I would like to know where to find unusual hard to find tools used in puppetry. While most of the time tools can be found in your own home, Wallmart, or your local Hardware store. They are times that other materials are used in the different stages of puppet building that are not so easy to find. Could you list some of your great finds?
Billy

Handheld (cordless) rotary tool that I use to cut, shape, sand, etc. Purchased it used from a local pawn shop for $20. Came with rechargeable battery, and all of the accessories needed to do the aboved mentioned tasks.   

I was also elated one day to come across a local store that sells those HUGE sppols of monofilament thread.... so big that it requires it's own stand. Gone are those days frequent refills and re-threading the machine. Gone is the stress of forgetting to check my thread supply only to run out at 2am on the "evening" before an early morning deadline! 

-Michele

I would think that a cordless dremel tool would be useful for shaping foam and cleaning up edges.

www.dremelstore.us/index.html

Also something I am going to purchase in the future is a hot knife. Talk about leaving a clean edge on foam this thing does the trick.

www.demandproducts.com/hotknife.html

Later
Chris

Chris,
Where you thinking of using the HotKnife on poly foam?  I only use them on styro foam.  Not sure how well they would work on poly if at all... but then I have never tried it.

may i also remind to wear a face mask,,,so not to inhale that stuff (health nut here). hack hack hack...
someday when i save for it i plan to order the Proxxon Micro Bandsaw...
here is a nifty little book you can order with tons of gadget pieces!

website is: www.smallparts.com
the book is Engineering Findings

Chris,
Where you thinking of using the HotKnife on poly foam?  I only use them on styro foam.  Not sure how well they would work on poly if at all... but then I have never tried it.

I was planning on trying it on both. Not to sure myself if it will work the poly foam is a lot softer and may burn, but if not I would just use it on stryo foam.
see ya Chris

Question for dremmel tool experts: I have it, but I can't figure out which attachment is good for shaping poly foam - if any. Any suggestions?

may i also remind to wear a face mask,,,so not to inhale that stuff (health nut here). hack hack hack...

AH the smell of Contact Cement in the morning

Question for dremmel tool experts: I have it, but I can't figure out which attachment is good for shaping poly foam - if any. Any suggestions?

I have not tried this yet, but I would say it would need to be one of the sander or cutting attachments.

hey now,,,,you MUST (yes i yelled) wear your mask.
love the new AV chris....who might that be?