Hello again,
For my readers that are new here, I’m Cam, a maker at heart and an expert when it comes to tools and materials. My goal is to get you started in becoming a maker and looking at the world with a new perspective. This article is all about different tools and products that everyone getting into DIY and making things should have at their disposal. My first list, DIY Tools- Tools You Shouldn’t Be Caught Without was about tools I consider essential for anyone to own whether they are interested in DIY or not. This article expands upon that, and will introduce you to products that countless makers rely upon and that most people won’t be familiar with.
The products and tools on this list are my go-to’s and the first thing I reach for when something needs to be made or repaired quickly, and when I need to create a prototype to test an idea. Without further ado, here is my list of tools that I consider essential to my workflow and will allow you to fix countless problems in your life…
1. Hot Glue
Some of you might already know the wonders of hot glue, but in my experience a shocking number have never owned or used a hot glue gun themselves. Hot glue comes in sticks, and is one of those materials that can do just about anything. It can be used to bond materials that wouldn’t stick together with traditional glues, to insulate electronics from short circuits, and to repair any number of appliances or devices. Once you begin using hot glue it will quickly become one of your most versatile tools that can come in handy in almost any situation. Hot glue requires the use of a hot glue gun in order to melt the glue. These typically come in two sizes, a full size and a mini size. I urge you to get a full sized glue gun! The mini glue guns go through sticks too quickly and don’t get hot enough for anything except basic crafting projects.
My top pick and favorite glue gun is the 18V One+ Cordless Hot Glue Gun by Ryobi. Even if you currently own a hot glue gun I still recommend adding the Ryobi 18V One+ to your toolkit. Having the freedom of being battery powered is something that once you experience you can’t live without. As a maker and home automation enthusiast, most of the time when I am reaching for a hot glue gun I am not next to a wall outlet. Having the flexibility to move freely while securing an LED light strip, or being able to use a hot glue gun while on a ladder is incredibly useful. The Ryobi 18V One+ Cordless Hot Glue Gun does not come with a battery or charger, so if you are not already invested in the 18V One+ lineup then I recommend getting this battery and charger kit. You can alternatively pickup any of Ryobi’s 18V One+ tool kits to get started. I will be discussing Ryobi’s lineup in future articles, so stay tuned to learn about which tools I recommend you pickup, and which ones to pass on.
Alternatively, if you aren’t interested in a cordless glue gun, then you can pickup this model made by Cobiz. It won’t provide you the flexibility of being battery powered, but it will still give you the ability to use hot glue in your projects and in your life. And as a quick tip, the Glue Gun stays hot for at least a minute or two after being unplugged, so if you need to glue something out of reach, you can unplug the glue gun and use it as long as you are quick about it.
2. Super Glue
Super glue, cyanoacrylate glue or “CA” Glue is incredibly useful when you need to adhere two things quickly and securely. Most of you already have superglue in your kitchen drawer somewhere, but did you know that not all super glue is created equal? I like to keep two different types of CA glue in stock at all times, and equally important as the glue is spray activator. In my experience, the glue is only half the equation. Have you ever wished you bond materials instantly? without having to hold them together for a minute or two? Spray activator allows this by causing the CA glue joint to cure almost immediately. You can put glue on one piece of your joint, spray the other with activator and stick them together for a bond that cures in 1-2 seconds. If you want to move quickly and work efficiently then a spray activator is essential.
Now to talk about the different types of superglue I recommend. Every maker needs at least two types of superglue on hand. I keep one thick superglue and one thin superglue at all times. First, let’s talk about 2P-10. Fast Cap, the makers of 2P-10, is well known in the woodworking space and has created an excellent line of CA glue. I am a huge fan of their thick CA glue and activator combo kit. This gets you started with a high quality thick glue and activator spray that I use all the time. Thick superglue is best used on absorbent materials like wood where a thin glue would be soaked into the pores and not bond properly. It is also useful if you don’t want the glue to run as a thin glue will drip, run and squeeze out much easier than a thick glue. I find that the thick formulation is the perfect consistency for many projects that I need to create a quick bond and possibly even fill a gap in a small project.
Most superglue you can purchase from a convenience store or grocery store is going to be the thin variety. I find thin glue to be extremely useful, and it is what most people are already familiar with. The problem is that most of the thin glue out there is terrible compared to a high quality formulation. The upgrade from small tubes of “Krazy Glue” to something like the thin formulation from 2p-10 is dramatic. I used to recommend 2P-10s thin formula until I discovered my new favorite thin glue, Loctite 401. The only way I can describe Loctite 401 is magic. I have not yet found two materials that won’t bond with this formulation, and for many material combinations, I have not found a glue other than Loctite 401 that will bond them. This glue is very thin, and even the smoothest materials will stick together. I also find Loctite 401 to be the best glue I have found for 3D Printing. I will have guides on 3D printing in the future, but in terms of gluing parts of prints together, nothing adheres to plastics better than Loctite 401. I also recommend purchasing the Korean version of Loctite 401 since it is the same formulation as the US version while being half the price.
3. Soldering Iron
For many, the soldering iron might seem like an intimidating tool, but I promise you that it’s not. Even if you don’t have an interested in creating your own circuit boards or PCBs, a soldering iron is a really useful tool for extending wires on electronics, repairing a loose connection on a device, or even repairing a piece of jewelry. Being able to solder is a useful skill that not many have, and it will instantly set you apart from the crowd in terms of being a maker. Soldering is an easy skill to pickup and once you learn it, you will wish you would’ve picked it up sooner.
I will be creating a how-to solder tutorial in the future, so if you’re interested in that then stick around for future updates. My favorite soldering iron is a bit on the expensive side, so if you’ve never soldered anything before and aren’t sure if it’s something you will be doing much of then I recommend this kit made by Anbes. It will get you going with everything you need including solder and a few other useful tools. If, however, you are interested in what I consider the ultimate soldering iron out there then look no further than the TS-80 by UY Chan.
The TS-80 soldering iron blew my mind when I purchased it. I didn’t realize that anything with this many features could fit in such a compact package, and I can honestly say that it has increased my desire and ability to solder tenfold. I have owned inexpensive irons as well as larger soldering stations before, and the TS-80 blows them all out of the water. It’s main advantage over a traditional soldering iron is the fact that it is USB powered, and therefore able to be powered by any QC 3.0 Battery! Yes, the TS-80 is completely portable and can be used inside, outside, with or without a power outlet. That is so advantageous as a lot of the soldering I do is with a wire or LED light strip that is already in place. That means I can bring the soldering iron to the project instead of the project to the soldering iron. If that was the only benefit I would recommend the TS-80 as a secondary soldering iron for many, but the fact is that this soldering iron running off of a QC 3.0 USB port is able to heat up faster and control it’s temperature more precisely than most full sized soldering stations. It also is not much larger than a ballpoint pen, and is lighter, easier to control, and easier to swap tips than most irons at a soldering station. So in short, the TS-80 is better than most irons in every-way that I care about and has the added benefit of being able to run off a battery pack. Needless to say I recommend this product highly.
4. Rotary Tool
Another excellent tool to have is some sort of rotary tool. If you want to expand your abilities as a maker and get into more delicate work then a rotary tool is a must. Whether engraving, polishing, sanding, or cutting, a rotary tool offers a high degree of control and precision that you can’t get from larger power tools. Rotary tools have plenty of cutting power, and are great for trimming off the ends of bolts, or sanding small projects to expand openings. The rotary tool is a must have for those of you getting into DIY electronics, 3D printing, or home automation. Dremel is the most well known brand out there and has become synonymous with rotary tools. There are many other manufacturers of rotary tools, and you can even pick these up from harbor freight or from other discount tool suppliers.
If you’re looking for your first rotary tool, there is nothing wrong with going for a cheaper model, but my favorite is the Dremel Micro. If you’ve haven’t realized yet, I am a huge fan of battery powered tools and the Dremel Micro being battery powered, is likely the last rotary tool you will need. Other than being battery powered, the Dremel Micro has a good looking charging dock that allows you to leave the tool on your workbench for quick access, a smaller size that makes handling and precision tasks much easier, and a high degree of speed adjustment which is critical when doing delicate work. For cutting, engraving, sanding, polishing, or any task I use a rotary tool for, the Dremel Micro is the perfect balance between power, size and usability. Also be sure to checkout the Dremel Keyless Chuck as an awesome accessory. The keyless chuck allows for quick changing of tools and allows you to forget about that wrench that comes with your rotary tool.
5. Gaffers Tape
Next on the list is something everyone knows and loves and that is tape. Tape is incredibly important in DIY and daily life and I hope that this article will introduce you to some new tapes out there that are better in every-way than the roll of duct tape in your garage.
First thing you need to buy is gaffers tape. Many are unfamiliar with gaffers tape, and that is about to change. Gaffers tape is the distant relative of duct tape that is superior in nearly every regard. Unsurprising, gaffers tape is named after the job that it was designed around. A Gaffer is someone that works in film or theater production and is in-charge of lighting, sound, and nearly every aspect of the electronics that make a production. This tape was designed for them to tape down wires and secure props around a production set. The brilliance of gaffers tape is that it doesn’t leave any residue behind. That means you can use it on drywall, painted surfaces, and nearly anything that you don’t want to have a sticky residue disaster when you eventually remove the tape. It also is made entirely of a woven fabric which means it won’t stretch like duct tape and is incredibly easy to tear by hand. It’s the duct tape 2.0 and I promise once you invest in a roll of gaffers tape you will likely decide to throw out your old rolls of duct tape, it’s just that good. The only advantage that duct tape has over gaffers is some minor waterproofing abilities, but we have a tape that fills that void far better.
6. Electrical Tape
The next tape I want to talk about is electrical tape. Everyone should own electrical tape even if you aren’t going to be doing anything involving electricity. Electrical tape is made primarily of vinyl, an excellent insulator, which makes it essential when doing electrical work. It will keep you protected from electric shock and your electronics protected from short circuits, but I also love electrical tape for a whole host of other applications. Vinyl has the benefit of being waterproof and air tight which means anything you were using duct tape to seal, electrical tape can do far better. Electrical tape is the perfect choice for attaching something to a shop vac, or even temporarily fixing a leak in a garden hose. I also love electrical tape because of it’s rubber like consistency. Electrical tape can be used to add grip to objects making them easier to hand tighten, or for making two parts fit together that have too much play in them. You can even add electrical tape to a stubborn jar that won’t open and the added grip should make it open with ease.
I personally keep two different electrical tapes on hand, but I would recommend 3M Super 33 if I were only to buy one. Super 33 is the best all around electrical tape I have used. It is far more sticky and far more elastic than a cheap roll of electrical tape, and makes quick work of jobs you would be struggling to accomplish with an inferior roll.
The other electrical tape I keep on hand is 3M Super 88. This tape is more expensive than any electrical tape you have purchased in the past but it is some bad-ass stuff. Super 88 is thicker and stickier than other tape, continues to hold in freezing temperatures and extreme heat, offers UV inhibitors which means it won’t deteriorate in sunlight, and has flame retardant properties which means if it will not burn where another tape would. All of this justifies its premium price tag, but its extreme properties are not something I use for everyday tasks, and not something I need most of the time. If you’re doing anything with extreme temperature or for outdoor use, then you can’t find a better product.
7. Gorilla Tape
Another essential tape I keep around is Gorilla Tape. This might be surprising since I just mentioned that I don’t use or recommend duct tape, but for this one I make an exception. Gorilla Tape is incredibly sticky and incredibly strong which is both its strength and its weakness. If you really need to stick two things together desperately then Gorilla Tape can probably get it done, but it comes with the costly side effect of leaving residue on everything it touches. It also has the ability to remove paint from surfaces and damage drywall, so I do use Gorilla Tape on occasion, but you need to know what you’re getting into ahead of time and make sure it is the appropriate tool. For gardening tools, outdoor projects or other rugged jobs, Gorilla Tape is perfect.
8. VHB Tape
Last up in the tape roundup is VHB Tape or “Very High Bond” Tape. VHB Tape as the name might describe has incredible holding power and has the interesting property that its bond actually gets stronger over time. VHB Tape is a double sided tape that bonds best to smooth surfaces and is often found on Go-Pro mounts and on some sticky hooks out there, but it can also be purchased on its own. I recommend that everyone should own a roll of VHB Tape as it will solve problems that no other product can. Whether you need to replace the adhesive on a hook, hang one of your DIY or 3D printed projects on the wall, or stick something down to a desk, VHB Tape is a very useful product that can fix a lot of problems that arise.
9. Velcro
Velcro Velcro Velcro. It’s one of those things that everyone knows about, but not nearly enough people actually have any of it lying around. I recommend you go out and purchase a roll of industrial strength velcro immediately. You get a much better price when you buy the full roll instead of buying individual strips or squares as you need them, and the industrial strength variety will give you far greater holding power than the stuff you get from the convenience store. I use velcro for hanging things on the wall, attaching things to the back of a TV, or hanging power adapters underneath a desk. Once you have a roll of velcro in your life you will begin to see new uses that you wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Final Thoughts
That does it for this list. If you follow my advice and pickup these tools and materials you will be equipped to handle most of the problems that life will throw at you. You’ll have the freedom of feeling prepared and when something breaks or needs repair you will no longer look at it with disdain. You will be able to see a problem and go grab the best tool or product to fix it. You will begin to fix problems around you instead of creating them and will ultimately be happier and have a sense of satisfaction that comes with being a maker and having a DIY mindset.
