FUN WITH SURGICAL TUBING AND HELLERMAN TOOLS!

although surgical tubing, compressed air, and hellerman tools are generally reserved for RF microphone care and feeding, I like to use these same tools for some crafty projects that can waste time during any load-in.
fig 1: the tools necessary for the job: 1/8" inch diameter surgical tubing, a can of compressed air with nozzle, and a Hellerman tool.
fig 2: our trusty Douglas prepares the surgical tubing. Be sure to unwind the tubing from the roll in a counter-clockwise direction to avoid curling.
fig 3: Douglas cuts the surgical tubing to an undefined length. I like to use scissors made by the Finnish company Fiskars; these scissors last for years, given proper care and feeding. Be sure to cut the tube swiftly to avoid any brittle edges.
fig 4: Douglas ties a knot in one end of the surgical tubing. I prefer using a square knot because it's easy to remember, and make sure you pull on both ends of the knot to ensure an airtight connection. You definitely don't want air leaking out of our project!
fig 5: Insert the Hellerman tool into the non-knotted end of the surgical tubing. If the tool has difficulty entering the tube, use a little Hellerman lubricant. I prefer to use spit, though, because it's easier, and makes everything vaguely sexual.
fig 6: Spread the fingers of the Hellerman tool in order to widen the surgical tubing's overall diameter. Insert the nozzle of the compressed air into the tube as far as you can.
fig 7: Remove the Hellerman tool from the tubing, allowing the tube to compress firmly upon the nozzle of the compressed air. Ensure that there is no chance of projecting the tube away from the canister when air is released.
fig 8: While holding the surgical tube tightly around the nozzle, depress the lever on the canister that releases the compressed air. Viola! You have something that resembles a balloon animal!
fig 9: Carefully remove the canister of compressed air from the surgical tubing, and make sure that no air escapes! Tie another knot on the open end of the surgical tubing, and admire your project! Congratulations! You've wasted about fifteen minutes of an IATSE crew call!
fig 10: Some suggestions for your project: I like to use the puffy surgical tubing as a handsfree attachment for my mobile telephone, as Douglas demonstrates in this example. The puffy "bumper" will ensure that you protect your head as you walk around a dark theatre.
FUN WITH FOAM!

Foam, generally reserved for packing and shipping of delicate electronic instruments made in Japan or Germany, can also be used as a creative and inexpensive toy! The possibilities are endless.
fig 1: Douglas illustrates just how easy it is to create fun and exciting new toys out of everyday packing foam. Using a strip 3" wide by 36" long, Douglas has fashioned himself a pair of rabbit ears with a couple of rubber bands.
I can only imagine what our Douglas could come up with if we let him out of his cage more often!
Comments? Suggestions? Feedback (ha-ha!)?
e-mail kai@harada-sound.com
KH 13.06.2001
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