and how many of those devices only needed a 30-minute fix to be like new?

Toolkits like the Manta Driver Kit are crucial in maintaining your devices and preventing the creation of waste in landfills and oceans.

In the Kit: Bits and Drivers

This set of tools is a bit different from the others in the iFixit inventory. Rather than a variety of tools for a variety of situations, the Manta Screwdriver Kit focuses on premium anodized aluminum drivers and over 100 steel bits.

That’s why I think if you’re looking for a comprehensive and cost-effective toolkit, you should go for the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit. But, if you already have a set of tools and your goal is to expand coverage to (almost) every screw in the set, the Manta Driver Kit won’t disappoint.

Whether you need Philips or flathead, pentalobe or tripoint, this kit has you covered. Made from S2 (4mm bits) and 6150 (1/4in. bits) steel, the bits feel solid and won’t bend under most circumstances. You would really have to put your back into it to warp them.

I will say the only complaint I have with these bits is that some of them are downright nasty to get off the foam board (usually the bits for the 6.25-inch driver). You can twist, pull, or punch them, and they’ll stare at you from the foam plate like “better luck next time!” I ended up using a nitrile glove to get a little more grip on those slippery few, and it worked.

Note: See the iFixit store page for a full list of included screwdriver bits.

Foam also has some advantages. I like that each bit has a mini diagram under the labels and shows what tip you’re looking for.

As a welcome addition, the tips are also magnetic and insert right into the end of the aluminum drivers. A good screwdriver can’t be overlooked, and it certainly won’t be if you’ve had the misfortune of using inferior tools in the past.

Both the 5.5-inch and 6.25-inch drivers feature a blue swivel end cap that makes turning in and out as easy as possible. Most bits (except for a select few) are also magnetic, so you can keep track of the screws you’re working with.

If your tech has screws, the Manta Driver Kit has the bits. The only locker here is whether you have the parts you need for the repair; For example, if you’re replacing the camera on your iPhone 13, you’ll need to check out the Apple Self-Service Repair Store for the necessary screws, camera, adhesive, and cover.

And, if you’re like me and don’t have a compendium of repair knowledge in your head to access when things go wrong, then what?

iFixit repair guides

iFixit doesn’t want you to do it alone. That’s why the team put together hundreds of repair guides for just about every home electronic device you might need to fix.

Whether you’ve dropped your Steam Deck and ruined your screen or can’t seem to figure out how to tighten the steering wheel on your ’88 Ford Bronco, there’s an iFixit guide ready and waiting for you.

For a complete list of available guides and parts, head over to the iFixit Repair Guides section.

Should I buy the iFixit Manta Driver Toolkit?

I think the iFixit Manta Driver Kit is a great set of tools if you’re looking to supplement the tools you already have, or if your main repair needs come in the form of assorted screws. iFixit’s level of craftsmanship is sure to impress, and the selection of bits covers just about everything you could possibly need.

For a more comprehensive repair kit, go with iFixit’s Pro Tech Toolkit, Essential Electronics Toolkit, or a specialized set like iPad Repair Kits.

But, for two premium anodized aluminum drivers and over 100 bits, the Manta Driver Kit offers quality tools to breathe new life into your tech.