How to work efficiently:
Remember, all tools can be printed at autolathes.
No materials in it? Grab a chair, shove it in, print a wrench, screwdriver and crowbar, disassemble some nearby windows for glass and table for iron - you now have both.
Autolathes can print signalers, conveyor belts, conveyor belt switches AND sensors, people won’t really question you too much about this unless you see somebody who reads this and bawls his eyes out someone is putting effort into something
Signalers allow for instant detonation grenades as well, remember you can also cavity implant people so if you want a fail-safe, shove a grenade in them.
Borgs are your best friend, if you see a borg, emag it and get it to be an engie borg or medi borg
Medi-borgs get mute toxin which make kidnapping people easier, engie borgs do get their stun but they can still squeal when captured - they’re better for helping you build your death trap.
Remember, you do not need to be honest with your victim(s), that signaler that blows up their friend or the captain may blow them up instead, be devious.
Chances are, you won’t manage to succeed, and probably even less likely when you’re still practicing, however I commend you and encourage you to never be give up and make things very interesting.
You can attach igniters, timers, signalers and sensors to each other via screw driver, activating them in hand wil open up the interfaces for this.
Timer-signaler, Sensor-Signaler will be the most common you will use.
You can use igniter-signaler to remotely ignite plasma.
Borgs have a built in remote signaler and can remotely bolt, shock, shut down and open doors without even this.
You can insert signalers into doors by opening their maintenance hatch and attach it to the bolt wire if you want to force them to activate it for one reason or another.
Chem grenades need only a sensor or signaler, while constructing it (pre screw-driver), activate it in hand to open it’s interface. It will have only one wire, simply click the “Attach” button with what you have in hand.
Surgery requires more than two tools, and if the person you’re torturing must do surgery to escape - conveyor belts are a good troll…
Spectators are not necessarily bad, just hope they ain’t part of their meta-gang or something.
Add in emitters for fun! Have your borg turn them on as time passes if it’s a death maze!
If you want to make it time based easily, timer + signaler, and a signaler attached to in-accessible bombs.
Maxcaps can have signalers attached to them too 
Hacking autolathes is very easy and will almost never require insuls; you can just crowbar them if they get shocked. Use screw driver + wire cutters, not multi tool, as the wire must be cut to be hacked, not pulsed.
Starting as an engineer gives you a head start, you might want this.
RCDs will be your best friend for doors.
Remember, it doesn’t need to be too complicated.