Design Issues and Solutions -

[SteveB]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Have you tried any of the commercially available "lens removal tools"?

I've never needed/used any tool. With the fixture hanging and pointing straight down (and unplugged!), position the spring clip at the top nearest the colorframe clip. While squeezing the spring clip, whack the top of the fixture with the fleshy part of one's open palm. The lens gently drops into one's hand.

The method you describe never seems to work for me. I admit to needing more practice.

But I like the tool - just have no clue who sells it - it's not a joke, correct ?, as it looks like a home made thingie from a gobo holder.

Whose is this ?.

SB

[derekleffew]

I can't seem to find a US vendor; here's the link to a UK one: Terralec. £1.50 is ~$2.97, which certainly seems reasonable enough. Anyone know an American vendor?

[Footer4321]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Have you tried any of the commercially available "lens removal tools"?

I've never needed/used any tool. With the fixture hanging and pointing straight down (and unplugged!), position the spring clip at the top nearest the colorframe clip. While squeezing the spring clip, whack the top of the fixture with the fleshy part of one's open palm. The lens gently drops into one's hand.

I have looked into getting one of those, I usually dont need one, but if you have a set of fresh out of the box fixtures those clips can be a real bear. Maybe I'll pick one up.

[ruinexplorer]

Originally Posted by kfd29

Fixtures avail for use: about 20 fresnels, 10 S4 w/ 36 degrees, 12 S4 PARnels. Would like to purchase either PAR64's or S4 PARs to replace our dying fresnels.. any suggestions on that as well? Seems like the PAR64's have a nicer, smooth wash but the S4 PARs are definately more versatile as far as lens changes instead of lamps.

Definitely nicer to go with the S4 PAR since you can share the lamps. However, don't forget that the quality of light from a Fresnel is different from any PAR. In other words, I'd try to fix a few of them anyway even if you "replace" them with PARs.

Davin

[Lightingguy32]

Instead of all S4-PARS why not split it and get some S4-PARnel units?

[Lightingguy32]

Do you happen to have a rough sketch of the theater along with where the lighting positions are?

[cdub260]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Have you tried any of the commercially available "lens removal tools"?

I've never needed/used any tool. With the fixture hanging and pointing straight down (and unplugged!), position the spring clip at the top nearest the colorframe clip. While squeezing the spring clip, whack the top of the fixture with the fleshy part of one's open palm. The lens gently drops into one's hand.

While this trick works fairly well with Source 4 Pars, it doesn't work that well with Parnels, which I have a few of in my inventory.

I actually made my own lens removal tool by cutting a foot off the end of a steel fish tape and bending the tip at about a 45 degree angle. Then I painted the thing orange, except for the tip, so I wouldn't lose it. It works great for getting my Parnel lenses off for cleaning. Of course to get the second lens out, you have to disassemble the light, but that's another matter all together.

[Serendipity]

Originally Posted by derekleffew

Have you tried any of the commercially available "lens removal tools"?

How exactly does the tool work? The website didn't seem to have an explanation.
I'd guess the center of the tool is for the spring clip, and the other branches wrap around the lens. Yes/no?

It's an amusing tool, and the fact it looks like mangled gobo holder makes it even more excellent.