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Author Topic: Booth Tools & Equipment Rhys M. Blavier Film Handler Posts: 13 From: Richardson, Texas, USA Registered: Jul 2004 posted 07-23-2004 10:49 PM                     I have just taken over an old and run down booth operation and am trying to make sure I am not missing any tools or equipment (face shield, blast jacket, gloves, etc.) that my booth should have. In addition, I would like to try to compile a master list of what a properly equipped booth should have in it. I am interested in knowing what tools and equipment other projectionists think are necessary for any booth and what additional tools and equipment they think are helpful or useful to have in your booth or have access to (or any tools and/or equipment you may have tried using that you found were of absolutely no help at all). Anyone out there have any lists, suggestions, or assistance they have give me (and others of us out there in similar situations)?  |  IP: Logged Jason Burroughs Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 654 From: Allen, TX Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-23-2004 11:06 PM                     It would be of assistance to know what type of equipment you will be using. If the equipment is from primarily European manufacturers, it will be very important to have metric tools on hand, if American made, metric will not be as important. Regardless of equipment Bulb Changing equipment: Face Shield, Ballistic vest, gloves A full set of Metric and Standard Allen Wrenches, Ratchet Set, closed and open-ended wrenches. A compliment of different size Phillips and Slotted screwdrivers. Pliers, Vice-Grips, Wire cutters and strippers. Soldering Iron (with solder). Depending on the owner, plenty of bubble gum and paperclips and rubber bands for the MacGyver style repairs that you may need to perform. BTW, Which theater?  |  IP: Logged John Hegel Expert Film Handler Posts: 166 From: Lake Mills, Iowa Registered: Sep 2000 posted 07-24-2004 12:00 AM                        Depending on how old your booth is, and how much it has been updated. I would have every size and shape of fuse that the booth uses on hand.  |  IP: Logged Chris Hipp Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1462 From: Mesquite, Tx (east of Dallas) Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-24-2004 12:12 AM                     my rule of thumb is that if it breaks and you have to order another, order two. Order extras of everything that need to be changed out or breaks often: tension bands, bearings, gears/belts, etc. Also get an assortment of bolts and nuts.  |  IP: Logged Bill Enos Film God Posts: 2081 From: Richmond, Virginia, USA Registered: Apr 2000 posted 07-24-2004 12:49 AM                     Don't forget 2 hammers, a ball pein and a claw. Sooner or later you'll need to drive a pin or drive or pull a nail.  |  IP: Logged Bryan Fournier Film Handler Posts: 61 From: Greensboro, NC Registered: Dec 1999 posted 07-24-2004 01:32 AM                     A pair of snap-ring pliers are good to have around for removal and replacement of bypass and platter rollers.  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-24-2004 01:41 AM                     lot's of people buy a lot of nice tools but forget something to put them in....buy a nice toolbox or closet to keep everything organized.  |  IP: Logged Aaron Sisemore Flaming Ribs beat Reeses Peanut Butter Cups any day! Posts: 3061 From: Rockwall TX USA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 07-24-2004 03:19 AM                     quote: Jason Burroughs If the equipment is from primarily European manufacturers, it will be very important to have metric tools on hand, if American made, metric will not be as important. If running American-made gear, the only metric items you should need are a set of Allen wrenches, as there are a few items (Dolby Cat 699 and 700 digital readers for example) that have some metric hardware on them. Some more items to have around: -A decent digital multimeter (it doesn't have to be a $300 Fluke, there are many very affordable meters out there that will do the same thing for a lot less) -Spare fuses (at least one spare of each size found in the booth) -Tweeker/tuning wand (if you do your own AW3 platter timing and Dolby level adjustmants) I'm sure I will think of more as time goes on. -Aaron  |  IP: Logged Liam Utley Film Handler Posts: 42 From: Australia Registered: Oct 2003 posted 07-24-2004 03:54 AM                    cordless drill with screwdriver bits and drill bit set, jewellers screwdrivers....  |  IP: Logged Dustin Mitchell Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1865 From: Mondovi, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 07-24-2004 05:07 AM                     Backing up Aaron's suggestion you don't need an elaborate multi-meter. I just bought a fairly decent Craftsman (can't remember model off the top of my head) at Sears for $20. It has settings for testing AC and DC amps and voltage as well as resistance and a special diode testing mode (the most usefull of all the setting). In addition to snap-ring pliers a good pair of retaining ring pliers is nice to have. Again, Craftsman makes a good one of these.  |  IP: Logged Ferdinando Innocenti Film Handler Posts: 79 From: Genova / Italy Registered: Jun 2004 posted 07-24-2004 05:10 AM                     Test films: RP40, Dolby Tone, Pink Noise. Diodes for rectifiers, if you don't have electronic ones. Buy quality tools, you'll spend more but it's a better way of working, and you are sure not to "destroy" projectors parts (screws and so on). Ciao nando  |  IP: Logged Dean Kollet Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 591 From: Florida State University Registered: Jul 2003 posted 07-24-2004 08:39 AM                     Fuses, lots of Fuses  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 07-24-2004 08:50 AM                     The only concern I have with cheap multimeters is there lack of accuracy especially with audio and non sinasoidal waveforms from Dimmers Had a theatre recently where the projectionist was replacing a trigger card and his craftsman meter could only get a reading when the dimmer was at full it couldn't read the chopped wave form at any other point Make sure it can read "true RMS" Meterman and Wavetek and Metrix make good lower cost meters  |  IP: Logged Dominic Espinosa Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1172 From: California, U.S.A. Registered: Jan 2004 posted 07-24-2004 11:19 AM                     Every size allen wrench and a good socket set. Box end and open end wrenches are handy. About half a dozen sizes of screw drivers. And FUSES...keep fuses, platter drive tires, extra gears for the projectors, etc. What I like to do every 6-12 months is go through each house and inspect everything. All the hard to get to stuff. Projectinists should be aware of loose fasteners in common places, but I don't trust them to get in the gearbox or do serious platter maintenance. Plus paperwork is a good idea, it helps keep you in order.  |  IP: Logged Nicholas Simmons Film Handler Posts: 6 From: Walnut Creek, CA Registered: Jun 2004 posted 07-24-2004 11:47 AM                     Some other useful items are a wheel-driven tachometer for timing platters and "screwdriver handle" type allen wrenches for the most commonm sizes you use. For our Christie's we also have extra long T-handle allen wrenches for hard to wreach items like the shutter andjustment.  |  IP: Logged

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