Tools you need as a maker
- Jan 14, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 28, 2025
So you wanna be a maker? Well, you are! But probably not where you want to be right? Afterall, you need all these fancy gadgets and gizmos to get started, not really, but we should start from the beginning.
Do I really need it? No, seriously, like instead of me telling you to buy all these tools, go to your parents garage, high school workshop or local makerspace and just start banging away! Then come back in a couple weeks. I'll wait.
You're back? Dang, that was fast. Okay, don't say I didn't warn you. It's really tempting to see someone like the Hacksmith and be like "If I only had their gear, I’d make magic too." But you really don't need all the fancy gadgets to get started.
Not to say having the latest tech is bad, but you can make some pretty amazing things with some basic stuff.
It's not all about the tools
You might have heard this phrase before, "A poor craftsman blames their tools." This doesn't mean poor in the financial sense but one of poor skills and mindset. A rich but amateur person with fancy machinery will fail to outperform a real craftsman with normal tools because tools do not make the craftsman. Tools still require skill and mastery to use (reference Ai in learning).
In order to utilize these skills creativity built on a curiosity to learn new things. (reference edx or learning sites)
Oooooo Shiny
It's important to remember that as a beginner to not be tempted in every tool you'll find.
Every maker is different simply because what people want to make is different.
A woodworker for example has no desire in welding things if all they care about is making wood tables. Therefore there is no reason to shill out several thousands on a welder you never end up using. It's tempting because it looks cool and in theory should allow you make more things but again every maker is different. Maybe you are a programmer and you don't need any of this stuff (lucky you!)
What should I do then?
I recommend getting a basic set of tools, tools multifunctional for making things and house maintenance. From there, figure out where you want to specialize and slowly accumulate the things you need as you need them for each project.
I think everyone should, at the very least, own or have access to the tools on this list.
That said, here’s a basic rundown of tools you can get—and no, you probably won’t need all of them right away.
Measurement Tools
This might not be the flashiest category, but measurement tools are arguably the most important. Think about it:
Need to figure out the space to snugly fit a 3D print? Measure.
Wondering how much room your monitor will take up? Measure.
Trying to figure out how wide to cut a board? Yep, measure.
To get started, a simple steel or plastic ruler will handle most small projects. They’re super versatile too: you can use them as a straight edge to trace lines, check if a surface is flat, or even scrape stuff off if needed.
For larger materials like wood beams or furniture, a measuring tape is a must. It’s your go-to tool for tackling big projects.
Nice to have: Calipers
While rulers are great for basic measurements, calipers take it to the next level. They’re perfect for more precise or awkward shapes—like the inside of a cup or the diameter of a tube. They’re not essential when you’re starting out, but they’re definitely worth having around for more complex work.
Clamps
When making anything, you’ll need a way to hold things together—whether it’s securing a glued piece or setting up a makeshift work holding. Clamps will absolutely come in handy (ha, get it, because hands? Never mind).
Any cheap clamps will do, but Irwin clamps are particularly useful. Their quick-release feature makes them easy to use, and the rubber soles provide better grip on your workpiece.
Hand Drills
A drill is the one power tool I’d call a necessity. Whether you’re drilling holes or driving screws, there’s really no replacement for it.
I recommend starting with a Milwaukee impact driver and a set of screw and drill bits. At some point, you’ll want both a drill and an impact driver, but starting with just one keeps it affordable while still getting the job done.
Screwdrivers
A screwdriver is pretty self-explanatory—it screws in screws (shocker, right?). But here’s the deal: while hand drills are great, sometimes you need something lighter and more precise. Screwdrivers are perfect for delicate work where a drill might be overkill. They’re also super compact and great for tight spaces.
To start, I recommend a screwdriver with multiple interchangeable bits. It’s a flexible, affordable option for beginners. As you get more experience, you can start adding specialty screwdrivers to your collection.
Hacksaws
Hacksaws are great because you can pretty much cut anything with them. From metal to plastic to wood, they can handle it all. The only caveat is that a hacksaw has fine teeth, so it can’t cut things very fast. Realistically, the only other material you might need to cut would be wood, and for that, you can always grab a wood saw. I recommend a Suizan or Gyokucho saw since you get two blades in one.
Glue and Adhesives
Another essential to have lying around is some sort of glue or adhesive. In addition to screws or nails, having something that can hold things together for delicate work—like paper or frayed edges on a decoration—is invaluable. I recommend getting a form of super glue, such as Gorilla Glue, which is excellent for small jobs like fixing plastics. However, Gorilla Glue doesn't have a long lifespan for adhesion—typically about one to two years—so it’s not ideal for larger projects. For wood, I’d recommend picking up a specialized wood glue.
Additionally, keep duct tape or another form of strong tape handy. Like glue, tape is great for holding things together but can also double as a makeshift clamp—especially for round objects where you need extra pressure. Tape is also useful for covering parts of a project when painting. The basics to have on hand are duct tape and painter’s tape.
Sandpaper
The last of the essentials would probably be sandpaper. It’s incredibly versatile for removing material, especially on complex shapes and surfaces. You can use it to get a fine polish or to scratch a surface for better adhesion when gluing things together. Sandpaper can also be wrapped or shaped to better fit into tighter spots and odd angles.
The grit of sandpaper is important—the lower the number, the coarser it is. I recommend getting a set with a variety of grits, ranging from 60 to 300. If you’re working on specialty projects, finer grits like 600 or 2,000 might come in handy, but for general use, 60 to 300 will suffice.
Nice to haves:
3D Printers
I won’t lie, 3D printers are pretty awesome. With a bit of imagination, you can design and create just about anything. They’re super versatile, especially for making complex shapes quickly. Plus, you can design the objects yourself, giving you full creative control. A decent 3D printer will set you back around $300, but it’s an investment worth considering. Compared to power tools—which can cost the same—3D printers are particularly valuable if you’re doing a lot of small, custom work.
Power Tools and Machinery
Power tools are more of a quality-of-life upgrade. If you’ve got the money, you should consider buying some. The big advantage of power tools is that they make repetitive tasks faster and easier. For example, cutting 30 pieces by hand would be long, tedious, and physically draining. Power tools save you that effort and time, making grunt work feel less like, well, grunt work.
There’s no single power tool I’d universally recommend since it depends on what kind of work you’re doing. But a good starting point is a circular saw—it’s cheap, versatile, and most people can get the hang of it quickly. If you have the budget, a table saw is even better, but it’s not always realistic for everyone. If you don’t have these tools, a makerspace in your area could be a great option for accessing them without buying.
References
Barnso - the 7 Tools I ACTUALLY use
Hueguh - Essential Tools | Minimal Home | The Tools You Need
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LO-OqRzgWA&pp=ygUII2hpc29nb24%3D Adam Savage's Tested - Buy These Tools If You're a New Maker (per Adam Savage)
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