Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1995 - 60

THE CYCLONE FAN: Lasko Meral Producrs, Inc. manufacrures approximarely 20 differenr fans in a wide variery of differenr sizes, speeds, mounrings, and housings. However, one
of meir newesr versions is called rhe "Cyclone." Ir is a Roor
model which has a 20', five-leaf blade and which srands
abom 25 inches high. Ir has a rhree-speed, permanendy
lubricared moror and rhe fan housing can be rorared a full
360'. The housing is firmly held ar wharever angle you selecr
by a clever rarchering larch. Finally, rhe fan blades and rhe
housing and me moror have been compurer-engineered for
high efficiency and low noise.
Ar firsr ir may seem srrange ro review such an obvious
household producr in a rechnical rhearre journal.
However, rhis fan has one very importanr fearure missing
in orher Roor model fans which makes ir very useful in rhe
scene srudio. Many of us use Roor fans ro speed rhe drying
rime of painred scenery and drops. This is especially necessary in high humidiry climares where a painred drop
lying on rhe Roor can rake "forever" ro dry. Consequendy
we are always propping up Roor or srand fans in order ro
rilr rhem down ro blow across rhe drop. Fans rhus rilred
are unsrable and easily rip over or fall if bumped by a
worker. This ofren bends rhe prorecrive grille and can ruin
rhe fan. The Lasko Cyclone eliminares rhe need (Q prop up
fans because of irs inregral rilring mechanism. In addirion,
rhe round housing is an aerodynamic improvemenr over
rhe square housing common on many Roor fans. The
resulr is a more cohesive column of air which rravels furrher across rhe drop.
Finally, while quier operarion may nor seem like much of
an issue in a scene srudio, ir is for us. Our old fans are srand-

mounred on a sreel ring base which rransmirs rheir running
vibrarions down (Q rhe Roor where mey are amplified inro a
consranr drone which becomes very annoying. The quier
running Lasko Cyclone eliminares rhar unnecessary noise
srress for our workers.
Lasko fans are available ar mosr hardware and appliance
srores and many home cenrers. You can learn more by conracring rhe company direcdy.
Lasko Meral Producrs, Inc.
820 Lincoln Avenue
Wesr Chesrer, PA 19380
215-692-7400

THE STORAWAY SAWHORSE: The carpenrer's sawhorse has
been a sraple irem in every workshop for cenruries. Ir has innumerable uses for remporary rabies, work supporrs, and scaffold
supporrs. The problem has onen been mar me rradirional
sawhorse is awkward ro srore or uansporr because of irs
splayed legs. Over me years mere have been many arremprs ro
solve mar problem in some simple fashion and srill have a
solid, reliable and safe sawhorse. Ebco Tools Company may
have rhe besr sol urian yer.
Ebco manufacrures irs SrorAway Sawhorse from galvanized
sheer meral which has one immediare advanrage over wooden
versions: Ir is highly resisranr ro me effecrs of moisrure and sun
so ir can be len in me back of a pickup or on a worksire wimour concern for me weamer. The lighrweighr sheer meral (22
and 20 gauge) is srrong bur Rexible. Thar enables me SrorAway
horse ro adapr ro slighr irregulariries in me Roor or uneven
ground. Ir is less likely ro "dance [he three-legged jig" man
rigid sawhorses so ir is safer and more convenienr ro use. Ir
weighs less [han ren pounds so ir is easy ro move around.
However, irs biggesr advanrage is irs compacr size when

WINTER

1995

TD&T

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1995