Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: What Tools do you use?

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JSerio
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Joined: 4/18/11
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Topic: What Tools do you use?
Posted: 7/16/11 at 6:26pm

Hello,

So I have been doing some research into buying some new cordless tools for my theatre company. I have been looking at Ryobi and Makita. What brands do you recommend, keeping price in mind? Also what tools do you find your self needing most often? I need something mainly more screwing and cutting wood. So maybe a drill, impact driver and a circular saw. What are your thought?

Thanks,
Jack

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elaidlaw
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Posted: 7/17/11 at 5:26am

I've used a couple of brands and one thing I noticed is that I'm less nervous about others using my less expensive tools. But definitely get a drill and impact driver.

Regarding saws: more people are safer and more comfortable using a chop saw (compound miter) than circular saws. I've had ACE or other low end chop saws work reliable and last for years (but I've never had a ryobi). But there are many times that you need a circular saw. I know a lot of people recommend the worm drive saws, but I find them too heavy to handle accurately and safely. I've used a Milwaukee circular for years and have been pleased. I've not liked any of the cordless saws that I've tried - not enough power.

Everyone needs a jig saw to make the odd-shaped cuts.

The one tool I love that is not mentioned often is the kreg pocket hole jig. By using pocket hole joinery for flats, I don't need corner blocks or keystones. Also, I use them to make windows and doors (and drawers and bookcases and about everything else) with superior strangth at a fraction of the usual time. If the picture loads, it shows 3 flats joined with pocket holes with a set of functional windows. Working by myself, I can put together a flat in less than an hour, and the windows took about an hour to build.

Emily

https://picasaweb.google.com/108007210502166084345/MiraclesPics#5611695735658879074

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pdavis69
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Posted: 7/18/11 at 1:41pm

I am a devout Dewalt fan. Our theatre set construction department has gone to all Dewalt 18 volt cordless hand tools. If you stick with all the same brand and voltage, the bateries are interchangable.

As far as start up tool requirements I would start with the following:

2 cordless drills

1 cordless circular saw

1 cordless recipricating saw

1 jigsaw

2 hammers

1 full screwdriver set

1 socket set

1 large prybar

1 level

1 speed square

3 tape measures

1 sliding compound miter saw

Good luck.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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Spectrum
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Posted: 7/30/11 at 2:39am

There is another train of thought on this topic, and that is how secure are these tools going to be in the hands of your volunteers - of varying (and dubious) experience? By secure, I not only mean will the user actually know the proper way to use the tools, and not abuse and damage them, but are there precautions to make sure they don't "walk out of the theatre" as well? If skilled professionals working for the theatre are using the tools exclusively, the argument for high dollar, professional grade equipment is justified. But if these tools are used by volunteers with little or no experience (and oversight and supervision are not part of the process), the cheaper Harbor Freight and Sears lines of machines are probably more appropriate. A high dollar drill or saw is no more useful, accurate, or reliable in the hands of an amateur than the fairly well built, but much cheaper brand, and losing it out the back door, or to abuse won't be quite so devastating.

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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didj1028
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Posted: 7/30/11 at 8:46pm

I disagree about needing a cordless circular saw. Cordless reciprocating saw would be handy but also not necessary. Corded versions of both these tools will serve you just fine.

Geoff Ehrendreich
Waterloo Community Playhouse
Waterloo IA

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David McCall
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Posted: 7/31/11 at 10:46am

There is one good thing about a cordless circular saw. There is no cord to cut in half. I'd be willing to bet that many of the accidents involving circular saws involve rearranging the cord so you can Finnish the cut, or the cord hanging up on the edge of a piece of plywood.

I have a fairly full set of 19.2 volt tools from Sears. They have served me well. The tools that get used the most are the drills and the circular saw. I have a little circular saw by Makita and the battery goes pretty quick. The Craftsman has a 5-6" blade and is much more useful. In my opinion it is good to pick a brand that does what you need and buy extra chargers and batteries so that there is always a fully charged spare available.

David M

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pdavis69
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Posted: 8/04/11 at 3:08pm

The cordless recipricating and circular saws can often be bought in combo packs with a drill. These packs often go on sale around father's day and Christmas. Purchasing the combo kits this way often allows you to purchase same brand tools and more importantly tools with interchangable batteries.

As far as tools walking out the back door, unfortunately that is a reality we have dealt with. We have contemplated keeping our tools in a locked room with limited access, where builders need to sign in and out each tool on a dily basis for a build. I think one more $200 drill walks away and our locking tool room will become a reality.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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Spectrum
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Posted: 8/06/11 at 1:26am

"As far as tools walking out the back door, unfortunately that is a reality we have dealt with. We have contemplated keeping our tools in a locked room with limited access, where builders need to sign in and out each tool on a dily basis for a build. I think one more $200 drill walks away and our locking tool room will become a reality."

Even THAT may not work, because while a person is using the tools, (s)he will eventually set them down, and someone OTHER than the person checking the tool out may abscond with it out the back door. Theatre people for the most part are honest and respectful of other people’s property, but there is always that “exception to the rule” idiot who wrecks it for everybody else. I have had numerous experiences with people who didn’t know the first thing about the proper use of a tool, and sadly, the more shady person who felt he needed that tool for himself, who has ruined or stolen MY tools (the theatres I have done work for lately have had their tool kits ruined or cleaned out by “volunteers” to the point nothing is usable) and never once thought about any personal responsibility, to the point that I now have a locking, roll about tool case, and I now authorize VERY limited use of my tools by others. It is sad, but that is reality these days.

Edited by Spectrum - 8/06/11 at 1:28am

Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.

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colugino
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Posted: 10/28/11 at 2:13am

This may be too late, but our theatre company uses Ryobi cordless drills (we have three) plus we have two batteries per drill and they have worked well for us - we have been using the same drills for 4 years now. The cordless saws I have found are a waste of money. Our Ryobi circular saw we are lucky to get a 3 inch cut before it dies. One item of value we have found is to have a plug in drill on hand because there is nothing worse than having your crew there ready to build and finding someone forgot to put the batteries on charge. We have a Dewalt chop/miter saw that has been great to us - it cost us $600, but was well worth it, and we bolted it to a table so it cannot walk. We also have a wall of different hand saws. What we have found to also be invaluable is finding the package deals at Home Depot or Lowes on tools (such as screwdriver sets, chisels, etc). With Christmas approaching they always have these on sale. As for saws, sometimes there is no getting around having to use a circular saw, but I have only ever had luck with plug in saws. My father donated a Black and Decker saw that he has had for at least 30 years and it still works fine. For those with issues cutting with them, I have found that having a saw guide is a blessing - http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202361731/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

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jt7724
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Joined: 3/21/11
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Posted: 12/28/11 at 10:09pm

Other people have already hit most of the important points, especially the fact that cordless saws are completely useless, but there is one thing that I think it's important to add. If any part of your workforce is made up of inexperienced volunteers I find it essential that you have an angle grinder on hand. Use it sparingly, but screws do get stripped and bent, and it is a whole lot easier to grind them off then to try and pull them out with pliers.

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Set Design and Construction
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Set Design and Construction

Author	Message
JSerio Player Joined: 4/18/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 29	Topic: What Tools do you use? Posted: 7/16/11 at 6:26pm
	Hello, So I have been doing some research into buying some new cordless tools for my theatre company. I have been looking at Ryobi and Makita. What brands do you recommend, keeping price in mind? Also what tools do you find your self needing most often? I need something mainly more screwing and cutting wood. So maybe a drill, impact driver and a circular saw. What are your thought? Thanks, Jack

	IP Logged

elaidlaw Walk-On Joined: 5/05/10 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/17/11 at 5:26am
	I've used a couple of brands and one thing I noticed is that I'm less nervous about others using my less expensive tools. But definitely get a drill and impact driver. Regarding saws: more people are safer and more comfortable using a chop saw (compound miter) than circular saws. I've had ACE or other low end chop saws work reliable and last for years (but I've never had a ryobi). But there are many times that you need a circular saw. I know a lot of people recommend the worm drive saws, but I find them too heavy to handle accurately and safely. I've used a Milwaukee circular for years and have been pleased. I've not liked any of the cordless saws that I've tried - not enough power. Everyone needs a jig saw to make the odd-shaped cuts. The one tool I love that is not mentioned often is the kreg pocket hole jig. By using pocket hole joinery for flats, I don't need corner blocks or keystones. Also, I use them to make windows and doors (and drawers and bookcases and about everything else) with superior strangth at a fraction of the usual time. If the picture loads, it shows 3 flats joined with pocket holes with a set of functional windows. Working by myself, I can put together a flat in less than an hour, and the windows took about an hour to build. Emily https://picasaweb.google.com/108007210502166084345/MiraclesPics#5611695735658879074
	IP Logged

pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 7/18/11 at 1:41pm
	I am a devout Dewalt fan. Our theatre set construction department has gone to all Dewalt 18 volt cordless hand tools. If you stick with all the same brand and voltage, the bateries are interchangable. As far as start up tool requirements I would start with the following: 2 cordless drills 1 cordless circular saw 1 cordless recipricating saw 1 jigsaw 2 hammers 1 full screwdriver set 1 socket set 1 large prybar 1 level 1 speed square 3 tape measures 1 sliding compound miter saw Good luck.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 7/30/11 at 2:39am
	There is another train of thought on this topic, and that is how secure are these tools going to be in the hands of your volunteers - of varying (and dubious) experience? By secure, I not only mean will the user actually know the proper way to use the tools, and not abuse and damage them, but are there precautions to make sure they don't "walk out of the theatre" as well? If skilled professionals working for the theatre are using the tools exclusively, the argument for high dollar, professional grade equipment is justified. But if these tools are used by volunteers with little or no experience (and oversight and supervision are not part of the process), the cheaper Harbor Freight and Sears lines of machines are probably more appropriate. A high dollar drill or saw is no more useful, accurate, or reliable in the hands of an amateur than the fairly well built, but much cheaper brand, and losing it out the back door, or to abuse won't be quite so devastating.
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

didj1028 Star Joined: 1/25/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 54	Posted: 7/30/11 at 8:46pm
	I disagree about needing a cordless circular saw. Cordless reciprocating saw would be handy but also not necessary. Corded versions of both these tools will serve you just fine.
	Geoff Ehrendreich Waterloo Community Playhouse Waterloo IA
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David McCall Celebrity Joined: 1/28/09 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 299	Posted: 7/31/11 at 10:46am
	There is one good thing about a cordless circular saw. There is no cord to cut in half. I'd be willing to bet that many of the accidents involving circular saws involve rearranging the cord so you can Finnish the cut, or the cord hanging up on the edge of a piece of plywood. I have a fairly full set of 19.2 volt tools from Sears. They have served me well. The tools that get used the most are the drills and the circular saw. I have a little circular saw by Makita and the battery goes pretty quick. The Craftsman has a 5-6" blade and is much more useful. In my opinion it is good to pick a brand that does what you need and buy extra chargers and batteries so that there is always a fully charged spare available.
	David M
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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 8/04/11 at 3:08pm
	The cordless recipricating and circular saws can often be bought in combo packs with a drill. These packs often go on sale around father's day and Christmas. Purchasing the combo kits this way often allows you to purchase same brand tools and more importantly tools with interchangable batteries. As far as tools walking out the back door, unfortunately that is a reality we have dealt with. We have contemplated keeping our tools in a locked room with limited access, where builders need to sign in and out each tool on a dily basis for a build. I think one more $200 drill walks away and our locking tool room will become a reality.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
	IP Logged

Spectrum Celebrity Joined: 4/16/04 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 176	Posted: 8/06/11 at 1:26am
	"As far as tools walking out the back door, unfortunately that is a reality we have dealt with. We have contemplated keeping our tools in a locked room with limited access, where builders need to sign in and out each tool on a dily basis for a build. I think one more $200 drill walks away and our locking tool room will become a reality." Even THAT may not work, because while a person is using the tools, (s)he will eventually set them down, and someone OTHER than the person checking the tool out may abscond with it out the back door. Theatre people for the most part are honest and respectful of other people’s property, but there is always that “exception to the rule” idiot who wrecks it for everybody else. I have had numerous experiences with people who didn’t know the first thing about the proper use of a tool, and sadly, the more shady person who felt he needed that tool for himself, who has ruined or stolen MY tools (the theatres I have done work for lately have had their tool kits ruined or cleaned out by “volunteers” to the point nothing is usable) and never once thought about any personal responsibility, to the point that I now have a locking, roll about tool case, and I now authorize VERY limited use of my tools by others. It is sad, but that is reality these days. Edited by Spectrum - 8/06/11 at 1:28am
	Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.
	IP Logged

colugino Star Joined: 6/30/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 55	Posted: 10/28/11 at 2:13am
	This may be too late, but our theatre company uses Ryobi cordless drills (we have three) plus we have two batteries per drill and they have worked well for us - we have been using the same drills for 4 years now. The cordless saws I have found are a waste of money. Our Ryobi circular saw we are lucky to get a 3 inch cut before it dies. One item of value we have found is to have a plug in drill on hand because there is nothing worse than having your crew there ready to build and finding someone forgot to put the batteries on charge. We have a Dewalt chop/miter saw that has been great to us - it cost us $600, but was well worth it, and we bolted it to a table so it cannot walk. We also have a wall of different hand saws. What we have found to also be invaluable is finding the package deals at Home Depot or Lowes on tools (such as screwdriver sets, chisels, etc). With Christmas approaching they always have these on sale. As for saws, sometimes there is no getting around having to use a circular saw, but I have only ever had luck with plug in saws. My father donated a Black and Decker saw that he has had for at least 30 years and it still works fine. For those with issues cutting with them, I have found that having a saw guide is a blessing - http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202361731/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053
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jt7724 Player Joined: 3/21/11 Online Status: Offline Posts: 18	Posted: 12/28/11 at 10:09pm
	Other people have already hit most of the important points, especially the fact that cordless saws are completely useless, but there is one thing that I think it's important to add. If any part of your workforce is made up of inexperienced volunteers I find it essential that you have an angle grinder on hand. Use it sparingly, but screws do get stripped and bent, and it is a whole lot easier to grind them off then to try and pull them out with pliers.
	IP Logged