Techie Gadgets

[Foxinabox10]

So recently I got Mega Combo Wrench from BMI Supply which is a wrench that works all the bolts on a traditional C-clamp. It was only five or six dollars and after it came in and I used it on a show, I wondered why I hadn't ordered one sooner. It's really nice not having to mess with and adjustable wrench or several fixed wrenches.

Like this, there are many other gadgets out there that are relatively cheap and make life so much easier. Has anyone else run across something similar, in that it simplifies your work dramatically or something else that makes you wonder why you didn't come up with it?

[soundlight]

The flip screwdriver. The ones that have the handle with the tube that has two double-ended bits in it.

On one end, there is a double-ended phillips bit in one end, and when you take it out of the handle and put that end in to the handle, there is a double-ended phillips bit out.

One of the scout leaders in my troop is a big bargainer at Lowe's. He always checks the clearance sections at all of the Lowe's Stores in our area, because he does construction work. He recently went to one Lowe's, where they had the very nice, twenty dollar, wooden-handled version of these screwdrivers on sale for fifteen dollars. There were about eighteen or twenty of them there. He walked over to the manager and said "I'll give you twenty bucks for all of them," and he got them. Twenty bucks for twenty screwdrivers, each worth twenty bucks individually. I was lucky enough to get one of those for free, which is a welcome addition to my toolbox.

[Footer]

etc was giving out engraved combos at USITT.... as far as wrenches goes i have used a craftsman clench wrench for about the last 8 years and love it.... they have discontinued them sadley... also a set of stagepin testers goes with me everywhere....

[Teck]

I think my Gerber muiti-tool is the thing I use most, its so handy to have because you can do alot with it, plus it comes with a pouch to hook to your waist, and its the only tool I've seen with one-handed opening.

[sound_nerd]

Hmm...lightspeed wrench is very useful, especially on truss and "theatre style" c-clamps. The combo wrenches are good, got mine free from Wegner at this years CITT trade show. Obviously a good multi tool is handy.
I got a lens removal tool from Sapsis (i think) and it has proven handy more than once.

[saxman0317]

Originally Posted by Teck

I think my Gerber muiti-tool is the thing I use most, its so handy to have because you can do alot with it, plus it comes with a pouch to hook to your waist, and its the only tool I've seen with one-handed opening.

sorry man, but my leatherman never leaves my side. Ive gone through 4 gerbers in the time of my one leatherman, and thats useing it climbing and backing and stuff to. And if your good with it and keep it good condition, leathermans are compleatly one handed to. Waves are great cause the blades and files are eaiser to get to, and its easy to get to the pliers one handed as well.

Also, my mini mag with a dark blue gel, a good highlighter, and a peice of plywood about 1.5*2.5 feet with great and oiled casters is great for when u need to understage cable runs during a show. But the mag light never leaves my side during a show or rehersal, and i also gelled up my backpacking headlamp and that works real well to

[bdesmond]

Got my MiniMag and Fluke Voltage probe that are in the little holders in my cell phone pouch. If I need anything else I usually drag my whole go bag with all my tools in it along usually. They made it mostly airplane safe in December so its not such a PITA in that I can put it in my roll-a-board.

[len]

I tend to use these the most http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...ubcat=Wrenches and I've given up buying anything except that which has a lifetime guarantee. I have three that I use a lot for conventionals, that fit all the different clamps and par bars I am constantly putting together and taking apart. I tried one of these http://roadietools.com/clampstik.html but I didn't like it, although I do use this version http://www.wingnutspanner.co.uk/pageone.htm

[avkid]

Originally Posted by sound_nerd

I got a lens removal tool from Sapsis (i think) and it has proven handy more than once.

As in the Rigging Company?

The tools they sell are here:
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/Mercha...egory_Code=700

I don't see anything with that description, i'm curious now.

[sound_nerd]

Originally Posted by avkid

As in the Rigging Company?

The tools they sell are here:
http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/Mercha...egory_Code=700

I don't see anything with that description, i'm curious now.

Sorry man, it was in the clearance tool section about 6 months ago. Yah, Sapsis Rigging was where it's from, I bought it when I bought my lightspeed wrench.