Turtlerock Forum

I was sorting through my toolboxes to make up a kit of handy tools for the studio - the regular things like screwdrivers, pliers, snips etc are there but I added a few more unusual tools that have proven handy - perhaps others have a strange tool that makes life easier?

Here are a few:

- Flexible extension (40cm) with a small mirror on the end - great for checking behind devices.....

- magnifiying glass with inbuilt LED

- mini-grabber claw flexible (40cm) tool - with push-button and little grabber claw - for those little screws you drop.....

Drumstruck wrote:- magnifiying glass with inbuilt LED

Good one. I don't have one, but need one to programme some synths these days.
When I'm desperate I put on reading glasses and shine a torch. LED magnifying glass would be a simpler solution.

I always keep a mirror in the studio for looking behind racks etc. and for making sure my hair looks awesome whilst mixing.

another odd tool is ridiculously simple... a straightened out paper clip for getting at reset buttons and the like.

i also have a be!@#$%^& DI that i use for holding XLR connectors whilst soldering. can't think of a better use for it.

wez wrote:*snip*

i also have a be!@#$%^& DI that i use for holding XLR connectors whilst soldering. can't think of a better use for it.

That is an excellent idea. I always use heavy pliers to hold it down, but it always moves around.

I have a magnet on a telescoping arm..

has saved my butt on many occaissons.. I also have a little LED torch thing, that sits in my pick/slide tool bag on stage...really handy for seeing things on stage...behind racks etc.

ChrisW wrote:Good one. I don't have one, but need one to programme some synths these days.
When I'm desperate I put on reading glasses and shine a torch. LED magnifying glass would be a simpler solution.

Chris, grab a "miner's type" headlamp (LEDlamp) from Supercheap Auto for $17
In my dark cave of ancient junk, it comes in handy all the time... that, and a 45 degree dental mirror.

This is sort-of a tool......

I use (real) silk sleeping bag liners to cover my equipment when it's not in use (including my drums)

- silk? I hear you ask? no, it's not for neve emulation .... silk has some great attributes, apart from looking nice, being lightweight and keeping the dust off - it is antistatic !

There's a mob in Melb that sells them quite cheap - I can dig up their name if anyone is interested.

..........ok dig up their name man! I have 5 sleeping bags that could do with new silk liners!
The only weird tool that is really handy in my studio is me!

Chris H wrote:..........ok dig up their name man! I have 5 sleeping bags that could do with new silk liners!
The only weird tool that is really handy in my studio is me!

Their eBay store is called bargain_3000 - here's a link to one of the auctions to assist:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/120808696158 ... 353wt_1180

The single liners fit over 19" racks and the double ones cover a mixer or drumkit. I also have a couple of single ones filled with bits of sponge etc that I use as moveable bass traps..... up here for thinkin', down there for dancin'

Great, I'll have to get a few. Although I can't get rid of the mixer cover I have, hand made by my 70 year old mum. It'll be something to remember her by, even if it's pink with flowers on it.

you guys that cover your gear make me smile ...

I just dont have that kind of respect for my stuff..

So I Always smile when i walk into studios with guys that do

different strokes i guess ..I grew up on the other side of the street

handiest thing in my studio is the portable efpos machine !

Dust just strikes a chord with me at the moment. I finally plugged in a Ta@#$% tape machine I've had in storage for a few years and need to clean it up. Looking inside there's dust all through the cards and power supply.

Any whacky tools for cleaning dust off electronic equipment - do you have to worry about static if using a vacuum? Or is it best to brush it off with a silk sleeping bag liner?

I've got a good excuse for covering my gear - it just doesn't get used enough due to the day job...... and I'd rather play my drums than dust / polish them

With that said, covers tend to make the place look like a deceased estate when you first walk in

I use sarongs.

They look kinda cool.

Wiz wrote:I use sarongs.

They look kinda cool.

'specially if you've just removed them from a cute "babe"

Ausrock wrote:

Wiz wrote:I use sarongs.

They look kinda cool.

'specially if you've just removed them from a cute "babe"

Gadis manis, dapatkah saya menghapusanda sarong untuk menutupi my konsol

And the likely reply...........

Dapatkan anda sendiri sarong anda kotor orang tua!

My favourite two tools are custom built!
First is a shoe lace with paddle pop stick/ tongue depressors taped to the ends for turning old pots repeatedly to clear the scratchies. If you ever resuscitate an old console, you want this. Much easier and faster than doing it by hand. I am also not a fan of squirting cleaners in to self lubricated pots. If the scratchies don't go away with repeated turning, cleaning fluid is a last resort, closely followed by replacement.
The other is a knob removal tool for collet knobs. It is a $2 shop flathead screwdriver that has a bit ground out of the middle of the blade to fit the knob in question. Works like a charm! Cheap screwdrivers are best as the metal is soft as shite.

Happy tooling,
Paul Maybury

cool - more goodies

Another one is a drum key with the wings ground off - fits into an electric screwdriver for quick removal of skins - but be cautious when tensioning

And a big-Kev silicon impregnated magic mop - the best dust remover