Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1996 - 61

corruption. WIllie I went out of my way to test this concern, I
don't think that the situation is so uncommon that it would not
be accidentally replicated in many briefcases. Short exposure
of an hour or so was not a problem, but after more than 24
hours there was usually some erasure on the disk. Therefore,
you should be cautioned before dropping the unit with its
magnetic pad into your bag. This problem can be simply remedied by removing the magnetic pad and applying Velcro l1l *
In general, the ElectliCalc Plus is good piece of equipment that I recommend for technical directors, designers and
consultants throughout the industry.
Since the original writing of this review, the ElectriCalc
Plus has been upgraded to the ElectriCalc n with expanded
calculations for multiple wire types and temperanlre ratings.
The packaging and case have remained the same however.
The ElectriCalc n is available through your local electrical supplier for about $79.95 or you can contact the company
directly:
Calculated Industries
22 20 Savi Ranch Parkway,
Yorba Linda, CA 92687
800-854-8073

Reviewed by Paul H. Sullivan,
Facility Manager, Hack Auditorium, niversity of Maine

Dri Cote, Top Cote and Bearing Lubricant

These three products from Bostick could improve practically
every job you do in your scene snldio. We received our
samples several months ago so we have had plenty of time to
test them and to consider long-term results.
Bostick Top Cote is a dry spray lubricant for the metal
surface of table saws, joiners, band saws, etc. It also works
well on the shoe plate of hand circular saws, jig saws and
other hand power tools and even on hand planes and saws.
This lubricant forms a dIy, durable film that practically eliminates sliding friction. Lumber and other materials seem to

fairly float across the table. That improves safety because material doesn't "stick" and it makes work more precise and less
tiling. In addition Top Cote repels dust and moisture and actually prevents corrosion. It is silicone- and petroleum-free so
it will never stain wood or interfere \vitll glues or finishes.
We have had Top Cote on all of our shop tools for some
time. At first it seemed almost too slippery after years of
pushing lumber through the tools or over the tables. Our resident snldio curmudgeon exclaimed that tile top of our old
table saw was now "slicker tllan a baboon's butt!" However, we
all quickly acclimated when we found out how much easier
and safer Top Cote made the task. It also seems to last a long
time. In the last five months we have only recoated one or two
of the tools which get a lot of use.
Dri Cote is a blade and cutter bit lubricant which works
on them like Top Cote does on surfaces. Dri Cote seems to
work on practically anything that rotates or moves. It is good
for saw blades, surfacer and edger blades, knives, shears,
gears and pulleys. Top Cote also reduces resin or pitch buildup and makes blades run cooler and longer. The manufacnll"er claims that it can extend blade life up to three times
because it reduces friction and heat up to 30%. All of this protects the equipment too since motor drag is reduced by about
25%.

The results of our tests of Dri Cote were less dramatic
but certainly noticeable to tile hand and eye. Tools seemed to
cut better and smoother. Since many blades, such as router
bits, tum at a velY high rpm, it may be necessary to re-spray
them daily or after several long, heavy cuts. Of course, the material being cut also affects the life of the lubricant.
Bostick Bearing Lubricant is formulated especially for
bearings, locks, casters, etc. and allegedly reduces friction by
up to 25%. Bostick claims that it will even unfreeze seized-up
bearings! Since our studio is not a scientific laboratOly
equipped with test meters and paraphernalia, we cannot verify
these statements fully. We dragged out our oldest hand tools
and got into the bearings on the band saw and the joiner. After
one or two shots of the lubricant, we could literally hear the
equipment pick up speed. We can't assure you that this product will actually extend bearing life up to three times, but it
does produce audible results and that seems good enough for us.
None of these products contain silicone or petroleum
products and tlley use an environmentally safe propellant
\vithout CFC's or ODC's. You should be able to find these
Bostick products in any major hardware store, home center,
or industrial supply company. If nOI, you can contaci the company directly at:
Bostick
Boston Street
Middleton, MA 01949
Ph: 508-7 7-0100
Fax: 508- 50- 212

Reviewed by Elbin Cleveland,
Theatre Design Professor,
niversity of South Carolina, Columbia.

TD&T

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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 1996