On tool monger, they posted a blog about Attic Dek; an open panel made for spanning joists to create a storage location or walkway. They claim they are lightweight, and are gray, with a thickness that suggests recycled materials. They support up to 250 pounds and come in 2 sizes- 16"x16" and 16" x 24".
The panels could be a reasonable choice for shop built storage or scenic pieces. At a price around $2 a square foot plus the ease of installation means that the total cost is very reasonable.
http://toolmonger.com/2009/01/07/simple-storage-space-for-the-attic/
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Google Ads for Non Profits
Google for non profits offers "Google Grants". This is part of their AdSense program, and if you qualify for a grant you will have an ad appear when the relevant key words are searched. Considering how much I surf the web to see whats going on in the theatres near me - I could see how a google ad could be useful!
Check it out at: http://www.google.com/grants/details.html
Check it out at: http://www.google.com/grants/details.html
Monday, January 12, 2009
Inkscape
Every year at USITT there is a session on great free / open source software. This should make the list for 2009. I came across it while researching Ponoko -Inkscape is a vector based program similar to adobe illustrator or corel draw.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Custom Printed Fabric
Spoonflower (www.spponflower.com) offers custom printing on a quilting weight cotton. Its $18 a yard plus shipping, but you can buy a "fat quarter" and a sample swatch as well if you don't need the full yard (44" x 36"). At first I was ready to write this off- they only have one fabric type, can only print up to 3 yards at a time, and at $18 a yard I wasn't sure it was such a great deal. But that price isn't bad, especially for one-off runs in small sizes. They print at 150DPI, so it probably isn't photo quality, but it does seem unique. Something to keep in mind for a one of a kind prop or costume pieces - or even a textured wall-paper.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Ponoko
I have been browsing through Ponoko. Ponoko is a craft centered site where you can get plans for making stuff, sell plans, or sell craft items. It is sort of a cross of a craft centered ebay and make magazine. There are some unique offerings:
An MDF wine rack: http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/Ponoko/wine-rack-in-mdf-1316
A Pen catapult: http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/CuttingEdgeDesign/catapult-1569
And a robot (from instructables, so there you go):http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/ClementFletchersPlace/-oawr-obstacle-avoiding-walking-robot-418
After browsing for a while, there is much more to the site than I first realized. You need to download their starter pack, then you can design an item, choose materials. They will cut / tool the pieces and send them to you. You can assemble and then make adjustments. The project can then be sold, if you want to others as a plan or kit. They have a range of acrylics, a few wood types, and some sheet metals, and they laser cut the pieces. I was guessing the laser cut for cost reasons, and since many patterns are very intricate.
I could see several theatrical uses - prototypes, custom props, and model building. If you have a cnc machine, you might not see as much value, but in a typical theatre it could be a great solution. As always with cnc / laster/ waterjet parts, the time is in the drafting - drafted correctly and well thought out the actual set piece or prop goes together easily.
An MDF wine rack: http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/Ponoko/wine-rack-in-mdf-1316
A Pen catapult: http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/CuttingEdgeDesign/catapult-1569
And a robot (from instructables, so there you go):http://www.ponoko.com/showroom/ClementFletchersPlace/-oawr-obstacle-avoiding-walking-robot-418
After browsing for a while, there is much more to the site than I first realized. You need to download their starter pack, then you can design an item, choose materials. They will cut / tool the pieces and send them to you. You can assemble and then make adjustments. The project can then be sold, if you want to others as a plan or kit. They have a range of acrylics, a few wood types, and some sheet metals, and they laser cut the pieces. I was guessing the laser cut for cost reasons, and since many patterns are very intricate.
I could see several theatrical uses - prototypes, custom props, and model building. If you have a cnc machine, you might not see as much value, but in a typical theatre it could be a great solution. As always with cnc / laster/ waterjet parts, the time is in the drafting - drafted correctly and well thought out the actual set piece or prop goes together easily.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
V-Block Clamp
While I am on the streak of clamps, I thought I would mention this clamp as well. They look like they would be very useful for clamping pipe for drilling or milling purposes.
http://toolmonger.com/2009/01/01/v-block-and-clamp-set/
On the other hand, I think I can easily envision a shop built product that could be done easily and economically.
http://toolmonger.com/2009/01/01/v-block-and-clamp-set/
On the other hand, I think I can easily envision a shop built product that could be done easily and economically.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Speaking of clamping, Toolmonger also blogged about a universal clamp. This clamp has a variety of holes (60) in which you can place pins, and these pins act as the clamp. This provides a clamp that will work with any shape! While a little pricey, I think it is a novel idea.
http://toolmonger.com/2008/12/30/universal-clamp-for-small-objects/
http://toolmonger.com/2008/12/30/universal-clamp-for-small-objects/
Monday, January 5, 2009
Magnetic Gluing Jig
Toolmonger recently had a blog post showcasing a model gluing jig (http://toolmonger.com/2009/01/05/magnetic-gluing-jig/).
It looks like a cool idea for building model set pieces - though if you worked in a particular space often enough, I think cutting sheet steel to the ground plan of the facility may open up a variety of interesting ideas as well.
It looks like a cool idea for building model set pieces - though if you worked in a particular space often enough, I think cutting sheet steel to the ground plan of the facility may open up a variety of interesting ideas as well.
Friday, January 2, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!
Another year has come and gone and I thought I would take a few minutes to reflect on the past year.
It’s been a year of learning, (which I hope I can always say). There have been some exciting projects that I have been involved with that led to some interesting research. Also, it has been very interesting to branch into film / tv and museum work. It’s interesting both in the similarities, some subtle (and not so subtle) differences, and some different materials. Working to get some of our automation control system UL/ETL listed has also been quite the experience.
USITT in Houston was great, and I have been working on USITT related projects for the upcoming conference in Cincinnati – and I hope to see you there!
In my kick of investigating the ways toys can be used as valuable learning opportunities, I have moved into solar panels. While not really practical for theatre, we have been doing a number of green exhibits, as well as a science museum exhibit about sunlight. I was surprised by the low cost of solar panels these days – and who knows – I could easily see solar power being used (at least in part) in remote out door performance spaces.
As far as seeing shows, being in Chicago has opened up the opportunity to see lots of fabulous performances, in a variety of genres. On the Broadway series, Avenue Q was as much fun as I expected. Dirty Dancing was novel in projections and lighting – it was very cinema like – much more so than I ever imagined possible. Elsewhere, Contraption from the Neo-Futurist was a lot of fun. Columbinus from the Raven Theatre was a great piece of theatre, as was, though for very different reasons, Million Dollar Quartet.
Looking forward to the upcoming year I hope to continue to come here and share my thoughts with you, to learn more and to share that as well, and to see more great Chicago theatre.
It’s been a year of learning, (which I hope I can always say). There have been some exciting projects that I have been involved with that led to some interesting research. Also, it has been very interesting to branch into film / tv and museum work. It’s interesting both in the similarities, some subtle (and not so subtle) differences, and some different materials. Working to get some of our automation control system UL/ETL listed has also been quite the experience.
USITT in Houston was great, and I have been working on USITT related projects for the upcoming conference in Cincinnati – and I hope to see you there!
In my kick of investigating the ways toys can be used as valuable learning opportunities, I have moved into solar panels. While not really practical for theatre, we have been doing a number of green exhibits, as well as a science museum exhibit about sunlight. I was surprised by the low cost of solar panels these days – and who knows – I could easily see solar power being used (at least in part) in remote out door performance spaces.
As far as seeing shows, being in Chicago has opened up the opportunity to see lots of fabulous performances, in a variety of genres. On the Broadway series, Avenue Q was as much fun as I expected. Dirty Dancing was novel in projections and lighting – it was very cinema like – much more so than I ever imagined possible. Elsewhere, Contraption from the Neo-Futurist was a lot of fun. Columbinus from the Raven Theatre was a great piece of theatre, as was, though for very different reasons, Million Dollar Quartet.
Looking forward to the upcoming year I hope to continue to come here and share my thoughts with you, to learn more and to share that as well, and to see more great Chicago theatre.
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