Velcro is a vital tool in the camera department—essential for keeping gear secure, organized, and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Whether it’s marking gear, bundling cables, or sticking accessories where they need to be, Velcro is a must-have. But how do you efficiently manage your Velcro stash without taking up valuable space in your kit? The answer is simple: make your own compact Velcro dispenser, and I’m going to show you how.

In this post, you'll learn how to create a small, easy-to-use dispenser using a tennis ball tube—perfect for keeping your Velcro organized, quickly accessible, and fitting neatly in your set bag.

Why Every Camera Assistant Needs Velcro on Hand

If you've spent any time in the camera department, you already know how indispensable Velcro is. From securing cables to mounting accessories, it gets used for just about everything. Since you never know when you'll need it, having a neat, portable way to store your Velcro is essential. That’s where this DIY solution comes in handy.

Transforming a Tennis Ball Tube into a Velcro Dispenser: The Process

A tennis ball tube might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Velcro storage, but it's actually the perfect housing for a compact dispenser. The cylinder shape fits naturally in any set bag or pouch, keeping things tidy and accessible. Best of all, this setup will let you dispense both the hook (hard) and loop (soft) sides easily.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Create Four Slots for Easy Dispensing

   Next, we need to make slots for pulling the Velcro through. Using a utility knife, carefully cut four slots into the side of the tennis ball tube. You’ll need:

   - Two slots that are 1.25 inch wide

   - Two slots that are 2.25 inches wide

These varying slot sizes allow you to store both the hook and loop sides in different widths, giving you the flexibility to pull out just what you need when you need it.

2. Place Velcro Inside the Tube

   Now, take your rolls of hard (hook) and soft (loop) Velcro rolls and load them into the tennis ball tube from outside the tube. Leaving a tail at the end.

3. Adhere Velcro Strips to the Outside for Extra Convenience

   Sticking on two strips of Velcro on the outside of the tube, 1" hard side and 1" soft side, allows you to attach the tail ends of the stored Velcro to those strips. Making them always easy to grab and pull out as much Velcro as you need. This keeps everything tidy and quick to grab in the heat of production.

Benefits of Your DIY Velcro Dispenser

Making this custom dispenser only takes a few minutes, but it offers so many benefits on set:

- Compact and Portable: The tennis ball tube is slim enough to fit in any typical set bag, saving space while keeping everything organized.

- Quick Access: There's no need to fumble around in your tools for strips of Velcro; everything is grouped in one simple container.

- Stays Neat: This setup prevents your Velcro from unraveling or getting tangled in your bag—an issue that plagues any camera assistant dealing with stray rolls.

Stay Organized and Ready with Your Velcro Dispenser

Keeping your equipment and tools organized is key to staying efficient on set, and your Velcro is no exception. With this easy DIY solution, you ensure that your Velcro remains accessible, compact, and neatly stored—ideal for the fast-paced environments we work in. Transforming a simple tennis ball tube into an effective dispenser is an uncomplicated, highly useful hack that every camera assistant should add to their toolkit.

By implementing this method, you’ll be more prepared, organized, and ready to work quickly and effectively when it really counts—no more digging through your bag to find the right Velcro strip.