Cross of Calatrava

Where to buy the tools for making things

There are an awful lot of things that people in the SCA make. And to make all of these things it takes tools. You don’t have to break the bank when you are looking for the tools you need to make the things you want, especially when you are first starting out. The urge may be to buy the best tools possible and dive in with both feet, and for some people that is the right thing to do. There are some other ways, however.

One other way is to see if there are people in your group that have the tools you need. They might be willing to bring them to a local meeting and let you use them to test drive a project.

Another route is to get cheaper tools to start and, if you enjoy that project or area, replace the tools with the better ones as you go. There are many very nice looking projects that I have done using tools from Walmart and harbor freight.

Sometimes by choice (other times by necessity) you can also make the tools you need. With the expansion of online vendors of specialty hobby items, you can now find many of the odd tools you would often have to make before, but there are still some that are easier, cheaper or simple need to be made at home.

Whatever it is you are working on, we encourage you to reach out to the local members of your group and see if they have tips or advice to get you started. And keep learning and doing.