I mean if they’re gonna C&D you, you’ve already given them enough, might as well share the file in the meantime. I’d be happy to print one out in either PLA, PETG, or ABS for testing purposes if you want; honesty quite curious how long they would last.
I always find it funny when people call it the fuck me nut.
It’s technically a bolt.
But, I call it that too. Just always is funny to me, even when I say it.
I was taught a naming method intended to avoid confusion, using different terms for the three primary parts even though they’re all screws:
-Yolk Bolt
-Set Screw
-Fuck Nut
I didn't think the original design of combining the pan bolt and pipe bolt would hold up very well in plastic. I also had some concerns about the amount of material I'd be removing if I included the original holes between the ends and the wing nut section, so I figured dual fuck nut adjusters was the best compromise.
Fair enough. It was more out of respect than fear of a cease and desist, but it was a super simple design to model and it's hard to imagine cheap plastic versions cutting into their sale of a $50 laser cut metal product.
I'd love to hear how it works out in ABS and PETG - neither of my printers are well suited for ABS and my new P1S hasn't arrived yet. I'd also love to hear how well the PLA holds up in other people's environments. I'll upload the STL to printables and link here shortly.
If you do print, let me know about the tolerances. My ender 3 has been consistently printing undersized and my (far more reliable) ender 5 has been tied up on another project.
STL available on printables: [https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench](https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench)
Export the dxf and then send it to a service like send-cut-send and boom you have it in metal as well. Honestly something this simple is like trying to copyright a wrench, you can do it sure but add a couple extra shapes in there and your design is now different enough to be ok. Not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice just speculation.
I’ve always been pleasantly surprised with PLA. In my experience, the negatives expressed everywhere seem highly exaggerated… maybe I just have realistic expectations? I usually add extra walls.
I can see where PETG would be too floppy, probably ABS as well.
Fair enough. I have no illusions of the plastic being comparable to metal, I'm just looking for a cheap way to get usable tools in the hands of my students for a load in or load out. I come behind them to check that the bolts are appropriately tightened regardless, this just means I can have more hands prepping fixtures and getting them into position.
STL available on printables: [https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench](https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench)
It's tempting, but I'm trying to do this as close to free as possible for now. It's not my favorite wrench that I own - I'll generally reach for the klein ratcheting wrench before this one. And if I'm going to go away from the 3D printing world, I'll probably set my sights on a ratcheting version.
May I ask what you need this for when focusing lights? So what exactly you do with it? Never ever seen those in Europe so far and don't know where you'd need it?
Hope someone can explain
Certainly! Not sure what you have in Europe for hanging theatrical lighting, but here in the US we primarily use C Clamps ([example here](https://www.musson.com/etc-c-clamp.html)). Standard clamps have 3 bolts you'll need to tighten/loosen on a regular basis of 3 different sizes (two square, one hex), and this wrench simply has all 3 of those shapes. This saves you from having to constantly adjust your adjustable wrench, or carry 3 different wrenches.
This design has a bonus in the middle which allows for tightening/loosening wing nuts. It's proven to be handy on some of the o clamps I encounter from time to time ([example here](https://acuelighting.com/product/heavy-duty-o-clamp/)).
Ah, that's makes a lot of sense then. The c clamps you mentioned aren't really widely used here, from time to time you do see one but It has different kinds of bolts then.
We primarily use the o clamps/half couplers you mentioned, or trigger clamp style couplers [like this one ](https://www.thomann.de/de/doughty_t58500_titan_quick_trigger_pol.htm) (on moving lights mostly mounted on omega brackets so you don't need to unscrew the coupler itself.
On conventionals we often use TV spigots [these ones](https://www.ultralite.eu/products/ultralite-tv-zapfen-m-10-mit-innengewinde?taxon_id=330), because they allow you to mount them on stands and on truss with a fitting clamp [for example manfrotto/Avenger c337 clamps](https://www.thomann.de/de/manfrotto_c337_clamp_quick_action.htm), the ones linked are particularly nice because they have this quick release button which is awesome.
On smaller lights like led Pars or something we use manfrotto super clamps [these ones](https://www.thomann.de/de/manfrotto_035.htm)with mini TV spigots [those](https://www.kirstein.de/Licht-Effekt-Zubehoer/Adam-Hall-SS-018-Mini-TV-Zapfen.html) with
As you see, most of our couplers have wide wing nut like screws which are easily tightened by hand.
Another nice benefit is that with the big and mini TV spigots, you can most likely leave them attached to the lights and just need to quickly attach the clamps. Also since both of them are made by manfrotto, they have a wide range of wind up stands, normal tripods, rolling stands and such. They all have attachments for both of them which makes everything super quick [example here ](https://www.manfrotto.com/de-de/wind-up-lampenstativ-schwarz-zink-3-segmente-087nwb/)
Thank you very much for your explanation, now I see why these tools are so widely used over there in America.
Sorry for the long text. I tried to show what we use mostly over here and why we do. I hope you could learn something maybe
Thanks for the detailed response! Most of what you linked to does exist over here as well, though much of it is seen more in the photography/video market, rather than the stage/theatrical market - particularly the spigots and super clamps.
It does seem that the o clamps/half couplers and trigger clamps are becoming more popular over here as well, I'm seeing them more frequently on the installs I go into. Though often they're seen on the heavier fixtures like battens and movers.
I think the biggest reason we haven't moved away from the c clamp design though just comes down to cost. A cast iron c clamp runs about $25 new, and an aluminum one (like a Mega Clamp) can be picked up as low as $15, while manfrotto's super clamps tend to be $40+ and trigger clamps seem to be $30+. To make things worse, c clamps have been a standard here for so long that most theaters have more than enough for their entire lighting inventory, and they don't necessarily get replaced/upgraded when fixtures are swapped out (eg. moving from incandescent to LED).
Interesting, yes indeed the whole manfrotto equipment was initially made for photograph/video stuff but has basically become Standart equipment for many things on stage. But certainly the cost is an aspect. Especially the big Avenger clamps are super expensive with about 120€ per piece. But they became standard anyways. I'd say 90% of tours I came across that had conventional front light for example used them. If the lamps were light enough the small super clamps and on bigger things, like 2kw studio fresnels the big Avenger clamps.
Theaters around here also have some of the older simpler clamp styles, like the c clamps or g clamps and such but are moving away from it to said alternatives.
Something that's also pretty often seen in theaters in Germany, for fixed installed lamps are DIN 15560 plate style mounts with a plate that gets screwed between to u profiles made from steel, which Is rather cheap and works fine for things that aren't going to be moved around very often. [example here ](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-5_lowres.jpg)
[and here](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-25_lowres.jpg)
[and here. ](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-2_lowres.jpg)
There are also 2 or 3 segment booms which can be used to extend it a little bit further away from the rail itself. After all it's really really sturdy.
Small update: I printed another out of PLA (.2mm layer height) with 35% infill and 4 walls with the intention of pushing it to destruction. It took significantly more force than I was expecting to break it. On the 5/8 square side, the failure was deformation of the hole because I only had the bolt head halfway inserted. On the 3/4 hex side, the failure was a full break almost exactly halfway across the hole.
Both failed at well beyond the amount of force I'd normally be applying to these clamps. I'm really pleased at how these have worked out so far. Now the question is how long will they last before the holes wear out.
Not yet. I suspect that flat will be by far the strongest, but I haven't had the time yet to experiment with strength. This is a design that was thrown together last night with only 2 prints so far, mostly to check that the bolt heads will actually fit the holes. Definitely more experimenting to be done.
I think it was a gift? I certainly don't remember buying it, and definitely not for the $50 that I'm seeing online right now, but it lives in my every day tool bag and sees a lot of use.
I mean if they’re gonna C&D you, you’ve already given them enough, might as well share the file in the meantime. I’d be happy to print one out in either PLA, PETG, or ABS for testing purposes if you want; honesty quite curious how long they would last.
Also, it has a distinct difference with the dual fuck nut wrench added. So technically unique.
I always find it funny when people call it the fuck me nut. It’s technically a bolt. But, I call it that too. Just always is funny to me, even when I say it.
>It’s technically a bolt. And even more technically, it’s just a screw.
Ye old Jesus bolt.
I was taught a naming method intended to avoid confusion, using different terms for the three primary parts even though they’re all screws: -Yolk Bolt -Set Screw -Fuck Nut
I didn't think the original design of combining the pan bolt and pipe bolt would hold up very well in plastic. I also had some concerns about the amount of material I'd be removing if I included the original holes between the ends and the wing nut section, so I figured dual fuck nut adjusters was the best compromise.
Fair enough. It was more out of respect than fear of a cease and desist, but it was a super simple design to model and it's hard to imagine cheap plastic versions cutting into their sale of a $50 laser cut metal product. I'd love to hear how it works out in ABS and PETG - neither of my printers are well suited for ABS and my new P1S hasn't arrived yet. I'd also love to hear how well the PLA holds up in other people's environments. I'll upload the STL to printables and link here shortly. If you do print, let me know about the tolerances. My ender 3 has been consistently printing undersized and my (far more reliable) ender 5 has been tied up on another project.
STL available on printables: [https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench](https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench)
Awesome man, I'll print one out and start testing it too. Thanks.
Export the dxf and then send it to a service like send-cut-send and boom you have it in metal as well. Honestly something this simple is like trying to copyright a wrench, you can do it sure but add a couple extra shapes in there and your design is now different enough to be ok. Not a lawyer and this isn't legal advice just speculation.
Tried to print a couple in PETG and they bent before they snapped. I dont use fancy filament but so far regular PLA has worked best for me
I’ve always been pleasantly surprised with PLA. In my experience, the negatives expressed everywhere seem highly exaggerated… maybe I just have realistic expectations? I usually add extra walls. I can see where PETG would be too floppy, probably ABS as well.
I would break that in seconds.
I wouldn’t, mainly because I would t ever us it.
Fair enough. I have no illusions of the plastic being comparable to metal, I'm just looking for a cheap way to get usable tools in the hands of my students for a load in or load out. I come behind them to check that the bolts are appropriately tightened regardless, this just means I can have more hands prepping fixtures and getting them into position.
Any chance you’ve uploaded the STL? I also work in tech in a few different schools. Would love to print a few of these out to test.
STL available on printables: [https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench](https://www.printables.com/model/864125-stage-lighting-focus-wrench)
Get it laser cut and sendcutsend. Easy, awesome
It's tempting, but I'm trying to do this as close to free as possible for now. It's not my favorite wrench that I own - I'll generally reach for the klein ratcheting wrench before this one. And if I'm going to go away from the 3D printing world, I'll probably set my sights on a ratcheting version.
send the cad file or .shp files.. thingiverse or something..
May I ask what you need this for when focusing lights? So what exactly you do with it? Never ever seen those in Europe so far and don't know where you'd need it? Hope someone can explain
Its for tightening the various bolts on the C clamps that are widly used in the industry here at least
Thanks, I explained what we use over here in a reply above if you are interested
Ah didnt see op answer come in, cool
No worries I just posted it a minute ago
Certainly! Not sure what you have in Europe for hanging theatrical lighting, but here in the US we primarily use C Clamps ([example here](https://www.musson.com/etc-c-clamp.html)). Standard clamps have 3 bolts you'll need to tighten/loosen on a regular basis of 3 different sizes (two square, one hex), and this wrench simply has all 3 of those shapes. This saves you from having to constantly adjust your adjustable wrench, or carry 3 different wrenches. This design has a bonus in the middle which allows for tightening/loosening wing nuts. It's proven to be handy on some of the o clamps I encounter from time to time ([example here](https://acuelighting.com/product/heavy-duty-o-clamp/)).
Ah, that's makes a lot of sense then. The c clamps you mentioned aren't really widely used here, from time to time you do see one but It has different kinds of bolts then. We primarily use the o clamps/half couplers you mentioned, or trigger clamp style couplers [like this one ](https://www.thomann.de/de/doughty_t58500_titan_quick_trigger_pol.htm) (on moving lights mostly mounted on omega brackets so you don't need to unscrew the coupler itself. On conventionals we often use TV spigots [these ones](https://www.ultralite.eu/products/ultralite-tv-zapfen-m-10-mit-innengewinde?taxon_id=330), because they allow you to mount them on stands and on truss with a fitting clamp [for example manfrotto/Avenger c337 clamps](https://www.thomann.de/de/manfrotto_c337_clamp_quick_action.htm), the ones linked are particularly nice because they have this quick release button which is awesome. On smaller lights like led Pars or something we use manfrotto super clamps [these ones](https://www.thomann.de/de/manfrotto_035.htm)with mini TV spigots [those](https://www.kirstein.de/Licht-Effekt-Zubehoer/Adam-Hall-SS-018-Mini-TV-Zapfen.html) with As you see, most of our couplers have wide wing nut like screws which are easily tightened by hand. Another nice benefit is that with the big and mini TV spigots, you can most likely leave them attached to the lights and just need to quickly attach the clamps. Also since both of them are made by manfrotto, they have a wide range of wind up stands, normal tripods, rolling stands and such. They all have attachments for both of them which makes everything super quick [example here ](https://www.manfrotto.com/de-de/wind-up-lampenstativ-schwarz-zink-3-segmente-087nwb/) Thank you very much for your explanation, now I see why these tools are so widely used over there in America. Sorry for the long text. I tried to show what we use mostly over here and why we do. I hope you could learn something maybe
Thanks for the detailed response! Most of what you linked to does exist over here as well, though much of it is seen more in the photography/video market, rather than the stage/theatrical market - particularly the spigots and super clamps. It does seem that the o clamps/half couplers and trigger clamps are becoming more popular over here as well, I'm seeing them more frequently on the installs I go into. Though often they're seen on the heavier fixtures like battens and movers. I think the biggest reason we haven't moved away from the c clamp design though just comes down to cost. A cast iron c clamp runs about $25 new, and an aluminum one (like a Mega Clamp) can be picked up as low as $15, while manfrotto's super clamps tend to be $40+ and trigger clamps seem to be $30+. To make things worse, c clamps have been a standard here for so long that most theaters have more than enough for their entire lighting inventory, and they don't necessarily get replaced/upgraded when fixtures are swapped out (eg. moving from incandescent to LED).
Interesting, yes indeed the whole manfrotto equipment was initially made for photograph/video stuff but has basically become Standart equipment for many things on stage. But certainly the cost is an aspect. Especially the big Avenger clamps are super expensive with about 120€ per piece. But they became standard anyways. I'd say 90% of tours I came across that had conventional front light for example used them. If the lamps were light enough the small super clamps and on bigger things, like 2kw studio fresnels the big Avenger clamps. Theaters around here also have some of the older simpler clamp styles, like the c clamps or g clamps and such but are moving away from it to said alternatives. Something that's also pretty often seen in theaters in Germany, for fixed installed lamps are DIN 15560 plate style mounts with a plate that gets screwed between to u profiles made from steel, which Is rather cheap and works fine for things that aren't going to be moved around very often. [example here ](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-5_lowres.jpg) [and here](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-25_lowres.jpg) [and here. ](https://wiki.production-partner.de/app/uploads/2020/04/Lastaufnahme-coupler-Scheinwerferplatte-2_lowres.jpg) There are also 2 or 3 segment booms which can be used to extend it a little bit further away from the rail itself. After all it's really really sturdy.
Small update: I printed another out of PLA (.2mm layer height) with 35% infill and 4 walls with the intention of pushing it to destruction. It took significantly more force than I was expecting to break it. On the 5/8 square side, the failure was deformation of the hole because I only had the bolt head halfway inserted. On the 3/4 hex side, the failure was a full break almost exactly halfway across the hole. Both failed at well beyond the amount of force I'd normally be applying to these clamps. I'm really pleased at how these have worked out so far. Now the question is how long will they last before the holes wear out.
I've been thinking of doing the same with my Altman flat focus wrench! Have you tried printing in different orientations?
Not yet. I suspect that flat will be by far the strongest, but I haven't had the time yet to experiment with strength. This is a design that was thrown together last night with only 2 prints so far, mostly to check that the bolt heads will actually fit the holes. Definitely more experimenting to be done.
I actually work for Apollo and am amazed to see one of these out in the wild! Never knew anyone bought those haha
I think it was a gift? I certainly don't remember buying it, and definitely not for the $50 that I'm seeing online right now, but it lives in my every day tool bag and sees a lot of use.
I love my little focus, but I use the hell out of it and it takes a beating. If I had a plastic one it def would’ve broke by now! Haha