Thread: Essential tools

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Looking at Christmas presents this year I was wondering what haunters feel are essential tools to have for building props. I realize a Dremel will alsmost certainly be on the list but what else are the must haves.

I use my compound miter saw, air brad nailer, and jigsaw quite a bit. One of those spray can handles is very handy. Keeps the paint off of your fingers and makes it easier on your hands to spray paint.

Took this picture a while ago of what I thought was essential to a prop builder:


Workbench
Fan to dry stuff faster
Yard ruler
Paint brushes
Cups for mixing paint
Drylok (latex) for sealing outdoor tombstones
Box of twine rope
Jigsaw
Glue gun
Dremel with multi-purpose cutting attachment and all the other bits
12' ruler
Cordless drill with hole size finder
Hearing protection
Eye protection
Face mask
Paper towels
Caulking gun
Scissors
Steak knife (you wouldn't believe how useful that is!)
Zip ties (small, medium and large)
Wire cutters (GOOD ONE!)
Needle nose pliers
Stanley SureForm Shaver (for foam shaping)
Hammer
Wire
Hooks
Drywall screws (coarse thread, all sizes - these are great utility screws)
Quick Grip clamps (large and small)
Duck tape

Not too fancy of a tool list, actually but are the tools I most reach for. If you want get really fancy you could add in an airbrush, compressor, circular saw and a band saw.

TOOLS! My favorite subject.

Safety stuff first. Its not fun to buy but, well a must.
I have recently purchased a DREMEL tool myself and I can say I was impressed with how much power that little motor has. I think Terra has done a good job of showing the list. My only advice would be to stay away from the cheap tool places. Home depot and Lowes ( if you have those around you) are great places for reasonable quality stuff. I wish I had a Menards store near me.

Tools I use all the time....12" combination square under 10 bucks
drill bits

Hope this helps

I would add disposable gloves (especially when using great stuff) and a file for shaping wood and foam.

Most of the tools I use regularly have already been mentioned however I do have a few to add.
Heat gun, soldering and electronics equipment, blue painters tape, bench top grinder and vise and my belt and palm sanders all get lots of use in my shop.

Metal lathe, milling machine, MIG welder, sheet metal brake, bandsaw and a foundry.

Other than that, make sure you have a good glue gun.

A hardware store can be a dangerous place for me to spend time in.

We can't forget the trusty PVC pipe cutter! Saves lots of time and elbow grease! Lol!

I love tools and it's always great to have the correct tool to do the job. I've acquired most of the tools mentioned here over the years, just do a lot of home improvement work and your list grows rapidly.

So hopefully Santa will bring me an airbrush this year. I would also like a benchtop combo belt/disc sander but that will have to wait.

If you're just starting I would say shape your Christmas list based upon the type of props you plan on making and then add to the list each year as your hobby grows.

Must have (High temp hot glue gun) don't get the itty bitty baby glue gun.

Originally Posted by ter_ran

We can't forget the trusty PVC pipe cutter! Saves lots of time and elbow grease! Lol!

I do keep forgetting to get me one.