This page is for tools & supplies used in the lab, which meet expectations & are recommended for other makers. Treat this page as an index of parts while the Lab Tour shows how the parts are arranged in the lab and integrated into processes.
Tools for 5S & communication
Labeler: dymo 550
- why: several people asked which labeler I use. It's a dymo 550.
- I like it because it is fast, reliable, & dispenses blanks if I want to write my own.
- I dislike it because when they upgraded from the 450 model, they added a wireless tag into spools, excluding other brands refills.
- NAPS2 - for scanning, and making PDFs. My all-time favorite scanning software. Free, lightweight, opensource, highly compatible, and simple interface.
- Get the scanning software From NAPS2.com for your OS
- Separately, get drivers for your scanning machine. download raw epson drivers here or visit epson drivers page
- Configure your hardware device inside of NAPS2, and ignore softwares offered by Windows and Epson. (this is best practice for us)
- Label-Printing
- For printing with the dymo or similar device, again ignore the softwares offered by Dymo
- Install only the driver, then print from your selected software.
- For me, I print directly from MS Excel, using a template I have formatted for the size of my label.
- CTRL-P executes the print from the Excel file, and the DYMO device is selected in the printers list.
Tools & supplies at the soldering station, as of 2025.02
| Item | Link |
|---|---|
| PINECIL | https://amzn.to/3EH690Y |
| iron tips, FEITA | https://amzn.to/3Ex3EhU |
| butane torch | https://amzn.to/4jUHvdk |
| fume extractor | https://amzn.to/4jUHvdk |
| Kaisi soldering mat | https://amzn.to/4gQYoTT |
Tools which should last a lifetime, apply to all projects, base-level lab equipment. These are useful regardless of what type of work you will do - electronics, wood, metal fab, etc.
| Item | Link |
|---|---|
| DIN CUTTER | amazon din cutter |
| Ryobi Drill Press | amazon ryobi drill press |
| Machine Vise | amazon machine vise |
| Cradle Vise | amazon |
miscellaneous parts photos from the lists without photos
Let's differentiate supplies from tools. Description of supplies is as follows:
Supplies are ~ consumable items that pair with tools (ie, rivets for rivet gun) ~ parts attainable in bulk or unbranded while meeting a specific need. (ie silicone caulk) ~ items which support organization, like bin dividers. ~ items that may be considered a tool, but are used in this lab as a consumable (ie paint stirring stick). ~ items which are inventoried in a quantity that may overflow. ie, we have a hand-cleaner dispenser at the sink, but the bulk cleaner is stored elsewhere.
My favorite tapes, in one video. Dated 2024.09. The applications are for nearly every project that takes place.
<iframe width="700" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/W0sAR_jI4b8" title="More than you ever wanted to know about tape" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>| type | amazon link |
|---|---|
| PET (hi temp) tape | https://amzn.to/3ZkBAX9 |
| Painters tape | https://amzn.to/4e038FT |
| aluminum foil tape, 3M | https://amzn.to/4ehrNFN |
| drywall tape | https://amzn.to/3Tr7oWD |
| drywall tape | https://amzn.to/3Tr7oWD |
| electrical tape | https://amzn.to/4gzzJ7p |
| extreme mounting | https://amzn.to/3B3BsBC |
| filament strapping tape | https://amzn.to/4ejHVGy |
| first aid tape | https://amzn.to/4dT0die |
| gaffers | https://amzn.to/4gwv4D8 |
| grafting tape | https://amzn.to/3znx1Rl |
| heat press tape | https://amzn.to/3B1b7nw |
| heavy poly tape | https://amzn.to/4ehey7P |
| kapton | https://amzn.to/3B0pyby |
| kapton tape | https://amzn.to/4d3CF9l |
| masking, scotch | https://amzn.to/47mgHwQ |
| mesh nonadhesive tape | https://amzn.to/3XCEeGI |
| scotch shipping | https://amzn.to/3MF8vyb |
| silicone self fusing | https://amzn.to/4eiZVB1 |
| thread seal, PTFE | https://amzn.to/3z49ipv |
| wire harness | https://amzn.to/3AVHlAu |
A mix of tools and supplies for safety, PPE, and first aid
| Item | Link |
|---|---|
| DIN CUTTER | amazon din cutter |
Here are links to lists I wrote up for my amazon associates page. As of 2025 Feb, the above links are mostly for my associates link (please use these links if you buy the product, this generates revenue for the lab.) Currently this webpage is more primary source than my amazon account but I may update the amazon lists later this year.
- Tapes, as a category:
- tapes shopping list
- tape video on youtube.
- Organization supplies