Book List for Designers

http://www.designsojourn.com/30-essential-books-for-industrial-designers/

The above link talks about what books industrial designers should read or have. While not every book on the list is applicable to theatre, I think there are definitely some that would be good reads, and helpful.

Looking for a play?

FINDaPLAY is a website that allows you to search 30 different play publishers including MTI, Samuel French and Dramatists.
http://www.findaplay.com/

Toggle / Hold down clamps

Toggle clamps and hold down clamps have a useful place in the scene shop. One of the coolest welding tables I have seen was made from telespar with hold down clamps, so that you could easily jig and clamp any size or shape of frame. Also, toggle clamps can be useful for clamping scenery together during scene shifts. The link below is one maker of said clamps, though they can be found in a wide variety of places including McMaster Carr and Grainger.

http://destacoclampstore.com/

Canopy Article

The September edition of Stage Directions is out and includes an article of mine in the answer box section! You can also check it out on their website at:
http://stage-directions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1044&Itemid=39

Tape

One of the new materials I have come to love over the past year is VHB (Very High Bond) Tape. Made by 3m, it will bond plastics, metals, glass and wood together. Below is a variety of links for more information.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/VHB/Tapes/
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/electronics/home/productsandservices/products/TapesAdhesives/VHBTape/
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_WW/electronics/home/productsandservices/products/TapesAdhesives/VHBTape/

Mortise Hinge Profile Cutters

While browsing McMaster Carr today looking for the perfect hinge for an upcoming project I ran across these mortise hinge profile cutters.

You hammer this cutter into the frame, and it cuts the mark, which you can then chisel out. It will also gauge the accurate depth. And the price tag makes it an easy purchase for any shop.

Hardware Take 2

Here is another source for hardware:
http://www.accuratemfg.com/

In this case it is a good source for sex bolts and measuring tools.

Gaff Tape Fun

Here's an useful tip for gaff tape.

http://www.onefromtheroad.com/index.php?p=74

Hardware

There is one thing that scenery, museums, display, and even home have in common - they desire to minimize seams. And to that end there are a multitude of ways to handle seams, from dutchman and taping to make them go away, to indenting the seam to give it purpose, and turn it into a decorative accent.

And as important as the seam is, the hardware that goes with fastening the seam can be important as well. Hinges, bolted, screwed, panel locks or french cleats to name a few methods....

The following two links provide and alternate style of the coffin locks we often use in theatre.

http://www.displayinnovations.com/

http://www.norse-inc.com/index.html