How To Use The Makedo Tools

This is not a cutting blade! There are no sharp edges, which means it will not cut with the material laid flat (as you would with a box cutter).

The Makedo Safe-Saw is independently tested to meet international toy safety standards for children aged 3+.

This 'saw' works differently to a carpentry saw or cutting knife, because there are no sharp edges.

The smooth teeth of the Safe-Saw move through the cardboard by making small micro-tears, rather than cutting through as would happen when using a sharp blade.

So by leaning down/forwards in the direction of the sawing motion, more accurate and controlled force can be applied.

The roughened edge that is created by the Safe-Saw is in fact a safety feature!

Because the edge of the cardboard has been softened, the risk of paper cuts is significantly reduced.

This is of benefit when making wearable creations and also structures to crawl through and play inside.

The Safe-Saw features graded serrations to allow sawing through any thickness of cardboard.

Use the small teeth on thinner cardboard for more control. You will also get a cleaner cut edge.

Use the larger teeth on thicker cardboard or if you want a faster, rougher cut.

Depending on the situation, it can help to support the cardboard when using the Safe-Saw.

Try using a table edge for stability and control when cutting flat sheets.

Also experiment with the cardboard held vertically. This can be done by an assisting maker or by the active maker themselves.

We recommend that the maker stands above the material that is to be cut, and leans into the saw with their bodyweight rather than rapidly pulling back and forth using arm strength alone.

This works in the child's favour in multiple ways.
Kids often over-estimate their own arm strength!

Slow and steady will be more effective than moving at super-speed.

The Safe-Saw is intended for larger forms, and works best on larger surfaces down to about 2-inches in width.

We like to advise younger makers to try to keep the shapes they are cutting out at a size that is larger than their own hand.

If a younger maker is having trouble getting through the cardboard, try to score a line using the Fold-Roller, or punch a row of holes along the line of your cut with the spike at the end of the handle, about 1-inch apart.

Then use the Safe-Saw to "join the dots" as you cut.

When to use a cutting guide line:

The cutting guide line works well for straight and curved cuts, as well as cutouts such as holes, windows or doors.

If you are cutting a line away from an edge, reverse the Safe-Saw to punch a hole or two where you want to start the cut line and wiggle the rounded Safe-Saw tip into the hole/s to start your cut.

Where would you use this technique?

Think about cutting out windows or doors, eyes on a robot or a slot for a mailbox.

Depending on the cardboard you are using, the edge of your cut can be ragged or messy-looking.

It's super easy to fix this - just pick off the loose scraps along the edge (you can use your fingers!) for a cleaner, neater outcome.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

This tool is for making perforated lines in the cardboard.

These lines then enable the cardboard to be folded or shaped with greater precision and control.

The spaced teeth on the wheel of the Fold-Roller are specifically designed to pierce the surface of the cardboard at regular intervals. The result is a dotted line that can be used to fold the cardboard or as a guide for cutting with the Safe-Saw.

The Fold-Roller is not a cutting tool and is not intended to be used to cut all the way through the cardboard. 

The scored line created by the Fold-Roller only needs to be on one side of the cardboard. It is not necessary for the perforations to go all the way through.

For creating a regular fold in the cardboard, make a straight line with the Fold-Roller.

A more advanced technique is to create curved folds for more sculptural forms. How this turns out depends on the angle of the curve, the location of the fold and also the thickness of the cardboard you are using.

For younger makers, tracing out a dotted line with the Fold-Roller is a great way to help them learn to used the Safe-Saw.

They can use the perforated line as a cutting guide, to follow along with the Safe-Saw.

This can be handy with straight or curved cuts, and also when cutting into a surface eg: for a window or door feature.

We recommend that the maker stands above the material that is to be marked with the Fold-Roller, and presses down firmly with the tool so that the teeth pierce the cardboard before rolling begins.

Cardboard can be incredibly strong when you control how it is folded.

Look at how everyday cardboard boxes are made. The folds will be stronger when they are perpendicular to the direction of the flutes in the cardboard.

Once the teeth have made their first mark in the surface of the cardboard, continue to grip the Fold-Roller with fingers behind the shield and firm pressure applied.

Glide the toothed wheel forward at a 45 degree angle across the cardboard surface to create a perforated fold line.

The Fold-Roller will work best if you are pressing down firmly the whole time while moving the tool across the surface of the cardboard.

Notice that the wheel is off-centre? There's a reason for that!

For thinner cardboard you can turn the Fold-Roller over and hold it at a 45 degree angle so that the teeth don’t cut as deep.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

The companion tool to the Scru and Scru+ connector. For connecting cardboard quickly and securely.

Reach into narrow spaces, use different grip styles, and connect the Scru or Scru+ with a familiar twisting action.

The Scru-Driver makes it easy to quickly take apart your Makedo creations so that the cardboard is left clean and ready to be reused or recycled.

The Makedo Scrus are endlessly reusable so keep them handy for your next creation.

Twist to the right to connect cardboard together with the Makedo Scru.

Twist to the left to remove the Scru and separate the cardboard pieces.

Here's an easy way to remember:
Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey.

The action of punching a hole for the Scru should be smooth and controlled.

Place the punch end of the tool against the cardboard, and push the punch through the surface using a firm grip and a smooth action.

Fast or stabbing motions are not likely to have the desired outcome and should be avoided.

Some cardboard surfaces can be tougher or more resistant. This may be due to surface coatings or the thickness of the outer layer.

Try slowly tilting the punch from side to side while applying force, to help the pointy end of the punch break through the first layer of cardboard.

When punching through many layers of cardboard, the compression of the cardboard can make it harder to punch all the way through.

Try tilting and twisting the tool as you apply pressure, to work the punch through the layers.

If this still doesn't get all the way through you may need to separate the layers and punch the hole in one or two pieces at a time.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

The heart of the Makedo cardboard construction system.

Easily and firmly connect layers of cardboard with the Scru.

Completely reusable, just a few quick turns and the Scru is released.

When the time comes for disassembly, the Scru is easily removed leaving the cardboard clean and ready to be reused or recycled.

Makedo Scrus can be reused over and over (and over) again!

The smaller Makedo Scru is designed to connect up to 3x layers of corrugated cardboard.

The Makedo Scru has been specifically designed to be used with Makedo tools only.

Compatible tools include:

Makedo Scru-Driver
(this has a yellow handle and grey shaft, with a Scru-sized socket at the end)

Makedo Mini-Tool
(this is the small round yellow tool featuring a punch and a socket for the Scru connector)

3d Printed Scru-Bit *
Level-up your cardboard construction with this electric screwdriver attachment
_{* use with caution at low speed}

The Makedo Scru can only be used with the Makedo Scru-Driver, Mini-Tool or 3d-printed Scru-Bit.

It is not compatible with metal tools such as socket wrenches and power driver bits.

Using metal tools with the Makedo Scru will result in irreversible damage to the Scru connector.

Before inserting the Scru, first punch a hole through the layers of cardboard that are to be connected.

This hole can be punched with the handy spike that is at the end of each yellow Makedo tool handle, and also on the yellow Mini-Tool.

Hold the layers of cardboard together and then punch through at the location where you plan to attach the Scru.

Attempting to force the Scru through the cardboard without first punching a hole is not recommended.

The Scru has been designed specifically for use with corrugated cardboard, and it does not need to be tightened very hard.

Once the Scru stops turning, that will be enough for a strong, secure connection.

This is due to the thread of the Scru compressing the layers of cardboard together. The friction between the layers maintains a firm connection, so that the Scru does not need to be tightened with extra force.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

The heart of the Makedo cardboard construction system.

Easily and firmly connect extra layers of cardboard with the Scru+.

Completely reusable, just a few quick turns and the Scru+ is released.

When the time comes for disassembly, the Scru+ is easily removed leaving the cardboard clean and ready to be reused or recycled.

Makedo Scru+ can be reused over and over (and over) again!

The longer Makedo Scru+ is designed to connect up to 5x layers of corrugated cardboard.

Use the longer Makedo Scru+ to connect 3D printed attachments or other additions to the Makedo cardboard construction system.

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The Makedo Scru+ has been specifically designed to be used with Makedo tools only.

Compatible tools include:

Makedo Scru-Driver
(this has a yellow handle and grey shaft, with a Scru+ sized socket at the end)

Makedo Mini-Tool
(this is the small round yellow tool featuring a punch and a socket for the Scru+ connector)

3d Printed Scru-Bit *
Level-up your cardboard construction with this electric screwdriver attachment
_{* use with caution at low speed}

The Makedo Scru+ can only be used with the Makedo Scru-Driver, Mini-Tool or 3d-printed Scru-Bit.

It is not compatible with metal tools such as socket wrenches and power driver bits.

Using metal tools with the Makedo Scru will result in irreversible damage to the Scru+ connector.

Before inserting the Scru+, first punch a hole through the layers of cardboard that are to be connected.

This hole can be punched with the handy spike that is at the end of each yellow Makedo tool handle, and also on the yellow Mini-Tool.

Hold the layers of cardboard together and then punch through at the location where you plan to attach the Scru+.

Attempting to force the Scru+ through the cardboard without first punching a hole is not recommended.

The Scru+ has been designed specifically for use with corrugated cardboard, and it does not need to be tightened very hard.

Once the Scru+ stops turning, that will be enough for a strong, secure connection.

This is due to the thread of the Scru+ compressing the layers of cardboard together. The friction between the layers maintains a firm connection, so that the Scru+ does not need to be tightened with extra force.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.

Use different grip styles and connect the Scru or Scru+ with an intuitive twisting action.

The Mini-Tool features an easy-grip ring that can be twisted like a wingnut when connecting or disassembling.

Some younger makers find this action more intuitive and physically easier than the linear format of the Scru-Driver.

Reach into smaller spaces, slip one in your pocket or wear it like a ring.

Invite your parents, siblings, cousins and friends to join in the making with Makedo.

Twist to the right to connect cardboard together with the Makedo Scru.

Twist to the left to remove the Scru and separate the cardboard pieces.

Here's an easy way to remember:
Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey.

The Mini-Tool makes it easy to quickly take apart your Makedo creations so that the cardboard is left clean and ready to be reused or recycled.

The Makedo Scrus are endlessly reusable so keep them handy for your next creation.

The action of punching a hole for the Scru should be smooth and controlled.

Place the punch end of the tool against the cardboard, and push the punch through the surface using a firm grip and a smooth action.

Fast or stabbing motions are not likely to have the desired outcome and should be avoided.

Some cardboard surfaces can be tougher or more resistant. This may be due to surface coatings or the thickness of the outer layer.

Try slowly tilting the punch from side to side while applying force, to help the pointy end of the punch break through the first layer of cardboard.

When punching through many layers of cardboard, the compression of the cardboard can make it harder to punch all the way through.

Try tilting and twisting the tool as you apply pressure, to work the punch through the layers.

If this still doesn't get all the way through you may need to separate the layers and punch the hole in one or two pieces at a time.

Keep your making safe by never pulling or pushing the Makedo tools towards the face of an active maker.