Inside an iFixit Large Mystery Box

If you’re curious whether an iFixit mystery box can actually stock your bench, here’s a look at what came in a large box and how the pieces work together for real-world repairs.

What you’ll get: a precision bit set, opening tools, magnetic work surface, and small accessories to prep and organize electronics repairs.

Core driver and bits

The standout is the Manta Precision screwdriver set with a 4 mm driver and 1/4 inch drive plus a wide assortment of bits for small devices. It’s a single case solution when you don’t know what fasteners you’ll face across phones, tablets, toys, and consoles.

Practical tip: stage the exact bits you’ll need before opening a device so you’re not swapping mid-disassembly, which risks mixing screws.

Opening and separation tools

Two paths for getting into phones showed up: an Anti-Clamp device opener for controlled screen lift, and an eye opener kit that uses heat plus picks, a suction handle, and a spudger to work adhesive.

Comparison: Anti-Clamp prioritizes even, gentle separation; the eye opener kit leans on heat and thin implements for stubborn perimeter adhesive. If you’re new, start with the Anti-Clamp and finish edges with picks.

Organize every screw

A FixMat ESD magnetic project tray lets you park fasteners anywhere on the board and annotate with the included marker. This reduces reassembly mistakes versus a basic metal tray since each cluster can be labeled.

Warning: don’t rely on memory—label groups as you go, especially when lengths vary by location.

Small helpers that matter

Double-probe stainless picks handle o-rings, adhesive cleanup, and tight crevices. Adhesive remover and a scraper help soften and lift residue; contact cleaner can refresh electrical contacts after disassembly. Large inspection gloves keep fingerprints off sensitive parts. A pocket repair notebook helps track screw counts and steps per device.

Tip: apply adhesive remover sparingly along edges, wait, then scrape—less liquid means less cleanup and lower risk to internals.

Overlap to expect

The eye opener kit includes a precision bit driver, tweezers, opening picks, a spudger, and a sorting tray—useful if you lack them, but duplicative if you’ve already kitted similar tools. Keep duplicates in a mobile pouch so your main bench set stays complete.

Bottom line: this mix covers most small-device openings and keeps parts organized. If you’re starting from scratch, it’s a fast track to a capable bench; if you’re already equipped, cherry-pick what upgrades your process and stage duplicates for on-the-go repairs.