Living as I do in tornado alley, I built a storm shelter when I built my latest home. Inside is the BOB / Firearm storage etc. As it is inside the structure of the house, I thought it prudent to store some tools also to aid in getting out if the house fell-in opposed to blowing away. (2 Stanley FUBAR's, fire axe, crow bars, and hand saws)

Just wondered if anyone has any experience with this item I saw today while donating to Home Depot's P&L report.


The company is called Dead On, and for 14" it really looks like it could be useful. The website also showed some speciality tools that look like gas/water cut-off tools combined with pry bars, but couldn't find them later.

Yeah, I know it is one of those jack-of-all trade tools, it masters none (just like Stanley's FUBAR).

Also don't think I want a carbon steel (SPARKING) gas shut off tool.

Tell me what ya'll think.

I have a FUBAR and use it and a hammer together works good for demo. I didn't like the Dead On wrecking tool because of the spike... it could hurt me a LOT more (and easier) than the FUBAR or a regular hammer. IHMO that tool is more of a weapon and accident waiting to happen..

There are a bunch of different versions of the gas/water shut off wrench, Sears has one for $10.99 online.

I posted a picture of the version I bought 2 of, but it looks like it was removed (I may have broken a rule), had a "hammer" and pry bar feature that seemed kinda useless, but I have shut off water and gas with the wrench I own.

The tool above looks scary, eh? Conan style....

That's a new one on me, so I did some googling. Here is a site with a few comments. Most are just BS, the last one appears to be a real evaluation by a user. Better pic too...

I've seen that tool before, I gotta admit it's definitely cool looking, I'd buy it. But I'm a sucker for things like that, I'm a tool nut.

However, I see this tool as a solution looking for a problem. They look great, and you really want to find a use for them just to justify buying one, but for all practical purposes they really aren't very useful. They are meant for a very specific job, so if you're a contractor demolishing houses for a living, then maybe you'd find it useful. But for the typical person this is more of a want than a need.

Honestly, how often do you use the Fubar's? I have two also, and aside from some very specific jobs or just to have fun, they aren't my first choice for tools. What could the Annihilator accomplish that your fubars, fire axe, and crowbars wouldn't?

After thinking about this a little bit, if I were concerned about having my house come down around my safe room, I might keep something like this in that room. Might come in handy to cut some of the debris away. Goggles, gloves, and a hardhat too...

Why mess around? ;-)

http://www.allhandsfire.com/page/AHF/PROD/FHU-K12-24T

Jeff

Nice. Kinda pricey tho...

Jeff...

I like your thinking!!!!!

Gotta keep a can of gas, with Sta-bil of course, with it...

Wow. Ya'll are planing on me really needing help. Luckily the door to storm room opens IN so debris falling down won't block the door. Then I only have to make it 3 feet to a window.

Also, FD is two blocks away and know of storm room location. (due both for storms, and ammo stored. told them if burning to let it go) Since I let FD and PD SWAT use my 5th wheel trailer as a back-up CP and place to cool off during big events/training they tend to look out for me and the family.

Once in SWAT (MP SRT) you can always find friends there. Just have to know who to ask.

If I ever get my FAT A%& back in shape may even get back into reserve law enforcement. Shot several times with their snipers, and held my own

Not for me. Got all I need. Thought others might be interested.

"...only have to make it 3 feet to a window..."

Isn't that assuming that the window (and the wall it is in), not to mention the roof and all supports, are still standing, and not in a pile on top of you???

IF it gets that bad, then daylight will probably be visible. (or night)

As the builder, I did several Experiments/Improvements to the structure as tests to start including on customer homes. It is built to advanced seismic codes in conjunction with an engineer from cal tech and hurricane framing code from florida and la tech.

Additionally, I did tremendous amounts of "Green" things before "Green" was WAY COOL MAN, to see if it really was worth the cost to customers.

Between My employees and family I generally have a "test house" every 1 - 2 years. They get free upgrades I want to test, I get to see how it worked long run. (energy bills, foundation movement, etc)

Basically I knew I was going to be here 10 years, so I put it ALL in.

If the doomsday scenario of someone's choice comes, I really think all or part of the structure will be here. (baring nukes and EF 4-5 tornados).

Plus, like I said FD and PD are buds. Will probably be looking for me for 5th wheel any way. If any patrol guys are close, they often stop in during storms. (starting to wonder if I am sheltering them until storm passes so then they can work.)

Biggest trick is not letting the entire neighborhood in on the secret. I just don't have room for everyone. You cannot imagine how fun turning someone away is.

Sounds like you have it covered. I do not live in an area where a Tornado is likely so take this question with a grain so salt. Have considered putting an old car or truck jack down there? It could be used to push debris out of the way when used with a post of some sort.

Your location shows W. Texas and you say a tornado is not likely? Is this the same Texas that is south of Oklahoma and North of Mexico?

All of Texas is likely to see tornados (except underground), so please be careful.

Yes, I have 2 Hi-Lift Jacks like you see ranchers use building fence.

Thanks for the idea