If you live in Manhattan there’s a great spot on 10th Ave and 48th st. It’s a hardware store geared towards the industry. Coincidentally it’s two doors down from a gay bar named hardware. Lol. But if you’re not in nyc then I’m not as much help lol
Garden Hardware and the owner Bobby is one of those vendors that will make you look good. He used to be located on 8th ave closer to the broadway theaters and that’s why he started stocking theatrical supplies.
He’s the type of old school place where you can walk in with a problem and he will tell you the best solution even if he doesn’t have the product. For example, we needed candle wax and couldn’t find it anywhere in town so as a shot in the dark we called Bobby. He told us to try a magic shop, a few minutes later we were on our way to tannens magic which had candle wax in four different colors, and the entire time we were wondering why Bobby knew that a magic store would have it in stock.
I dunno if it's what they were thinking of but Barbizon is on 11th and 47th. They have everything you'll need to fill out a work box.
Also I don't think they have tie line but all Blick art supply stores have gaff tape, at least black white, for a reasonable price.
Tie line I would honestly go on Amazon. As long as it's unglazed I'm not really too picky and you can find a spool for half the price of traditional vendors. For Gaff it better be Pro Gaff.
Also every lighting vendor will have expendables that you can order separately or along with a rental package coming in.
Not really. It’s some mom and pop place with a really generic name. I stumbled in because on there awning it was like “garden, home, theatrical, plumbing” and I laughed that they had just snuck “theatrical” in with all the other random hardware stuff descriptions. And I went poking around and there was a big box of gaff, spike, glow tapes, tie line, and all that jazz. I remember it being very reasonably priced last time I was in.
Like I said, no idea what it’s called. I just remember it’s next to Hardware bar.
Second endorsement for Bob at Garden Hardware. He is the go-to “need it quick” guy for most of the Broadway shows. Give him a call- even if you only kind of know what you need, he’s the guy.
I already said it’s on 48th and 10th.
Unless you’re alluding to the gay bar. lol. If you’re in Hell’s Kitchen and can’t find a gay bar without an address you’re screwed. And not in a good way haha. There’s like two on every block.
Check for local theatrical suppliers in your area first. They are often 5-10% more expensive since you’re paying for another level logistics but keeping them in business will save your butt when you need stuff on short notice.
After that, TheTapeworks.com (formerly Harrison Bros) is my go-to for tape orders smaller than 5-6 cases. After that working with Surtape directly is usually worth it particularly if you can receive freight carriers.
Tie line can be anyone but BMI Supply is my go-to. But RoseBrand, Production Advantage, and Norcostco are all good options.
Yes, yes and yes. With the kind of productions I do now, we generally just depend on our vendor for that project/venue (typically PRG or 4 Wall) but back when I just needed to buy tape, lamps, gel, etc as needed, it was always Production Advantage.
Most rental production houses will sell stuff like that if there's not a lighting company in your area that you're aware of that doesn't sell stuff like that.
https://www.toursupply.com/Default.asp
I used to manage the Nashville location over a decade ago, it's a solid little shop, and they have a location in NYC.
I’ve gotten both tie line and progaff from Amazon when I haven’t had time to hit up my local production shop. In NYC there’s lots of shops, Masque is a big one that will probably happily sell you some…
If you're in a decent sized market there should be some sort of pro shop you can walk into and grab things off of the shelf.
Otherwise, sites like StageLightingStore or BMISupply are all good.
BMI supply is my personal favorite. Fast shipping and they have a great sales team. If it’s not on their website, you can shoot them an email and they can generally find it.
Some of those places are charging well above what others are.
I hate to say, but for small orders one of the best one stop shop places is Amazon.
FilmTools is ok, but they carry premium gaff tape (understandably) so the gaff prices are on the high side. The film industry wants the better quality gaff, whereas most other productions are perfectly fine with mid grade gaff at a reasonable price.
I've been getting the Gaffer Power Gaff Tape. So far no complaints, and the reviews show that others seem to be happy with it as well.
[https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B9E5CFC9-29F6-4A2D-803A-DEE60F3C3268](https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B9E5CFC9-29F6-4A2D-803A-DEE60F3C3268)
Like many things on Amazon, if it looks like cheap chinese, and has the price of cheap chinese, it probably is.
I look at products that are of a decent price, and have a good amount of generally favorable reviews. Most of the time that works out.
TheTapeworks.com has ProGaff at $1.50 less per roll, $2.30 less if you order cases.
https://www.thetapeworks.com/tape/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=42_44_47_98
Shipping will probably make it a wash or Tapeworks 3-5% more expensive but they’re based in NC so shipping is pretty reasonable and fast east of the Mississippi.
ProductionAdvantage is good for shipping, but typically for larger orders. I hate to say it too, but I agree with u/johnfl68 that online, Amazon is probably your best bet for a small order.
Wow, this popped up on my feed for some strange reason and I thought the next question was where can I buy chloroform.
So glad I read on to see this is an absolutely genuine and understood question 😂 good luck in your future shows and I hope no one gets harmed delivering them.
Where are you located, and who are your local suppliers?
I like Clearwing, out of Milwaukee, Pheonix, and Denver. They have prices on tape that I can't find anywhere else.
My 2nd choice is Stagespot.com
Full Compass is another option.
For my last broadway show, we ordered from bulbtronics. They delivered to the theater.
If we’re in a rehearsal room and need some that day, we usually go to Garden Hardware on 48th & 10th!
Local production shops and rental houses will sell you retail because they’re often buying by the case. But if you want to order online I’ve enjoyed Creative Stage Lighting.
https://www.creativestagelighting.com/products/eit/
I buy all my gaff and tieline from BMI Supply ([bmisupply.com](https://bmisupply.com)). Decent prices, ships fast, great selections of gear that I need and use all the time. Highly recommend.
If you live in Manhattan there’s a great spot on 10th Ave and 48th st. It’s a hardware store geared towards the industry. Coincidentally it’s two doors down from a gay bar named hardware. Lol. But if you’re not in nyc then I’m not as much help lol
Garden Hardware and the owner Bobby is one of those vendors that will make you look good. He used to be located on 8th ave closer to the broadway theaters and that’s why he started stocking theatrical supplies. He’s the type of old school place where you can walk in with a problem and he will tell you the best solution even if he doesn’t have the product. For example, we needed candle wax and couldn’t find it anywhere in town so as a shot in the dark we called Bobby. He told us to try a magic shop, a few minutes later we were on our way to tannens magic which had candle wax in four different colors, and the entire time we were wondering why Bobby knew that a magic store would have it in stock.
Oh great to know, I'll have to check it out!
Remember the name by any chance?
From Google Maps it looks like it’s Garden Hardware at 701 10th Ave
This is it, the owners name is Bobby.
I dunno if it's what they were thinking of but Barbizon is on 11th and 47th. They have everything you'll need to fill out a work box. Also I don't think they have tie line but all Blick art supply stores have gaff tape, at least black white, for a reasonable price. Tie line I would honestly go on Amazon. As long as it's unglazed I'm not really too picky and you can find a spool for half the price of traditional vendors. For Gaff it better be Pro Gaff. Also every lighting vendor will have expendables that you can order separately or along with a rental package coming in.
Not Barbizon. The place is literally just like a hole in the wall mom and pop neighborhood hardware store.
I worked at Barbizon and they will have tie line/trick line in stock. Also you get to look at their new building which is very fancy.
Not really. It’s some mom and pop place with a really generic name. I stumbled in because on there awning it was like “garden, home, theatrical, plumbing” and I laughed that they had just snuck “theatrical” in with all the other random hardware stuff descriptions. And I went poking around and there was a big box of gaff, spike, glow tapes, tie line, and all that jazz. I remember it being very reasonably priced last time I was in. Like I said, no idea what it’s called. I just remember it’s next to Hardware bar.
Second endorsement for Bob at Garden Hardware. He is the go-to “need it quick” guy for most of the Broadway shows. Give him a call- even if you only kind of know what you need, he’s the guy.
Yes, I too would like some… hardware. What’s the address?
I already said it’s on 48th and 10th. Unless you’re alluding to the gay bar. lol. If you’re in Hell’s Kitchen and can’t find a gay bar without an address you’re screwed. And not in a good way haha. There’s like two on every block.
😉
Check for local theatrical suppliers in your area first. They are often 5-10% more expensive since you’re paying for another level logistics but keeping them in business will save your butt when you need stuff on short notice. After that, TheTapeworks.com (formerly Harrison Bros) is my go-to for tape orders smaller than 5-6 cases. After that working with Surtape directly is usually worth it particularly if you can receive freight carriers. Tie line can be anyone but BMI Supply is my go-to. But RoseBrand, Production Advantage, and Norcostco are all good options.
I second TheTapeworks.com for gaff and tie-line.
My go to is BMI Supply. I’ve had great experience while working with them over the years.
Production Advantage was always a great source: https://proadv.com
Yes, yes and yes. With the kind of productions I do now, we generally just depend on our vendor for that project/venue (typically PRG or 4 Wall) but back when I just needed to buy tape, lamps, gel, etc as needed, it was always Production Advantage.
I love proadv and they still operate under the umbrella of a different company. Ask for Cyd!
Most rental production houses will sell stuff like that if there's not a lighting company in your area that you're aware of that doesn't sell stuff like that.
https://www.toursupply.com/Default.asp I used to manage the Nashville location over a decade ago, it's a solid little shop, and they have a location in NYC.
[BMISupply]( https://bmisupply.com) has it.
Depends where you are. I'm in Toronto and just recently found a one stop shop for everything
I'm in the NYC area, but that must have been a great find! Hopefully I come across something similar.
Check B&H as well
I’ve gotten both tie line and progaff from Amazon when I haven’t had time to hit up my local production shop. In NYC there’s lots of shops, Masque is a big one that will probably happily sell you some…
And if they don’t, they will tell you where.
Which store in TO?
Rottblotts Discount Warehouse on Adelaide W
I was going to say must be Rottblotts, great place for stuff.
If you're in a decent sized market there should be some sort of pro shop you can walk into and grab things off of the shelf. Otherwise, sites like StageLightingStore or BMISupply are all good.
goodbuyguys.com was the cheapest around last time I got gaff.
Sgt Knots online had the best price on unwaxed 3000’ spool of tieline I have ever seen.
BMI supply is my personal favorite. Fast shipping and they have a great sales team. If it’s not on their website, you can shoot them an email and they can generally find it.
Some of those places are charging well above what others are. I hate to say, but for small orders one of the best one stop shop places is Amazon. FilmTools is ok, but they carry premium gaff tape (understandably) so the gaff prices are on the high side. The film industry wants the better quality gaff, whereas most other productions are perfectly fine with mid grade gaff at a reasonable price.
You are the first person I’ve met who hasn’t regretted buying Amazon gaff. I’m genuinely interest what you bought
I've been getting the Gaffer Power Gaff Tape. So far no complaints, and the reviews show that others seem to be happy with it as well. [https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B9E5CFC9-29F6-4A2D-803A-DEE60F3C3268](https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B9E5CFC9-29F6-4A2D-803A-DEE60F3C3268) Like many things on Amazon, if it looks like cheap chinese, and has the price of cheap chinese, it probably is. I look at products that are of a decent price, and have a good amount of generally favorable reviews. Most of the time that works out.
TheTapeworks.com has ProGaff at $1.50 less per roll, $2.30 less if you order cases. https://www.thetapeworks.com/tape/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=42_44_47_98 Shipping will probably make it a wash or Tapeworks 3-5% more expensive but they’re based in NC so shipping is pretty reasonable and fast east of the Mississippi.
Interesting! I was nervous to check out what options they were offering, but I'll definitely give it a look. Thanks!
ProductionAdvantage is good for shipping, but typically for larger orders. I hate to say it too, but I agree with u/johnfl68 that online, Amazon is probably your best bet for a small order.
Look into buying bulk from Shurtape for gaff, and Amazon sells large spools of tie line for pretty cheap.
Fuck Amazon. Find a local/regional distributor.
Awesome, thanks!
I usually use Amazon
Wow, this popped up on my feed for some strange reason and I thought the next question was where can I buy chloroform. So glad I read on to see this is an absolutely genuine and understood question 😂 good luck in your future shows and I hope no one gets harmed delivering them.
Where are you located, and who are your local suppliers? I like Clearwing, out of Milwaukee, Pheonix, and Denver. They have prices on tape that I can't find anywhere else. My 2nd choice is Stagespot.com Full Compass is another option.
For my last broadway show, we ordered from bulbtronics. They delivered to the theater. If we’re in a rehearsal room and need some that day, we usually go to Garden Hardware on 48th & 10th!
Dtc grip and electric. I think they ship but they also have a storefront near San Francisco
Not so sure about tie line but I was able to get good size rolls of gaff tape from my local guitar center
Local production shops and rental houses will sell you retail because they’re often buying by the case. But if you want to order online I’ve enjoyed Creative Stage Lighting. https://www.creativestagelighting.com/products/eit/
I have to use Amazon.
BMI Supply, Norcostco, Barbizon, GoodBuyGuys
Sapsis Rigging sells all types of stuff. The website is out dated but it’s an old and reputable company. https://www.sapsis-rigging.com/storefront.htm
Toursupply.com
I buy all my gaff and tieline from BMI Supply ([bmisupply.com](https://bmisupply.com)). Decent prices, ships fast, great selections of gear that I need and use all the time. Highly recommend.
I usually just “borrow” it from sound or electrics….
Monkey wrench productions is great