Gaff Tape Runner

And now for a product that should have been invented years ago (or was and just not marketed): GaffGun.

I am waiting for one that carries a handful of colors of spike tape marketed to stage managers next...

Electro-magnetic Boards

I recently received an email about a product called Justick.  Its basically a bulletin board without pins, tapes, etc - where notes just stick, without any additional aid.  This works via an electromagnetic field, generated by AA batteries.

While this probably is not robust enough to hold up in some environments, I could see uses.  If you could control the power remotely, things could easily fall onstage.  But I could see it more in use backstage, or for use in meetings where you may not have a post it note, but need to make a note.

WeldOn Adhesives

I am going through my office and trying to get rid of paper I have accumulated throughout the years. Since this blog is much easier to find a product in than my filing cabinet, I will probably be updating this with products that I have found and used for projects throughout the years.

Today I ran across a file for WeldOn Adhesives, which creates adhesive for vinyl, ABS, Polycarbonate, Styrene, PVC, and Acrylic.

Quake Putty

A couple years ago I posted about Museum Putty - a product like Mortite, that was being advertised for specific use in Museums. Then last April, I posted a pic of a vase being secured. Theatrically not unusually - but I thought it was unique because it was in a hotel in Costa Rico. Today, while searching for something completely different - I stumbled upon Quake Hold. Seems to be pretty strong.

I guess it’s also a little interesting to me that we now see it for use for walls (poster tac) & I have seen people using it in their homes to secure small knick knacks to display shelves. The evolution of the idea from an esoteric theatrical trick to something marketed as an official product with specific uses is a reminder about all of the simple things we know in theatre, yet take for granted.

Molding Cloth

I believe I have mentioned Rose Brand’s molding cloth before (if not check it out here: http://www.rosebrand.com/subcategory22/molding-cloth.aspx). I just came across 2 more products that are very similar:
Foss Shape (http://www.dazian.com/html/fosshape.html)
Wonderflex (http://www.dazian.com/html/wonderflex.html)

Both of these materials require heat to activate, with the Foss Shape material requiring a higher temperature. These materials are recommended for “headpieces, sub-structures, ornamental effects, masks, props and scenic materials.” The materials cut easily, and will bond to itself as well as other materials, and can be sewn.

Adhesive Resource

A simple recurring challenge that TD's often face is choosing the best adhesive for the job at hand. That's where This to that comes in. http://www.thistothat.com/ The website has 11 different materials (including paper, wood, plastic, Styrofoam, fabric, metal....) which you can choose from to name the 2 objects you are attempting to glue. For instance, When I entered plastic and metal it gave me three choices, and some tips for the best adhesion. While it is limited in terms of materials (different types of foam and fabric may have different adhesion capabilities), this is a great place to start when you are gluing object together that you don't work with often.