[Windborn]

I have a little money left over from my annual bonus and am going to invest it in some higher tech tools for prop building. I thought I would check here to see what ya'll consider "must haves"!

I know I want to get a web spinner to use with my air compressor - is there a style brand anyone can recommend? The few I have seen have gotten some pretyy crummy reviews.

Also thinking of either a heat gun or a foam cutter - do a lot of work with foam boards and not sure which tool I would use more!

Let's hear what you think of as your go-to tools! Even the low tech ones! (I have a set of chisels I LOVE, for example )

 

[JeffHaas]

A Dremel with a bunch of attachments.

 

[Gym Whourlfeld]

If using the Dremel with that "Wire Brush" wear goggles! Those small wires may leave the wheel at high speed and stick you! (Been there,done that!)

 

[brd813]

A good DVM (digital volt meter)

Bill

 

[Oak Lane Cemetery]

Make your own web shooter! Way cheaper and works just as well! All you need is a high temp glue gun with a trigger feed and some assorted tubing and air fittings. Mine cost less than $20 to make, but I had most of the tubing and fitting in my parts drawer already.

 

[xxScorpion64xx]

Heat gun, stapler,jig saw,Soldering gun/tool, pvc pipe cutter,utility knife, exacto knife, wire cutters,hack saw, and newest addition large bolt cutters for my rebar

 

[Ugly Joe]

If you don't have one already, get a nice lithium ion cordless drill/driver.
Cobalt coated drill bits are fantastic to have if you need to drill through metal - they cost a bit, but last a good long time, and drill through most metals like they were wood (use cutting oil to keep the bits from dulling).

I'm also a firm believer in a good Dremel with the flexible shaft, for getting into really tight spots.

 

[Neverhart]

It's like picking a favorite child... but the first major shop tool I purchased was a drill press. I find straight holes pretty important when building larger animatronic props where lots of parts need to fit together squarely.

Also loving my tiny little 3D printer... gets (relatively) accurate parts out (relatively) quickly and keeps the inspiration flowing.

 

[thenightmarefamily]

The ones that are a must have for me are a dremel with a bout $50 worth of attachments, cordless drill,stable gun,drywall knife,a billion box cutters and razor knives, and a blow torch. i use other tools but these are the must haves for me. I used to have a hot glue gun but it wasn't for me and i started using my own glue mixture that works a lot better.

 

[Windborn]

Make your own web shooter! Way cheaper and works just as well! All you need is a high temp glue gun with a trigger feed and some assorted tubing and air fittings. Mine cost less than $20 to make, but I had most of the tubing and fitting in my parts drawer already.

Great idea! I will have to see if I can find a tutorial on building one.

I have a Drexel that I have used for years. It is probably ,y most used piece of equipment!

 

[halloweenscreamqueen]

I love my Dremel with all the bells and whistles. Hubby got it for me!

I'm thinking that I need a wire foam cutter too this year... I've got (at most) three seasons left before we move waaaaaaaaaaaaaay the hell out in the boonies and will have zero chance at TOTers, so these last three years have to be kick ***!!

 

[Bruzilla]

If you're going to use a Dremel, get some 1/8" Rotozip drill bits. They sell these at most home stores. They allow you to drill into most surfaces, and once you've drilled through you can start cutting like a jig saw. They're like a combination drill bit and jig saw blade. Best thing ever!

 

[Vandalay Industries]

Heat gun, glue gun and dremel for sure

 

[slcjeeper]

Just be sure to get the Dremel 4000. Its the one that all the attachments fit.

 

[UnOrthodOx]

I have a little money left over from my annual bonus and am going to invest it in some higher tech tools for prop building. I thought I would check here to see what ya'll consider "must haves"!

I know I want to get a web spinner to use with my air compressor - is there a style brand anyone can recommend? The few I have seen have gotten some pretyy crummy reviews.

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Now take the $ you saved and buy both your cutter and heat gun.

 

[Hallomarine]

This is a fantastic upgrade to the old fan driven web shooter - thanks UnO!
I'm actually going to build one of these! HM

 

[Windborn]

LOVE that web caster! I think I have one of those air blowers in the "junk" closet - will have to go hunting!

 

[Zeb]

Band saw is great for cutting irregular lines in foam wood plastic etc... Ive done woodworking all my life without one. Bought one a couple years ago, don't know what Id do without it now!!

 

[nois4]

Jawhorse workstation is now on my must have list. It is basically a sawhorse with a clamp on the end that opens to about 3 feet. I work alone and for me, being able to hold something still and secure while cutting or detailing project is the hardest and most important part of all projects. It has I believe up to 1000 lbs of clamping pressure so your project stays rock solid when you clamp it. Also it reduces those kneel on ground projects which saves the back. Its about $120 regular price but if you watch sales i got mine for $ 85. Also there are other similar products that are cheaper but i don't know how they are. Check it out

 

[Ugly Joe]

Jawhorse workstation is now on my must have list.

I'm liking this now.
I read a review comparing the Jawhorse against the Workmate - the end result essentially points out the Workmate is fine for basic, light clamping and having some work surface area, but the Jawhorse is far superior in overall ability to hold material (even if it lacks work area).