Favorite Tools and Products
Tools
Knipex 86 03 180
I stopped using a crescent wrench a long time ago. These have parallel jaws, so they don't round over or bite into bolt heads or nuts. The button allows you to set a size, and open and close the pliers repeatedly to the same jaw opening. Once you get into a good rhythm, they're as quick as a ratchet. If you hold it in the right orientation, the more force you apply, the tighter the jaws grip onto the object, so they can apply a tremendous amount of torque without slipping off the nut or bolt.
Even though they're a relatively standard length, the jaws can open all the way to 1-1/2". That means you can use this for 1" bolts on Chapman dollies. I use this at least once a day on set.
Wera Joker 9/16" Combination Wrench
12 sided 80-tooth ratchet mechanism, just a nice combination wrench to hold in your hand. One particularly unique thing about this wrench, the open end has a backing plate on one side. So in one orientation, a nut can pass through the open end, but in another orientation, you can hold up a nut without blocking the hole.
I don't use that feature often but it's come in handy a few times underneath a car.
Wera Extra Length Allen Keys
Standard set of SAE allen keys but the extra length comes in handy quite a bit.
These are Wera's hex-plus profile hex keys which bite into a socket cap screw in the corners of the hex rather than the flats which helps reduce rounding out and stripping.
Fireball Tool Hex Key Holder
I hate all flat style allen key holders. Whichever size you want to pull out, inevitably there's another one blocking it from coming out. I understand the flat style is so that they fit in a drawer, but out on set, my allen keys live in my pouch. I want to see the allen key and it's corresponding size, and pull it out without dicking around with the other ones and a round allen key holder allows me to do that.
Unfortunately, the original plastic Ronco holders aren't available except for on eBay, but Fireball tool makes a great option in aluminum.
Lilliput 4k 7" Monitor
For a dolly monitor, this is a great value. Super bright, dirt cheap, beat it up and don't feel bad about it.
Camvate also makes a cage for it here: https://www.camvate.com/products/camvate-form-fitting-monitor-cage-rig-protective-armor-for-feelworld-ft6-fr6-55-inch-filed-monitor-exclusive-use-2819
Waterproof Dolly Covers (BBQ Pit Covers)
If you ever get stuck because of a lightning delay or a last minute storm, these grill covers can save you in a pinch. Lots of people use motorcycle covers or large Bag-its, but these grill covers are cheap, durable, and large. I've been able to cover a entire Hybrid dolly with a slider under one of these.
Kica Jetfan Blower
Compressed air is my usual go-to for blowing off the dollies and general cleaning but it's not always convenient. This blower is small, battery operated, USB-C chargeable and powerful. The easier and more convenient it is to clean, the more often you'll do it, and who doesn't like a clean dolly?
Stubby Radio Antenna
The long antenna that comes with Motorola radios is annoying as hell no matter where you put it. Especially if you wear a chest pouch, a stubby antenna is an absolute must to keep from stabbing yourself in the eye every time you look down.
Electronic Hand Warmers
Quit bugging your medic for disposable hot hands and get a pair of these. They get hot as balls and last for a long time. Rechargeable with USB-C
Products
1st Prize Industries Dolly Wedges for Film Air Track
I've gotten quite a few questions about the Film Air Track Dongles and what and how they're used. Those are simply to get from the track to a sheet of plywood or vis versa.
If you want a replacement for your starters ramps that get onto the track, that's where these come in. They are also 3D-printed and can save your back if your track is too close to some other object where you can't fit the normal aluminum starter ramps.
Cleans Camera Support Touch & Go plates and Quick Release Bases
Great alternative to the Ronford Baker quick release system, made in the USA. Comes in multiple anodizing colors and different sizes. For the Lazy Susan and Skooch Plate, I would recommend having a dedicated Quick Release base for quick switch-overs.
LNKcine Quick Release Kit
Genderless quick release system so you also have the right half.
I know a lot of dolly grips who don't use a monitor, but I'm not like them. My monitor moves around a lot, either switching my Dolly Rigging handle to the other side of the pushbar, or going to a different dolly, sometimes without a pushbar, or going to a crane or arm somewhere else entirely. I switch mounts often as well: mini-cardellinis, magic arm, no magic arm, so trying to keep up with male and female quick releases is annoying and these LNKcine kits are such an awesome solution.
They're cost effective too because two kits will attach your monitor to three points, instead of having to buy three male-female pairs, you only need two.
Irwin Blake X-Plate
I don't interact with this product at all but I stare at a lot of camera carts and this is such a well-thought out piece. Integrates a quick release base into a mitchell mount so you can either mount a head or your camera. They also have a spinner so you can rotate your build around on your cart.
Cam Levers
Tired of your motors slipping? These cam levers replace your Kipp handles and allow you to achieve better tension on your motor brackets. The lever is much longer than the Kipp handle, so you can get better leverage when tightening. The lever flips up and down in line with the bracket so it's easier to tighten and release than rotating and adjusting a Kipp handle. There's an adjusting screw to help you align the lever correctly, and so you can tune and dial in the tension depending on your feel.
Be mindful of the thread pitch and diameter of your motor brackets screws. Linked is for a #10-32 but 1/4"-20 are also available, you might need a mixture of both.
Polar Puller
Cold weather pouch for focus pullers with lots of built in features. I had an AC approach me about fixing this problem and I came across this product which is way better than anything I would have come up with. Looks like it's really well designed, well thought out, and has a killer name.