How to Create a Woodwork Tools Illustration in Adobe Illustrator

In today’s tutorial, we’re going to take a look at the process of creating a set of woodwork tools, using nothing more than the basic geometric shapes and tools that we probably work with on a regular basis. Grab a bigger than usual mug of coffee, since this is going to be a long one.

Oh, and don’t forget you can always expand the project by checking out GraphicRiver, where you can find tons of tool-themed vector packs ready to be clicked on.

1. How to Set Up a New Project File

Since I’m assuming you already have Illustrator up and running in the background, bring it up and let’s set up a New Document (File > New or Control-N) for our project using the following settings:

• Number of Artboards: 1
• Width: 1200 px
• Height: 600 px
• Units: Pixels

And from the Advanced tab:

• Color Mode: RGB
• Raster Effects: Screen (72ppi)
• Preview Mode: Default

2. How to Set Up a Custom Grid

Now, I know we’re not working on icons today, but since we’re going to be creating the illustration using a pixel-perfect workflow, we’ll want to set up a nice little grid so that we can have full control over our shapes.

Step 1

Go to the Edit > Preferences > Guides & Grid submenu, and adjust the following settings:

• Gridline every: 1 px
• Subdivisions: 1

Quick tip: you can learn more about grids by reading this in-depth piece on how Illustrator’s Grid System works.

Step 2

Once we’ve set up our custom grid, all we need to do in order to make sure our shapes look crisp is enable the Snap to Grid option found under the View menu, which will transform into Snap to Pixel each time you enter Pixel Preview mode.

Now, if you’re new to the whole “Pixel-Perfect workflow”, I strongly recommend you go through my how to create pixel-perfect artwork tutorial, which will help you widen your technical skills in no time.

3. How to Set Up the Layers

Once we’ve finished setting up our project file, it would be a good idea to structure our document using a couple of layers, since this way we can maintain a steady workflow by focusing on one section of the illustration at a time.

That being said, bring up the Layers panel, and create a total of three layers, which we will rename as follows:

• layer 1: background
• layer 2: carving tools
• layer 3: measuring tools
• layer 4: adjustment tools

Quick tip: I’ve colored all of my layers using the same green value, since it’s the easiest one to view when used to highlight your selected shapes (whether they're closed or open paths).

4. How to Create the Background

We’re going to kick off the project by creating the little sunset background, so make sure you’re on the right layer (that would be the first one), and then lock all the other layers and let’s get started.

Step 1

Create the background’s fill section using a 368 x 148 px rectangle, which we will color using #EBEFF7 and then center align to the underlying Artboard.

Step 2

Create the outline section using a slightly larger 380 x 160 px rectangle (#2D2020) which we will center align to the Artboard as we did with the smaller one, adjusting it by flipping its Fill with its Stroke (Shift-X) and setting its weight to 4 px.

Once you’re done, select and group the two shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut before moving on to the next section of the tutorial.

5. How to Create the Narrower Chisel

With the background in place, we’re going to start working on the first carving tool. So, assuming you’re on the right layer (that would be the second one), zoom in on the background and let’s jump into it. 

Step 1 

Create the handle using a 30 x 12 px rectangle, which we will color using #E8B15B and then position in the upper-left section of the background, at a distance of 20 px from its outline’s top edge and 32 px from its left one.

Step 2

Give the shape an outline, by creating a copy (Control-C) of it which we will paste in front (Control-F) and then adjust by first changing its color to #2D2020 and then flipping its Fill with its Stroke (Shift-X), making sure to set its Stroke’s Weight to 4 px afterwards.

Step 3

Give the handle its wooden texture by taking a couple of moments and drawing it using a couple of 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) with a Round Cap, making sure to group (Control-G) them all together once you’re done.

Step 4

Mask the texture lines that we’ve just grouped by creating a copy (Control-C) of the underlying yellow shape, which we will paste on top of them (Control-F) and then use as a Clipping Mask by right clicking > Make Clipping Mask. Once you’re done, select and group all of the shapes that we have so far using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 5

Start working on the upper section of the metal body by creating a 12 x 26 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) which we will position below the handle, making sure to center align the two.

Step 6

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created by adding a pair of side anchor points, positioned at a distance of 4 px from its upper edge using the Add Anchor Point Tool (+).

For this step, I recommend you turn on the Pixel Preview mode (Alt-Shift-Y) so that you can have a better view of the process.

Step 7

Continue adjusting the shape by individually selecting and pushing its bottom anchor points to the inside by a distance of 3 px using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > + / - 3 px depending on which side you start with).

Step 8

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline using the Stroke method, making sure to set its color to #2D2020.

Step 9

Using the Pen Tool (P) draw a 12 px wide 2 px thick detail Stroke line (#2D2020) that connects the metal section’s two side anchor points that we added a few steps ago.

Step 10

Create a 4 x 6 px rectangle (#2D2020) which we will center align to the detail line from the previous step. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current section’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 11

Create the center section of the chisel’s metal body using a 6 x 52 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) which we will group (Control-G) and then position below the section that we’ve just finished working on in the previous step.

Step 12

Add the chisel’s cutting edge using a 6 x 8 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) which we will group (Control-G) and then position below the previously created section. Since we’re done working on the current object, you can select and group (Control-G) all its composing sections as well.

6. How to Create the Wider Chisel

Once you’ve finished working on the narrower chisel, you can move a few pixels towards the right and start working on the second one.

Step 1

Create the tool’s handle using the same 12 x 30 px rectangle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) and 2 px thick wooden texture lines, which we will group (Control-G) and then position on the right side of the previous chisel, at a distance of 16 px from it.

Step 2

Create the metal body’s upper section using the same process, only this time reposition the main shape’s bottom anchor points towards the inside by a distance of just 2 px. Once you’re done, group (Control-G) and position the shapes below the handle.

Step 3

Start working on the chisel’s center metal section by creating an 8 x 16 px rectangle, which we will color using #C0C6D8 and then center align to the previous section, positioning it so that it overlaps the surface by 4 px.

Step 4

Create a larger 20 x 48 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) which we will position below the smaller one, making sure to center align the two.

Step 5

Select and then unite the two rectangles into a single larger shape using Pathfinder’s Unite Shape Mode.

Step 6

Adjust the resulting shape by setting the Radius of its top corners to 4 px from within the Live Corners input value box.

Step 7

Select the two anchor points created during the unification process of the two rectangles, and adjust those as well by setting their Radius to 4 px.

Step 8

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline using the Stroke method, making sure to set its color to #2D2020.

Step 9

Connect the chisel’s lower metal section to its upper one, using a 2 x 2 px circle (#2D2020) which we will position towards the rounded section of its larger shape. Once you’re done, select and group all three shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 10

Add the blade section using a 20 x 10 px rectangle, which we will color using #9DA3B2 and then center align to the metal body’s bottom edge.

Step 11

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created by adding a pair of anchor points at a distance of 2 px from its bottom edge, and then individually selecting and pushing its top ones to the inside by a distance of 6 px using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > + / - 6 px depending on which side you start with).

Step 12

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline using the Stroke method, making sure to set its color to #2D2020.

Step 13

Finish off the current section, and with it the tool itself, by creating a 20 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) which we will center align to the chisel’s blade, selecting and grouping (Control-G) all three shapes together afterwards. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the chisel’s composing sections as well.

7. How to Create the Hammer

With both chisels finished, move a few pixels towards the right and then start working on the wooden hammer.

Step 1

Create the upper section sticking out of the hammer’s head using an 8 x 6 px rectangle (#CC8550) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position on the right side of the wider chisel, at a distance of 30 px from it.

Step 2

Add the hammer’s head using a 36 x 28 px rounded rectangle (#E59A5C) with a 4 px Corner Radius and a 4 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), on top of which we will add the wooden texture using 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020). Group (Control-G) all the shapes together, and then position them below the previously created section.

Step 3

Create the handle using an 8 x 48 px rectangle (#CC8550) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will draw the wooden texture, grouping (Control-G) and then positioning the shapes below the hammer’s head.

Step 4

Add the hammer’s grip using a 16 x 34 px rounded rectangle (#E59A5C) with a 4 px Corner Radius and a 4 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the bottom of its handle.

Step 5

Create the horizontal detail lines using six 16 px wide 2 px thick Strokes (#2D2020), which we will vertically stack at a distance of 4 px from one another using the Align panel’s Vertical Distribute Space option. Group (Control-G) the lines and then center align them to the grip, positioning them at a distance of 2 px from its outline’s top edge.

Step 6

Finish off the grip, and with it the hammer itself, by adding a 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020) to the center of the surface delimited by the horizontal stroke lines and the thicker outline. Once you’re done, group (Control-G) all of the current section’s shapes together, doing the same for the entire tool afterwards.

8. How to Create the Blades

As you’ve probably noticed, the hammer has two little blades positioned around it, which we will quickly add in the following moments.

Step 1

Create the blade’s body using a 6 x 22 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick Stroke (#2D2020) which we will group (Control-G) and then position on the left side of the hammer’s handle, at a distance of 12 px from it.

Step 2

Create another smaller 3 x 10 px rectangle (#2D2020) which we will center align to the left edge of the blade’s body, selecting and grouping (Control-G) them together afterwards.

Step 3

Create the second blade using a copy (Control-C > Control-F) of the left one, which we will position on the opposite side of the hammer’s handle, maintaining the same 12 px distance.

9. How to Create the Level

Since we’re pretty much done working on the carving tools, we can lock their layer and move on up to the next one (that would be the third one), where we will start working on the measuring ones, the first one being the level.

Step 1

Create the tool’s main body using a 20 x 104 px rectangle, which we will color using #E8B15B and then center align to the hammer, positioning it on its right side at a distance of 16 px.

Step 2

Adjust the shape by creating an 8 x 24 px rectangle (highlighted with red) which we will center align to its right edge and then remove using Pathfinder’s Minus Front Shape Mode in order to create the little cutout.

Step 3

Create two 10 x 10 px circles (highlighted with red) vertically stacked 52 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the level’s body, removing them afterwards using the Minus Front Shape Mode.

Step 4

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) using the Stroke method, selecting and grouping the two together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 5

Create the level’s top section using a 20 x 6 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position above its larger body.

Step 6

Add the little vertical detail lines using two 6 px tall 4 px thick Strokes (#2D2020) which we will position 10 px from one another, grouping (Control-G) and then center aligning them to the level’s upper section. Once you have them in place, select and group (Control-G) them and the larger rectangles together as well.

Step 7

Create the level’s bottom section using a copy (Control-C > Control-F) of its top one, which we will position on the opposite side of its larger body.

Step 8

Start working on its center balance tube by creating two 6 x 7 px rectangles (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will position inside the rectangular cutout created a few steps ago.

Step 9

Unite the two sections that we’ve just created using a 10 px tall 4 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020), selecting and grouping all of them together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 10

Finish off the level by adding a 10 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) to the center of each of its circular cutouts, selecting and grouping all its composing sections together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

10. How to Create the Ruler

The second object on our measuring tools list is the ruler, which is without a shadow of doubt one of the most useful tools that any craftsman can ask for.

Step 1

Start by creating the tool's main body using a 20 x 20 px rounded rectangle (#DB6A42) with a 4 px Corner Radius, which we will position on the right side of the level, at a distance of 12 px from its right edge and 12 px from its bottom one.

Step 2

Adjust the shape of the ruler’s body by setting the Radius of its top-right corner to 8 px from within the Transform panel’s Rectangle Properties.

Step 3

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), selecting and grouping the two together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 4

Create the ruler’s center section using an 8 x 8 px circle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to its larger body.

Step 5

Add in the little screws using two 2 x 2 px circles (#2D2020), which we will position onto the top-left and bottom-right corner of the ruler’s body. Once you have them in place, select and group all of the shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 6

Add the ruler’s tongue using a 6 x 87 px rectangle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), which we will position on top of its main body, at a distance of 6 px from its outline’s left edge.

Step 7

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created by selecting its bottom-right anchor point with the help of the Direct Selection Tool (A), and then removing it by pressing Delete in order to open up its path.

Step 8

Finish off the ruler by adding its bottom anchor, which we will create using an 8 x 12 px rounded rectangle with a 2 px Corner Radius and a 2 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), which we will position over the larger body’s bottom-right corner.

Once you’re done, select and group all of the tool’s composing sections using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

11. How to Create the Caliper

The next tool off our list is the caliper, so grab another cup of coffee and let’s jump into it.

Step 1

Start working on the caliper’s head by creating a 36 x 12 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) which we will position on the right side of the ruler, at a distance of 6 px from its tongue and 20 px from the top edge of the background’s outline.

Step 2

Create another smaller 26 x 6 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) and position it towards the bottom of the larger one, so that its top section overlaps 2 px from its height, and its right one sticks out just 8 px from its surface.

Step 3

Create the tool’s main body using a 12 x 90 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) which we will position underneath the smaller rectangle, aligning it to its left edge.

Step 4

Select all three rectangles, and then unite them into a single larger shape using Pathfinder’s Unite Shape Mode. Then, take a couple of moments and remove the extra anchor point created during the process (highlighted in the reference image) by clicking on it using the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-).

Step 5

Continue adjusting the shape by selecting its outer jaw's top-right anchor point using the Direct Selection Tool (A), and then pushing it to the bottom by a distance of 6 px using the Move Tool (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > 6 px).

Step 6

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline using the Stroke method, making sure to set its color to #2D2020.

Step 7

Take a couple of moments and create the tool’s main scale using a couple of 6 px wide and 4 px wide, 4 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020), which we will vertically stack at a distance of 4 px from one another, grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them onto the larger body’s left side.

Step 8

Add an 8 px tall 2 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) to the edge of the outer jaw, leaving a 2 px gap between it and the thicker outline.

Step 9

Create a 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020) and position it onto the lower bottom of the caliper’s body, selecting and grouping all its composing shapes together afterwards using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 10

Start working on the bottom outer jaw, by creating a 22 x 12 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) which we will position at a distance of 14 px from the top one’s outline.

Step 11

Create the lower section of the jaw using a 10 x 14 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) which we will position below the wider one, selecting and then uniting the two into a single larger shape using Pathfinder’s Unite Shape Mode.

Step 12

Adjust the resulting shape by selecting its bottom-left anchor point and pushing it to the top by a distance of 6 px using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > -6 px).

Step 13

Give the jaw a 4 px thick outline using the Stroke method, making sure to set its color to #2D2020.

Step 14

Take a couple of moments and add in the measuring scale and the nose detail line using a couple of 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020). Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the jaw’s composing shapes together.

Step 15

Start working on the bottom inner jaw by creating a 14 x 6 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) followed by a smaller 6 x 26 px one (#9DA3B2) underneath, which we will unite, giving the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020). Once you’re done, position the two shapes onto the right side of the caliper, at a distance of 2 px from the top jaw.

Step 16

Create the secondary measurement scale using four 3 px wide 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) vertically stacked 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the right side of the jaw’s larger body.

Step 17

Add the clamping block using a 6 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) on top of which we will add a 4 x 4 px square (#2D2020), grouping (Control-G) and then positioning the two onto the jaw’s bottom section. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together as well.

Step 18

Finish off the caliper by creating its stem using a 6 x 10 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position below its larger body. Then, before you move on, select and group (Control-G) all of the tool’s composing sections together as well.

12. How to Create the Pencil

Since no measuring process is complete without precise notes, the next tool that we’re going to work on is the simple yet powerful pencil.

Step 1

Create the pencil’s main body using a 6 x 34 px rectangle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position on the lower right side of the caliper.

Step 2

Create two 6 px wide 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020), and position each one at a distance of 2 px from the pencil’s outline, making sure to select and group (Control-G) all the shapes together afterwards.

Step 3

Create the tip using a 6 x 10 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) which we will adjust by adding a pair of side anchor points at a distance of 4 px from its top edge, and another one to its center using the Add Anchor Point Tool (+). Remove the top side anchor points using the Delete Anchor Point Tool (-), and then position the adjusted shape on top of the pencil’s body.

Step 4

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) with a Round Join, selecting and grouping (Control-G) the two shapes together, doing the same for the entire pencil afterwards.

13. How to Create the Manual Drill

We are now down to the last group of tools, so assuming you’ve already locked the previous layer, move on up to the next one (that would be the fourth one) and let’s start working on the drill.

Step 1

Create the drill’s handle using a 12 x 26 px rectangle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the right side of the pencil, at a distance of 16 px.

Step 2

Give the handle some details by adding a set of five 12 px wide 4 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) vertically stacked at a distance of 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then center align to the larger rectangles. Once you’re done, select and group all the shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 3

Create a 6 x 8 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position above the handle, center aligning the two.

Step 4

Add the drive wheel using a 20 x 20 px circle (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a smaller 8 x 8 px circle (#2D2020). Group (Control-G) all three shapes together and then center align them to the previous shapes, so that their outlines overlap.

Step 5

Create the turning arm using a 22 x 8 px rectangle with a 4 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), which we will adjust by selecting and then removing its bottom-left anchor point, positioning the resulting shape onto the right side of the drive wheel.

Step 6

Give the arm a handle, using an 8 x 14 px rectangle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a set of two 8 px wide 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) vertically stacked 4 px from one another. Group (Control-G) the lines, doing the same for all of the handle’s shapes, and then position them onto the bottom-right end of the arm.

Step 7

Create the drill’s neck using a 6 x 28 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position above the turning wheel.

Step 8

Start working on the tool’s jaw by creating a 10 x 12 px rectangle (#C0C6D8), which we will adjust by adding a set of anchor points at a distance of 4 px from its top edge, individually selecting and pushing its top ones to the inside by a distance of 2 px using the Move tool (right click > Transform > Move > Vertical > + / - 4 px depending on which side you start with). Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), followed by a 10 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020), grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them onto the upper section of the neck.

Step 9

Finish off the drill by creating and positioning a 26 px tall 4 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) on top of its jaw. Once you’re done, select and group all its composing sections together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

14. How to Create the Electric Saw

We are now down to our last tool, so move a few pixels to the right and let’s finish this!

Step 1

Start working on the saw’s main body by creating a 28 x 44 px rectangle, which we will color using #DB6A42 and then position on the right side of the drill, at a distance of 24 px from its jaw and 28 px from the background outline’s top edge.

Step 2

Create a smaller 18 x 28 px rectangle (#DB6A42), which we will position below the larger one, making sure to align it to its right side. Once you have it in place, unite the shapes into a single larger one using Pathfinder’s Unite Shape Mode.

Step 3

Adjust the new shape by selecting and then setting the Radius of its top corners and the one created during the unification process to 4 px using the Live Corners input value field. Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), and then group (Control-G) the two together.

Step 4

Create a 28 px wide 4 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020), which we will position at a distance of 2 px from the upper section of the larger body’s outline.

Step 5

Add the screws using two 2 x 2 px circles (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position above the detail line from the previous step, leaving an all-around 2 px gap around them.

Step 6

Start working on the tool’s side section, by creating an 18 x 22 px rectangle with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020) which we will align to the larger body’s left edge, positioning it at a distance of 18 px from its horizontal detail line.

Step 7

Adjust the shape that we’ve just created, by setting the Radius of its right corners to 4 px and then adding a new anchor point to its bottom edge (where the two outlines overlap), removing its bottom-right one.

Step 8

Add another set of screws using two 2 x 2 px circles (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position next to the side section’s upper edge, maintaining the same 2 px gap around them.

Step 9

Create a larger 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020) and position it in the bottom-left corner of the saw’s side section.

Step 10

Add the ventilation insertions using three 8 px tall 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) positioned 4 px from one another, which we will group (Control-G) and then position onto the upper edge of the saw’s side section. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together.

Step 11

Create a 6 px tall 4 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020), and position it onto the inner section of the electric saw’s left side. Then, add another 6 px wide 4 px thick one (#2D2020) onto its body’s right side.

Step 12

Add the circular button using an 8 x 8 px circle (#9DA3B2) with a 2 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a smaller 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020). Group (Control-G) all three shapes together, and then position them onto the lower section of the saw’s body.

Step 13

Create another screw using a 2 x 2 px circle (#2D2020), which we will position below the circular button, at a distance of 2 px from the saw’s bottom left corner.

Step 14

Create the two side buttons using a 4 x 8 px rectangle (#2D2020), followed by a 4 x 4 px square (#2D2020), which we will vertically stack at a distance of 2 px from one another, grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them onto the larger outline’s right edge.

Step 15

Create the front guard using a 10 x 5 px rectangle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a smaller 4 x 3 px one (#2D2020), grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them onto the upper edge of the saw’s outline. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 16

Start working on the handle by creating its horizontal section using a 22 x 10 px rectangle, which we will color using #CC5C3A and then position onto the saw’s right side, at a distance of 14 px from its outline’s top edge.

Step 17

Create the handle’s vertical section using a 10 x 20 px rectangle (#CC5C3A), which we will position below the previous shape, aligning it to its right edge. Unite the two shapes using Pathfinder’s Unite Shape Mode, and then adjust the resulting shape by setting the Radius of its outer corner to 14 px and its inner one to 4 px.

Step 18

Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), followed by two 2 x 2 px circles (#2D2020) and a 10 px wide 2 px thick Stroke line (#2D2020) positioned towards the bottom. Once you’re done, select and group all the shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 19

Create the handle’s bottom section using a 6 x 26 px rectangle with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a stack of five 6 px wide 2 px thick Stroke lines (#2D2020) positioned 4 px from one another. Once you have all the shapes, group (Control-G) them together and then position them below the previously created section.

Step 20

Create the rectangular button using a 6 x 12 px rectangle (#E8B15B) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), on top of which we will add a smaller 3 x 4 px one (#E8B15B), grouping (Control-G) and then positioning them onto the left side of the previous section. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of the handle’s composing sections as well.

Step 21

Create the little section connecting the saw’s upper body to its rear end, using a 10 x 12 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will position below its lower section.

Step 22

Add a 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020) to each side of the shapes that we’ve just created, followed by a 2 x 4 px rectangle (#2D2020) positioned over its top edge. Once you’re done, select and group all of the current section’s shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

Step 23

Start working on the tool’s bottom section by creating an 18 x 20 px rectangle (#DB6A42), which we will adjust by setting the Radius of its bottom corners to 9 px. Give the resulting shape a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), followed by two 2 x 2 px circles (#2D2020) positioned towards its upper edge. Once you’re done, select and group (Control-G) all of them together, positioning them below the previous section.

Step 24

Add the cable guard using a 22 x 14 px rounded rectangle with a 2 px thick Stroke (#2D2020) and a 4 px Corner Radius, which we will adjust by setting its bottom-left one to 10 px. Position the resulting shape below the previous section, making sure to send it to the back afterwards (right click > Arrange > Send to Back).

Step 25

Create the little section connecting the saw’s body to its shoe, using an 8 x 20 px rectangle (#9DA3B2) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will group (Control-G) and then position at a distance of 16 px from the larger body’s upper-left side.

Step 26

Add two 4 x 4 px squares (#2D2020) onto the larger rectangle’s left side, and a 4 x 4 px circle (#2D2020) onto its left one, selecting and grouping (Control-G) all of the current section’s composing shapes together afterwards.

Step 27

Create the blade using a 22 x 4 px rectangle (#2D2020) which we will adjust by selecting its bottom-left anchor point and pushing it to the inside by a distance of 4 px (right click > Transform > Move > Horizontal > 4 px). Position the resulting shape above the previously created section, at a distance of 4 px, adding the teeth using two 4 x 4 px squares (#2D2020). Once you’re done, don’t forget to select and group (Control-G) all its composing shapes together.

Step 28

Finish off the tool, and with it the illustration itself, by creating the shoe using a 6 x 60 px rectangle (#C0C6D8) with a 4 px thick outline (#2D2020), which we will position over the blade, aligning it to the top edge of the drill. Once you’re done, select and group all of the saw’s composing shapes together using the Control-G keyboard shortcut.

It’s a Wrap!

This might have been one of longest tutorials that I’ve ever written, but I really believe the end result is all worth it. That being said, I hope you’ve had the patience to follow it through and most importantly learned some new tricks along the way.