The "Ultimate" Focus Tool

[Charc]

I'm on the market for a new wrench (most of our previous wrenches have "walked away"...) and I was doing some research through the old wrench threads. In the end of one of the threads there was discussion of the ultimate focus tool. It looks like a pretty nice tool, but there was some discussion over the strength of the alloy used in the wrench. ( http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/s...unk.com&page=3 ) I wondered if anyone has purchased, or had a chance to use this wrench yet, and could provide a more detailed description of how it handles.

Thanks,
Charlie

[bslproductions]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I'm on the market for a new wrench (most of our previous wrenches have "walked away"...) and I was doing some research through the old wrench threads. In the end of one of the threads there was discussion of the ultimate focus tool. It looks like a pretty nice tool, but there was some discussion over the strength of the alloy used in the wrench. ( http://www.controlbooth.com/forums/s...unk.com&page=3 ) I wondered if anyone has purchased, or had a chance to use this wrench yet, and could provide a more detailed description of how it handles.

Thanks,
Charlie

I have not used that wrench yet, although it does look good. I prefer the Lightspeed Wrench if I am not using a good ole c-wrench.

[gafftaper]

Charc, you can have your $90+shipping tool all I need is a good old C-wrench. I recently lost my old one so I made my self a new one.

Went to Sears and got the best 6" wrench they sell (cheap ones aren't machined as well and just suck over time), got some handset cord at the hardware store (for old corded telephones), a basic biner, and some larger shrink tubing.
Cut the tubing and slide it on the cord, tie the cord to the wrench and biner, slide the tubing over the knots... mini-torch to shrink. It always fits, always works, it's safe, and looks kind of cool too...

Edit: To measure your handset cord for cutting, hold on end at your waist while you stretch the other end out to the tip of your fingers as far as you can reach up... then add a few loops more to allow for the knots.

[icewolf08]

Originally Posted by gafftaper

Charc, you can have your $90+shipping tool all I need is a good old C-wrench. I recently lost my old one so I made my self a new one.
Went to Sears and got the best 6" wrench they sell (cheap ones aren't machined as well and just suck over time), got some handset cord at the hardware store (for old corded telephones), a basic biner, and some larger shrink tubing.
Cut the tubing and slide it on the cord, tie the cord to the wrench and biner, slide the tubing over the knots... mini-torch to shrink. It always fits, always works, it's safe, and looks kind of cool too...

I am with gafftaper on this one. There is certainly no reason to spend over $90 on a wrench. You can get those "fit any nut" socket wrenches for less than that. But really, a c-wrench can never be beaten. In our world there are very few places the c-wrench can't go. Plus, when you lend it to someone else and it walks away, you won't be out $90. Also, you don't have to explain a c-wrench to people, they understand how to use it, those multi-wrench things are often not as easy to figure out.

[stantonsound]

Yup, but I prefer tieline instead of the coiled phone wire. I don't know why, just habit I guess. There are plenty of times an adjustable wrench comes in handy. There are often things to be loosened or tightened that are different sized and the fancy wrenches just won't work. When I am working on a job where I have to hire crew, I go to Harbor Freight or Northern Tool and Supply and pick up a bunch of C-wrenches for about $2.50 each. I put some tieline on them, a clip, and they use them all day. I usually only get about half of them back, but no big deal.

(I also have a toolbox full of $.99 screwdrivers, $.79 scissors, $1.99 dykes - for cutting off zipties, $.49 razor knifes, etc... When there is a lighting crew, a sound crew, decorators, ice sculpture people, a DJ, a band, hotel/convention center staff, union labor, longshoremen, and more, tools tend to be "misplaced". This way, I am usually out about $15 a show, no big deal. I lose more money in gaff tape than tools.)

[soundlight]

For just focusing, I'm all for the Mega Handle as long as you don't have two sizes of fukit-nuts. It works great, and it's a no-brainer as far as using it. if it doesn't fit at first, shove it on farther. And they're cheap as multi-wrenches go. Our theater department has about ten of them, and they're all that anyone uses during hangs. The absolute best part about them is that they're so small that you can get a very short piece of handset cord, loop it through the hole in the handle, and tie it together, so that you can put it around your wrist. This is amazingly useful when you've got a light in position and you can't easily reach your pocket. You can just grab it from where it is, right at your wrist.

http://www.thelightsource.com/products/9/view

[gafftaper]

You know I like my mega handle... I just wish it was a little larger. In an effort to make it pocket size, they have lost all leverage. For a guy with big hands like me, it's hard to even hold the stupid little thing. And when it comes to a stubborn bolt that needs a little talking too, the mega handle is so small I can't get the leverage of the entire grip of my hand as it's too short. If the mega handle was about 5-6 inches long I would probably be converted from my C-wrench.

[Charc]

I'm pretty sure you guys are talking about the mega combo wrench, and if so, I do in-fact of one of those. I just keep it on the carabiner with my leatherman for those really desperate situations, but I really hate using the **** thing.

[gafftaper]

Originally Posted by charcoaldabs

I'm pretty sure you guys are talking about the mega combo wrench, and if so, I do in-fact of one of those. I just keep it on the carabiner with my leatherman for those really desperate situations, but I really hate using the **** thing.

Yeah the Mega Combo is the correct name... it's essentially the same as a Mega Handle so it's a little confusing. Either way, it's a great tool but it's too small.

[soundlight]

I don't understand why people are saying that it's too small. If there are clamps that are so tight that you can't undo them with a mega combo wrench, then you need to start cutting off the handles of people's c-wrenches so that they don't overtorque the bolts! I honestly don't see why you'd need anything longer than a mega-combo, and it fits perfectly in my hand (and my hands are pretty big compared to most). You just have to grab it differently. I always have mine right at my wrist, so I don't have to grab for it, which makes it just great!