When people imagine a laser cutting studio, they tend to picture sleek tech, glowing beams, maybe a robotic arm or two. Very sci-fi, very slick. And yes, the laser is the big star of the show—it’s what makes the magic happen. But in the background, quietly holding everything together, is a far less glamorous piece of kit: a grotty old toothbrush.
Not even a special one. Just a cheap, battered thing that, quite honestly, looks like it’s been through the wars. But I’d be completely lost without it.
I use it to scrub the tiny bits of residue out of engraved areas on my jewellery, making sure every piece is clean and crisp before infilling. It might not sound like much, but the difference it makes is huge. No fancy tool or bit of software can replace it. When it goes missing (which is often), I end up walking in slow, muttering circles around the studio trying to work out where I’ve put it—despite the fact I could, with a tiny bit of common sense, just buy a few more.
But no. I remain toothbrush monogamous.
It’s one of those unlikely partnerships that keeps things running. Unremarkable to look at, but absolutely essential.
It got me thinking—what other unexpected tools are out there in people’s creative spaces, kitchens, sheds, or studios? The bits of kit that don’t look like much but earn their keep every single day?
If you’ve got a studio sidekick that’s more ‘underdog’ than ‘flagship’, I’d love to hear about it. These oddball tools deserve a bit of the limelight too.