Need some help putting up that new shelf? Planning a particularly prop heavy cosplay? Whatever your next DIY project may be, you’re gonna need the right tools for the job. And here they are:
Creality Ender-3 V2 3D Printer
No surprises here. The quintessential tool for any DIY tech nut has got to be a 3D printer, and Creality makes some fantastic consumer-level models. The Ender-3 is quick, slick, stable and user-friendly. Thanks to its V-glide rail pulley system, it can print more effectively and quietly, and will take a lot longer before it starts needing some TLC. An absolute must for creators that won’t empty your savings.
R5 000/ buildvolume.co.za
SketchUp Pro
Any good crafter knows that before you even start laying down a good foundation, you need to have a plan, and there’s no better DIY planning tool than SketchUp Pro. This seasoned software has all the tools you could possibly need for sketching out your 3D blueprints, whether you’re printing some armour or building a bench.
R5 300 per year/ irender.co.za
iFixit Electronic Toolkit 2.1
DIY isn’t always about building. It’s often about repairing and maintaining. This iFixit toolkit contains everything you need for keeping all your electronics in working order, including a Jimmy, a Spudge and every screwdriver bit you could think of.
R680 / takealot.com
Cricut Explore Air 2
While cutting up hunks of wood for DIY might be better left in human hands, why not leave the smaller tasks to the machines? The Explore Air 2 effortlessly and precisely cuts weaker materials, from paper to poster board, into any design you need.
R5 000 / incredible.co.za
Bosch Blase GLM 20
Tape-measures, useful as they are, can be a massive pain. Bosch, Deacon of DIY, understands. The Blaze GLM is a user-friendly laser measure that takes instant and accurate measurements up to 20m without the usual hassle of a tape-measure.
R600 / builders.co.za
Flux Beamo laser cutter
The days of laser cutters only belonging to the industrial sector are over! The Flux Beamo is the smallest and most affordable desktop laser cutter for hobbyists out there. Sitting comfortably in any workspace, it’s perfect for one-of-a-kind craft projects. Plus, lasers are just cool.
From R23 100 / maxlaser.co.za
Bosch Truvo Stud Finder
When you’re hammering shelves or frames into wood building walls, the best place to put a nail into is a stud. Unfortunately, we don’t have x-ray vision, but the Truvo is a great substitute for finding them.
R1 000 / takealot.com
MYNT3D 3D Printing Pen
3D printing pens leave a little more room for human error than machines, but we think they’re a tonne of fun. The MYNT3D is great for kids, hobbyists and artists who want to take their drawings into the third dimension.
R1 000 / amazon.com
Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Any seasoned or beginner crafter knows that projects, particularly wood-based ones, can leave a lot of mess behind. A clean workshop is a happy workshop, so clean it up and treat it right with this high-tech hoover from Dyson.
R10 000 / incredible.co.za
Beurer KS 34 Digital Table Top Scale
Measure twice, cut once, so the saying goes. Or weigh twice in this instance, though with a super accurate digital scale by your side we reckon you’ll only need to weigh once.
R790 / clicks.co.za
Livescribe Symphony Smartpen
This Livescribe pen functions just like any other, but has the added glamour of storing digital copies of your notes and drawings in the cloud, with built-in transcription functionality, so that you can store and search through them more easily than ever.
R2 600 / takealot.com
Bosch 360 Laser Level
Spirit levels are an absolute must for any construction project, but bubbles aren’t always that reliable. This Bosch laser level might not help you experience true level but it’ll get you damn close.
R2 800 / builders.co.za