Green 3D printer on a desk with XTOOL branding in a workshop setting

The Tools & Equipment I Use

The gear I use every day to create my maps.

  • These are the tools and equipment I use in my workshop to design, make and photograph my maps and other products. I’ve included the things I genuinely use and find useful, from laser cutting and workshop tools to photography and video equipment.

    Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

Laser Cutting

  • Green 3D printer on a desk with XTOOL branding in a workshop setting

    xTool S1

    xTool S1, 20W, Honeycomb & Air Assist. For me, the 20W is the sweet spot for this machine. If your budget only stretches to the 10W, I’d suggest waiting until you can afford the 20W. If you’re considering the 40W and have more space available, it’s also worth looking at the xTool P2. I use the Honeycomb Panel and Air Assist with mine for most of my map making.

    xTool S1 on Amazon 

  • xTool SafetyPro AP2

    Smoke Purifier for Laser Engraver, SuperCyclone System 6-Layer Filtration for Dust & Odors.

    xTool SafetyPro AP2 on Amazon 

Workshop Tools

  • Amazon Basics Tweezers

    For eyebrows and eyelashes, apparently! Probably the tools I use most often. Great for removing backing tape, retrieving small cut details that fall into the honeycomb, and general assembly. Set of four and comes with a pouch.

    Amazon Basics Tweezers on Amazon 

  • 3M 6000 Series Reusable Half Face Respirator

    It’s easy to put off buying a proper respirator because they can be expensive. In reality, the day you start spray painting or sanding is the day you should buy one. The 3M 6000 Series is comfortable, reusable and accepts a range of replaceable filters and cartridges. I keep mine sealed in an airtight bag between uses.

    3M 6000 on Amazon 

  • 3M 6001 Organic Vapour Cartridges & 5911 Particulate Filters

    I use these with my 3M 6000 Series respirator for spray painting and dusty workshop jobs such as sanding plywood. The 6001 cartridges protect against certain organic vapours, while the 5911 filters provide particulate protection. I store them sealed between uses to help extend their useful life.

    3M Cartridges on Amazon 

  • Clear Storage Boxes

    You will accumulate stuff, whether it’s offcuts, tools or materials you use every day or only occasionally. From the start, buy clear storage boxes with easy to open clasp lids. Choose stackable boxes with the same width and depth, varying the height depending on what you need to store. Being able to see what’s inside makes it much faster to find things when you need them.

    on Amazon 

  • Bosch PWB600 Work Bench

    I bought this with long term use in mind. These days, I mostly use it as a sturdy outdoor work table on my balcony for spray painting. It can live outside in all weather, folds flat when I need the space, and feels very solid. I’ve also used it with my router a few times and it has been rock solid. I liked the colour scheme too.

    Bosch PWB600 Work Bench on Amazon 

  • 1m Steel Ruler

    Maybe not an obvious recommendation, but surprisingly useful in the workshop. I regularly use mine for putting straight creases in cardboard boxes, measuring picture frames without the stress of wrestling with a tape measure, and, yes, drawing really long straight lines.

    on Amazon 

Photography & Video

  • iFootage Shark Slider PICO

    New toy, and I love this. Super smooth and incredibly easy to use. Press A for the start position, B for the finish position, then Play to record the movement. It’s light enough to carry, comes with an iPhone clamp, and has an excellent built in rechargeable battery with impressive battery life.

    iFootage Shark Slider on Amazon 

  • NEEWER Desktop Smartphone Stand

    It sits on my desktop ready to go, with no fiddly tripod setup required. It’s fast and easy to position and use. Technically, it has a larger footprint, but I find it gets in the way noticeably less than a traditional camera tripod.

    NEEWER Desktop Smartphone Stand on Amazon 

  • NEEWER PL81 PRO LED Video Light

    I use this as a side fill light when streaming and as a movable light when taking product photos. The versatile bracket makes it easy to position on a desk. There’s no standard tripod mount, but that’s not an issue for how I use it. Requires a constant USB power source.

    NEEWER PL81 PRO LED Video Light on Amazon 

  • Logitech Web Camera C920n

    I bought two of these. The mounting bracket is a great design. It’s really easy to clip onto the top of a monitor or position on a desk at just the right angle. It also has a standard screw mount on the base, making it easy to attach to a tripod or other stand.

    Logitech Web Camera C920n on Amazon 

  • NEEWER GL25B Streaming Light

    My main light. It comes with a remote, which is surprisingly useful as the light sits about an arm’s length away and the controls are on the back. Easy to adjust, provides excellent light, and great value for money.

    NEEWER GL25B on Amazon 

  • NEEWER 187cm Horizontal Tripod

    An incredibly versatile and well built tripod. It works as a regular tripod but is particularly useful for product photography, with the centre column positioning the camera directly overhead. The sturdy legs are easily adjustable, and there’s an additional mounting point for a second camera or light. I regularly move mine indoors and outside, occasionally clanging it against a door frame along the way, and it has held up extremely well.

    Neewer TP27 on Amazon 

  • NEEWER NK002 Camera Desk Mount

    I originally bought this to mount a camera above my laser while it was cutting, but currently I use it to hold the ring light above my xTool S1. It’s sturdy, easy to adjust and clamps securely to the desk. It’s a little underused at the moment, but its versatility is why I bought it, and I expect to find plenty more uses for it.

    NEEWER NK002 Camera Desk Mount on Amazon 

Computer & Design

  • Mac mini with 32GB Unified Memory

    I went for 32GB of unified memory because I rarely close apps and often have multiple Chrome windows open alongside Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Excel, and xTool Creative Space. Apple’s memory management is excellent, and the Mac mini handles everything comfortably.

    I occasionally use CleanMyMac X to free up memory, usually after working with particularly large SVG files in xTool.

    Apple Store on Amazon 

  • mylasertools.com

    MyLaserTools is an impressive suite of free maker tools, from boxes and bookmarks to photo engraving and map design, with most offering unlimited commercial exports.

    I primarily use the Map Maker. I regularly provide feedback based on my experience creating laser-cut maps for real-world projects. It’s rewarding to see errors corrected and workflows improved following my input, knowing that my feedback can also improve the experience for fellow laser makers.

    mylasertools.com 

  • Dell 27-Inch 4K Monitor

    I was fortunate enough to try one of these in advance. I loved the quality so much that I bought two for use at home with my Mac mini. The image is crisp, and the solid stand supports both vertical and horizontal orientation.

    My available desk space dictates how I position them: landscape for my main software, with the second monitor in portrait for YouTube, Excel spreadsheets with laser cutting settings, and Word documents with customer requests.

    Dell 27-Inch 4K Monitor on Amazon 

  • xTool Creative Space (XCS)

    Excellent software included with xTool laser machines. I wouldn’t rush to buy alternative laser software until you actually exceed what xTool Creative Space (XCS) can do. Everything on my site to date has been made using XCS, with the exception of my maps. Also explore the useful xTool tools and generators available. They are building an impressive collection of apps and third party integrations, many of which are free.