Theatre Design & Technology - Winter 1996 - 69

r!
socket screws (a \\Tench is pro\ided \rith the tool). and one of them is
inconveniently located close to the motor. It is therefore best to plan all
mitering work ahead and to do it all at once. rather than s\ritching back
and forth.
The Dry Cutter produces remarkably smooth cuts and onl\ a small
burr is left on the bottom edge of the cut. The smr cuts best \\hen the
blade is working at an angle to flat surfaces. Flat stock is best cut on
edge; angle iron should be laid corner up. Heavier rectangular shapes
such as channel or thick square tubing require a bit more time and leave
a thin burr that is easilv remored. The saw cuts so smoothly that threaded
rod can be cut and used immediately \\ithout hm'ing to chase the
threads. The 12" model has a ma\.imum cutting capacity of 4" x 4" tube
at 90° and 2.25" x 2.25" tube at 45°. A14" model is arailable with larger
cutting capacities, but the cost is more than twice that of the 12" model.
The tool comes equipped \\'ith an integral see-through shield (although we would definitelv recommend that users also \rear goggles as
lots of hot metal chips are produced), a blade guard that retracts before
cutting using a lever built into the handle, and the usual button-and-trigger type safety s\\itch. When set on a typical 36" high work bench, the
handle is a bit too high for sh0l1er people to grab comfortably. On our
saw, the blade guard sometimes doesn't fully reltml automatically to its
closed position, and the operator has to lift the handle slightly to completely cover the blade at the end of the cutting process.
Although this tool cannot compare to a cold saw for smooth :md accurate cuts, it is many steps above an abrasive smr or horizontal b:md
saw in both speed :md accuracy. Its portability and low price are two
other imp0l1:mt assets. We haven't used it long enough to assess its longevity, but there are several tradesmen in the area who have been using
tltis saw for over a year now and are still happy with their purchase. We
can recommend tltis tool for a scene shop that does a fair amount of metalworking and doesn't have the money or space for a cold saw.
For more information contact the comp:u1\': Jepson Tools, 20333 S.
Western Ave., Torrance, CA 90501. Tel: 310-320-3890, Fa\: 310-3201318 (Attn: Shirley Warren)
Jepson Dry Cutter Model 9312N (12")
Cost: November, 1995: $897.00
Extra 60 tooth blade: $120.00
Extra 80 tooth blade: $153.00
Jepson Dry Cutter Model 9314 (14")
Cost, November, 1995: $1897.00
EXlra 90 tooth blade: $ 180.00
Extra 72 tooth blade: S 157.50
(not recommended)
Reviewed bv Cosmo Catal:ulO, Jr.,
Production M:Ulager, Williams College Dept of Theatre.

COUNTERWEIGHT RIGGING,
MOTORIZED RIGGING,
FLYING TRUSSES,
CURTAINS AND ASSOCIATED
THEATRICAL EQUIPMENT
FOR THEATRES, TELEVISION
STUDIOS AND COLISEUMS

SALES, MANUFACTURING,
AND INSTALLATIONS

CUSTOM RIGGING SYSTEMS
DIV1SION OF HARRIS.JOHNSON INDUSTRIES

833 WINSTON STREET
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27405
Telephone: 910-370-4896 * FAX: 910-370-9531

Specializing in Books on Every Aspect of the
Performing Arts

The

DRAMA

BOOK SHOP
The Single Source
Send for a free copy of our Technical Theatre
Bibliography of books-in-print on Stage Design,
Lighting, Costume, Production, Makeup.
Just mention this ad in TD&T

Phone, Fax and Mail Orders Welcome.
723 Seventh Avenue
New York, NY 10019
Corner of 48th Street
(212) 944-0595
Toll-Free: (800) 322-0595
Fax: (212) 921-2013

TD&T

\'(/INTER

996

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