F-911 Bolt

The following information is directly from the manufacturer of these bolts.

"In the past, 8640 alloy was used in the manufacturing of only the most critical Aerospace and other special High Strength requirements. Now everyone can have this Superior Quality and Strength, with the "Off The Shelf" F-911 Hex Cap Screws and at prices comparable to other so called "Grade 9" bolts. What does 8640 Alloy offer? For starters, up to 50% more Chromium content and the substantial addition of Nickel, the ingredient that makes this Alloy tough. With higher Rockwell Hardness that the F-911 specification requires to achieve an over 190,000 P.S.I. Tensile Strength average, only 8640 Alloy can reach these lofty goals with superiority."

They are most definitely, in my opinion, an extremely high quality and high strength piece of hardware - fun bend!

3/8" x 7.5" Bolt "Short Bend"

I've been posting pictures of some of the bolts I've been bending lately and thought I'd put up a video to go with them. Here I am bending a 3/8" x 7.5" bolt with an overhand grip.

Fish Hook Bend

I've been having a lot of fun lately bending all sorts of different sizes and styles of bolts. Shown here is one that I bent a few minutes ago into the shape of a fish hook. The 1/2" x 18" hex head bolt is pictured with a 60 d (1/4" x 6") spike for comparison. Another nasty one for my collection.

A Few More Bolts

I stopped back in to visit my new friends at the hardware store and decided to wrap up a few more pieces and "have at it".

This assortment consists of 3/8" x 12" / 3/8 x 7.5" / 5/16" x 6" / 5/16" x 5.5" - all were bent unbraced at chest level with the exception of the 3/8" x 12" bolt.

Some Assorted Hardware

Earlier today I stopped in at a hardware store to follow up on some bolts they were locating for me. Among the things that I found there were these very strong F-911 Bolts, one is shown on the right side of the picture. I'll post more on that particular piece later. Also pictured are a 60 d that I crossed the ends on, a 1/4" hex bolt I bent into an "S", a 3/8" hex bolt as well as a big 1/2" thick bolt. Fun stuff for sure!

On Stage The Main Stage

On June 13, 2009 I was given a great honor of preforming on the main stage of the Association Of Oldetime Barbell And Strongmen's 26 Th reunion in Newark, New Jersey. This photo, taken by John Corlett, was captured just after I bent a 12" heavy duty adjustable wrench into a "U" shape as my opening feat.

Sometimes They Break

Things don't always go quite as planned. Take this pipe wrench for example, normally they will bend nicely and cooperate. Sometimes, however, the steel likes to fight back and make things more difficult. This particular wrench had been tempered a little more than normal and it barely bent before it broke in two.

Just like in anything, when you find yourself in a situation that isn't going how you anticipated or is harder than expected, set your head and dig down a little deeper. You might not end up where you thought you would, but isn't the journey as important as the destination?

Ireland Post 1

I just returned from a series of performances in Ireland. Aside from the formal demonstrations and motivational talks I went there to deliver, I also did a bit of impromptu feats around the country.

After hiking up 1,500 feet and breaking for lunch, I thought this would be a good place to do a traditional feat of strength. With a 1,300 foot vertical rise in the background, I wrap up a 60 D spike (1/4" x 6") in only a thin bandanna and bend it around my index fingers.

Be sure to check back for more from this incredible voyage.

Interesting Spike

I'm always on the look out for new and different items for use in my training and shows. This spike fits right into that. It's made from a piece of 15-1/4" long 1/2" thick rebar. But it gets better, this isn't regular "run of the mill" rebar. This metal has a gray tone to it and felt much tougher than what you might find at a home improvement store at the same length. Plus it is very sharp, check out that chisel point. Ouch!

CR-V Socket Extension

This evening I went to a tool distributors store and was checking out all sorts of different items. While walking down one of the isles I spotted these extension bars for sockets. The one pictured (shown with an 8" adjustable wrench for scale) is labeled as CR-V steel and is just shy of 1/2" diameter by 17-5/8" long. That thing was nasty.

Keeping It Interesting

I like to bend all sorts of different sizes and styles of horseshoes. I also like to bend them into many different designs to keep things interesting. For the most part in performance I'll stick with flattening them out into an "S" shape or crushing them into the "Paperclip", but when I'm just having fun "doing what I do" I like to mix things up now and then. Same goes for training, diet, reading material, etc. Don't fall into a stale boring routine, mix it up every so often and renew your enthusiasm.

Pipe Wrenches

Having some fun with a pair of pipe wrenches. Those "end benders" are nasty.

Leverage Lifting

Yesterday I had a photo shoot and performed a wide array of feats for several hours. Some of which were closing heavy duty grippers, double hub lifting, all sorts of tearing feats and lots of steel bending. Along with the still shots, I also had these feats captured on video. I ended up getting some great footage of the chain break with my hair, bending a framing hammer into an "S" shape, bending a 12" adjustable wrench, and "paper-clipping" a 3/8" x 1" #5 steel draft horseshoe to name just a few.

After all these other feats were performed, I grabbed my big show hammer and headed outside. Performing the hammer lever is a great all around workout for the hands, wrists, and arms. If your not doing these in your training routine your missing out on a great exercise.

Screwdriver Scrolling

I thoroughly enjoy scrolling steel. The bends are complex, and they work the fingers and hands in different ways. Plus, once you're finished you have a one of a kind work of art.

Performing

Here are a few video clips from a performance I gave this morning. Some of the other feats I performed while there were tearing phone books, tearing decks of cards - tore a deck hand cuffed as well, bent a horseshoe, and broke chain with my HAIR. The video was rolling and we captured this crazy #8 break, I ended up breaking a total of 27 links on this one! Stay tuned, this one will be on my upcoming DVD release - it's almost complete and you won't want to miss it!

Drywall Hammer

Sunday afternoon fun, that blade was nasty.

Happy New Years!

I wanted to bring 2009 in with a "BANG"! I knew this wrench would break, however it gave me a little surprise...

3/8" x 12" "S"pike

Last week I posted a 6" spike that I had bent into an "S" design. Early this morning I decided to attempt this style of bend with a 3/8" thick by 12" long steel spike as well. Shown in the photo is the 6" spike and a U.S. quarter for scale along with the 12"er.

The year is almost complete. There is not much left of 2008. Did you make this past year a productive one? Are you ready for the challenge of improving yourself in 2009? As great a year as it has been for me, I'm looking forward to conquering new challenges and advancing all the more in the coming 12 months. Now is the time to make that commitment to yourself!

Visiting Santa

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I thought I had better go see the jolly guy and let him know what's on my "wish list". What else, big shiny horseshoes - LOL!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

"S"pike Bending

My good friend and fellow strongman John McGrath sent me a few spikes recently and said "Can't wait to see what you do to them". I had thought about that for a little while and wanted to do something special for my friend. I decided that since I'm known for bending assorted items into an "S" shape like hammers and adjustable wrenches, why not a six inch spike? Here is the result, what do you think John?