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Last time we checked in with diagnostician Mario Rojas, he gave us a closer look at his Harbor Freight diagnostic tool cart. It’s been two years since then, and Rojas has not only updated his diagnostic cart but his whole tool storage setup.
Bigger and better
Rojas’ diagnostic cart is his go-to for everyday work around the shop. It not only carries his most used tools and equipment but also allows him to multitask by checking emails, looking up service information, examining wiring diagrams, etc. When his previous 43” TV broke, Rojas took that as an opportunity to upgrade to a 55” TV. Additionally, he added three AGM batteries along with an inverter, and a TOPDON maintainer/charger to keep the cart mobile for at least 12 hours.
Build-a-hutch
Moving on to Rojas’ 76” Cornwell toolbox, this is where he keeps many of his hand tools, office supplies like paper and pens, and other lesser-used tools. Recently, he’s added two big cabinets to each end of the toolbox giving him about another 6’ of storage to his setup. Along with the cabinets, Rojas placed two 12” wide by 12’ long wooden planks across the cabinets to create an “open hutch”.
“All of the Cornwell hutch options were too short for me,” Rojas explains. “I'm 6' tall and would've hit my head constantly.”
This DIY hutch option also enabled Rojas to install whatever he liked on the underside of the planks. Currently, he has a bench light mounted along with a magnetically mounted fan that he can move as needed. The diagnostician also notes the money he saved by going this route.
“Instead of shelling out $10,000 for a whole setup I went with this,” Rojas says. “It's two regular office cabinets and then the long pieces of wood.”
The additions give Rojas plenty of space for all his tools and equipment, and while he does store some things up on top of the wooden planks, most are safely stowed inside the cabinets or toolbox. Considering all of Rojas’ scan tools, programmers, laptops, and other expensive equipment, the diagnostician is happy to have the space to keep his investments safe.
The new favorite
One of the newest additions to Rojas’ workspace — not to mention his favorite — is his reworking station. He uses the rework station for module repair, EEPROM work, module cloning, and BDM programming. The workstation has a hot air system, power supply system, HEPA filtering system (to counteract the fumes), and a microscope with a camera mounted on it.
“I host a free quarterly training event,” Rojas says. “Everyone and anyone is welcome to give soldering and reworking a shot and everyone watching can learn from it.”
He also records these events and shares the repairs on his YouTube channel, Super Mario Diagnostics.
Though the rework station is Rojas’ favorite part of his setup, overall what he really enjoys is how his setup conveys how he’s grown.
“It shows that I’m not becoming stagnant, and that’s the way everyone should be,” Rojas notes. “Everyone should be trying to improve in this industry.”
