TNT Denver Tool Question??

[TruckSixFF]

I was recently at a convention in Chicago where I got a chance to play around with a TNT Denver Tool a bit. I really like the tool and I have been thinking about keeping it in my gear locker and putting it on the rig at the start of the shift. I am assigned to a 4 man truck company and I really like the fact that it can be used for pretty much everything. It seems good for forcible entry too. But one of the main things I like about it is the short hook end. On fire alarms if I am sitting behind the officer I take a sledge and halligan (now I am thinking a TNT may be better), if I sit behind the driver I take a hook and PW can. The TNT may be nice to take in with the hook and can. Anyone here use it much, any pros/cons? Thanks brothers.

[MemphisE34a]

Just my opinion:

It is an okay tool, but I am not a big fan of "do it all" tools. The pike end makes it kinda awkard when trying to get a good swing on something while trying to use the axe or sledge.

It's too heavy and short to pull any real amount of ceiling.

If you need to force entry use a set of irons. If you need to pull ceiling, use a pike pole.

[PaladinKnight]

We played with one recently. I'm with MemphisE34 on this. Our guys found it lacking.

Better to use the best tool for the job rather than one that only gets you part way.

[BKDRAFT]

Use the right tool for the job at hand. No need to have a tool that does everything "ok."

[Christian1147]

Our Dept has a pair of these on our engine. We must have a different weight than those of you who found it too heavy. I find the head has too little mass to get the necessary force behind the tool to do the work I want.

[FyredUp]

Honestly if you want to carry a splitting maul go buy a splitting maul. Cheaper, lighter, and available locally in almost any hardware store. They can even be had with the Nupla or other synthetic handles.

Then carry a 6 foot FDNY Roof hook as its mate.

Or the Halligan.

[Jwarne2001]

Eh, basically a sledge hammer/swiss army knife. The pike/hook end is almost useless. When we first started putting it on our rigs, some guys got pretty excited....a bigger tool to destroy doors with.

Then we realized we just needed to tune up our halligan technique. Nothing worse than going to a commercial alarm downtown at 2 a.m., bashing the door in with the TNT and having to wait 90 minutes for an RP to come and secure their destroyed door (and not to mention a few ****ed off people.) Or, pop the door with a well placed halligan and still be able to secure it after the alarm was reset. It's a no-brainer.

Now, the TNT is mostly collecting dust.

[fieldseng2]

On my job, every company in the city has a TNT tool. The FF behind the officer (leadoff) is assigned this tool.

I wouldn't call it the tool of all tools, but I have found it very useful many times. Actually, about 5am this morning I used the heck out of it....

We were at a working fire and used the TNT with the halligan as a set of irons for some forced entry (I really never had an issue w/the hook end during this evolution), breached a wall, used it for some overhaul(see below), and opened some basement windows with it.

I agree, I dont think its a good tool to pull ceilings, but what I have found it is very good for is opening plaster/lathe walls. Start by using the hook end like a pike pole to pull down some lathe(the area above your head you may have to bust w/the maul end), then stick the tool inside the wall with the hook end up, use the hook end as a handle and start pulling. You can pull ALOT more lathe off that way in most cases than you can using a regular pike pole. The bonus is it doesnt wear you out as fast if you have alot to pull.

It works pretty well if you have a pile of debris to dig thru too. I have also used it busting thru certain flat roofs of residential dwellings.

Like I said, I won't tell ya its the one and only tool to have, but we use it alot and has works pretty good for us.

[GTRider245]

Just my opinion:

It is an okay tool, but I am not a big fan of "do it all" tools. The pike end makes it kinda awkard when trying to get a good swing on something while trying to use the axe or sledge.

It's too heavy and short to pull any real amount of ceiling.

If you need to force entry use a set of irons. If you need to pull ceiling, use a pike pole.

Do you guys have roof hooks? Most around here still carry pike poles, but the first time I drove a roof hook into a ceiling I swore I would never touch drywall with a pike pole again.

And we have a TNT tool on the truck. It was purchased to replace a broken sledgehammer. I wouldnt say it is a replacement for a set of irons, but it does have its uses.

[Acklan]

I have been carrying one since 1992, and am on my 3rd one (one lost in a building colapse, one stolen off the truck). I love it. I have the 6.5lb 35". The hook works well as a slide hammer. Insert the hook turn 90° and pull. I use it for pulling lap boards during overhaul. It is not for everyone and remember it weights about twice as much as a standard flat axe, 11.5lbs. I tried the 30" for a while and found it to be alittle to short for my liking. For the most part it is a 10lb slede with a prybar at the end of the handle.

[Jasper 45]

The T-N-T tool is not just another gimmick tool. If you’ve handled it, you realize that it is solidly built and very versatile. I’ve carried and used it for six years now, as have several other members in house. We were introduced to it by members of Squad 1, out of Chicago; the tool sees a lot of use in various companies down there.

It is a great all around truck tool. It is very good for forcible entry, and I have found it to be extremely useful in roof operations. The combination maul/axe gives a great amount of flexibility in opening up a roof. And, while I would not recommend the hook end for pulling ceiling, as you will tire out quickly, the hook is extremely useful while pulling the roof.

Maybe it’s just because the axes supplied by the department here suck but, I also find it to be a much better tool in taking doors down; pulling apart window and door frames and while working with an iron. It is also great in pulling walls, plaster and lathe. It's biggest disadvantage is in working over your head with it. It is heavy and will wear you down rather quickly.
The added weight along with the maul being flat, versus the beveling on force axes make them a better pair, in my honest opinion.
I also appreciate the added beef the handle has, as it is incorporated into my bailout kit.

I am very big on the tool, when compared to the traditional fire axe we carry on every riding position. I feel it makes my job easier and was well worth the money spent. I don't look at it as a catch-all, cure-all tool; I basically use it in place of the pick head fire axe in my riding position. No more, no less.

[FiremanLyman]

Not a fan, but play with one for awhile and form your own opinion. I feel the T-N-T is like a Quint apparatus, does five jobs well enough, but none of them as well as the original. I whole heartedly agree with the following;

Just my opinion:

It is an okay tool, but I am not a big fan of "do it all" tools. The pike end makes it kinda awkard when trying to get a good swing on something while trying to use the axe or sledge.

It's too heavy and short to pull any real amount of ceiling.

If you need to force entry use a set of irons. If you need to pull ceiling, use a pike pole.

I have never been a fan of a closet hook in the first place (go use a 6 foot pike in a house), let alone a closet hook with a heavy bulky D-handle. You still will need to carry a halligan to pop well built doors.

Honestly if you want to carry a splitting maul go buy a splitting maul. Cheaper, lighter, and available locally in almost any hardware store. They can even be had with the Nupla or other synthetic handles.

Then carry a 6 foot FDNY Roof hook as its mate.

Or the Halligan.

MY tool of choice has been the maul, mate it with a halligan if needed.