About this project
$135,250
If you're visiting this page after the campaign has ended, you can still get a Cole-Bar! Go to www.colebar.com to order!
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"...the Leatherman of hammers."
"...the Cole-Bar Hammer nails it!"
"...you had me at demolition tool."
"The Cole-Bar Hammer is a new multi-purpose tool with a ratchet that locks at any angle between 0° and 180°"
"I love multifunction wrecking bars -- they're just the right blend of apocalyptic and functional. This looks like a promising addition to the genre."
"The Cole-Bar Hammer Is The Swiss Army Knife Of Demolition Tools"
"They say a man is only as good as his tools, and if you’ve got an affinity for DIY projects, odds are you’d get a kick out of the Cole-Bar. "
Runner Up: Cool Tools Inventors Challenge
"...the coolest hammer video you've ever seen that doesn't include MC" - Rick Leventhal, Fox News
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Stretch Goal
We've reached our initial manufacturing goal (many thanks to all of our backers!) so we are announcing a stretch goal to compliment the reward offerings!
Stretch Goal: Metric Ruler. You asked for it...so here it is! If we reach $125,000, all backers receiving a Cole-Bar will have their hammer upgraded to include a standard ruler on one side of the claw shaft and a metric ruler on the other!
A hammer for the 21st century...and so much more!
The Cole-Bar Hammer is essentially a hammer...
...with a full crow bar built in! Using it's patented locking gear mechanism, the Cole-Bar can be opened and extended from 0-180 degrees and locked in place at 15 degree increments.
The only hammer in the world that turns into a full crow-bar!
A patented gear/ratchet system that locks into place at every click*!
*15 degree increments
Further more, the Cole-Bar can be separated with a button release turning it into a demolition tool.
It uses a standard 1/2" drive to connect the head and claw shafts!
A standard 1/2" drive let's you use the Cole-Bar as a socket wrench.
7 tools in 1
The Cole-Bar combines 7 tools into 1. It is a hammer, a crow bar, a demolition tool, an angle measurement tool, a ruler, a socket wrench and nail pliers.
Reinventing the hammer:
1. Where we are
We have been working on the Cole-Bar Hammer since the late 90s when it was inspired by my late brother, Cole-Norman Hyde and then welded into existence by our father, Lance Hyde. We have made it a mission to bring the Cole-Bar Hammer to the world in his honor.
Since that day, we have produced 4 prototypes with a new mfg. prototype recently completed. After the first 2 prototypes and positive feedback, we decided to consult with other tool makers.
Consulting with existing tool manufacturers has been invaluable. Their advice to us was to prove you had a viable product before you invest in a patent.
In the first part of 2000, we held our first focus group comprised of contractors, gadget folks, and people in our demographic. The focus group led to a re-design of the Cole-Bar, making it lighter and smaller while still retaining strength.
After the re-design, we held a follow up focus group and the feedback was extremely positive! We then proceeded with securing a patent for the Cole-Bar which we were awarded in May of 2011.
2. What we need
We have secured a manufacturer and they have been hard at work on a new prototype (see below). We need your help in funding this project so we can move forward with manufacturing.
The costs involved are:
- building the moulds
- tooling
- building pre-production units
- load testing, legal fees
- marketing
- distribution
We now have our new prototype! Our strategy is to introduce the Cole-Bar at the National Hardware Show while this project is live.
Meet our new prototype!!!
Images of new prototype being built at our mfg.:
From this point, we will analyze and tweak the prototype and move to pre-production. We aim to have 2-3 pre-production units ready for load testing within a month after we sign off on the mfg. prototype.
After thorough testing of the pre-production units, we will make final tweaks/updates and move into full production. We expect our first batch of hammers in the summer and fulfillment on pre-orders to be completed by fall of 2013.
3. Where we're going
Our marketing strategy post Kickstarter leans more towards direct response marketing in the forms of direct response television and website/e-commerce with retail channels on the back end.
During the hardware show, we will be introducing the Cole-Bar to the world, but we will also be working hard to make contact with buyers and distribution partners for the future.
We also have plans in place to begin filming an infomercial this spring/summer with a target launch for local markets in the summer/fall. After we analyze the data from our infomercial response, we will make adjustments and move to a regional campaign and from there to a national campaign by Christmas 2013.
Reinventing the hammer in five steps:
The inspiration
Risks and challenges
The main challenge we face is making sure we build a quality product that will stand up to everyday use. We believe we have built a team of professionals to meet that challenge. We have been patient and used wisdom along the way and we will continue that approach as we move forward.
Specific manufacturing challenges include the heat treating process. This is a difficult process due to the nature of the design of the Cole-Bar and the triangle cut outs. We will most likely have to do a multi-stage heat treating process to ensure strength.
Other challenges include pricing the Cole-Bar where it is attainable for the end user and sustainable for us as a company. Also, making sure we properly load test the tool so we know what it is capable of in terms of leverage.
Learn about accountability on KickstarterFAQ
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Our current prototype is made out of a #45 carbon steel with electro-plating (satin finish). As we move forward, we will be conducting thorough tests on the prototype and pre production units to determine what material is best suited for the Cole-Bar. Once we make that determination, we will update the specs here on Kickstarter. We want the highest grade steel that is still affordable, but strong. We also have to consider heat treating; we want to make sure the material we heat treat fuses with strength without being to brittle considering the impact the head and body will take.
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Once we reach our goal, some of the funding will go towards load testing the pre-production units. When we have completed proper load testing, we will add that to the Cole-Bar spec sheet. An information sheet/instructions will be shipped along with your Cole-Bar and we will post an update here once load testing is completed.
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The current prototype is 43 oz. It's heavier than your typical hammer, but there is nothing typical about the Cole-Bar. Considering it is a hammer and a crow bar with a ratchet to connect the head and claw shafts, it comes in at a nice weight and it feels good in your hands. Of course the production unit may fluctuate but we will be working hard to make it as light as possible without sacrificing strength.
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The Cole-Bar is named after Cole Norman Hyde, the son of the inventor, Lance Hyde. It was Cole who inspired the tool by laying a crow bar down on top of a hammer while working with his father. We dedicate this project and the success of the tool to his memory.
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The current prototype is14.5 " long. The production unit should be the same.
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Right now, what you see in the prototype is pretty close to the initial production offering. After Kickstarter we will be looking into offering the Cole-Bar in different colors and with color options on the handle.
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Right now as it stands, it looks like the Cole-Bar will come in between $79 and $89. We will be able to nail it down (no pun intended...well, maybe just a little) the closer we get to production. We are still determining the best materials to use for the Cole-Bar and this will be a factor in determining the final price point.
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We're looking into it! Stay tuned!
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Once we reach our goal on Kickstarter, we will be investing the funds to take the Cole-Bar to full production. We will also be investing in load testing, product liability, warranties, etc.
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It was written by Brandon Hyde and produced by Michael Hodges of Morgan Falls Media, Atlanta, GA. Just wait till you see our infomercial.
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So glad you asked! As most of you know, if we don't reach our goal, we don't receive any funds. We need all the help we can get. We really want this to succeed so we can get it into your hands and build the brand! Here's how you can help:
Share this link: - http://bit.ly/cole-bar-hammer - on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Youtube, Forums, Blogs, News Media, etc
OR
Share our website, which makes it easy to share in 3 easy steps: www.colebar.com
Tell your friends and neighbors to get on Kickstarter, search for Cole-Bar and back us!
Climb up on your rooftop and shout! Hey, it's worth a try.
Seriously, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering backing us and helping us to REINVENT THE HAMMER!!!
Rewards
Funding period
- (60 days)