The Inventor’s Workshop
If you enjoy making things, eventually you’ll need a space to work and tools to work with. In the days of the early inventors, a tool was simply a handheld implement, such as a hammer, saw, or file, and it was used for performing or facilitating mechanical operations, like cutting, pounding, or filing. But in modern times, tools do so much more. They measure quantities and qualities precisely, they join electrical components into circuits, and they perform a hundred other useful operations.
The Workbench
First and foremost, you’ll need some sort of flat, solid surface on which to work. Any sturdy table will do, but a workbench is a great help, because it provides the foundation you need in order to work skillfully.
You can make or buy a workbench. Many lumberyards sell prebuilt workbenches or kits containing all the materials you’ll need. You can also find a design for one or draw one yourself. Designs for homebuilt workbenches run from complex Scandinavian designs with beechwood frames that are mounted on self-leveling hydraulic cylinders down to a simple plywood door nailed to two sawhorses. No matter what sort of bench you have, the addition of a wood vise and pullout shelf make it more versatile.
Necessary Tools
Ask an expert what sort of tools to buy and the typical advice is to buy the best-quality tools you can afford. In most cases, that’s good advice. Cheap screwdrivers, for example, can be a big mistake; the soft metal edges of inferior blades can bend or even break under stress, and the plastic handles chip when you drop them. For any tool you use frequently, it makes sense to go with quality.
On the other hand, when you’ve got a one-off job, and you’re not sure if you’ll ever have another use for piston ring pliers or a gantry crane, buying an inexpensive tool may make sense.
Here are some ideas for outfitting your workspace.
Basic Tools
These handheld tools are useful in a wide variety of situations. They are as important for adjusting or repairing existing items as they are for making new ones.
Screwdrivers. Choose an assortment of good-quality Phillips-head and flat-head (and, possibly, Torx) screwdrivers in a variety of sizes.
Handsaw. Most often, you’ll be cutting dimensional lumber (2′× 4′s, 2′× 6′s, etc.) to size, so choose a saw with crosscut instead of ripping teeth.
Hacksaw. You need this type of saw for those occasions when you have to cut through something harder than wood.
Hammers. Start with a claw hammer for nailing and a rubber mallet for knocking things apart.
Socket and wrench set. If you work on things mechanical, you’ll appreciate the quality of a good socket set. Spend the money and get English and metric sockets as well as Allen wrenches.
Pliers. Pliers come in a variety of shapes. At a minimum, your shop should have standard, needle-nose, and vise grips.
Cutters and mat. You’ll want diagonal cutters, a utility knife, tin snips, a wire cutter/crimper/stripper, and a good pair of scissors. You’ll also find a self-healing cutting mat to be a great help. Buy one at any fabric store.
Clamps. Clamps securely hold workpieces, allowing you to work safely and accurately. Clamps come in various sizes and are selected based on the size of the workpiece.
Linear measuring tools. Make sure you have a tape measure, a protractor, and a combination square.
Files and brushes. You’ll need flat and round bastard files and a wire brush. (A bastard file refers to a file that has an intermediate tooth size.)
Mixing and volume measuring equipment. Stock your work area with plastic bowls in different sizes, disposable spoons, measuring cups, and measuring spoons.
Safety equipment. Safety glasses, hearing protection, a fire extinguisher, goggles, a dust mask, and gloves are all very important. All safety glasses, even inexpensive ones, must conform to government regulations, so they all provide adequate protection. However, more expensive ones are more comfortable and look better, making you more inclined to always use them.
Cordless and/or corded electrical drill. A drill with a variety of screwdriver tips and drill bits may well be your most frequently used power tool. Corded drills are lighter and more powerful, but many people appreciate the flexibility of a cordless model. The larger the top-end voltage (e.g., 14.4 or 18 volts) of a cordless drill, the greater its torque and the more it weighs.
Specialty Tools
Inventors often need specialized tools to perform certain tasks. They are typically not expensive, at least for entry-level tools.
Soldering iron. Choose a variable-temperature model with changeable tips.
Magnifying lens. You’ll find a swing-arm magnifier with a light to be a very helpful addition to your shop. It mounts directly to your workbench and swings out of the way when not in use. It’s great for everything from threading needles to examining surface finishes.
Scale. A triple-beam balance or an electronic scale is a necessity for chemistry projects and mixing stuff.
Digital multimeter. If you do any electronics work, a volt-ohm meter with several types of probes and clips is indispensable.
Power Tools
These are great, if you can justify their cost:
Drill press. A sturdy drill press provides far more accuracy and drilling power than a hand drill.
Belt sander. Belt sanders utilize a rotating abrasive belt to quickly remove material from workpieces.
Grinder. Grinders have rapidly spinning abrasive wheels and are used for shaping metal and sharpening tools.
Table saw/Band saw/scroll saw. Electrically powered saws cut wood much faster than handsaws. However, they must be used with great care.
Beyond these basics, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of tools available—all of which may be useful, depending on the project. In regard to stationary power tools, it’s a tough call. Because they are expensive and require a lot of shop real estate, it really depends on what you’re going to do most. I use my table saw all the time, but I know people who consider a band saw to be an absolute necessity, and others who say a scroll saw is their number one power saw priority.
Supplies
Besides raw materials and tools, stock your shop with key general supplies. Here’s my suggested checklist:
- Duct tape
- Electrical tape
- Transparent adhesive tape
- Powdered graphite lubricant
- Rope or cord
- String or twine
- Light all-purpose oil
- White glue
- Superglue (cyanocrylate)
- Quick-set epoxy
- Extended-set epoxy
- Sandpaper: fine, medium, and coarse
- Heat-shrink tubing
- Zip ties
- Pencils
- Ink markers
- Rags, wipes, and towels
It takes time and money to accumulate a good supply of tools. But a well-stocked workshop or tool box and the ability to use the tools properly are valuable assets for any inventor.