Author Topic: Protecting your tools  (Read 11622 times)

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KMC

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Protecting your tools
« on: Jan 03, 2009, 02:03 pm »
Reading the Holiday SM Gifts topic I saw that Jessie_K got a new Leatherman to replace her stolen one.  I also had a Gerber stolen from me a few years back and thought this would be a good idea for a topic. 

What do you do to protect your tools?  This could be something as simple as a pencil, moving up the price ladder to a mag-lite or multi tool, all the way up to a laptop. 
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amdram

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #1 on: Jan 03, 2009, 05:20 pm »
My backstage toolkit contains only cheap tools I've bought from discount outlets. That way if anything goes missing or gets broken, it's no big deal. Despite being cheap, they've lasted really well, but then they are not in use all day, every day.

My expensive tools/equipment like my Fenix torch I don't lend out, full stop.

Andy

yoyomankind

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #2 on: Jan 08, 2009, 01:29 am »
I always spray paint my tools an odd color that is easily identifiable for me.  So if I see a tool with my color on it (neon green) I know it's mine.  Downside to this is if someone else happens to use the same color...

Lizzie

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #3 on: Jan 08, 2009, 12:32 pm »
My tools all have my initials either scratched on, or painted on with neon blue nail varnish, but anything particularly important, I don't lend out.

CTsometimeSM

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #4 on: Jan 08, 2009, 12:45 pm »
I picked up a really cheap set of tools (couple screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers, etc) to loan out.  It lets me keep my better tools safe and available.

dcwhitson

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #5 on: Jan 09, 2009, 12:54 pm »
With anything of decent size, I would write "stolen from", and then put my name or the name of an organization, written in black sharpie. If someone has possession of something that says stolen, it gets attention, especially when its not their name on it.
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crazylady

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #6 on: Jan 09, 2009, 08:16 pm »
I haven't had the need to safe guard my tools as of yet - but I have a friend who puts that red reflective tape on everything he owns - downside is that can come off.
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Rebbe

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #7 on: Jan 09, 2009, 10:01 pm »
I have a tiny pad lock on my SM kit to dissuade people from borrowing without my knowing it.  I expect things like pencils and post-its to walk away when I set them out in rehearsals, but don’t like the idea of people digging around in my kit.   If someone wanted to rob me, they could quite easily break the lock though.  It's more prevention than protection.  I take my chances bringing in my heavy-duty hole punch (doesn’t fit in the kit) and just leaving it with rehearsal props, etc.  My nick name is scrawled on it though, and kind of like the “stolen from” thing, most  people wouldn’t  get away with using “Rebbe’s” hole punch out of context.  The laptop is another matter.  I should probably be more paranoid about it.  It comes home with me everyday, but often I rehearse or run shows from unlocked rooms, and if I don't want to lug it with me during breaks, I'll with my jacket over the top and hope for the best.  But if an actor or director asks if it's safe to leave their valuables in the rehearsal room, I'll usually advise them that I can't make promises.  I'm curious whether any SMs out there have been blamed when other people's tools/possessions get stolen.
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Amie

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #8 on: Jan 09, 2009, 11:55 pm »
With anything of decent size, I would write "stolen from", and then put my name or the name of an organization, written in black sharpie. If someone has possession of something that says stolen, it gets attention, especially when its not their name on it.

HA! I like this!  It would work really well for me if I put that and used my last name, which is very distinctive in my theatre community.  It's distinctive anyway.  I like this...don't know if I would do it ;)
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sourc3

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #9 on: Jan 12, 2009, 06:22 pm »
Most of the "smaller" stuff, I don't sweat. The only real things of value I have (at this point) I keep on my person (iPhone, leatherman, maglite). Everything that would be "sitting around" is going to be stuff like band-aids, sharpies, etc., all easily replaceable consumables. The exception to this is Joseph (yes, I've named my laptop.) Losing him would be terrible, but that's where homeowners/renter's insurance comes in. In my area at least, $10/mo gets you a $250 deductible with up to $20,000 in event of fire, flood, theft, accidental damage, etc. I keep a good backup of all my files (daily to an external harddrive and offsite servers (google docs is similar to what I use) so I lose 24 hours of work at most, and then simply replace the laptop. A pain, yes - but worst case scenario I'm out $250 instead of $2500. Most of the other "expensive" tools are owned by the theatre and provided, so I don't need to worry about those.
Just my $.02.
« Last Edit: Jan 12, 2009, 06:24 pm by sourc3 »
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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #10 on: Jan 12, 2009, 07:44 pm »
Please be aware that many homeowner's/renter's insurance policies have a "cap" on insuring jewelry, furs, and yes, computer equipment. Make sure you know what limits you have on your policies.

This site sells inexpensive computer insurance for those with no insurance or too little coverage through their other policies:

safeware.com


Most of the "smaller" stuff, I don't sweat. The only real things of value I have (at this point) I keep on my person (iPhone, leatherman, maglite). Everything that would be "sitting around" is going to be stuff like band-aids, sharpies, etc., all easily replaceable consumables. The exception to this is Joseph (yes, I've named my laptop.) Losing him would be terrible, but that's where homeowners/renter's insurance comes in. In my area at least, $10/mo gets you a $250 deductible with up to $20,000 in event of fire, flood, theft, accidental damage, etc. I keep a good backup of all my files (daily to an external harddrive and offsite servers (google docs is similar to what I use) so I lose 24 hours of work at most, and then simply replace the laptop. A pain, yes - but worst case scenario I'm out $250 instead of $2500. Most of the other "expensive" tools are owned by the theatre and provided, so I don't need to worry about those.
Just my $.02.

EDIT: Linkified the link. -- PSMK
« Last Edit: Jan 12, 2009, 09:36 pm by PSMKay »
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Libby

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Re: Protecting your tools
« Reply #11 on: Jan 17, 2009, 01:40 pm »
For my computer I get that computer lock. It's great if the rehearsal hall during the day isn't so secure. I will lock my computer down when I get in each morning. That way, when I go out for a smoke break/lunch/make a phone call/etc I don't have to worry about something happening when it's not in a 3' vicinity from my person.

 

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