Equipment Catalog
Vise Grip Locking Pliers
The Vise Grip Locking Pliers is a device used for lighting-placement. It allows light-weight lighting instruments to be mounted anywhere the clamps can find secure purchase, in substitution for typical lighting stands. They are most effectively used on mounting flanges or protrusions that are fairly narrow in width or diameter. Production Students may add these clamps to their equipment loan in an on-demand basis, no reservation necessary, and no access restrictions based on course-level.
The Vise Grip has a 5/8-inch Baby Peg stud for mounting lighting instruments, in accordance with the industry standard.
Particular care must be taken to fasten and orient the Vise Grip correctly when affixing it to a mounting point:
The range of motion of the clamp mechanism should be adjusted to apply as much pressure as possible when locked closed. However, it is important not to over-tighten the Vise Grip, such that it will not be able to lock into place — the handles must lock into place for the Vise Grip to be securely fastened.
The Vise Grip should also be attached such that the Baby-Peg side is always oriented top-side. Orienting the clamping-handle side up instead may cause the weight of the instrument to overpower the handle-lock, causing the Vise Grip to come free.
Because the security of the instrument placement depends on the gripping ability of the clamp mechanism, using the Vise Grip to mount heavy or medium-weight instruments — such as Arri fresnel instruments — is strongly discouraged. Use of the Vise Grip should be limited to Lowel Pro and Tota instruments. Also, because of the weight-bearing limit, augmenting these instruments with lighting-control accessories — such as umbrellas, gel-frames, or Tota-Flags — is similarly discouraged as well.
Access, Instruction, and Support
The Vise Grip Locking Pliers is provided for F&DM production students upon enrollment in one of the F&DM Department's production courses.
Access to the Vise Grip Locking Pliers, like all of the department's A/V production equipment, is mediated through the Equipment Checkout Lab in accordance with course allocation assignments, and granted on an individual basis upon meeting specific criteria.
Any and all problems experienced with the Vise Grip Locking Pliers should be reported to the Equipment Checkout Lab Specialist immediately; do not wait until returning the equipment to notify the Lab Specialist or Lab staff (See: Statement of Policies).
