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How to Assemble a Basketmaker's Tool Kit
From your Basketry Guide

Assembling the tools you need to get started in basketry yourself or to make a gift basket for a beginning basketmaker couldn't be easier. Just follow these steps.

Difficulty Level: Easy    Time Required: 30 minutes

Here's How:  Put these things together in a basket or tool bag.

1. Pocket knife with a straight edge blade
2. Knife sharpener.
3. Sharp, strong scissors.
4. Tape measure, ruler or cutting mat with measured square grid.
5. Water bucket or dishpan, towel, spray bottle and a small square cut from a sponge for use in wetting your materials.
6. Sand paper for finishing handles and rims. Micro-Mesh™ works wonders for a final polish.
7. Pencil and notepad for marking materials and taking notes as you work.
8. Clothes pins, rubber bands, spring clamps, twist ties or plastic cable ties for clamping rims.
9. An awl for use in packing down your weaving or opening space to insert your lasher or other element.
10. Diagonal cutting pliers for trimming off ends of weavers or removing stray fibers.
11. Small hemostat or needle nose pliers for reaching into tight areas where your fingers can't fit.
12. Small saw and miter box for cutting rim and handle stock.
13. Brass caliper or reed gauge to measure the width of your materials.
14. Pruning shears for cutting heavier materials.
15. Cutting mat with grid can be used to cover your work table. It is helpful in measuring spokes, laying out your basket base and keeping your work squared up.

Tips:

1. Most basketmakers love tools. Leave room in your tool kit for new toys.
2. Putting together a tool kit as a gift basket for a beginning basketmaker? Print out a free basket pattern you know is in the public domain to tuck into your basket.

Related Information:

• Basketmakers Tools
• Basket Weaving Materials Suppliers
• Anatomy of A Basket Handle
• Free Basket Patterns
• Basketmaking Kits
  

Micro-Mesh My favorite supplies for final polishing of basket handles.	X-acto Small Miter Box Set A great help when cutting handle notches.	Fiskars Diagonal Cutter	Spring Clamps
Detail Sanding Curves Use these detail grips when sanding the curved portions of your basket handles and rims.	Basketry Tool Kit 5 Tools with Storage Pouch	Basic Tools and supplies	Sanding Products
Olfa® Gridded Cutting Mats	Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Scissors	Pruners	Draw Knives

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