FAVORITE THINGS
A visual catalog of our go-to, studio standard tools.
Last Updated: July 1, 2024
Essential Hand Tools
These are on-site install essentials. You can fix or assemble just about anything with these three compact tools: a multi-tool, electronics bit-driver, and a larger screw driver. Just don’t forget to put them in your checked baggage (I’ve lost a few Skeletools to TSA):
Wera Kraftform Kompakt 25 Screwdriver (link), iFixit Minnow Driver Kit (link), Leatherman Skeletool (link)
Flight Cases
These Pelican Air have been great travel companions. Project essentials go into the carry-on sized Pelican Air 1535, tools and larger items go into the 1615, and the 1630 is the perfect size for shipping PC desktop towers.
Pelican Air 1535 (Carry-On Luggage) (link), Pelican Air 1615 (Checked Luggage) (link), Pelican Air 1630 (Checked Luggage) (link)
Project Toolbox
This is the perfect per-project, grab-and-go toolbox for essential tools. It’s not overly fussy with organization, but spacious enough to fit large and small tools. These are a few of my favorite things in this toolbox:
Toyo Steel Toolbox (link), PB Swiss Tools Rainbow Hex Key Set (link), Bosch GLM20 Blaze Laser Measure (link), KNIPEX 8603150 Wrench (link)
Remote Power
These perfectly flat surge protectors pack so well for travel and lie flat when zip-tied to extruded aluminum. Pair with a cheap, simple remote-controlled power outlet when needing to power-cycle gear in hard to reach places (like inceiling installs).
APC Surge Protector (link), RF Controlled Power Outlet (link)
Convertible Hand Truck
This hand truck is a work horse: it quickly converts between hand truck and cart, has solid rubber wheels you never need to inflate, and it lets one person move heavy equipment around the studio. There are cheaper and lighter hand trucks, but I Iove this indestructible one.
Uline H-1363 Convertible Hand Truck (link)
Tech Bag
More travel essentials. Beyond the usual items, I keep backup installation media for whatever operating systems I need, as well as a few band-aids and alcohol wipes for the inevitable accident. I carry a few USB 2.0 jump drives for compatibility with older computers and robots:
Bellroy Tech Kit (link), USB-C Dongle (link), SanDisk USB 2.0 Drives (link), Velcro Ties (link), HDMI Cable (link)
Modular Electronics
DIN rails and WAGO nuts: why did no on tell me about these sooner?! DIN rails are cheap, sturdy pieces of aluminum magic that are standard gear in electrical boxes. But when when paired with a 3D printer and DIN clips, they allow for neat and orderly arrangement of nearly anything.
I’m equally relieved to have WAGO lever nuts in my life, so I never have to solder wires together again — they’re a huge time saver.
Mobile Power
I recently discovered these 5,000mAh power banks, which have become indispensable for projects needing cable-free power (like with roaming robots). They have the most power in the smallest, lightest form factor that I could find. Having both male and female USB-C ports means they can pack into small space and still get recharged.
Anker Nano Power Bank (link)
Power & Mounting
When working overseas, we bring power strips not a surge protectors — surge protectors will trip when plugged into European or Asian outlets (a lesson learned the hard way). Magic Arms are super quick, flexible, and compact tools for mounting sensors, and gaffer tape always saves the day.
Belkin Power Strip (link), Manfrotto Magic Arm (link), Gaffer Tape (link)
Computers
I often work across different operating systems for any given project, which means I need to travel with Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. While I prefer Mac, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at the power-to-portability ratio of this 2022 Dell XPS 13. I use NVIDIA Jetsons as my go-to embedded Linux systems.
Dell XPS 13 9305 (Windows) (link), Jetson Orin Nano (Linux) (link), 2017 Intel Macbook Pro (Mac)
Marking
We hand-label everything with ‘ATONATON’ to differentiate our tools from others when on-site. Our preferred marker is this aqua paint sharpie (a trick I picked up from my time at the STUDIO, h/t Golan Levin). For more precise, bold marking, this Pica Deep-Hole marker has been game changing.
Keyboards
Always bring with your own keyboard when working overseas (another lesson learned the hard way). Special characters like semi-colons, periods, hyphens are always in unfamiliar places, and re-teaching your muscle memory really slows you down. I use these logitech keyboards and mice because they can connect to 3 devices — so I can use 1 set when working across windows, linux, and mac. They have a super durable build quality, and all use USB-C charging.
Logitech MX Keys (link), Logitech MX Mechanical Mini (link), Logitech MX Anywhere 3 Mouse (link)