Wednesday, June 10, 2009

NutJob Preview

Alright, as promised, a sneak peek at the upcoming NutJob. LOL, I couldn't resist poking a little fun at myself with the name and it did seem oddly appropriate for the tool as well. :D

Anyway, for this tool I wanted something fairly small and compact but at the same time I think there is a need for something beefier than some of it's predecessors. This piece bridges that gap to some extent while remaining small and light enough for easy pocket carry.

I debated back and forth on a bottle opener but finally decided that everyone has lots of bottle openers already and it's likely that most people will have more than one tool on them anyway being the gearheads that I know you all are. Plus you can easily pop a cap with the screwdriver end of this tool in a pinch using the old lever-in-the-fist method.

So, the NutJob combines the best of the Crawdaddy with the best of the Atwrench with a small dose of Mini Bug Out Bar thrown in for good measure. It has six SAE wrench sizes, 1/4-9/16" in both open jaw and closed jaw configurations. The two small bevels on the open jaw end can be used for light prying or perhaps as a small screwdriver if need be. The butt end features a large screwdriver/prytip and lanyard hole. The 1/4" hex hole in the center would form a nice T-handle wrench if necessary. I placed the side grooves in such a way as to optimize grip and if desired an O-ring or O-rings could be obtained at your local hardware store if you wanted rubber grips. I will not be supplying them on this tool since I'm envisioning the primary function of the grooves as simple grips.

Material for this tool is CPM 154, .160 thick (5/32") and the overall length of the tool is right around 4 inches.

I'm just finishing the grinding on the first batch. I have enough steel for three more batches and I will be doing one of them in metric sizes once I finalize the drawings. I'll be running another post where we can discuss the metric one in more detail but for now let me just get these pieces going. We're looking at about 2-3 weeks for completion from the tumbling and heat treat cycles. G3 Prybabies will be coming at just about the same time as well.

The NutJob:



A piece in progress with the Crawdaddy and a fancy Atwrench next to it so you can see the size comparison:

33 comments:

Heath said...

Wow, that is very beefy!

Looks good.

Heath

Robert D. said...

Very Nice Peter.

Unknown said...

Wow, I can't wait to get one. That thing is a BEAST!

Easy Wind said...

Whoa, look out for that NutJob!
Dig it!!

smkjrose said...

Again nicely done Peter!! I MUST HAVE ONE!!

Unknown said...

Great stuff Peter. Thanks for the updates! Looking forward to the next few weeks. Thank you again for all of your hard work!!!

HoopleHead said...

Awesome! I love my PryBaby XL but it sorely lacks a flathead screwdriver. Nice to see it here. What about putting a v-notch wire stripper at the mouth of the wrench? Can't wait you nut job! I mean, for the NutJob :)

Peter Atwood said...

Thanks guys!

Brandon, can't put a wire stripper in the jaw because it will weaken the tool and create a stress fracture point. That's the whole reason there is a radius in there.

Gary said...

Nice job, Peter.

That photo reminds me of how badly I want an Atwrench. Any chance of those making a re-appearance?

Aaron said...

Gary, I am sure the one in the picture already garnered a frantic email my jodj.

Peter Atwood said...

Now now... :P

David C. Mocarsky said...

Peter,

I am glad to see you are making some progress on the Nutjob. I like the name.

It is too bad about Crucible. I know that quite a few knife companies use their products. I hope they make it!

Dave

Ken said...

why do you have the two holes in the jaws? do they serve a purpose?

Peter Atwood said...

I actually just got off the phone with Crucible and they restocked with a little bit of the in between 1/8 and 5/32 thicknesses, the .140-.156 stuff. So I ordered a sheet. She said that they should have the slightly thicker one that I usually use in a few weeks.

Peter Atwood said...

The holes are there in case you wanted to hang the piece by a bead chain. Also it's a place where you could fill with glow powder if you wanted. Besides, the creature has to have eyes!

Unknown said...

VERY nice piece, hoping I can score one of these, and another G3 too! :)

DB said...

Wow, now that's one substantial looking tool! Kudos on another great design!

Unknown said...

i apologize in advance, but i just can't resist!

it is too great that you guys are saying this one is "beefy", a "beast", and "substantial"!!

one of the coolest aspects of these very hardy and well made designs is how the proportions make them look giant in pics. at an OAL of 4", everything is relative!

i also hate to bring up an old sexist cliché, but really only men would describe pocket sized tools this way ;)

thanks

Unknown said...

Gary: if you still want an atwrench i have one for sale, email me [at] weezy [dot] us

vegassprky said...

Looks like another must have tool! Peter, any idea on how much this will be( so I can start saving up)? If you are a nutjob you must have a NutJob!!!! :P

Matt said...

Nice work Peter! Any chance that we may see some more cookie wrenches in the forseeable future?

niimo said...

This may be my chance to get my first Atwood tool! Great name, too!

Bush -- not related said...

More excellent work, Peter. My wife saw it over my shoulder and said, "ooooh, I want THAT [nutjob] one...!"

I love my crawdaddy, but the slight size increase of the NJ means it won't get lost in pockets quite as easily and will work as kuboton/self-defense item even BETTER...

jodj said...

No frantic emails from me. This is all about the nutjob. Nice work, Peter.

peterxyz said...

would love one of these in metric (and probably one for a gift)

QVolve said...

OOh beefy. I'm trying to ration myself on your tools but you have so many great ideas its difficult!

(tani) said...

Great looking piece, Peter! Also, congrats on the shout out on the Uncrate site!

http://www.uncrate.com/men/home/bar/bigshot/

Unknown said...

This looks like a real winner Peter!

I would love to carry one on my motorcycle, but mine is a metric....any plans to do a metric version?

Indy Fab fan said...

I am so down for a metric one!

onceuponanace said...

There you go Peter the Metrics have it ;)

I am in for a metric as well.

Rick said...

My favorite Atwood on steroids. Looks great Peter! I can't wait to have one to EDC! :)

Aaron said...

Peter,

You might want to ask uncrate to change the location of your link. Or atleast be aware that it points directly to your purchase page and not the blog.

Brett_nyc said...

Wow, just discovered your blog and work. Great stuff. That UFO folder from a couple years back looked fantastic.