Many companies sell hydraulic pulverizing attachments, but Northerntrack offers what’s far and away the coolest one. Looking like a blue, mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex, the F18 is the baddest-ass attachment Northerntrack sells — all the better for breaking s#!$.

(more…)

Firefighters know about speedy demolition — because their lives (and sometimes yours) depend on it. And one of their faves for getting through a structure fast is the Truckmans Axe. Over at firestore.com you can get your own Truckmans axe for just $55 — and just $75 if you get want a fire-retardant belt scabbard, too.

(more…)

(Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007) It’s a Dirty Jobs marathon bracketing the new 150th Dirty Jobs Extravaganza, which is probably a clip show with a smattering of bloopers.

All times are central.

• Dirty Jobs: Leather Tanner (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
• Holmes on Homes: House to Home - Part 2 (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
• Build it Bigger: Sakhalin Oil & Ice (Science, 5:00 p.m.)
• Machinery of the Past (RFD-TV, 5:00 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Vomit Island Workers (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Bio-Diesel-Man (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Phoenix Stadium, LA Trade Tower, Surfing (Science, 7:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made, Season 3: Episode 17, seatbelts, windows, wax figurines, and hot air balloons (Science, 7:30 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: 150th Dirty Job Extravaganza (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 10, holograms, package printing, skin cultures and canned corn (Science, 9:30 p.m.)
• Dirty Jobs: Monkey Caretaker (Discovery, 10:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.

Stanley was kind enough to join us at Maker Faire last weekend to kick off Break S#!$ Week in style — by building an 8′ x 8′ shed, then tearing it down in four minutes flat with Stanley’s not-yet-on-the-market FuBar III.

Look for a hands-on later this week, but in the meantime we can tell you this about the FuBar III: it’s bigger, meaner, and far badder-ass than the original Fubar, and it’s the tool you want in your hand if you’re trying to open a door SWAT-style, knock a wall down to get out of a burning building, or just demolish a building to make way for new stuff. The original Fubar rocks. The FuBar III rocks harder.

And don’t miss the above video in which me and Sean from Toolmonger and Jimmy Addison from Stanley break s#!$ in style.

The FuBar III [Stanley Tools]

With a name like Shingle Ripper, I’d expect a mean-looking shingle obliterator. Thankfully Dacso Pro doesn’t share my love for destruction. They designed the Shingle Ripper to remove shingles without damaging either the removed piece or any surrounding pieces. The ‘Ripper is tool is 24″ in length and drop forged from high carbon steel to provide many years of service. 

At an average street price of $20, this looks like the E-ticket for removing shingles, though Coastal Tool offers a Shingle Ripper with what looks to be an improved blade, for $17.50 plus shipping. Better check ‘em both out.

Street Pricing [Google Products]
Dasco Pro 640 Shingle Ripper [Coastal Tool]
Via Amazon [What's this?]

The Slashbuster is an attachment that fits onto an articulated arm and turns a normal crane into a monster than can carve a house up like a Thanksgiving turkey. Remember: while destroying things is fun, doing it quickly is the fastest way to get paid if it’s your job.

One look at the Slashbuster leaves no doubt that a one man wrecking crew could take down an entire building in under 30 minutes. The attachment itself is a rotating disc with teeth and a debris guard that protects bystanders and operators from flying bits of building. Think weed eater, only scaled up to house size.

SlashBuster [Official Website]

Purported to be one of the biggest demolitions in history, this video portrays the demolition of Wihule Stadium in China earlier this year. It took all of 6.6 seconds to bring it down. Rock!

Note: The destruction starts around the 1:27 point.

Why toil removing ugly ’70s tile on the kitchen floor with a normal floor scraper when you can tear that s#!$ out quicker with a power tool? Powered by an air compressor, this chisel scaler delivers 3,500 blows per minute to speed up the removal of flooring, roofing, concrete, hardened deposits, and yes even ice. The Big Stick is the most powerful chisel scaler EDCO offers.

(more…)

Nothing makes breaking s#!$ easier than a jack hammer, and while these have always been a weekend rental tool for me, I found one recently that even I might be able to afford: the “industrial-grade” electric demolition jack Hammer over at Jack’s Tool Shed. It’s available for just $220. The hammer ships in a steel carrying case and features an industrial-grade 1-3/4 HP 1240W 120V electric motor producing 1,400 BPM (no load) and an SDS bit chuck. The kit also includes two large hardened chrome-vanadium steel chisels and a 360-degree swiveling auxiliary side handle.

Demolition Jack Hammer [Jack's Tool Shed]
Street Pricing [Google Products]

It’s Monday, and it’s time to Break S#!$ here at Toolmonger. All this week we’re featuring demolition tools, demolition projects, and coverage of pretty much anything destructive in nature.

We spent this weekend at Maker Faire in Austin, and it was really great to meet so many of you in person. We brought back lots of pictures, video and other coverage of the event which we’ll post later this week and next, but on to the breaking things!

(Monday, October 22nd, 2007) BBC says we get a new Top Gear, and we get the now-expected Junkyard Wars reruns.

All times are central.

• How It’s Made: Episode 5, copy paper, jeans, computers and plate glass (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
• Holmes on Homes: House to Home - Part 1 (Home, 5:00 p.m.)
• Build it Bigger: Mega-Tunnel (Science, 5:00 p.m.)
• Trains and Locomotives (RFD-TV, 5:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 13, Bicycle helmets, lithium batteries, car brakes, and aluminum (Discovery, 5:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Anti-Gravity Device (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• How Do They Do It?: Fighter Jet, Baseball, Sports Car (Science, 7:00 p.m.)
• Top Gear: Episode 3 (BBC America, 7:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made, Season 3: Episode 16, ropes, billiard tables, sailboards, and cymbals (Science, 7:30 p.m.)
• Top Gear: Episode 2 (BBC America, 8:00 p.m.)
• Junkyard Wars: Off Road Golf (Home, 9:00 p.m.)
• Junkyard Wars: Drag Boats (Home, 9:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Viewer Special (Discovery, 10:00 p.m.)

Enjoy.

(Sunday, October 21st, 2007) As usual, weekends are best spent in the shop… or at Maker Faire Austin!

All times are central.

• How It’s Made: Episode 31, horse-drawn carriages, artificial eyes, dog and cat food and mirrors (Science, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made: Episode 32, yogurt, candles, neon signs and book binding (Science, 6:30 p.m.)
• Classic Tractor Specials (RFD-TV, 8:00 p.m.)
• Tricked Out: Scion TC: Autocross Suspension Upgrade (DIY, 9:30 p.m.)

Enjoy.

(Saturday, October 20th, 2007) Science has a season 4 How It’s Made marathon, and DIY has their usual rerun woodworking offerings. But if you live in Austin, why not turn off the tube and come see some real making at Make’s Maker Faire Austin? Say hello to Chuck and Sean while you’re there — and make ‘em hand you some free Stanley tools.

All times are central.

• MythBusters: Mega Movie Myths Episode 1 (Discovery, 5:00 p.m.)
• Top Gear: Episode 2 (BBC America, 5:00 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Mega Movie Myths Episode 2 (Discovery, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made, Season 3: Episode 52, manhole covers, range hoods, artificial logs, and snowmobiles (Science, 6:00 p.m.)
• Modern Marvels: World’s Sharpest (History, 6:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 1, Solid Tires, Cheesecake, Canoe Paddles, Globes (Science, 6:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Franklin’s Kite (Discovery, 7:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 2, Boomerangs, Barbecues, Pinball Machines, Strobe Lights (Science, 7:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 3, Wooden Bowl, Chainsaws, Stackable Potato Chips, Jet Compressor Blades (Science, 7:30 p.m.)
• New Yankee Workshop: Outdoor Cupboard (DIY, 7:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Exploding Pants (Discovery, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 4, Steel Wool, Ranges, Carved Candles, Slot Machines (Science, 8:00 p.m.)
• New Yankee Workshop: Dressing Table (DIY, 8:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 5, CCD Semiconductors, Airline Meals, Paper Cups, Trumpets (Science, 8:30 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Treasure Box (DIY, 8:30 p.m.)
• MythBusters: Deadly Straw (Discovery, 9:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 6, Padlocks, Hair Clippers, Wooden Shoes, Synthetic Leather (Science, 9:00 p.m.)
• Wood Works: Butcher-Block Table (DIY, 9:00 p.m.)
• How It’s Made 4: Episode 7, Racing Shells, Stainless Steel Sinks, Leather, Pedal Steel Guitars (Science, 9:30 p.m.)
• Freeform Furniture: Multi-Purpose Patio Furniture (DIY, 9:30 p.m.)
• Ice Road Truckers: 09 - The Big Melt (History, 10:00 p.m.)

Enjoy

Sean and I will be at Maker Faire in Austin this weekend (October 20th and 21st), and we hope to see you there. There are lots of reasons to go — check out Make’s site for information on all the great Makers who’ll be there showing off their projects and ideas — but here are a few special reasons for Toolmongers to attend:

1. We’ll be testing tools!

Swing by the Toolmonger area to help us test the ergonomics and fit of mechanic’s tools. We’ve got a big special scheduled for early November, and we need your help to find the best tools for the price.

2. Stanley’s joining us, and the two of us will be giving away tools all weekend.

Stanley’s co-sponsoring the event with us, and they’ve brought out a truck full of tools to give away — all sorts of fun stuff. It’ll be a great time.

3. You can meet Jimmy Addison.

You’re not really a tool guy (or gal) until you’ve met Jimmy. He works for Stanley’s Discovery Team and is easily one of the most knowledgable guys we’ve met in the business. Got a question about Stanley? He can probably answer it. And he’s a hoot to hang out with, too.

4. We’re gonna break s#!%!

That’s right. Next week is Break S#!% week, and we’re gonna kick it off right at Maker Faire. With Stanley’s help, we’re gonna demolish a small building — with hand tools. Register your guess on how long it’ll take us to flatten it, and you might win some larger tools. (You can score smaller ones regardless. Really!)

And if you need any more reasons to show up, check out our coverage of Maker Faire’s last stop in San Francisco. Think of Maker Faire as a big party for people just like you.

We’ll see you there. Of course, if you’re stuck in Alaska, your next best bet is to check back here for our live blogging of the event all weekend.

Maker Faire Austin [Make]

Last week was a busy week here at Toolmonger. If you’ve been spending time in the shop — you should! — and you haven’t had a chance to keep up with Toolmonger this week, we suggest you start with these posts, which our readers helped to select:

Now Available: Irwin Dust-Off Chalk
Remember Irwin’s multiple-styles of marking chalk? We found the first one on shelves finally: the version that wipes off easily. Look for others soon.

Protect Your Hand, Save A Faucet
These handy rubber covers make turning those old-school faucets a lot easier on your hands, and can eliminate the need to replace broken faucets when the gate’s still in good shape.

How Much Is This Project Going To Cost Me?
This handy calculator makes estimating woodworking projects simple — plus you can perform cost analysis based on varying materials. Wouldn’t that table look better in teak? How much would that cost? (You don’t want to know.)

A More Powerful, Long Lasting Rechargeable 9V: Lithium-Polymer!
Most 9V rechargables suck because they don’t store enough power. No more: check out this line of li-poly rechargables that pack in the juice — and offer long shelf and trickle life. Maybe you can finally ditch the alkalines in the smoke detector!

Preview: The Angle Snap
If you do a lot of layout on sheet stock — like plywood or drywall — check out this jig which makes marking specific angles a lot easier.

Help us choose next week’s Top 5!

We’d appreciate your help in choosing next week’s Top 5, which’ll be featured here, elsewhere, and in the podcast as well. While you’re reading TM this week, look out for the “Interesting Post” button at the bottom of the article:

When you see an article that piques your interest, click the button once. You’ll return to the same page, but TM’s software’ll score your click for future reference. We’ll check in on the totals before selecting next week’s Top 5.

Ingersoll Rand is well known for their line of pro-level pneumatic tools. But they’ve made a name for themselves with impact drivers of all types. So when these guys come out with a line of cordless tools that includes high-powered wrenches and ratchets as well as drills and grinders – we noticed.

(more…)

This pocket book is a great resource for anyone working in a shop. It’s designed for metal workers and machinists, but the information contained within comes in handy in lots of situations. Best of all, it’s durable enough to survive in a shop environment, and every page is coated in a glare-free laminate that resists tearing and won’t get all filthy.

(more…)