The job of the wig maker was of paramount importance during the colonial times in the United States. Everyone who was anyone wore wigs; the lack of a wig was generally an indication of poverty. As any artisan does, colonial wig makers used their own specific set of tools to produce their works of art.

Despite sounding like an execution device for wigs, the wig block was, in fact, much more benign than that. It was simply a block of wood in the shape of a head around which the colonial wig makers could shape the wigs.

Wig points were sharp, pointy nails that were used to secure the wig on the wig block while the wig maker was curling and styling it.

The weaving frame held silk threads stretched across it. It was used to weave the hair into pieces known as "wafts."

The hackle was a tool that looked very much like a comb. The hair was passed through the hackle in order to ready it for weaving.

The wig maker's comb was just a regular comb that was used to tidy the wig once it was set up on the wig block.

The curling iron was used to style the wig. In general, men's wigs were worn in simple ponytails during colonial periods, but some women and even some men wanted their wigs styled more elaborately for special occasions.

The dye was used to change the color of the hair that the wig maker used to make the wigs. In many cases, the hair was gathered from a variety of sources and was not homogeneous in color; thus, dye was necessary.