Thread: What tools does every prop builder need?

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I should get one, but a metal wire tying tool is what you use to tie loops of wire around thing. Like I am making to Monster mud statues, a angel and a demon/reaper. You can use it to tie chicken wire together, or other materials and around objects. Its one of those tools that you cant think of a use until you get it, then you cant imagine how you lived with out it.

Originally Posted by propboy

Just curious, what would you use a wire tying tool for????

-PB

Hanging Fall Garlands & Halloween lights from the porch, Wiring a foam skull to the support {cross} that my reaper consists of, Wiring the small "Kenny" skeleton to a re-bar, Attaching chicken wire - hardware cloth kind of sewing it together, constructing a wire frame around an airmover fan to attach fabric { our faux flame prop}, a couple of other things.... and our last minute "creepy Halloween tree" a stick of rebar, with twisted wire branches, pieces & parts from a bag of bones. It took about 30 minutes to make and decorate.

Home Depot should have them in the concrete section. Start with the cheapy $3 one, and a handful of wire ties about 6" long with a loop at each end for the tool to grab hold of. Practice with that a few times, then you will figure out how to make your own loops, and manipulate longer lengths of wire.

good thoughts but never having used one I can't envision how this works I'm such a city boy LOL
I know it twists the wires.....

Got any videos???? for us newbie twist tool.
I do see the great use of it, MM projects etc... just can't visualize it.

-PB

There is a vaguely concrete related video of me riding a plate compactor.... but oddly enough I cant find a video of the twisty tool. Perhaps I will make one, and demonstrate making the creepy Halloween tree.

You basically put the wire around whatever, hook onto both loops, and pull.

I'm afraid that I'll have to disagree about the PVC cutter(s). Alton Brown of the Food Network sums it up nicely--NO monotaskers (except fire extinguishers)!

Instead, buy a tubing cutter made (originally) for copper tubing. They don't cost any more than the PVC cutters, unless you buy a Rigid or Imperial brand, but they last a lot longer, stay sharper longer, and can be used for PVC, copper, EMT tubing, and aluminum tubing. I have yet to see a PVC cutter that stays sharp for any length of time. Then, all they do is crease/crimp the tubing.

Do yourself a favor and get a tubing cutter.

JMHO

Ron

Here's what I'm talking about:

General Tools 120 Standard Cutters, Cutting Cap. 1/8 in - 1-1/8 in - Toolfetch.com

They also have a built-in reamer to take off the burrs after cutting.

Ron

Originally Posted by Runfromron

I'm afraid that I'll have to disagree about the PVC cutter(s). Alton Brown of the Food Network sums it up nicely--NO monotaskers (except fire extinguishers)!

Instead, buy a tubing cutter made (originally) for copper tubing. They don't cost any more than the PVC cutters, unless you buy a Rigid or Imperial brand, but they last a lot longer, stay sharper longer, and can be used for PVC, copper, EMT tubing, and aluminum tubing. I have yet to see a PVC cutter that stays sharp for any length of time. Then, all they do is crease/crimp the tubing.

Do yourself a favor and get a tubing cutter.

JMHO

Ron

I Just use my radial arm saw (for pvc tubing). Fast and easy, just make sure you have a finishing or fine tooth carbide blade on it and observe safety precautions. I have also used my compound mitre saw, but again with plastics slow and easy is important. If you try to do it fast like wood plastic will shatter and thats when thing can get dangerous depending on what safety precautions you took.! I did all my fence tubes with the radial arm saw, that way you can setup a stop and just pump them out.

IB

ibjeepin,

Yeah, for larger stuff, I have an abrasive chop saw (14") that does an amazing job. The cut is smooth and needs no de-burring. I've cut up to 4" pipe with it.

Hey, so, what kind of bits do y'all usually use/need for the dremel?

Spiral cut off bit for sure, some cutting disk's, maybe some small router bits for lettering.

Get the depth gauge kit, works awesome!!!!! comes with the spiral saw bits



-PB