When a Maker God Takes a Swing at Peak EDC Toolkit
We are at a very interesting inflection point in the craftsman space. If you follow a craftsman like Matt Estla, you will see a young guy using mostly hand tools to pump out brilliant renditions of classic items—a work bench, a chair, even a mallet. On the other end of the spectrurm we have folks like Zach Freedman who uses a computer, a laser, a scanner, and a 3D Printer to create amazing designs. The tools and the media no longer the thing that cloisters makers into different groups. A guy like Izzy Swan has both laser robots and hand planes.
What happens when you combine the EDC mindset with high tech tools maker tools? The Flatlander Tech Tool Holder, inspired by the truly great Wera Tool Check Plus. Take a look at this video:
Its not just the gee whiz tech or the choice of high end tools (Wiha and Knipex). It is the real design insights that sets the tool holder apart. With carefully chamfered holders for bits and magnets in the bottom of many tool wells, the entire device hold stuff securely but without making retrieval difficult.
As I was writing this post Flatlander posted a sequel the that original. You can find that here:
Building a Wera Tool Check Inspired EDC
This one is smaller, without the rotating bit holder, and it was printed using a resin printer. It also includes spots for other tools and integrates a wood backer plate for durability (and because a part chip off).
All of this has me thinking about a tool kit of my own design. I don’t have a 3D print, the but idea would be to make it from wood, magnets, and a milk crate. Mine would be more of a New Age tool box than an EDC kit. I’d want mine to carry a hammer, a box from the small parts organizer I am making, and fit within a milk crate but be removable from it, so the milk crate could be used as a stool or a seat. I love milk crate and I probably have 25 around the house doing various things. They are truly a perfect design. I’ll post it when it is finished, which might be a year or a month, depending on how it goes. I’ll also probably review the Wera Tool Check Plus. Its friggin’ brilliant.
Amazon Link