Gear & Kit
The actual gear Chris uses — for fixing things, making art, and filming it all. All linked on Amazon UK so you can grab the same kit.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend stuff I actually use or rate. — Chris
Amazon Services — Best Earners
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Amazon Prime
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Free next-day delivery, Prime Video, Prime Music and more. If you order from Amazon and you're not on Prime, you're paying for delivery you don't need to.
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The world's biggest audiobook library. Great for listening on the tools or on the road. Try it free — you get a free book to keep even if you cancel.
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Unlimited reading — thousands of books including indie and self-published titles. A great way to discover authors like me who publish independently.
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Tools Chris uses on the job — drills, workbenches and the kit that actually earns its keep.
Power Tools
The go-to drill for home and trade work. Bosch reliability, two-speed gearbox, batteries that last. If you only buy one drill, make it this.
View on AmazonImpact Driver
When the combi drill isn't enough. The DeWalt XR impact driver is what you reach for on stubborn fixings, decking screws and long runs of cladding.
View on AmazonWorkbench
The classic. Folds flat, holds firm, takes abuse. Been in workshops and vans for fifty years for good reason. Don't bother with the cheap imitations.
View on AmazonStorage
Fits everything, survives everything. Reinforced base, loads of pockets. Your tools are worth protecting — a decent bag pays for itself in saved kit.
View on AmazonMeasuring
The blade stays rigid further than anything else on the market. Measure once, cut once. The FatMax is the only tape measure worth talking about.
View on AmazonSafety
Your knees will thank you. Skip this when you're 30, regret it when you're 50. A proper kneeling pad is the most underrated bit of kit on any job.
View on AmazonCutting
Every workshop needs a reliable handsaw. The Bahco hardpoint is the one tradespeople actually reach for — stays sharp, cuts clean, built to last.
View on AmazonFinishing
The finish that makes restored furniture look proper. Weather-resistant, deep colour, and it actually does what it says on the tin — unlike half the stuff out there.
View on AmazonCategory 02
The hardware and software stack behind the illustrations, the books, and the Ancestors Awakening curation.
Drawing Tablet
The industry standard. Pressure-sensitive, responsive and built to last. If you're serious about digital illustration, Wacom is where the conversation starts.
View on AmazonTablet
Procreate on iPad is genuinely magical for sketching and concept work. The Apple Pencil feels like a real tool. A game-changer for on-the-go illustration.
View on AmazonSoftware
Photoshop, Illustrator, Firefly — the full creative suite. Adobe Firefly is the AI tool used for the book illustrations. If you create anything seriously, this is non-negotiable.
View on AmazonMonitor
Colour accuracy matters when you're doing book covers and artwork. A cheap monitor will have you printing stuff that looks nothing like what you designed.
View on AmazonAccessories
You're moving a mouse thousands of times a day. Get one that doesn't wreck your wrist. Logitech MX Master series is the benchmark.
View on AmazonStorage
Creative files are massive. Back everything up on a fast, reliable external SSD. Lose your project files once and you'll never skip a backup again.
View on AmazonPrinting
Print your own artwork proofs and book drafts without spending a fortune on cartridges. The EcoTank pays for itself fast — huge ink tanks, brilliant colour output.
View on AmazonDesk Lighting
Lights your desk without throwing glare on the screen. A game-changer for late-night creative sessions — your eyes will feel the difference within the first hour.
View on AmazonCategory 03
Camera, lighting and audio — everything needed to film professional-looking content from a workshop or home studio.
Camera
Brilliant autofocus, interchangeable lenses, excellent video quality. The go-to camera for serious YouTube creators who don't want to overspend on a cinema rig.
View on AmazonMicrophone
The most popular USB mic on YouTube for good reason — plug in, sound great, done. Viewers will forgive average video long before they forgive bad audio.
View on AmazonLighting
App-controlled, flicker-free, built for creators. One Key Light transforms a basic setup into something that looks properly professional. The difference is instant.
View on AmazonTripod
Wraps around anything, goes anywhere. Perfect for filming on a workbench, clamped to a shelf, or rigged at an odd angle in a tight workshop corner.
View on AmazonCapture Card
If you want to stream or record on-screen action alongside your workshop footage, a capture card is the missing link. The Elgato HD60 X is plug-and-play perfection.
View on AmazonAudio Interface
If you want to step up from USB to an XLR mic setup, the Scarlett Solo is the entry point everyone recommends. Crystal clear preamps, dead simple to use.
View on AmazonGreen Screen
Pulls down in seconds, wrinkle-resistant, folds away when you're done. If you want to do talking-head or tutorial videos with clean backgrounds, this is the one.
View on AmazonPower
For filming on location — nothing kills a shoot faster than a dead phone or camera. Anker make the most reliable power banks on the market, full stop.
View on Amazon