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Sound Reinforcement - Forums for Live Sound Professionals - Your Displayed Name Must Be Your Real Full Name To Post In The Live Sound Forums => LAB: The Classic Live Audio Board => Topic started by: Weogo Reed on February 17, 2017, 03:24:16 PM

Title: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Weogo Reed on February 17, 2017, 03:24:16 PM
Hi Folks,

I really appreciate manufacturers that make mic clips that can be snugged up with one straight blade screwdriver.
One philips screw is ok too.
I have a few clips that can be tightened with a dime(small, thin coin).

But requiring two screwdrivers doesn't make sense to me.
Does a two-screwdriver setup really cost that much less to make than a single?
Is there any good reason for this?

Thanks and good health,  Weogo
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Jay Barracato on February 17, 2017, 03:46:26 PM
Audio Technica are single slot

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Tim Weaver on February 17, 2017, 07:57:47 PM
idk about screwdrivers but the greatest thing I ever did was file a flathead tip onto my one-handed knife after I broke the tip one day. Nothing greater than whipping out your pocket knife to tighten that clip right away!
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: frank kayser on February 26, 2017, 10:51:05 AM
idk about screwdrivers but the greatest thing I ever did was file a flathead tip onto my one-handed knife after I broke the tip one day. Nothing greater than whipping out your pocket knife to tighten that clip right away!
I find the two-screwdriver adjustment dangerous.  Especially, straight blade - easy to slip against the opposing hand, also wielding a pointed implement.
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Jim McKeveny on February 27, 2017, 08:29:08 AM
I find the two-screwdriver adjustment dangerous.  Especially, straight blade - easy to slip against the opposing hand, also wielding a pointed implement.

And at eye-level.

Clips like these are conceived in a intellectual vacuum. Normal field adjustment requires 2(2!) matching/similar tools, applied in an unnatural and unsteady manner (already on stand), and with time constraints(because "tightening under-designed, loose-ish,  crappy, mic clips" is not a line-item/coded-in factor).

Look ahead. Junk is junk. Nip it in bud. Little things normally don't count... until they do in a big way. Bottom Line: Nobody gets hurt on my stages!

BTW- I attended a C/M Hoist Class @ Mountain Productions @1993 and was given the moniker "OSHA Man" by classmates because I noted some less-than-safe common practices.

Most shit doesn't just "happen". It is allowed to happen.


Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: John Halliburton on February 27, 2017, 08:34:16 AM
And at eye-level.

Clips like these are conceived in a intellectual vacuum. Normal field adjustment requires 2(2!) matching/similar tools, applied in an unnatural and unsteady manner (already on stand), and with time constraints(because "tightening under-designed, loose-ish,  crappy, mic clips" is not a line-item/coded-in factor issue).

Look ahead. Junk is junk. Nip it in bud. Little things normally don't count... until they do in a big way. Bottom Line: Nobody gets hurt on my stages!

BTW- I attended a C/M Hoist Class @ Mountain Productions @1993 and was given the moniker "OSHA Man" by classmates because I noted some less-than-safe common practices.

Most shit doesn't just "happen". It is allowed to happen.

I put up with it, as I still believe the Shure clips are the best out there period.  Two dimes and they're tight.

Best regards,

John
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Jim McKeveny on February 27, 2017, 08:46:40 AM
Two dimes and they're tight.

I love you John. But I disagree:

Numero Uno: Dimes? Shure clips are only used in USA?

Dos: Even if we are talking about state-nonspecific currency, in this plastic-beats-cash world, and with all kinds of travel restrictions, who? has/keeps coins around??
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Mac Kerr on February 27, 2017, 11:07:32 AM
Dos: Even if we are talking about state-nonspecific currency, in this plastic-beats-cash world, and with all kinds of travel restrictions, who? has/keeps coins around??

The guy that uses them to tighten mic clips? Do you know of a suitable alternative that costs less than 10 cents and fits in your pocket without bulging?

Mac
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Tim Tyler on February 27, 2017, 11:13:26 AM
The guy that uses them to tighten mic clips? Do you know of a suitable alternative that costs less than 10 cents and fits in your pocket without bulging?

Mac

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-offset-ratchet-screwdriver-set/p-00904116000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=CjwKEAiAuc_FBRD7_JCM3NSY92wSJABbVoxBxwJrX7Ei1RMTpKnfwWhd3Zk-pY6z8ZvK8DL1iY7SFhoC3Zvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

A pair of these (or similar).  Not just for mic clips...

-Tim T
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Jim McKeveny on February 27, 2017, 11:16:56 AM
Perhaps I have been de-contenting for fly-ins too long. No socks. No computer. No change.

Your observation is duly noted!
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Mac Kerr on February 27, 2017, 11:20:32 AM
Link to Sears offset ratchet screwdriver (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-offset-ratchet-screwdriver-set/p-00904116000P?sid=IDx01192011x000001&gclid=CjwKEAiAuc_FBRD7_JCM3NSY92wSJABbVoxBxwJrX7Ei1RMTpKnfwWhd3Zk-pY6z8ZvK8DL1iY7SFhoC3Zvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)

Seventy times the price and much more bulky.

Mac
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Frank Koenig on February 27, 2017, 11:36:50 AM
I spent my last dime on sound equipment :o

But while we're on the subject of mic support, has anyone found a satisfactory pair of soft-jawed pliers, or some other means of gripping the boom when tightening or loosening the mic clip. I bought some soft-jawed pliers from McMaster, but the jaws are too soft, the wrong radius, and don't really work. I'm not the type to take Channelocks or a pipe wrench to my nice stands, either. Any trick that I've been ignorant of all this time? Thanks.

Best,

--Frank
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: g'bye, Dick Rees on February 27, 2017, 12:13:48 PM
The guy that uses them to tighten mic clips? Do you know of a suitable alternative that costs less than 10 cents and fits in your pocket without bulging?

Mac

Craftsman swag...
Title: Re: one thin dime mic clips
Post by: Mark Cadwallader on February 28, 2017, 12:15:40 AM
I spent my last dime on sound equipment :o

But while we're on the subject of mic support, has anyone found a satisfactory pair of soft-jawed pliers, or some other means of gripping the boom when tightening or loosening the mic clip. I bought some soft-jawed pliers from McMaster, but the jaws are too soft, the wrong radius, and don't really work. I'm not the type to take Channelocks or a pipe wrench to my nice stands, either. Any trick that I've been ignorant of all this time? Thanks.

Best,

--Frank

Try a strap wrench, perhaps one with a soft polyureathane or vinyl strap (as opposed to cotton webbing). IIRC, Klein offers at least two sizes. I don't if it will work on such a small diameter, however.  Take your boom to the hardware store and try one.

The other thing I know is the large diameter Latch Lake lock nuts. More to grab on to.
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: Jordan Wolf on February 28, 2017, 08:58:11 PM
[W]hile we're on the subject of mic support, has anyone found a satisfactory pair of soft-jawed pliers, or some other means of gripping the boom when tightening or loosening the mic clip...I'm not the type to take Channelocks or a pipe wrench to my nice stands, either. Any trick that I've been ignorant of all this time?
Frank,

I use tie line with a Prusik hitch to assist me with difficult twisting duties when I have no "proper" tool.

Just purposely over-wrap the Prusik a total of 5-6 times and cinch it tight onto the clutch, wrap the standing end around the clutch a few times, and pull perpendicularly away from the shaft.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170301/c12d1b47dc9c3bd9234ffeb1e2865005.jpg)

Not how it's meant to be used, but it works.
Title: Re: one screwdriver mic clips
Post by: GenePink on March 02, 2017, 12:09:55 AM
Or...

...simply glue/epoxy/urethane the threaded barrel side to the mic clip.

Perhaps also put a dot of glue in the slot of the glued side, to remind you which side not to tighten.

Gene