Crafting in Fallout 76 is both an art and a necessity, especially when it comes to modifying weapons and armor. Whether you're a seasoned survivor or just stepping out of Vault 76, knowing which items to collect can save you time and resources. Some of these materials are easy to overlook, while others require a bit of scavenging. If you're looking to craft unique mods without spending too many caps, here are 14 essential items to keep an eye out for.

1. Adhesive

A staple for any crafter, adhesive is used in countless weapon and armor mods. You can farm it by combining vegetable starch (made from corn, mutfruit, tatos, and purified water) at a cooking station. Stockpiling adhesive ensures you won’t have to hunt for cheap Fallout 76 items just to finish a crucial upgrade.

2. Screws

One of the most sought-after components, screws are vital for high-tier mods. Fans, typewriters, and globes are great sources. Since screws are often in high demand, trading for cheap Fallout 76 caps can be a smart alternative to endless scavenging.

3. Ballistic Fiber

Critical for armor mods, ballistic fiber is found in military-grade items like ammo bags and military duct tape. It’s rare, so prioritize looting these whenever you see them.

4. Aluminum

Used in everything from weapon mods to power armor repairs, aluminum can be found in cans, surgical trays, and aluminum cans (yes, they’re everywhere). Smelting ore at a chemistry station also helps.

5. Nuclear Material

Essential for energy weapon mods, nuclear material drops from glowing creatures, bioluminescent fluid, and irradiated items. If you’re running low, check high-radiation zones.

6. Black Titanium

Needed for excavator power armor and certain melee mods, black titanium comes from mole miner scraps and deathclaw hides.

7. Fiber Optics

Used in scopes and recon sensors, fiber optics can be looted from microscopes, biometric scanners, and high-tech lab equipment.

8. Circuits

Another key component for energy weapons and high-tech mods, circuits are found in telephones, hot plates, and mainframe cores.

9. Gears

Common in mechanical mods, gears drop from desk fans, clipboards, and adjustable wrenches.

10. Springs

Like screws, springs are a precious commodity. Clipboards, toy cars, and watches are reliable sources.

11. Oil

Used in flamer mods and some armor upgrades, oil can be looted from fuel cans, oil cans, and paint cans.

12. Crystal

Necessary for scope mods and laser weapons, crystal is found in microscopes, cracked crystal decanters, and certain ore veins.

13. Silver

Less common but still useful, silver is needed for some weapon aesthetics and can be obtained from silverware, pocket watches, and ore deposits.

14. Gold

Primarily used in high-end mods and crafting, gold can be found in desk fans, wedding rings, and ore veins.

Final Tips

If you're struggling to gather these materials, consider trading with other players for cheap Fallout 76 items or farming them in high-yield locations like offices, military sites, and industrial zones. With the right resources, you can craft powerful mods without overspending on cheap Fallout 76 caps at vendor bots.