Just saw a new tool today, by Stanley, that is coming out this month. It’s called the FatMax Xtreme Fubar (which stands for functional utility bar). It’s a combination baby sledge, pry bar, cat’s claw, and has one end designed to grip dimensional lumber. Sounds to me like a demo man’s dream.
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Using a Fubar to FUBAR?
Yeah but can you sink a 12' putt with it?
Do you look to the government for an entitlement, or to GOD for empowerment. BDW
If you were short enough you could sink a 3 footer with this tool and a hole lot more.
http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=Xtreme&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=55-099&SDesc=FatMax%26%23174%3B+Xtreme%26%238482%3B+Fubar%26%238482%3B+Functional+Utility+Bar
Wow, not only is Max fat, now apparently, he's extreme. Speak the truth, or make your peace some other way.
Somehow I really doubt that the FUBAR name means Functional Utility Bar...
Me thinks someone at Stanley had to get creative to cover the more traditional meaning of Fubar.
Interesting. Of course a lot depends on the details. Something as simple, and avoidable, as using a poor grade of steel would make it useless. Lets hope they get the basics, like alloy, hardening and temper, right.I wouldn't have much use for it OTJ. But I think, if the design is sound, find a use for it. Goes like this: Post Katrina, with natural disasters in the news some folks are looking more seriously at what they have on hand in an emergency. A few people died in Katrina because they went up into the attic to flee the flood waters but had no way out through the roof. This is a well known problem in the Netherlands. I read it is common to find an axe or crowbar, sometimes even a small boat, in the attic of the homes in the Netherlands. This sort of tool seems like a decent selection for such use. Looking at the picture I could see myself using it to beat and pry my way through a roof deck. I could also see it as a candidate for use in rescues. One piece steel construction usually means it will ring like the liberty bell in production use. Tough on the hands and elbows. For resue and emergency use, where it is ten minutes of frantic labor, such consideration is much less a problem. In that case all steel speaks of reliability and the ability to be stored long term without fear of the wood rotting or being eaten. Pretty much what you might need for stuffing in the attic, well treated against rust of course, for 'just in case'.That the unit incorporates both what looks like a functional striking face, a pick like point for puncture, and a pry bar works in its favor for emergency use. Less chance you don't have what you need. Question is how much functionality of the individual functions has been compromised when they were brought together in the design. This is sometimes called the 'Swiss Army knife effect'. Try to get one tool to do more than one job and you can end up with one that does none very well. Only way to find out is to use it some. Now if Mr. Stanley would be so kind as to send me one I would gladly post objective wand well thought out, but not necessarily favorable, reviews in several prominent forums. Not that that is likely to happen.
In 1979 we lived in Alvin, TX. A tropical storm stalled over the city and in a 24 hour period, we had 46" of rain dumped on us. When I moved my family into the attic for safety's sake, I took my .22 pistol, about 500 rounds of ammo and a sledge hammer.
I had already heard of a guy with a broken leg trapped in his attic. He had his shotgun and got the attention of rescuers by firing that gun through his roof. The water was wetting his backsides when they came a got him (after making sure he knew they were coming I assume).
We got lucky and it stopped before we needed to break out, we only had 8" of clear rainwater to deal with in the house. But at 2 in the morning, they were predicting another 10", so I was not taking chances.
That's pretty cool. I'd like another two feet on the handle though.
The opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is loosely based on games of dodgeball Chuck Norris played in second grade.
I saw an article about that "hammer" in a magazine. They said that since everyone used nail guns, there was no need for traditional hammers anymore. So a carpenter could carry this instead.
I guess there's some logic in that. But I'm not ready to give up my hammer just yet.
there was no need for traditional hammers anymore
So, am I the only one imagining the R&D people doodling at a new product meeting, and someone commented on how "that's fubar" and the name stuck . . . ?
(Or maybe I've read too much Dillbert or met too many PHB . . . <g>)Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
sounds like a fun tool - however, check out this - best tool on the job
http://us.st11.yimg.com/store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-83388260085890_1880_2060168
"Halligan" is used by firefighters. "This tool was designed in the 1940's by Hugh Halligan, who retired a First Deputy Fire Commissioner in the FDNY. The 'Halligan' is a tool that is used for multiple operations, it has been dubbed 'the universal key.' This tool, comprised of an adz, pick and fork made from a single piece of forged steel, along with an Ax, make up what is now known as a firefighter's set of 'Irons'. Prior to the invention of the 'Halligan' tool, firefighters carried what is known as a 'claw tool' and a 'Kelly Tool' along with a striking tool, this was where the term 'Irons' originated. Hugh Halligan took the two tools and combined them into one so you now carry less tools. The first company to get, and name, a 'Halligan' tool was FDNY Ladder Company 47 (who coincidentally were first due to Halligan's home in Parkchester, NY)."
best tool on the job
Ah, yes, a wonder of a tool.
Available in titanium & bronze, too--for those with enough need.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
Having used Halligans for years (every carpenter seeing it for the first time always asks where I got it) I'm really looking forward to getting and using a Stanley Fubar. It part Halligan, part peavy, part hammer, and part pry bar. My sister-in-law works for Stanley doing web work so having worked on the Extreme Tools section of their website she told me about the Fubar this past weekend. I told her naming it the Fubar is either the very best or the very worst marketing decision someone could make but now having heard all the talk about the tool I'm beginning to really think it's a great move on their part.
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Hey, thanks for that heads up bullrider.
As a framer, i can quickly see that I would buy and use that tool. The clever idea to include a striking head, will work well when I need to give my hammer a boost. I often find myself tapping it with my nail puller but it normally doesn't have enough weight.
The point will be usefull for destroying things by splitting.
I hope the space for grabbing the lumber is wide enough to grasp a lvl instead of just a 2x material. It looks wide enough in the picture.
I'll give that tool a spot in my box for an extended test period....at least till I lose it. IF I buy another, the test is over.
blue
Hittingone hammer with another one is a good way to get a piece of metal stuck in you somewhere...
I like my sex the way I play basketball, one on one with as little dribbling as possible." [Leslie Nielsen]
Amen to that.
Been there :(Troy Sprout
Square, Level & Plumb Renovations
Hittingone hammer with another one is a good way to get a piece of metal stuck in you somewhere...
Exactly! That's why this particular tool is a great addition to the tool box. It has the weight of a hammer, but doesn't have the hardened steel characteristics that would cause a hammer to explode.
blue
The FUBAR has a hammer head built into it.
Dear Abby: What can I do about all the Sex, Nudity, Fowl Language and Violence On my VCR?
Damn, and I just bought a new hammer.
I'll have to fubar when I lose it.
Grunge on.