Date: Tue, 05 Feb 2002 08:39:55 -0500
Subject: PUPT: Celastic, neoprene and toilet paper tubes - summing up


We have found a great use for old TP tubes which also uses up those 
ubiquitous neoprene scraps and wads of used gaffer's tape.

First, collect trimmings from neoprene casts and spills. If you don't
currently cast in neoprene, you can pour some out on plastic wrap (don't use
waxed paper - the neoprene will dissolve it) and let it dry. Cut the
neoprene into 1/4" pieces. Wrap the neoprene in wads of discarded black
gaffers tape (if you are less professional than we are, plain old duct tape
will work as well).

Lightly butter a small piece of classic Celastic with solvent-based contact
cement. We perfer Barge, but any highly flammable type will do. Cram the wad
of neoprene and duct tape into an old TP tube, using an old arm attachment
rod or glue stirring stick. Some people like to use gun bluing on the TP
tube, but it is not essential.

We use these solely for defensive purposes. We keep a couple at our feet for
every performance. If an audience gets too rowdy, we put a foot on the tube
and scrape it along the floor. The friction casuses the gun flannel base of
the celastic to ignite the contact cement, projecting the wad of neoprene
and tape into the audience. Usually only one shot does the job, but for
wealthy suburban schools, two or three might be needed.

Since we don't wish to create extra work for the custodians, we attach
fishline (20 lb black cotton for theaters with black-painted stages, and 30
lb monofiliment for schools) to the neoprene/tape wad, so we can retrieve
the wad after impact.

Hope this helps.

Jamie


--
Crabgrass Puppet Theatre
www.crabgrasspuppets.com


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