tools you can't live without when making stuff.

[propologist]

and space , adobe everything , friends that work for printshops and connections elsewhere

 

[Onkelpsycho]

Dremel?!?

I never own a Dremel, I make everything manually. I have a simple a sonic screwdriver, sand paper, for some things filler is nice, if you drill a wrong hole or something like that... Especially for plastic parts.

Another good thing is acryl sealing and hot glue, but its necessary to know where you can use hot glue without problems, some things are better to glue with 2 components glue...

 

[Mercury]

Dremel?!?

I never own a Dremel, I make everything manually.

That's cool but a Dremel or some other kind of rotary tool is a handy piece of equipment for more than just prop building. They have a whole world of uses. I have three, a 395 Moto-Tool that's about 20 yrs old that I had to replace the rubber/plastic flex coupling on, a newer 395 Multi-Pro I got as a gift and a Dremel Stylus which is my favorite. I keep a flex shaft on the older model and use the Multi-Pro with an angle attachment for general use. I use the Stylus for most work I need a steady hand on. Some people say there are better rotary tools, but I've had great performance and reliability out of mine. The one issue with the older one was the flex coupling which is just a rubber tube with teeth molded in the center had finally wore out. Ordered the part for a couple of dollars and back in business.

 

[TymerDC]

I own 2 Dremels....use them on rare ocassions. A Foredom tool is better and an upgrade from a Dremel.

Another tool on that list should be good common sense which I see lacks in a lot of people.

 

[Onkelpsycho]

That's cool but a Dremel or some other kind of rotary tool is a handy piece of equipment for more than just prop building. They have a whole world of uses. I have three, a 395 Moto-Tool that's about 20 yrs old that I had to replace the rubber/plastic flex coupling on, a newer 395 Multi-Pro I got as a gift and a Dremel Stylus which is my favorite. I keep a flex shaft on the older model and use the Multi-Pro with an angle attachment for general use. I use the Stylus for most work I need a steady hand on. Some people say there are better rotary tools, but I've had great performance and reliability out of mine. The one issue with the older one was the flex coupling which is just a rubber tube with teeth molded in the center had finally wore out. Ordered the part for a couple of dollars and back in business.

I dont know how US people work with tools, but I think it depends on what you do... I never feel like I must use or have a Dremel... My Sonic Screwdriver drills and srews. But I have a machine for engravings. I think that comes close to a Dremel. I can drill holes out, sand or polish stuff of just mill something out...

But working on things where I have to drill or screw is unusual for me... ^^ I do more paper props and if Im working on a special prop (like now; a Slime Blower from GB) the tolls I have do their job...

But maye I should try out a Dremel in the store, maybe its more easy to handle than a sonic screwdriver or my other stuff...

 

[Mercury]

I own 2 Dremels....use them on rare ocassions. A Foredom tool is better and an upgrade from a Dremel.

I've never had or used a Foredom tool so this is a legitimate, serious question. How is it better or in what way are they considered better? I want to know if it's something I would want to look into in the future.

My Sonic Screwdriver drills and srews.

But maye I should try out a Dremel in the store, maybe its more easy to handle than a sonic screwdriver or my other stuff...

I'm not suggesting you have to have a rotary tool, just that for some it's a nice luxury and is very versatile. Nothing wrong with good old fashion hand work though. :cool

I have to ask. is this sonic screwdriver you're speaking of something other than the Dr. Who tool?

 

[Onkelpsycho]

I've never had or used a Foredom tool so this is a legitimate, serious question. How is it better or in what way are they considered better? I want to know if it's something I would want to look into in the future.



I'm not suggesting you have to have a rotary tool, just that for some it's a nice luxury and is very versatile. Nothing wrong with good old fashion hand work though. :cool

I have to ask. is this sonic screwdriver you're speaking of something other than the Dr. Who tool?

Well, I thought I just call it like that, so I dont have to make big explanations... I think its called different in the US, its more of a drilling machine, but smaller and more handy, for screwing and drilling... Dont know what to say about it...

I have some kind of this tool:

And of course the classic version:

And this set:

The first one is good for electronics ar small parts, the socond one is for all kind of work... the third is nice, because it has a lot of adapters...

 

[Mercury]

Well, I thought I just call it like that, so I dont have to make big explanations... I think its called different in the US, its more of a drilling machine, but smaller and more handy, for screwing and drilling... Dont know what to say about it...

Ah ok, the 1st would be what I call a cordless screwdriver. I have one similar as well and it does drill nicely. Thanks for the clarification. :cool

 

[ChaseKiefer]

An extra person is invaluable to give different ideas on a situation, motivate you, keep you from going insane, and an extra pair of hands.

 

[Onkelpsycho]

Ah ok, the 1st would be what I call a cordless screwdriver. I have one similar as well and it does drill nicely. Thanks for the clarification. :cool

Yeah, but all of them are cordless...

 

[Darth Lars]

But I have a machine for engravings. I think that comes close to a Dremel. I can drill holes out, sand or polish stuff of just mill something out...

I would say that what you have there is a "dremel", just not a Dremel (TM).

My list:
- My set of needle files.
- Calipers.

Spray primer, epoxy putty, etc. I consider to be supplies, not tools.

 

[Forsaken]

My choices would be

1. Ott light
2. Magnifier

Al

 

[Mercury]

Yeah, but all of them are cordless...

:lol True, but when they 1st came out with them, they were called electric screwdrivers and sometime over the years, at least here in the US, they became known as cordless.

 

[Rebelscum]

I love to see everybody's lists.

The one tool I have that I get joy of using on every project is digital calipers. Making them digital just makes it incredibly handy and quick to use for completely accurate measurements.

 

[Wes R]

Tablesaw
glues
xacto
dremel
sandpaper
i can live without the bandsaw but i wouldn't be happy.

 

[clonesix]

OK, no one else said it so here goes:

Eye protection
dust mask, or repirator
First aid kit
debonder (for when you superglue yourself to a table)
band aids


Did I miss anything?

 

[Mercury]

OK, no one else said it so here goes:

Eye protection
dust mask, or repirator
First aid kit
debonder (for when you superglue yourself to a table)
band aids


Did I miss anything?

All of those plus a face shield, ear plugs, and a fire extinguisher. I'm not sure those would be technically classified as tools though.

 

[saxe coburg]

Here's a small list of items I use *every* time while doing misc prop work. While some of these may not be tools, they are key components to my building process.

1. Ipod with docking station
(I could not function with out good music in the background)

2. A professional rotary tool and safety glasses
(screw Dremel, they are junk. But a good quality rotary tool is so handy)

3. Good lighting!
(I gotta have a clean work area with lots of light!)

4. CA glue
(I use it all the time, on all sorts of projects)

5. X-acto knife with fresh blades
(Always use sharp blades. Dull blades are dangerous)

6. a big flat head screw driver
(really, I am shocked at how often I reach for a big over-sized, beat to hell, flat head screw driver. I use to for everything from opening paint cans to scratching my back.

 

[GunsAndGloryFX]

Great lists! Gotta strongly agree with the Superglue--stronger the better, as well as the exacto knives and Dremels.:thumbsup

Things I didn't notice anyone else mention (But I can't live without!):
-Zip kicker accelerant for super glue
-Surgical Scalpel
-NON-LATEX disposable gloves
-Micro nippers
-Can of Bondo
-Dental tools
-Canned air (for clean-up)
-Jack Johnson when the project's going well, Nine Inch Nails when it's not.:lol

 

[BornKilr]

Glad to see someone mentioned Beer, but surprised no one (unless I missed it) said
Scroll Saw. To me, it's much more versatile than a band saw. Just my opinion.