I pretty much only use bin cages. This is a general question I answered about them before. But your in more in depth about building one etc. I will put a URL in the source if your interested.
A clear Bin is highly suggested not only does it allow you to see and monitor your hamster easier and allow light though the bin. I have heard that a none transparent bin can confuse the hamster. However I don't know why or if that is even true? Or if I misunderstood what I read. But I suggest trying to get a clear bin. The lid does not have to be totally clear but try your best to get a bin that is as clear as possible.
Tools? Well that depends on what your want to do and how your going to do it. Attaching another cage to the bin cage is probably among the most difficult types of modding you can do. But you can do it using a certain drill bit that can cut a proper size hole into the plastic to attach a tube. Alternatively you can have a tube leading though the top of the bin were you would put mesh over for an air hole. As long as you set it up properly there is no reason not to connect the old cage if you want to! Depending on the storage bin you get it's not needed but will give your hamster more room.
Here are the only tools I use for 95% of the bin cages I make. Box Cutter, Lighter, Sand Paper, Wire Cutter, and that's it I think?
Supplies that I use... Duct Tape, Mesh.
I am kind of original I have never seen someone make a Bin Cage exactly how I do but I still follow the basic concept.
These are not exactly steps that you should follow exactly I suggest you read other guides or more so watch random Youtube videos. It's hard for me to describe exactly how I do it.
1: I measure and decide how big of a whole I want to make in the top of the lid for air.
2: I heat a box cutter to make a small square or rectangle hole in the top of the lid. By small I mean just large enough to fit in a wire cutter to start cutting.
3: After I made the small hole I use a wire cutter to start cutting to expand the hole. Bigger and bigger until I have properly cut out the entire hole I wish to leave in the top. (It's best to leave a good 3-5 inch gap on all the sides of the lid.)
4: I use sand paper to sand the sides and edges of the large hole I just cut. So that it's less sharp and messy looking.
5: I wash the whole bin and lid, and of course dry it.
6: I duct tape a water bottle holder to the inside of the bin cage. Duct tape is fairly safe all things considered yes hamsters often like to climb the water bottle and water bottle holder and I have had them chew at the duct tape. But I have never had a hamster knock over or chew off the holder or bottle. And the tape itself is kind of harmless unless the hamster wants to eat it which should not happen. I have never had an issue and I don't think there could ever be an issue.
7: I either duct tape on wire mesh on top of the bin cage. And yes I have seen others use duct tape a lot as well. Alternatively you use a drill or make small hole and use metal wire to fasten on the mesh. However I almost never put a mesh on top anyhow. If the storage bin is large enough I find that the hamsters simply cannot get out. But it depends on the size of the hamster and the objects you place in the bin. And of course if the lid has locking hatches etc. But yeah I almost NEVER put a mesh on, I don't have a cat or something that could get into the bin. And I have never had a hamster escape on me.
So I just watched like three videos and went with my own Style for making a bin cage. I have got fancy before and I have modded two bin cages together using a drill and tubes and it was awesome. But I only did that to house six Russian Dwarf Hamsters in the same cage. And that was probably one of my most successful and happy bunch of dwarfs they almost never even squeaked at each other they had the perfect personalitys. Sometimes caging them together can be a nightmare if your not prepared. But I know what I am doing by now.
So read the link I attached, read what others will say or guides people will post.
What did I do differently exactly? Well most people only use Wire Cutters to cut the mesh etc. I used the wire cutters to cut the large hole in the lid. I found the alternative methods of cutting the whole in the lid were slow and painful. I could not do it. So I made a small hole using the box cutter and lighter, and than I expand the hole once i can fit the wire cutters in. The best part with doing it this way is the original small hole you need to make can be anywhere inside the area you wish to cut out. Because your going to be cutting it all out anyhow. So I can make the small hole anywhere inside the rectangle that I measured and planned to cut out.