Top 3 Simple Tools I Use During Every Build
Tools are amazing and unlock seemingly endless possibilities for Makers.
Over the years, I’ve tried out a number of different tools, tricks, and techniques for a wide range of projects. I love getting and trying out new tools, but I still have a few simple tools that I use on every project. Plus, these are the tools I use even when I’m not cutting wood or drilling any holes, but for project like my Star Wars Shop Cart refurbishment.
Here are the 3 Tools I can’t live without, no matter what project it is.
Tool 1: Blue Tape
Many people might think Blue Tape is only for taping off walls to paint, but it can be used for so much more.
In addition to masking walls, I’ve used blue tape to mask pieces for airbrushing, transferring marks, keeping cuts clean, and as clamps. The tape is tacky enough to stay in place and get marked up, but also comes off clean without leaving residue on the finished material. Because I use it so much, I keep a few rolls in different parts of my workshop for easy access and have also gotten some thin tape to use in more intricate designs.
While it may be humble, blue tape has saved several of my projects where other tools fall just short.
Tool 2: Pica Pencil / Marker
Every Maker will have a pencil and sharpie in their shop, but the Pica Pencil and Marker have helped me level up how I mark up pieces.
My favorite features of the Pica Pencil is that it is refillable with pencil graphite or different colors like white and blue and the cap has a built-in sharpener. The option to use another color allows me to use the pencil on dark woods like Walnut, light woods like Maple, or even grey projects like my Star Wars cabinet. Both the pencil and marker have thin, deep reach which helps get into hard-to-reach places for accurate marking.
Pica happens to be the specific kind I have, but I have also seen other brands with very similar features that might work just as well.
Tool 3: X-Acto Knife
Usually when you think about cutting things in a workshop, you think of a table saw or handsaw, but I’ve found myself using an X-Acto knife on projects I don’t use power tools on.
Personally, I have two sizes I keep on hand: the common number 1 and the bulkier heavy-duty number 2. I like that I can replace the blades easily and find I can cut more accurately than with a traditional box cutter. Besides opening boxes, I’ve used an x-acto knife to cut blue tape to size, cut designs into tape for airbrush masking, and removing the backing from vinyl decals and to accurately place the decals.
The X-Acto knife has been a staple since I used one when it was closer than my box cutter and feels better in my hand, plus no sharpening required!
Whatever tools you find yourself consistently using, the most important thing is to find the tools that work for you, make your projects better, and make you a better Maker.
It’s great to find new things and try them out. You never know, something new might replace a current staple after you pick it up. The tools above are specifically what I’ve been using on all my projects over the past year, but my focus is always on making better projects tomorrow than I did yesterday.
What unexpected tools do you find yourself using over and over again on projects that you recommend to everyone who will listen?
