Stagecraft -Tools

Claw hammer

-Come in various weights and sizes. 16 oz is most common. -The curved claw makes the removal of nails easier.

Mallet

-Hard or "soft" rubber head. (some have wooden heads) -Useful when a softened blow is required.

Sledge hammer

-Heavy and useful for smashing things during strike. -Various lengths and weights. (5-15 lbs, 12"-36") -Short versions sometimes called drilling hammers.

forstner bit

Alternative to spade bits. Sharper with rim instead of a center point, which makes for easier positioning. Cleaner hole & safer to use.

Linesman's pliers

Basic, average, all- around great pair of pliers. They are strong, great for holding, bending, and forming. Jaw surfaces are slightly toothed for better gripping. They also have a built- in- side cutter tool.

Rip hammer

Better at prying materials apart.

Hand Stapler

Binds things together by forcing thin metal staples into the material with pressure.

stapler

Binds things together by forcing thin metal staples into the material with pressure.

Chalk Line

Diamond shaped container containing a long string and powdered chalk. Used to make a straight line between two points. You must measure and mark where you want the line to be. Shake the chalk line to make sure the chalk inside has coated the string. Then, you stretch the string holding it taught at both ends. line up with measurements and then snap the line once by pulling it away from your surface about 5 to 6 inches and letting it go. Guide for cutting, painting, nailing, or anything.

Grinder

Drives an abrasive disk mounted to a geared head. The abrasive disk can be replaced

Keyhole Saw

Drywall saw is long, narrow saw used for cutting small awkward holes into a variety of building materials. The blade is secured into the handle by one or two screws. Modification- addition of a sharpened point on the tip of the blade. This allows for jabbing the saw through soft materials such as dry wall to begin your cut.

File

File has finer teeth than a rasp. The amount of wood removed is much smaller, and it is, overall, a gentler process.

file

Finer teeth than a rasp. more gently less wood shavings

oxyacetylene

Gas weilding, process that relies on the proper combination of oxygen and acetylene.

Needle-nose pliers

Good for smaller jobs, they are basic pliers with the gripping end not flat but with a narrow point. Great for holding much smaller items with precision.

Needle Nosed Pliers

Good for smaller jobs. They are basic pliers , but with a design is that the gripping end is not flat but comes to a small narrow point. Precision!

box wrench

Has a closed end and fits only one size of hardware. The box has between 6-12 points of contact to the hardware, which makers for a much more secure hold as you are trying to move the hardware.

Coping Saw

Has a handle with a U shaped steel frame. The very thin blade is held between the arms of the U. Turning the handle tightens of loosens the tension of the blade. Holders at either end of the blade can also be pivoted so that you can adjust the angle of the cut. Coping is similar to mitering. It is fitting two pieces of wood together when both pieces have an irregular surface. Cuts in tight spaces. type of bow saw used to cut intricate external shapes and interior cut-outs in woodworking or carpentry. It is widely used to cut moldings to create coped rather than miter joints.

Allen Key set

Has a hexagonal head for adjusting nuts with a recessed six sided opening. Can be bought as a single key as a loose set or as a full set packaged together within a shared handle.

Ball peen hammer

Has a much harder head than other hammers. Used mainly on metal instead of wood. Hammer used to bend, flatten, or shape metal.

Jig Saw/ saber saw

Has a small straight blade that cuts with an up and down motion. Small blade makes it great for cutting curves and not as good at cutting straight lines.

Bar Clamp

Have a fixed jaw and a sliding jaw, which makes them easily adjustable to different lengths.

Slotted Screws

Have a single straight indent in the top.

Phillips screws

Have an X indented into the top.

Vise Grip Pliers

Have an adjustable locking mechanism. If you are trying to loosen or tighten hardware where you will be using two tools, one to hold something in place and one to do the bulk of the work, vise grips lock their grip and hold it tightly for you, freeing up one of your hands to do the rest of the job . They come in a variety of sizes and shapes that make them applicable for many jobs.

Vise grips

Have an adjustable locking mechanism. If you're trying to loosen or tighten hardware where you will be using two tools one to hold something in place and one to do the bulk of the work, vise grips lock their grip and hold it tightly for you, freeing up one of your hands to do the rest of the job.

air compressor

Have regulators on them that allows you to set the pressure your tool requires. The compressor manfactures a high pressure, sending the air down the hose to the tool at the end.

framing hammer

Heavier, meant for larger nails and harder woods. Claw is not curved, as on a claw hammer and the head usually weighs about 22-28 ounces.

spring/squeeze clamps

Identified by the size their jaws can open. They are clamps that are strong and lightweight. They differ from the hand-screw and the bar clamps that they tighten and loosen based on a spring's tension. Usually features soft, durable pads to protect fine finishes. They can be used on everything from wood to fabric.

Wonder Bar

Made by a certain manufacturers. Can maybe remove nails and do minor lifting.

vises

Made from metal and are usually attached to a shop bench for stability. There are 2 jaws on the top that are usually fairly wide and smooth.

flat pry bar

Made of metal so that both ends are used to leverage for separating objects. Often, one or both ends will have a small fissure for removing nails.

Hand Saw

Rip Blades- cut parallel to the grain Crosscut Blades- cut across the grain

Yankee Screwdriver/ Push screwdriver

Screwdriver has a spiral center so that when you press down on the handle the handle the head turns the spiral center so you can drive in or back out a screw by just pushing down on the handle.

Tape Measure

Self-retracting pocket tape measure allows you to measure long lengths while still allowing it to be easily carried in your pocket.

Slip-joint plier

Similar to linesman pliers with a major difference , the joint that hold the two sides together is keyed so that the jaws can be opened wider as needed for certain jobs.

speed wrench

Similar to the box wrench. It contians a ratchet on both ends. Ratchet- device used to restrict motion to one direction.

Carpenter/ Carriage clamps

They are a basic clamp shaped with as a C with a screw that tightens and loosens.

Carpenter/ Carriage clamp

They are basic clamps to find in a scene shop shaped like a C with a screw that tightens and loosens. They leave a mark on wood, so they are usually used when that is not a factor.

Pipe Wrench

Meant for gripping round objects like metal pipe. Has an adjustable jaw similar to the adjustable wrench. It opens and closes by screwing itself tighter as the wrench clamps down on the pipe. When putting two pieces of pipe together or putting a pipe into a base, the pipe wrench is an essential tool.

Pipe wrench

Meant for gripping round objects like pipe. Used for metal pipes with an adjustable jaw similar to the adjustabe wrench.

Spirit Level

Measure whether a surface is level or plumb. Little vial containing liquid is partially filled with ethanol. Enough room left in the vial to create a bubble to use to determine the plumb. By placing the level on either a horizontal or vertical surface, the bubble will line up with one of the calibration marks on the vial.

Utility knife (Mat knife, x-acto knife)

Metal or plastic handle with a retractable blade, meaning it stored completely in the handle. It uses a two-sided blade. When the blade gets dull you can open the handle, pull out the blade, turn it around, and put it back in.

Speed square

Metal triangle containing both 90 degree and 45 degree angles. Has a flange on one side that you can use to hold it square up against the edge of your material.

arc welding

Most common type of welding that involves two large metal alligator clips that carry a strong electrical current. One clip is attached to any part of the project being welded. The second clip is connected to a thin welding rob. When the rod touches the project, a powerful electrical circuit is created. The massive heat creates the rods to melt together, cooling quickly to form a solid bond.

Cordless Drill

Motorized machine to drill nail inward or reverse. Size of the hole is determined by the size of the drill bit that does the cutting. Drill bit is held in place on the front by a chuck. The chuck is a hole in front of the motor. Insert the drill bit into the chuck and then tighten it, using a chuck key.

ball peen hammer

Much harder head than other hammers. Mainly used on metal instead wood. Hammer to bedn, flatten, or shape metal.

tack hammer

Much smaller hammer, usually used for the detail work on finishing projects. Small nails and tacks with very small heads are the perfect use for this tool. 5-8 ounces.

Tack hammer

Much smaller hammer, usually used for the detail work on finishing projects. Small nails and tacks with very small heads are the perfect use for this tool. The head weighs 5-8 ounces.

Open End Wrench

Nonadjustable type of wrench. Fits a specific size of hardware and has an open end usually at a 30 degree angle away from the handle. Allows for a greater range of motion when trying to tighten or loosen a nut.

Open- ended wrench

Nonadjustable type of wrench. Fits specific size of hardware and has an open end usually at a 30 degree angle anyway from handle. Allows a greater range of motion when trying to tighten or loosen a nut.

Hand- screw clamp

Older style of clamp/ does not destroy surface. Passing through the jaws are screws with reverse threads at the ends so the jaws come together rapidly. Hand screws are available with jaw lengths from 4-6 inches.

Adjustable Wrench/ Crescent

Open- ended wrench with one fixed jaw and one adjustable jaw. The adjustament works by a screw postitioned within the handle. This allows you to grasp any size nut or piece of hardware to loosen or tighten it.

Crescent Wrench

Open-ended wrench with one fixed jaw and one adjustable jaw. The adjustment works by a screw positioned within the handle. Allows you to grasp any size nut or piece of hardware to loosen or tighten it.

Router

Tools that cut grooves or decorative trims along the edge of a piece of wood. Router has a bit shaped just like the shape you will be cutting out, and is sharp on all edges. The shapes you can cut out are limited only by the number of router bits you have. Typically rotate their bit in a clockwise formation. Cut from left to right

soldering

Use molten metal to join two pieces of metal. Metal is added to the process has a melting point lower than that of the material, so only the added metal is melted, not the material.

Band Saw

Used for cutting wood or metal into nonlinear shapes. Unique tool in that the blade is one continuous loop, or band, stretched over two pulleys. The balde moves in one direction continuously. Has teeth on only one side of the band. Move material through the saw to create your design.

Scroll saws

Used for freehand cutting of intricate shapes in fairly thin wood. The scroll saw uses thin blades, similar to a jigsaw, to allow for the small radius needed to complete these designs.

Tin Snips

Used to cut sheet metal.

Plane tool

Used to flatten, reduce the thickness of and smooth a surface to a generally rough piece of lumber. Planes usually have a cutting edge on the bottom that is attched to the solid body of the plane

Band saws

Useful for cutting wood or metal into nonlinear shapes. A band saw is a unique tool in that the blade is one continous loop, or band, stretched over two pulleys. The blade operates by moving in one

Framing square

Versatile! Vary in size, but look like a giant L. Long side is 24 inches and short side is 16 inches. Made of metal 90 degree angle.

rasp

Woodworking tool for shaping the wood. Made up of a long narrow steel bar. There is a handle on one end while the rest has triangular teeth cut into it. When drawn across the wood, it will shave away parts of the wood, coarsely.

Table Saw

Works similarly to the circular saw, mounted on the table, which gives it stability and allows for a more powerful engine. A rip saw blade is usually installed. The tabletop gives stability to the wood you're cutting, allowing you to cut bigger pieces more easily. A fence allows you to line up wood straight. A blade guard keeps you physically separated from the blade.

Phillips Screw Driver

X indented top

Ratchet/ Socket Wrench

a device consisting of a bar or wheel with a set of angled teeth in which a pawl, cog, or tooth engages, allowing motion in one direction only.

Hack Saw

a saw with a narrow fine-toothed blade set in a frame, used especially for cutting metal. Rigid with angled teeth. Blade can be installed in the handle in either direction. This allows you to choose whether you will cut on the push or pull motion. Replacable blades come in a variety of types depending on your exact purpose.

Power Miter Saw

a specialized tool that lets you make cuts at a variety of angles. The saw has a blade mounted on a swing arm that pivots left or right to produce angled cuts. You can use a miter saw to quickly make cuts for crown molding, picture frames, door frames, window casings and more.

Bolt Cutters

a tool used for cutting chains, padlocks, bolts and wire mesh.

Wood Chisel

a tool with a characteristically shaped cutting edge (such that wood chisels have lent part of their name to a particular grind) of blade on its end, for carving or cutting a hard material such as wood, stone, or metal by hand, struck with a mallet, or mechanical power.

center punch

a tool with a conical point for making an indentation in an object, to allow a drill to make a hole at the same spot without slipping.

Back Saw/Miter saw

a type of saw with a reinforced back edge that keeps the thin blade from being distorted.precise work, such as cutting dovetails, mitres, or tenons in cabinetry and joinery. a joint made between two pieces of wood or other material at an angle of 90°, such that the line of junction bisects this angle.

Try Square

an implement used to check and mark right angles in construction work.

Quick Clamp

fastening device used to hold or secure objects tightly together to prevent movement or separation through the application of inward pressure.

hole saw

for making circular holes, consisting of a metal cylinder with a toothed edge. With small twist bit in the center of the hole saw. Sizes for hole saws usually range from 7/8 inch to 5 3/4 inches.

auger bit

includes a rotating helical screw blade called a "flighting" to act as a screw conveyor to remove the drilled out material. The rotation of the blade causes the material to move out of the hole being drilled.

pneumatic brad nailer

nailgun or nailer is a type of tool used to drive nails into wood or some other kind of material. It is usually driven by compressed air (pneumatic), electromagnetism, highly flammable gases such as butane or propane, or, for powder-actuated tools, a small explosive charge.

Dykes or Diagonal Cutters

pliers intended for the cutting of wire (they are generally not used to grab or turn anything).

Aviation snips

shears, are hand tools used to cut sheet metal and other tough webs.

Wood/ hand Plane

tool for shaping wood using muscle power to force the cutting blade over the wood surface.

Bevel Gauge or Sliding T-Bevel

used to check or copy the angle of an existing unit or drawing. Consists of a handle or stock and a blade or tounge, connected by a wing nut. Place handle against a straight edge and and by rotaing the blade , you can match the angle you're trying to recreate. Does not measure an angle only copies.

Radial-arm saws

A crosscut saw blade that usually installed. The blade head is suspended from a long arm, hence the name, in a yoke that allows for selectable degrees of rotation. There is a handle for moving the blade head forward and back while cutting the wood.

Flat Head Screw Driver

A hand tool for driving screws; has a tip that fits into the head of a screw.

Socket wrench

A handle and series of replaceable heads. Each each has an opening on one side; each opening is a different size to correspond to different sizes of bolt or nut quickly.

nut driver

A single tool with a handle and head in one that does not ratchet. Various sizes.

chisel

A tool with a cutting edge in its end. It is used primarily for carving and cutting hard materials like wood, stone, or metal. The sharp edge of the chisels can have different shapes on their cutting edge. Some shapes are straight while others more U shaped and meant to gouge out pieces of the object.

Crow Bar

A type of pry bar made of metal used to leverage for separating objects. An iron bar with a flattened end, used as a lever for separating objects.

Combination Square

Adjustable. Not only can the combination square handle 90- degrees angles, can also draw 45 degree angles. Can also loosen a knob and slide the square's head along the ruler, then tighten it down at a different location on the rule. Sliding head also contains a level.

Torx

Brand name for a type of screw with a six pointed star on the end. You may have heard of a star screwdriver. The Torx has a better points of contact and therefore you tend to damage the screw and your tool less than with an allen key.

Pry Bars

Catspaw, large pry bar, nail set, center punch, stapler, ad flat pry bar

hammer drill

Chuck creates a short, rapid hammer type action to break through hard or brittle material. Speeds up the drilling process. Hammer drills are used mostly when working with masonry or stone.

Portable Circular Saw

Circular saw blade, designed to make long straight cuts. This can crosscut or rip wood. The bottom foot can be angled to allow for a consistent angled cut. Circular tools can be corded or run from batteries.

Panel Saws

Circular saw with a big bracket on it to allow for movement across a large- scale predetermined grind. Can be horizontal or vertical although most scene shops prefer vertical.

spade bit

Come in larger diameters as well as longer lengths than regular twists bits, allowing for larger holes to be made. Spade bits are designed differently than twist bits. They have a straight shaft with a rectangular bottom that comes to a point. Sizes range from 3/8 to 1 inch.

mallets

Soft head helps to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. Larger head than a regular head, which helps to spread out the force of the hit.

drill press

Stationary tool that does the same job as a regular drill. Added advantage of being mounted over a tabletop. There is usually a large handle on the side that moves the drill bit up and down into the material you are drilling. fixed angle with material.

twist bit

Straight bit with spiral twists down its length. The front edge of each spiral is a cutting edge. The spiral design helps to remove the debris from the hole as you drill. They are made from high-speed steel, carbon steel, tungsten carbide, and can be used on wood, metal, or plastics. Variety of sizes 1/64 inch to 1 inch.