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Topic: Handy Tools

Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 01-16-2002 09:56 PM

Just out of curiosity, how many of you carry itmes like a Mag Lite or Leatherman tool on you when you work in the booth?

I've had my Mag Lite for over a year, and my Leatherman for about half that. I cannot imagine working the booth without either of them with me. The flashlight is definitely handy, but so is the Leatherman. I can usually find something to adjust that's not quite perfect. I'm wondering how I ever did without these items!

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-16-2002 11:09 PM

I have had one of those double decker tool boxes on wheels for the last couple of years. After owning about every kind of tool case, or box there is I finally settled on this. Holds twice as much as any tool case and is more mobile around todays large plex'es. Heck, There's even room for plenty of snacks, but not quite room for the

weenie roller. Oh well, I did see a nice three decker at Home Depot the other day that might work out for that Paul! Take it where you go......
Have had a Leathermans tool for years and the venerable pocket maglite too. As Brad and Joe will tell you I also had a special belt pouch made for my R-2 so it can go with me where ever I go. Oddly enough you can hardly tell when I am carrying it.....In the photo at the left it is under my right arm!!
Mark @ GTS

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Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 01-16-2002 11:42 PM

LOL! I'm sure

would love a portable weenie roller!

As far as tool cases, I'm glad you brought it up. I am looking for something small, light, and very easily portable that I can take to and from work with me. I only need a few small tools, and I don't want to leave them at work. They will disapear. Any suggestions?

What's an R-2?

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Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-17-2002 01:08 AM

LOL! You guys are too kind.

Josh, I see they got you, too.

Ken, Presuming they are your tools, lock them a tool box, or simply take them home with you when you leave the theater. That's the best solution I found to work. Or leave them in your car until you need them.

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Brian Hogan
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 119
From: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Registered: Jul 2001

posted 01-17-2002 01:25 AM

i have recently started sporting a swiss army cyber tool. it includes several small tools for electronic adjustments. i dig it. i also have a tiny mag lite solitare on my keys, but im thinkin bout steppin up to the slighty larger belt size... those include those cool red filters

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Aaron Sisemore
Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day!

Posts: 3061
From: Rockwall TX USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 01-17-2002 02:44 AM

I carry a Mini-MagLite, a 4" crescent wrench (which has my car keys attached to it) and a 'tweeker' in my pockets at all times. My Leatherman is in my toolbox (too heavy for the pockets, it weighs more than the MagLite.)

-Aaron

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Pete Naples
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1565
From: Dunfermline, Scotland
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 01-17-2002 05:58 AM

I always have my mini maglite (I'm on my fourth now, so much for 'lifetime guarantee!), my Leatherman Supertool, a pen, a Dolby tiddler and my mobile phone about my person. The maglite and leatherman are invaluable.

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Scott Norwood
Film God

Posts: 8146
From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas)
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-17-2002 08:25 AM

Related question: When working at a theatre for the first time or at a place where you don't normally work, what do you bring?

For me the answer would be: short reel or core of junk film to run to test sound levels, etc., test films (e.g. 35mm Dolby Tone loop, 16mm Jiffy Test film, etc.), spare countdown leaders (if changeover booth), roll of masking tape, Neumade (35mm) or Ciro (16mm) splicer and tape (in case the theatre's splicer is crap), reading material (in case the film is boring), rag for cleaning gates, roll of clear leader (esp. if changeover booth), and a small flashlight. For temporary booth setups in odd places (like the one I'll be running this weekend), I will also bring a set of 2000' handcrank rewinds and C-clamps to attach them to a table, unless I know that the venue has a good bench for film inspection. For the most part, I don't bother to bring standard tools (screwdrivers, allen wrenches, etc.), since these are available in most booths and are easy enough to get if they aren't.

Obviously this is a nonissue for those who work in the same booth all the time, but I've found all of these things to be valuable when I've been in unusual booths.

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Don Sneed
Master Film Handler

Posts: 451
From: Texas City, TX, USA
Registered: Aug 2001

posted 01-17-2002 12:35 PM

A double "A" maglight with extra batteries & bulb, A custom made flashlight headband, A Gerber (better than a leatherman), a pocket screw/phillips screwdriver, & a tiddel stick is part of my wardrobe, A pen & notepad, I don't leave home with it !!

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Joe Beres
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 606
From: Minneapolis, MN, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 01-17-2002 03:29 PM

I agree with Don, don't mess with those Leatherman things. Get yourself a Gerber multi-tool. The pliers can be opened with one hand and a flick of the wrist. I think the Gerber tools are designed very well. Rarely does a day pass without me using it many times.

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Will Kutler
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1506
From: Tucson, AZ, USA
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 01-17-2002 05:25 PM

Mag Lights, both mini and full sized are a must have. Gerber and Leathermen are both excellent tools. Sears Craftsman has its own version w/their lifetime warranty.

Besides roll aways, shadowboards are also great to have in the booth.

Looking at the Sears Industrial Tool Catalog the other day, there is just a ton of tool storage/workbench possibilities from a large variety of manufacturers. They also list a large variety of tool attache cases at reasonable prices!

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John Walsh
Film God

Posts: 2490
From: Connecticut, USA, Earth, Milky Way
Registered: Oct 1999

posted 01-17-2002 05:42 PM

Like anything, it depends on the situation. I don't care for those "all-in-one" tools (like the Leatherman or Gerber) because I feel thay are a bit awkward to handle... *IF* I'm in a regular booth with some hand tools. For going to other people' booths for service, I bring a bag of regular tools.

Of course, if I was climbing up fly spaces or up into rigging, etc. than a Leatherman or Gerber would be the first thing I'd want.

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Ian Price
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1714
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-17-2002 06:41 PM

is a tool. I used to carry him around, but I left him at the last theatre I worked at.

They traded him to another theatre for a bucket of Technicolor. That theatre finaly took him back to Sears for a refund.

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Ray Derrick
Master Film Handler

Posts: 310
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 01-19-2002 04:34 AM

So you can get Technicolor in buckets now? I though it only came in cans

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-19-2002 09:43 AM

Hey, now that you mention it

, I thought I saw the color

on the paint shelf at Sears the other day......
Mark @ GTS

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