Chapter 3

What Tools Do I Use?Scene Shop Tools and Techniques

Again we ask, “What separates us from the lower beasts?” Our ability to use tools (and our ability to invent newer, cooler ones that show off our opposable thumbs to their best light). Yes, this is the chapter that will allow us to pretend that the statement “Whoever dies with the most toys wins” is true. We look at the essential tools for every scene shop (and some that aren't essential) and discuss them with loving care.

To begin with, there are really two kinds of tools: the ones you have and the ones you want. Let's start the discussion by lumping both of these types into two other basic groups: hand tools and power tools. We later discuss portable power tools and finishing tools. ...

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