Makedo, Cardboard construction tools and kits in Canada

Makedo is a set of tools and reusable plastic screws, made for kids, for building with cardboard. The Safe-Saw cuts, the Fold-Roller scores fold lines, and the Scru-Driver or Mini-Tool punches holes and turns Scru and Scru+ screws that join up to three or five layers of corrugated cardboard, with no glue or tape. Kits run from the 36-piece Starter Kit to the 360-piece Invent Kit for classrooms.

Saw the shape you need with the Safe-Saw and score any folds with the Fold-Roller. Then punch a hole through the layers with the Scru-Driver, drop a Scru into the socket on its end and turn it a few times to join the pieces. A few turns the other way releases the Scru, so every part can be used again.

No. Makedo is an Australian company. It was invented in Melbourne by industrial designer Paul Justin and established in 2009, and the tools are made in China. iDesign 365 is a Canadian store and an authorized Makedo reseller, with prices in Canadian dollars.

Makedo recommends the system for ages 5 and up, and every Makedo product is independently safety tested to an age grading of 3+. In Makedo's words, children aged 4+ can make with the assistance of an adult, and children aged 7+ can make independently.

The same as the rest of the range: Makedo recommends it for ages 5+, and it is safety tested to an age grading of 3+. The Starter Kit is 28 Scru, 7 Scru+ and one Mini-Tool. The screws are small parts, so the pack carries a choking hazard warning.

Makedo is not made for toddlers. Makedo says children 3 years or younger are not advised to have unsupervised access to it, and the Scru and Scru+ screws are small parts with a choking hazard warning. It recommends Makedo from age 5, and from age 4 with an adult helping.

Makedo describes the Safe-Saw as a steel blade with no sharp edges, made to saw cardboard, not fingers. It moves through cardboard by making small micro-tears rather than slicing, so it will not cut material laid flat the way a box cutter does, and the softened edge it leaves reduces paper cuts. Makedo's tip: never saw towards the face.

Yes, says Makedo. Its products are tested by an independent laboratory and conform to Canada's Toys Regulations (SOR/2011-17), as well as USA CPSIA and ASTM F963, European EN-71 and Australia and New Zealand AS/NZS 8124. Makedo is made without PVC, BPA, phthalates or lead.

The Safe-Saw and Fold-Roller have high grade stainless steel blades that, Makedo says, need no sharpening over time. The tools and screws are reusable, and Makedo says every version of the Scru since 2013 works with today's tools. Makedo does not publish a warranty period.

Yes. Turn a Scru the other way with the Scru-Driver or Mini-Tool and it comes out, ready for the next build. Makedo's own cycle is find a box, make, play and reuse. Use only Makedo's tools on the Scru: Makedo says metal tools such as socket wrenches and power driver bits damage it beyond repair.

Makedo's own guide: the Explore Kit (50 pieces) for 1 to 2 makers, the Discover Kit (126 pieces) for 2 to 5 makers at home, and the Invent Kit (360 pieces) for about 12 to 24 makers in a classroom. The Starter Kit (36 pieces) has no saw and suits a first try or a top-up. The comparison table on this page lists every piece.

Makedo says one Invent Kit keeps about 12 to 24 makers busy at the same time, with 14 Safe-Saws, 7 Scru-Drivers, 7 Fold-Rollers and 12 Mini-Tools. For a class of 25 to 30 all building at once, we suggest two Invent Kits, or one kit with groups taking turns at a building station. Scru Combo 160 packs top up the screws through the year.

The Scru joins up to three layers of corrugated cardboard; the longer Scru+ joins up to five. Both turn with the same Scru-Driver or Mini-Tool. We stock refills on their own: Scru 180 at CA$18.15, Scru+ 120 at CA$18.15 and the Scru Combo 160 (120 Scru and 40 Scru+) at CA$21.99, plus the Safe-Saw, Fold-Roller and Scru-Driver singly and a 12-pack of Mini-Tools.

Corrugated cardboard, the kind shipping boxes are made of. Makedo's guide says foam and corrugated plastic are better cut with a sharp blade, fabric needs other tools, and rigid plastic thicker than 1 to 2 mm will not take a Scru. Makedo does not sell cardboard, so start saving boxes.

Yes. Makedo's Resource Hub is free. Its 19 design challenges, 13 Maker Academy guides and 8 of its 24 lesson plans are open to anyone; the other lesson plans and the quick activities open with a free account. Twenty-one lesson plans and design challenges list links to Ontario curriculum documents, including Science and Technology, Mathematics, Language, the Arts, and Health and Physical Education.

Anything a box can become. Makedo's step-by-step videos in the project ideas above cover a box house, a race car, a puppet, a UFO costume and a windball. In class, Makedo's design challenges include a sturdy place to sit, a toy transporter, a cardboard arcade and a housing design.

Right here. iDesign 365 is an authorized Canadian Makedo reseller and carries 11 Makedo products: the Invent, Discover, Explore and Starter kits, the three single tools, the Mini-Tool 12-pack and three Scru refills. Prices are in Canadian dollars, for example the Invent Kit at CA$218.90 and the Discover Kit at CA$43.99, and shipping is shown at checkout.

Yes. Choose Purchase Order at checkout and reply to our acknowledgement with your PO, or choose Quote and our sales team will send a detailed quote, whether it is one Invent Kit or a set for every class. You can also reach us at [email protected] or 416-213-8445.

They do different jobs. The ChompSaw, made by Chomp Shop, is a powered cardboard cutter. Makedo cuts by hand with the Safe-Saw, and its main job is joining: the Scru screws hold pieces together and come apart again. Our suggestion for a makerspace is to cut with the ChompSaw and connect with Makedo, and our ChompSaw Maker PLUS bundle (CA$649) includes a Makedo Invent Kit. Chomp Shop and Makedo are separate companies; the pairing is ours. See the ChompSaw page.