[Paul the 6th]

apologies if there's already a thread like this one somewhere on here - if so please point me in the right direction (I'm still finding my way around)..

Looks like I'm finally going to be going freelance proper - been self employed and providing technical support on conferences for the past 6 years but all the work has been for the same firm, and as such whatever bits I've put in the sounddesk rack draw have always been there. Now though I'm gonna have to get myself sorted out properly and make sure I've always got the right tools & knick knacks with me..

So far on my scribbled list there's:

• my multiltool - cheap little thing but covers most scenarios
• electricians screwdriver set (ideal for those little screws when things need new batteries or have started rattling)
• sharpie, sparkie tape, gaffa tape and masking tape for the vinyl graphics
• blank media (CD's DVD's and CF cards)
• a selection of cables (USB: a & b types, couple of 2 metre vga's with gender benders)
• a micro cue for emergencies
• my laptop
• led torch
• tape measure

Is there anything else you guys carry which you absolutely cannot live without?

[Peter F]

Paul the 6th, on 08 September 2011 - 01:56 PM, said:

Is there anything else you guys carry which you absolutely cannot live without?

A bottomless pocket full of bnc barrel adapters and phono to bnc adapters in order to satisfy the typical OB installation's insatiable appetite for them.

Cheers,

Peter

[MarkPAman]

Is it possible to fill a bottomless pocket?

Back on topic - Headphones & cable tester.

[savage1]

I usb stick with a bunch of portable software on it just incase you have to use a random computer..

[ddproduction]

In my experience I'd bring any and every type of adaptor and cable that anyone else is likely to need as well

I dont leave home without XLR 3-5, phase and genderbenders, vga, phono, jack, bnc, usb, 13-16a etc etc etc

[Paul the 6th]

awesome-ness exactly the kind of stuff I was after - USB stick with portable/lite programs is a grand idea I've considered before but never really bothered getting my finger out over..

And headphones with 1/4"/3.5mm adapter - how could I bloody forget! Keep 'em coming fella's

[Dj Dunc]

A teaspoon, fork and knife. Always handy!. Also good to have a fish key, and a bottle opener.

Add to the pile a soldering iron (if its something you use), WD40 and a hammer. Cable ties/velcro ties are always a must. I also have a high viz jacket in my kit. A little pocket mirror is always handy to see things you cant get your head into. I also have a 1/4 inch socket set with screw driver bits in for undoing stand bolts etc nice and fast in emergencies. Its also good to have a ratchet strap and 2 - 5m of good non-stretch climbing rope and a karabiner (always handy for holding up cable looms out of the way / holding flightcases back temporarily etc.

HTH

Dunc

[goboloco]

kettel lead. alcohol wipes.

[Peter F]

Kettle lead, or IEC as us posh folk call them is always, erm, borroweable from the hotel room.

Here's a free get out of jail free suggestion:
Usb stick with bootable Ubuntu on it. If the show laptop hard drive fails you can still make it work, run the open office version of Powerpoint and get pictures to screen.

Client will never know but in your mind you will go home an AV god!

Cheers,
Peter

[David Lee]

I spend mosy of my time trying to reduce the amount of tools I take. If you are travelling by train/ underground then the least lugged around is good. Also at airports etc and weight restrictions.

Forget the gaffer, should be on site in the consumables. LX Tape is always in my pocket only because I always forget to take it out.

Most important, as others have said, adaptors.

[Jon street]

Don't forget a laser pen, universal remote, sanyo lens tool, spare remote battery's (2aa 2aaa) memory stick with line up / color test slides, ear plugs, heat shrink, tiny USB sound card, sticky back Velcro (for those venues where they think you can share space with the follow spot/ushers/fire extinguisher and you have to pile kit vertically).
And finally a Tiny crap resolution VGA -> RCA scan converter toy thing from china via eBay, sounds like a joke, but, weighs nothing, little bigger than a match box and can really get you out of the ######, and its only a tenner!) http://item.mobilewe...nid=05238086439
I also never leave home without an edirol v8 but thats just me.

[Ashley R]

2 Adjustable spanners, I find the 200mm variety big enough to handle most bolts.

and yes lots of random adaptors!

[david.elsbury]

Surely 2 spanners would be more useful to a lighting tech, not an AV tech who normally deals with powerpoint, vision and slides?

David

[mac.calder]

david.elsbury, on 26 February 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Surely 2 spanners would be more useful to a lighting tech, not an AV tech who normally deals with powerpoint, vision and slides?

David

Some projector brackets need 2 AJ's to line them up well...

[david.elsbury]

Ah, touche.