The “Crud Thug”
Friday, June 9th, 2006
When we saw something listed as “tool, air, crud removal” in the “new products” area of the Snap-on website, we just had to know more.
This new tool, the PT280THUGA Air Removal Tool, looks like a pneumatic angle grinder, but it’s actually designed to take a range of rotary stripping discs. For example, a stainless steel “brush-style” disc helps remove PVC, seam sealer, rust, paint, and underbody protection. An optional “rubber eraser” disc can be used to remove decals, pin stripes, double-sided tape, and other adhesives.
It uses Snap-on’s reliable existing planetary gear system, and spins at 3,500 RPM so it’s a little faster than your electric polisher but still slow enough to safely use with brush discs. It routes cooling air for the motor between its housing and liner to keep its grip cool, and the grip itself helps isolate you vibration. You can also adjust the air outlet at the rear of the tool to point it in different directions, and there’s a ten-position power/speed regulator.
When we asked, by the way, Snap-on said that the tool was originally called the “Crud Thug” — hence its unusual part number. Personally, we love the name. Names like this — and like Stanley’s Functional Utility Bar (”Fubar”) — stick with you and accurately describe the tool’s function. Would you remember the “PT280 Air Removal Tool” or the “Crud Thug?” We’d love to see more names like these.
It’s $380 from Snap-on, and it’s available now.
The PT280THUGA Air Removal Tool [PDF: Snap-on]
Around our house summertime means activities, and this means things of all sizes and shapes need to be inflated. Not all of us have room or budget for a high dollar shop air system, but a portable air compressor can be a great solution to the hand pump blues.
Posi Locks’ new MVP5 is a machinist’s vise that runs on shop air — compressed air is used in conjunction with a lever and directional valve to move sturdy metal blocks along a track. The movement of the blocks opens and closes the vise with accuracy within .001″ and up to 6000 lbs. of clamping force.
With a thinner head, the “Flathead” lets you bring air ratchet goodness to projects where you’d normally be stuck wearing out your arms wrenching because your standard air ratchet simply won’t fit.
Ranging in size from 5″ to 7-1/4″, Ingersoll Rand’s new mini air tool kits are useful for small spaces and small hands. Each kit includes a mini air tool along with an accessory package centered around a specific work type. Current kit offerings include:
