Tool Pr0n: Classic Pneumatic Drill
By Sean O'Hara
You might not consider this sweet pneumatic drill “tool porn,” but given my obsession for anything tracked, I’ve elevated it to that category. Reader mbeldyk says that together with a pump this drill helped build the still-unfinished statue of Crazy Horse that’s carved into a mountainside about 17 miles from Mount Rushmore.
Though the drill and pump combo was largely unreliable, the reported reason for the statue’s incompleteness has more to do with lack of funding and the death of the original artist in 1982. It’s too bad — we’d love to see this baby back in action.
Toolmonger Photo Pool [Flickr]
July 10th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Hell, there are 2 of those 50 yards from me drilling holes for cable tie-backs for a h-pile retentions system here in Austin, TX.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Actually, I lied, not exactly the same since ours are not pneumatic; but save for the “fuel” source, they’re the same equipment.
July 10th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
If you ever get a chance to go to Crazy Horse, you must check it out. It’s a crazy ambitous project that would dwarf Mt Rushmore if ever completed. It’s actually kind of sad that it seems more like a pipe dream anymore. Last time I was there the facilities were in a dire need of updating though but that was about 6 years ago.
So if you are ever in the area of the Black Hills, stop by and considered buying something from the gift shop or donating a few more dollars.
Oh and yeah, nice looking drill.
July 10th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Used to work around these at an open pit mine years ago. The workhorse of the mine. Things are so agile they can drill underneath themselves. Usually, they pull their own compressor behind them via their built in hitch. Cool machines!
July 10th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I just added another one to the toolmonger flickr pool. Please enjoy
July 10th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Well, it IS very phallic.
July 11th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Drill that can move mountains…..LITERALLY Very COOL
July 12th, 2008 at 9:03 am
I’ve never gotten to use one, but they are fun just to watch. As if the thrill of dynamite alone wasn’t enough!