Ricky Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Hi all im just starting out as a casual technician and wanted some advice on what sort of kit I would normaly need. Also anyone here from the hexagon theatre reading? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Torch, AJ and leatherman is what I take when I'm casualing. To be honest I probably don't even need that, but if I have my tools on me it saves me a trek to the tool cupboard. Ring your boss and ask him if he expects you to bring any tools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefy Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 In all my years of employing casual technicians the one item that nearly always gets forgotten about and I think is the most important is a pair of steel toe boots. Most theatres worth their salt will not allow you to work without this most basic item of PPE. The second would have to be a cheap AJ (adjustable spanner) (cheap as it will almost certainly get stolen/misplaced) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 I would second the need for steelies, I also carry gloves. Somehow PPE passed my mind when replying.Another useful thing is a belt, good for carrying all those tools, and the other bitsnbobs you accumulate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiefy Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Torch, AJ and leatherman is what I take when I'm casualing. To be honest I probably don't even need that, but if I have my tools on me it saves me a trek to the tool cupboard. Ring your boss and ask him or her! B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon T Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Having worked at the hexagon as a freelancer coming in with shows, I know their roof is a harness area now. So as people are suggesting, some sort of PPE would be good, however they have harness's from what I recal. Tool wise, the usual... quad spanner, AJ, Leatherman... anything you think that could make your life easy really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMC Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Harness work requires qualification, and even then your employer is required to provide you with the relevant PPE (unless you are classed as self employed of course). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon T Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 harness work does NOT require a qualifiaction... it requires the right training and competance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 If they've taken you onto their casual list, and you're still a student - I suspect they won't be expecting you to have all the PPE kit - steelies might be a requirement, but in some places it isn't. If the casual work involves get-ins/outs as well as show work, then steelies are probably a good investment anyway, and that's when you're likely to hurt yourself anyway. A leatherman or multi-tool is always handy, but you may find an aj isn't that useful. Best advice from me is to go in before the day and find out - phoning may work, but getting through to the right people is always difficult. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMC Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 harness work does NOT require a qualifiaction... it requires the right training and competance! That's what I meant, bad choice of words B-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modge Posted January 23, 2008 Share Posted January 23, 2008 Cheap AJ's: 3 sizes for £5 at B&Q get what you pay for mind but others are right re:loss \ theft. Also re it not being essential for lots of stuff. Lets be honest pushing flight cases mostly requires steels and muscles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upsuEnts Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 One thing I didn't see mentioned in this thread: earplugs! I always have at least 2 pairs with me as long term exposure to high SPL's can do irreparable damage to your hearing.I also agree with the AJ, leatherman and steelies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Good point with earplugs, but I believe the OP is talking about theatre. Even when I had to crawl in front of the main subs at a theatre for a scene change I didn't need plugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lee Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 As a casual you are a temporary employee so the employer should provide tools and PPE for the work. Of course you may want to buy your own steelies etc but that is your own choice. You are just providing yourself (preferably in a fit state to do said work.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbthegreat Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 As a casual I'm not re-quired to wear steelies on an everyday basis, the only time that I HAVE to wear them is during pit turns (don't know if this is typical or not, but our pit is filled in with double heavy steel deck), still I do own a pair and wear them pretty much any time I'm working, mainly because having a keyboard dropped on your foot is bloody painful. As far as tools are concerned, I've never been expected to or asked to bring my own. If tools are required to do something then the theatre has anything that may be needed (usually a quad spanner). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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