DIY Fatmax Breaching Tool

[@kristienj7419]

So, this is what you do with your dads tools when he's gone. You're so grounded when he finds out.

[@6819bug]

Painting it camo helps you sneak up on the door.

[@justcrapynames]

It definitely won’t see you coming

[@CrawDad1131]

Yeah cause you're definitely not going to do something shady with this and leaving it bright shiny and safety yellow would be fine. Not to mention it looks like shit if you don't paint it. Fucking derp and a half.

[@KNIGHTJUMPS]

Facts

[@steveyeager6177]

I did that but then I couldn't find it anymore

[@nemoexnuqual3643]

I use metallic fleck hot pink rolled in glitter with it’s pronounced stenciled on the side so the door feels less offended😂 It’s pronouns are “it and aircraft”.

[@azy6868]

Ignored the comments from the haters and watched it through to the end. I love the mesh and spray paint idea. Great looking paint job.

[@deanrocky4]

What happend to the good old days of using a crow bar?

[@adamplamondom3518]

Wish we can see a video of the breaching tool "in action"😊

[@Patriot36]

You've really done a great job with this tool and it's such a practical solution if you don't mind doing a bit of work. Thanks so much for posting this ITS!

[@TheCRDMiller]

I have never seen a human use a angle grinder in such an unskilled manner. Bravo for the ppe.

[@nemoexnuqual3643]

You’ve never seen me use an angle grinder😂 there’s a reason I use a saws-all for as much as possible. My brother is the metal work guy I’m the “can whack a chunk off with an angle grinder or cutting torch and sorta stick things together with a stick welder guy.”

[@LumpyMusic]

19 minute video could have been 9 minutes if you didn't say "AH" every eleven seconds. Be sure and wear body, hand and eye protection, but take the safety guard off the angle grinder.

[@icebergo6]

interesting point I heard on this topic while watching a different video: although a halligan is obviously better since a single purpose tool is more efficient at that one thing than a multitool would be for the same task. but most people who carry them in a bag or trunk are thieves, at least in the minds of some police officers. sure, firemen use halligans at work all the time, but the tools belong to the city. those same firemen might not have one at home. many construction workers certainly travel with halligans, BUT they also have entire truckloads of other building tools that give them credibility. so the point the other video was trying to make was that using a Fatmax from Walmart could pass as just a simple tool that John Doe, law abiding citizen, may just happen to have in his car. obviously painting and modding it out kinda kills that excuse. but I know I've had run ins with individual officers who didn't know all of the laws regarding some of the tools and equipment that I had on me. and in 1 incident they just tried to find something else to find fault with. so I just try to keep all of my gear discreet and make my kids look close to stock issue. every city and state are different just like our individual prep/survival philosophies. I still thought it was interesting point to consider. GREAT WORK ON THE TOOL THOUGH!

[@blackhatch46]

great idea, i will be on the way to making this one shortly. i need to think opf how to change that handle though...

[@wanderingcalamity360]

I was thinking paracord and plastidip. They brought up a good point in the article about glass being a liability with a cord wrap, but going over the cordage with plastidip should help mitigate that.

[@kalif151byccrew]

I have a Annihilator Wrecking Bar from home depot that I've been bs'n on wanting to do something like this. Good vid man!

[@lukepippin4781]

I got to looking for this thing online so that I could make one of these breaching tools, but now that I’m looking into it’s features, I’m going to have to get two and keep one intact for construction and demolition. Very cool.

[@badger0888]

Great video. There is something about the efficiency of a Halligan-styled tool. By the way Stanley's latest iteration is their 36" FatMax Xtreme FuBar III. That is a tool!

[@elitejohnlp]

In a professional and industrial setting, tools are modified several times a day, no questions asked. Hell, I've cut the drive section off 1" drive impact sockets, plasma cut a new socket, and tigged the drive section plate onto the cut pieces to make a socket that took over 2,000 ft/lb of torque. Those who say "Don't modify tools! Think of the safety!" are those whom most likely don't have tools in the first place. This is an excellent idea, I plan on modifying the idea a bit as well. Thanks!

[@tsuyaka]

i laughed so much when you said "i plobably need to get a new one" and "my disk is pretty much toasted" about the grinding disk...man, that disk has about 95% use left or even more...

[@robertthetexan8537]

Grinding the teeth down music was the best. I like the idea. Very ingenious imo. I'm gonna do it. Holding the can upside down to clear the tube and nozzle of paint? Dude I never thought of doing that before.

[@dlighted8861]

Some cans need it,some don't. He was a bit excessive. One short pritz and a wipe would do it.

[@kaizoebara]

A hint for safety, make a habit of always laying down your angle grinder with the disk facing upwards. Otherwise, if you accidently hit the switch while picking it up, or if you lay it down while the disk is still spinning, violent things may happen.

[@nathsnrhg]

utilizing the guarding would have been a better starting point

[@ryandaniels6137]

This isn't my video, but I have to say something about one or two of these comments... 1. those are solid T304 stainless to the best of my knowledge, unless you are cutting this thing with a blowtorch, you will not "ruin the metallurgy". 2. you don't use cutting fluid with fiber cutting wheels and/or grinding discs. you would use cutting fluid on carbide or HSS cutting tools though. 3. while I agree with most of you on if you're a L.E.O. you probably would just buy a breaching tool. Who knows? maybe dudes got 20 kids and 19 ex's and because of child support had to make an inexpensive one. I'm just saying, cut this guy a little slack! Fuckin A! Everyone's a critic now days when no one is a master of what they're critiquing. @ITStactical ALWAYS hold the grinder so the wheel is spinning toward the ground, or pulling the grinder away from you. Sometimes you have to take stuff out of the vise an flip it over, but it beats getting stitches or losing a finger... (I've had stitches more than once from rushing through something and having the grinder kick back at me. A trip to the ER takes more time than repositioning something in the vise) I didn't notice if you did or not, but you should flip the can over and spray until you just get air out of the nozzle. Wiping off the outside of the nozzle doesn't matter if the nozzle is still full of paint that will dry and clog it... Not raggin on ya just trying to be helpful. While I'd love to keep correcting some of the idiots that are giving you all kinds of shit in these comments, I recently realized that trying to fix stupid is a waste of energy. Great info and product demos in the majority of your videos brother, keep it up!

[@ryandaniels6137]

+Micah Thomason thank you. Not going to lie, I was sort of around of that one when I read it back LOL

[@ryandaniels6137]

+Ryan Daniels proud* autocorrect

[@adrianarmstrong5546]

You point out to have safety glasses and gloves but the guard has been removed and side handle from the grinder. I bought a pack of zip blades where every time i started cutting the metal arbor in the middle of the blade would come off the wheel sending the wheel flying. I took the pack back and was told there was a recall on those blades for that reason. If I never had the guard on I could of got that blade in the neck, chest, or arm very easily. I would use a guard before gloves that can melt any day. Stay safe and wear leather or at least gloves that wont melt to your skin and put that guard back on!

[@dlighted8861]

Nice modification and great paint job. Any plans to show it breaching?

[@thirteenospades]

ITS, found your site a while ago, didn't know you had a youtube channel- 13 yr Blue Cord Vet- great info and gear. The comment section with all the interweb ecksperts is hilarious, keep on keeping on. Thanks for this block of instruction!

[@ITStactical]

@RnW93 Not a bad idea. I remember seeing a special "hatchet" type tool on a MC130 for cutting through aircraft skin. It had some type of spike on one end. ~Eric

[@kctyphoon]

i dont know how well this thing is gonna hold up, but it looks to me you put alot of effort into re-creating a roofing hammer..

[@Liquiddoom]

I like this idea! I had looked at a Halligan tool before, but they're so large and heavy that they would be impractical to carry for any distance. Also, nice work with the paintjob.

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Exactly. This solution isn't without its drawbacks, but I think it's a more feasible option for the average person.

[@tacticalsquash8854]

Can you please make a cideo with this in action! Like prying a house door open, maybe a car door and some other stuff. Thanks

[@BucketListBadass]

Cool vid, bro. Was gonna get a Halligan bar but those suckers are $350. Your Fatmax Fubar only costs about $50. You saved me some $$

[@gasarakii]

secondly both your cutting and grinding discs have a lot more use in them grinding discs have a very long use life and unless your using them all the time they will last about 20 hours of good use and a cutting disc will still cut even down at 2" ask at your local hardwear store for the right disc to use when grinding differant metals as there are discs for both soft and hard metals

[@ryanbritton6664]

I have to echo the sentiment of other posters on here, use the guard for your grinder! Better yet, use a portaband, it's easier, quicker and safer. While I do like your ingenuity, mini halligans can be bought for less than $100, are more functional and don't need the mod work. Also, tipping the spray paint over and spraying for just a second cleans the whole nozzle pretty quick. Keep up the good work!

[@patrickmccormick1844]

What are mini halligans?

[@Dan-op7zc]

You should modify a fence puller and use it as a door hammer or like use a sledge hammer, you can also use a cordless angle grinder and masonary hole saw set for lay up hides in urban areas

[@ernie5229]

Thumbs down for no breeching demo.

[@Xcerptshow]

+ernie5229 I know, right? NO DEMO!?!? GTFO! lol

[@petercarioscia9189]

@@mdsuave13 he told you all you need to know in a brief sentence; jam the spike between the door and frame

[@PoopFrancis]

Not to bash or anything but he was really taking his sweet dandy time. Being and iron worker, it was funny seeing him scratch at the tool with the cutting wheel and then the grinder

[@walkinginlight4life]

Thanks for the vid. I totally did it myself as well. Turned out great. Thanks for the tip.

[@talongunter7717]

WELL IT'S A GREAT VIDEO ON HOW TO MODIFY A TOOL I WANT TO SEE HOW THE FRACKING THING WORKS DO VIDEO ON THAT

[@thirteenospades]

If you don't know what it's for you probably don't need it.

[@talongunter7717]

thirteenospades I KNOW WHAT IT IS FOR I WANTED TO SEE YOUR MODIFICATION IN USE TO SEE IF IT WOULD HOLD UP AFTER YOUR MODIFICATION ( JUST TO LET YOU KNOW I HAVE A REGULAR L.E. BREACHER )

[@thirteenospades]

Talon Gunter 1. Not my video. 2. I think your caps lock is stuck. 3. Good for you.

[@hotshotsurfer69]

Looks like a pretty expensive way to create a crowbar, which you can get at that size for about $16.

[@frantahouska]

***** $10 bucks

[@panchopistola8298]

I actually think you can buy a hammer that looks like this . The only issue with the hammer is the face might be hard enough one light need to de harden it it a bit so it doesn’t shatter

[@geronimo5537]

Like I can see the use in making essentially a hammer/pick for breeching. But as others have said, this seems like a really expensive way of doing what a cheaper crowbar will do or even a reprofiled crowbar.

[@blackhatch46]

@ITStactical well im not sure of the handle construction, but i would like to at least get rid of the yellow borders. if it is just rubber coated over the steel tool i would maybe remove it and have a more simple slimline handle. then again i havent held this tool so i dont know how i could do it yet.

[@gasarakii]

go the safty even a 4" grinder can grab or the disc can shatter during use they come with a grind gard for a reason dont take these off your grinder they can prevent injury to your hands face and body

[@JeepJeep234]

You could rough up the rubber handle and spray it with plastidip, get rid of the yellow so it fits with the color scheme and doesn't lose the grip. Some of my tools I even put stuff like fine grain sand in the plastidip for texture.

[@rickobrien4025]

Nothing from 5-11 is cheap...

[@PaulJersey]

I went on E-Bay and it is actually named a Fubar tool! How funny! I have an Estwing Cat's Paw in my B.O.B. for just such occasions. After being without power for 12 days in NJ I learned a few things. I was looking around thinking that my 10KW generator, chain saws, tools to hot wire a car and break into a home might be more effective than wilderness survival gear.

[@matteightytwo]

I knew this would be hilarious as soon as I saw "tactical".. and then I got to the part when he is spraying patterns onto the tool to enhance his army man fantasy

[@tdawgee]

Nice Work, ---- Great Paint Job !!!

[@ITStactical]

@Hedgehog, I have no idea. They are great cheap gloves though. ~Eric

[@tomservo3401]

Im considering doing mine like this. I dont need to breach doors but it would have been nice if they made this with the sharper back spike. Alot of times it would come in handy trying to get between tighter thick boards.

[@wanderingcalamity360]

Right? I really tried to like the board bender, but it really isn't all that useful. I have a modded one and a stock one and I find the modded one to be far more useful.

[@georgekelley5852]

Apparently some people are missing the point of this tool. This will make a lightweight entry tool. It's purpose is is breach doors. Not necessarily for firefighters, but for Police, SWAT, and military use. A halligan tool is nice; I've used them. They are spendy, and not really of a size to carry in a patrol bag or pack. I'm going to make one. Thanks ITS.

[@ITStactical]

@DemonHide If you not going to "set" it with another tool (in a traditional sense) then you can leave it as is. ~Eric S.

[@flashovr24]

You took a fully functioning tool with actual breaching ability, and made it into a hammer withOUT a claw in it's head to even pull out a nail. You made a tool that it now, only able to be used as a hammer. You actually succeeded at making a tool LESS useful! Congrats. LMBO!!!

[@wanderingcalamity360]

The lower jaw/board grabber really isn't that useful (and your can accomplish the same things with the breaching pick that you can with the board grabber, anyway) and good luck ripping the door off its hinges with a stock one. You really need that tapered pick setup to properly breach a door. Also the nail puller is in the pry bar portion at the base... But I guess you're just not very observant.

[@305ssmonte5]

Very cool tool.I really like the paint job you did.

[@SumpinWong]

SO glad I learned how to spray paint :o

[@warpathkev]

Made 3 in the last month for me and buddies. They work!

[@nemoexnuqual3643]

The fat max and fubar are amazing tools

[@ITStactical]

@MobFrenziedHomicide Its about the same after the mod, around 4 pounds.

[@anthonypetrillo841]

Can we see a demonstration of breaching? Either a structure door or maybe a vehicle extrication?

[@GodsLastSin]

All C-130 have that hatchet tool. That spike on the back is to get an initial cut going incase egress through an existing exit is some some god only knows why sort of reason blocked and you have to cut through the aircraft's skin. The hatchet on the plane though is about a third as wide as the tool in this video though.

[@ITStactical]

@thegrahamreaper1 Yes, those teeth help when you rake glass from a window frame. ~Eric S.

[@obfuscated3090]

I suggest if you buy a grinder you invest a little more and get a 6" so you can use the extremely handy 6" cutting disks. Instead of a grinding "rock", I prefer flap discs for blending and shaping because they polish as they cut. If you want to keep your work cool just periodically dunk it in a pail of water. Take your time and you won't overheat the steel. If in doubt, periodically check and if the work isn't hotter than your bare hand can stand you are at no risk annealing the metal.

[@bobbernaut216]

Wow, those disks have tons of life left.. When it starts coming apart, which is many many hours away, is when you replace them.

[@The85F0X]

I had one of the original fat max tools and carried it in Iraq. Had it for years and then became a cop. Left it in my patrol vehicle over the weekend and someone decided they liked it as much as I did, I haven’t seen it since.

[@wades623]

that disk was barely used so why would you need a new one?

[@isopropylyummy]

Haha no shit. That wheel still had like %75 life left.

[@wades623]

looks like it was only used for like a minute and a half of grinding. dude must not know they can be used more than once

[@MotoXracer450]

You could have used more cooling breaks between grinding and water would speed that up.

[@dexterlexter123]

the pry bar end is for breaching doors

[@preparedmind101]

I don't see many SWAT teams pulling up 2X4s, which is pretty much all that lower jaw is good for. I actually like this version better.

[@Gadsden45]

great vid. Im gonna make a couple of these for some guys at my firehouse

[@MNETHRID]

Those grinding and cutting disks still have 99.5% life left. They are designed to wear away and maintain the cutting and grinding ability throughout the whole disk. Unlike a saw blade they do not dull. The cutting disks can be used until you cannot physically touch them to the work material as the gearbox of the grinder touches first. Grinding wheels can be used until they are a stub no bigger the the mounting flanges.

[@maximus78028]

Couldn't you use the lower handle as a crow bar as is in the original form?

[@Comm0ut]

For those who don't yet own an angle grinder, do thyself a favor and buy a SIX incher for the glorious cutting discs whose extra reach and edge speed are well worth it. I modded all my guards on smaller grinders to take 6" discs too (I don't run cutting wheels without guards and still have all my fingers).

[@duke3oh8]

the paint job is badass!

[@Darthmando80]

Love the video and love modifing things , but a question. why not just buy the stanley Precision Claw Bar? No cutting off pieces, seems the same result with no work. Whats the diff between the two?

[@sonrouge]

Could you do a vid of you using it on various locks and doors? Also, the website your article is on seems to be on the fritz.

[@RainOnThursday]

just a few thoughts... wouldnt you want use a rasp to put a better edge on that, and wouldnt you want to avoid paining the edges your gonna stick into say a door frame? the paint would cause sticking and would chip. really like the pattern tho.

[@thejfunky]

Did you ever get the holster. I couldn't seem to find it on either of the websites.

[@jack91x]

Of course, there's always the MLD-K version, although that doesn't work on metal doors. But hey, what else are dustbusters, det cord, and saline bags good for anyway?

[@djturnz]

Do you have any plans to do this again with the new 30" Stanley FUBAR? It looks like it's actual haligan sized. And I'd like to see a video with you actually using this one and/or the 30" as a haligan to breach a door.

[@richardmcginnis5344]

why would you not just sharpen the end with the nail puller since it isn't hooked anymore? just buy a new one and sharpen the "pry" end to fit between a doorjamb

[@wcresponder]

very cool vid, extremely thorough and informative. How'd the rig for the vest turn out?

[@brentvonaschen7407]

Not sure what the value of the new tool design is. if getting into a door is the objective it'll work but there are so many ways to do that.

[@Mr123jes]

I don't think this feller needs to be in charge of a fingernail file, much less a grinder,etc.

[@mrartwatcher]

a guard is well worth the teeth eyes and noses that it spares . make and use one . i made a slightly larger one to use with thin cuttoff disks

[@ITStactical]

@blackhatch46 What are you looking to change about the handle? ~Eric S.

[@dobiejoe1]

How well does it work when slugs are comming the other way thru the door? There are doors that will still take you hours to get in.

[@edjrmorgan]

I like it, I will be making one of those, great idea...

[@JimTom.]

your disc is nearly new, its not until its rounded at the ends and is much smaller in diameter when its pretty much toast!!

[@dumonr71]

Love the paint job!

[@deathpig.9847]

Cool idea with the paint!

[@sniper244]

You may want to re-temper the tool after all that grining. The heat will ruin the temper in the "worked" areas, causing it to be a little weaker.

[@proudamericanrobman2829]

Hey ITS have you tried putting a ax edge between the hammer face and the handle. Looks like it would be a good spot for it or would it just get in the way?

[@ITStactical]

@siafulinux Great let us know how it turns out. ~Eric S.

[@bluefoxicy]

Volunteer fire departments and real fire departments. Both are just plopped down and say, "Here. Don't fuck shit up for the mayor. Put out fires." There's a standard test and stuff, and a firetruck and some other equipment, but let's face it: you're going into a burning building; there's no such thing as "metric standard". This is a tool for people who have to move shit out of the way in a specific but variable situation. By experience, they found a good way to do it.

[@SafetyKap]

When grinding, you should always wear ear protection. If you like to continue hearing well, that is.

[@mrmrlee]

Looks good, but wouldnt a small crowbar have the same profile without having to cut off one of the jaws?

[@SolidusVictorium]

What was the purpose of removing that piece of the tool? Was it just to conserve weight?

[@wanderingcalamity360]

It's in the way of the breaching pick if you want to use it for proper breaching techniques. And it's not very useful.

[@Flyinghammer1]

@BigBodySmallBrain Torch would certainly cut through it, but change the temper and destroy its strength in the process rendering it useless, Chance of breaking the first time you used it. A cutting disc and flap wheel are more precise and more suited to the job.

[@ericwrenfrow8349]

The 'sanding disc' or 'flap disc' cuts much faster than a grinder. I used to use these to cut welds from up to 7/8" steel. You should use it to remove those teeth.

[@LaneMaddox00]

could you imagine paintinig a hum-v with that stuff im sure that they use larg ind. spray guns up still could you imagine... id take 5 cases of that stuff

[@MrBonebus]

Becker TacTool, does not have the hammer but its built like one

[@ogilviefamily]

I am in the military, tactics being a fundamental neccesity in my job, I like this idea

[@ogilviefamily]

doesnt the regular prybar have a thicker nose on it? can u fit it in a doorframe and still fit it in your belt or a pouch?

[@tomservo3401]

One question. How much weight does it lose from cutting and grinding it? One thing i like about this thing is the weight. I guess they are only $30 so if i dont like it i can just get a new one.

[@BlackHatZack]

Why not simply buy the "Truckman's Tool" off any of the many fire/ems/LE stores online? It's basically a purpose-built version of what you made, manufactured out of superior material. Seems like, if one is really interested in having a quality breaching tool for not too much cash (about $65) it's better to invest in a tool created with specific design and build considerations in mind...

[@netfisherman]

@ITStactical I am curious. What possible reason would you have for using such a tool?!?