Tool Slides

Hand Tools

Power Tools

Here are some hand tools and power tools that you'll encounter in stagecraft.

Tool Safety Videos

Here are some pretty thorough safety videos made by the Power Tool Institute. They may feel a little long, but they have important information.

Please remember that these tools can be dangerous. Even if you have had previous experience with tools, these safety precautions are essential. A Yale University student was killed a few years ago when her hair was caught in a lathe.

Table Saw
Miter Saw
Circular Saw

Stagecraft students need to watch these videos before they use tools in class. Scene shop employees need to watch them once each year.

Sculpting Foam Balusters

I built a hot wire cutter to sculpt some balusters out of EPS foam.

Here's a video to see it in action. The sound is muffled since we're wearing respirators.

And here they are in use for Much Ado About Nothing

Thanks to Jacobs Online for helping me figure out what transformer to use.

Color and Paint

Here are some slides on color mixing and paint tools we use in theatre.

Clipboard Project

Step 1: Rip Wood

Step 2: Glue and Clamp

Step 3: Plane

Step 4: Trim Ends

Step 5: Round Corners

Step 6: Sand Faces

Step 7: Sand Edges

Step 8: Drill Holes

Step 9: Apply Finish

Step 10: Attach Clip

Construction Calculator

This calculator does fractions and a bunch of calculations that can be helpful in the scene shop (I use mine most when figuring stairs). I purchased a "construction master" calculator when I worked on a construction crew. It cost me $75 and doesn't do much more for me than this one that only costs $16.

Adhesives

My wife, Kim, sent me this link to a super cool site that helps you determine the best glue or adhesive to use. Great for props or scenery or costumes or just about anything.