Competently Crafting Cardboard Creations
In this guide, we’ll explore the exciting realm of using tools to transform ordinary cardboard into extraordinary creations. From basic cutting tools to more advanced implements (parents, we’re looking at you). We’ll cover essential techniques and best practices to help you craft your cardboard masterpieces. But before we begin, let’s emphasize a crucial point: for young crafters, parental assistance and supervision are paramount. We want to ensure that every cardboard adventure is not only enjoyable but also safe. Let’s take a look at these cardboard tool kits and resources!
Contents
Quick Tool Kit Rundown
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*Cost at time of posting
The Tool Kit Deep Dive
MakeDo Explore Kit – Best for Multiple Kids, Best Over All
This was one of the first kits that we found, it comes with a comfortable saw and a screwdriver for the screws in the kit. It also comes with a mini screwdriver, but it is likely to be hardly used unless you have multiple kids. The best part about this kit is the screws (which it shares with the Screwee Kit). They come in a short and long length meaning you can connect the thickest double wall cardboard. However the best part: these screws have a proper thread. This makes starting the screw into cardboard so much easier than others.
The saw is moderately good. It has a coarse and a fine side. Both cause a moderate amount of tearing, but they also move through the material quite fast. This has to do largely with the teeth and the width of the saw at only 1.03 millimeters.
Screwee Cardboard Construction Kit – Affordable with Best Screws
The Screwee kit wins when it comes to cost and it comes with the same, great screws as the MakeDo kit. They are a slightly lighter blue, however you can tell they are made from the same molds. The Screwee kit is the most affordable, but it also has the least number of pieces in the kit. The screwdriver does the job it is meant to do.
The saw is not great, but also not the worst. It is almost twice the size as the MakeDo at 1.89mm+ and causes quite a bit of tear out. This is one of the slower saws too. Expect little ones to need more help.
Elmer’s Build It Starter Set – Best Saw, Frustrating Screws
As the most expensive on this list, it offers the best saw hands down. Unlike the rest of them, it only has one serration size. However, it cuts the fastest and cleanest. The Elmer’s Kit also comes with straight and right angle brackets, adding another level of capability that other kits don’t offer.
Unfortunately, the Elmers set is plagued with screws that are difficult to start, and that is coming from someone who is a familiar wood worker and car wrencher. If you look closely at the second image below, you can see how progressively the blue screw starts. The orange screw on the other hand ramps up to its full size very quickly. If you’re having a hard time seeing it, compare the radius of each screw at the 6 and 7 o’clock positions. The screws are also very short causing the brackets to be difficult to use (See image below). We worry that the Elmer’s screws will be frustrating to new and young builders.
Box Lox Deluxe Kit – Huge Piece Supply, Completely Different Approach
The rest of these kits use screws to pull two pieces together against each other, but the Box Lox Deluxe Kit takes a completely different approach. It connects panels by pinching the edge of the cardboard. This allows them to offer you connectors at different angles, tee shaped connectors and even ones that spin. One of the biggest positives is the ability to start building immediately. No holes to punch for screws, you can just grab two panels and connect them instantly. If you decide to modify your creation, you just pull the connectors off and all that is left is a dent in the cardboard.
There are a couple drawbacks: the connectors only function on the edges of panels. If you wanted to attach something in the center of a panel, you would have to cut a hole to create an edge and attach from there. This kit also has the worst saw by far. It is very thick, measuring 2.59mm at the thinnest part, making cutting messy and difficult. This kit also comes with a box scorer that we found to be minimally useful.
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Knowledge Bases
You have your tools, but what now? You need some techniques, some inspiration, a kick start! Here are a couple creators to get the gears turning:
Parental Tools
Parents, here are some tools that are available to you so you may assist your little builders.
Box Resizer with Scoring Wheel
This tool is useful for scoring corrugated cardboard, allowing precise and clean folds. Use this to help your builder and save money by downsizing any box you might be shipping. This tool will literally pay for itself.
Utility Knife with Scoring Wheel
Same concept here, but scoring wheel is freehand, not guided. But it is a lot more compact and has the knife attached to it, of course. This is a handy tool when you’re on the go and need some quick changes.