I just wanted to put together a list of tools that I believe are essential to Makers. I have all of these items in my workshop and use them constantly.

I’ve broken them down by category for easier reading. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

Safety Items

• Work Gloves
• Nitrile Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Hearing Protection
• Respirator
• First Aid Kit
• Fire Extinguisher

Basic Items (for Electronics)

• Multimeter
• Soldering Iron (Weller WES51 Analog Soldering Station)
• Bench Power Supply (Extech 382213 Digital Triple Output DC Power Supply)
• Calipers
• ESD mat + wristband

Adhesives

• Hot Glue Gun (Not a craft glue gun)
• 2 Part Epoxy
• Zap Medium CA+
• Zip Kicker (Accelerates cure time of Zaps CA’s)
• Wood Glue
• Glue sticks
• Hobby Glue
• Rubber Cement

Lubricants

• Graphite
• Lithium Grease
• 3-in-1
• Penetrating Oil

Tape

• Duct
• Blue Painters
• Masking
• Double Sided
• Scotch

Tools & Miscellaneous

• Box Cutter + Razor Blades
• Lockblade knife
• Scissors & Shears
• Cordless Drill/Impact Drivers
• Hand Drill
• Hack Saw
• Circular Saw
• Screwdrivers (Basic Set + Precision Set)
• Socket Set (Imperial & Metric)
• Wrenches (Imperial & Metric)
• Allen Keys (Imperial & Metric)
• Hammers (Ball Peen, Rubber Mallet, Dead Blow, Claw)
• Carpenter Square
• Tape Measure
• Drill Bits (Imperial & Metric)
• I-Beam Levels (various sizes)
• Pliers (Vise Grips, Needle Nose, Linemans, Channel Lock, Diagonal Cutting, Multi-Tool Stripper)
• Dremel Rotary Tool
• Punch Set
• Clamps
• Air Compressor
• Additional Lighting (Flashlights, Spotlights etc)
• Extension Cords
• Telescoping Magnetic Pick-Up Tool
• Sand Paper
• Extra Batteries for Cordless Tools
• Magnets
• Putty Knives (Plastic & Metal)
• Paint Brushes (Natural, Synthetic, Disposable)
• Saw Horses (at least one pair)
• 550 Cord
• Twine/Kite String
• Bungee Cords
• Velcro Cable Wraps
• Zip Ties
• Tweezers
• Hemostats
• Sharpening Tools (Files, Grinder or both)
• Kitty Litter