Thread: Must have tools?

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Hello you lovely people. I've been thinking recently that since I have never built anything in my life, I have no tools! I was wondering if you folks would mind sharing with me what you consider to be THE essential tools for a beginning prop builder?

I would like to begin slowly building up my "arsenal" of tools and would also like to know where you recommend looking for the best deal including online sources.

As always......Thank You!

My number one tool are my Dremels. It can be used for so many jobs and now comes in a cordless model.

My all time favorite tool is the one that does what I need when I need it. I'm not trying to be a prick. I find it almost impossible to recommend a single great tool. Drill? Screwdriver? Hammer? Saw? Paint brush? Staple gun? Dremel? Tape measure? This is too vague for your personal needs. Instead, I have every tool in my arsenal based on a need I had or could foresee having. For instance, I want to build a caretaker's shed to create the entrance to my graveyard this year. I have hammers, but no longer wish to pound that many nails. My current need is for an air powered nail gun. Guess what I'm in the market for.
So, my suggestion to you is the following:
Step one: decide what you want to build.
Step two: get the tools to build what you decided on. Or start building and figure out what would make your build go more smoothly.
Still too vague? How about telling us what you wish to build and we should be able to tell you what we used or would use.
I know it isn't the same as telling you the best tool to have, but it is how you start to build your own arsenal. Once you need a tool box you're well on your way, once you outgrow your first tool box your disease is incureable.

I would have to completely agree with MikeBru even though Halstaff mentioned what a lot of people would probably say too.

Every project I worked on last year required me to have something new. Last year I REALLY would have benefited from a small table saw. Didn't get one last year but got one for 5$ in a yard sale this year. I cannot wait to use it!

So take it one thing at a time or figure out each project you would like to work on and see if there is a common tool amongst them and get that first.

Here are some previous threads that may help you out.

What tools does every prop builder need?

Starting with post #10 : Home Haunters Must Have

Halloween Tool Equipment

Dremel Tools

Power tools and prop building

Tools of the trade

New To Prop Building, What Kind Of Tools Do I Need



And the best 'tool' on this forum is the search tool; top, right hand side of page.

unlimited coat hangers, masking tape, duct tape, chicken wire. Tool wise I would say Dremel, wire snips, glue gun

Originally Posted by MikeBru

My all time favorite tool is the one that does what I need when I need it. I'm not trying to be a prick.
Still too vague? How about telling us what you wish to build and we should be able to tell you what we used or would use.
I know it isn't the same as telling you the best tool to have, but it is how you start to build your own arsenal. Once you need a tool box you're well on your way, once you outgrow your first tool box your disease is incureable.

Thanks for the response and no worries I know you're not trying to be a prick. I want to start off with decorations for the most part:

Faux boarded up windows

Rickety Fencing

Scarecrow, rusty lanterns, tombstones, and perhaps some flicker candles

Later on I'd like to try my hand at making a spitter for my bird bath and a wiper motor rocking chair.

Halstaff and Hyprosick thank you for the recommendations Sounds like I need a dremel and glue gun for sure!

Originally Posted by creepycathy

Here are some previous threads that may help you out.

What tools does every prop builder need?

Starting with post #10 : Home Haunters Must Have

Halloween Tool Equipment

Dremel Tools

Power tools and prop building

Tools of the trade

New To Prop Building, What Kind Of Tools Do I Need



And the best 'tool' on this forum is the search tool; top, right hand side of page.

Oh crap....I committed the #1 forum pet peeve . That's what I get for brainstorming at 2 am right before bed time. Thank you so much for those links and I'll check them out as soon as I get home today. I'll make sure and use the search tool before posting from now on, which I usually do.....*sigh*

Hi, based on the projects you have listed, I would recommend a hot wire knife and a hot glue gun. In addition to those two, looks like your projects would benefit from an electric drill and a saw. There are other tools, but those should get most of what you are about to build going along smartly! BTW, a Dremel seems to always come in handy, though I have burned up three of them, so another brand may be a consideration.

Glue Gun and Paint, I love to paint, I have to glue!

Since everyone has told you what you need, so now, where to get it. If you got to home depot or lowes, you better have the money, or do what I do, and go to estate sales. It takes longer, but you can usually get stuff very cheap since all they want to do is get rid of it. Take note that I said estate sale, and not garage sale. Think they are the same? No they aren't. I will explain:

Garage sale - crap somebody doesn't want, but wants money for it.
Estate sale - someone died, and needs to get rid of all of their stuff, for cheap.

Usually they start on thursdays, and go to sunday. Sat and Sun are usually 50% off. I couldn't tell you how many times I have gone and there was just a garage full of tools. I bet you could go and get all they tools you need for all of those props for less than $40. I bought a corded drill for $3, and a hammer for 50 cents. I almost bought a 20 gallon air compressor for $15 but someone got to it before me. Just look in your local news paper and they will be listed in there. My fiance and I usually map all of them out on google earth, and make a route between most of them and we spend the saturday doing that. She looks for stuff for the house, I look for anything I can turn into a halloween prop. It is kind of funny because right when we walk in the front door, I take off to the garage.