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

Drafting Overlay

http://toolmonger.com/2007/12/01/transparent-scale-ruler-overlays/

I saw the above while searching for a 36" scale ruler, and thought it looked useful. since I often use quick square foot measurements, I think I might create an overlay with a few helpful reference numbers and print my own version.

Ka Take 2

After my last brief post, I received word that John Huntington had one his website an article on "Ka" as well.

His article discusses the technical aspects in much more depth that the first message, and has some nice images of the system as well.

He also has an article about "Love" another Cirque production, also well written, and full of technical details and photos.

You can check out both articles (and others of his as well) at:
http://www.controlgeek.net/articles-other/

Ka Automation

http://www.entertainmentengineering.com/v5.issue08/EEv5i8.pdf

The above link for Entertainment Engineering has a bit on Cirque Du Soliel's"Ka" as well as an additional video.

Hinges

I found the above hinges in McMaster Carr. It would have been great to have used these instead of loose pin hinges on tour and when doing rep. They look beefy enough to stand up to the wear and tear. Of course, for the price per pair, they should be beefy.

Clever Connection

I have said it before, am saying it now, and will say it again - you can never be exposed to enough of a variety of techniques and you learn something everyday. And sometimes the simplest of things can be a great ah ha.

Today while walking through the shop, I saw a mock up for one of the exhibits we are working on. The corners were held together with hogstroughs on the corners. I have often built the hogstrough into one of the flats and ran that flat past the other. This struck me as an easy, flexible solution. And it would save materials as a shop would have a stock of them, since they are used in a variety of ways.

Photos

Dave Vick, assistant carpenter / rigger for the tour of "A Chorus Line" has posted a photo album online chronicling his adventures. Its a definite must see!

http://rigger.smugmug.com/gallery/4638345_cmt5V#292645103_cFZg4