I've been out of the collection/restoration community for quite a few years but am just now picking it back up.
My question is, for working on the vids, what tools do you find ESSENTIAL in your toolkit that you find yourself using all the time or that you couldn't live without?
I've already got a GC Supertemp temperature controlled soldering station, a Fluke 87 DVM (with freq), one of the cheap Radio Shack desoldering tools (iron with the bulb for suction).
Basically, I have a little extra cash and am looking to beef up my tool collection...
While the desoldering tool with the bulb is good for cap kits and larger stuff... for removing IC's I just find it's a little too hot, it just run full out and get wayyyyyy too hot. The soldering iron you have, with a little flux and one of the cheapo ($9.99) RadioShack solder suckers (blue pen with a plunger) works so much better for me. It takes a little longer to get used to, but with the flux and that sucker, I can clean an IC 90% of the time in one shot without marring the PCB or worrying about lifting traces.
Also, they're packs of soldering tools (the plastic packing with the double ended yellow handled tools) comes in handy... I use the brush end for applying flux, and the pointed ends for scraping around solder joints to make sure there's no bridges. The flux is usually good enough to make sure that happens. But, for example, on Pac PCBs you have some bare traces running really close to some IC pins... I'm always paranoid with them. The chisel tip one is great for cutting traces if need be.
While you have the spare cash, I'd agree on a rejuvenator. I'd also add in a decent EPROM burner (NO WILLEMS!). I have an EMP-20, and while I can't do some PROMs, I can do pretty much any EPROM that I'll ever need to.
A good loop will help you out as well. I have a set that just clamps onto my glasses... gives a 5X glass, and a 2X glass IIRC... you can use either one solo or put them together and get 10X. Great for checking any traces you're thinking might be open somewhere. Harbor Freight has them for like $4 or so.
A cheap logic probe and a decent o-scope are also nice to have... even though I RARELY use my o-scope as intended, it's still nice to have and was only $40 or so on eBay. ... you can pass on the o-scope for now, I'm sure... but the logic probe is something I'd say is a must.
Regardless of anything else... I'll have to say if you get ANYTHING... a good flux pen or even the cheap flux paste that I use will save you sooooooooooooo many headaches. If you've never used it, and this goes for anyone reading... get it. Get it and love it.
And for freebies... get some flat rate boxes from the USPS for storing PCBs. They're free and they'll actually deliver them right to your door by the case.