2097: Thor Tools
| Thor Tools |
 Title text: CORRECTION: After careful evaluation, we have determined that the axis label on this chart was printed backward. |
Explanation
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This explanation may be incomplete or incorrect: Add a list of the tools in the comic. Do NOT delete this tag too soon. If you can address this issue, please edit the page! Thanks. |
This comic is listing various hand tools in order of utility and viability as a weapon, besides Thor's actual, enchanted hammer. Hammers are heavy, blunt, and can do large amounts of damage to an opponent, whereas a plane is sharp, but only in one place, and will only inflict surface wounds.
Some of these tools require power, which would require Thor to stay near an outlet or have a power source, such as the circular saw, or jackhammer. However, being the god of lightning may circumvent this. Thor would also need compressed air for the nail gun, only allowing Thor so many shot before reloading the air tank at an outlet.
The nail gun and staple gun would also require nails or staples respectively to function as a weapon. Although Mjölnir is believed to return to Thor if thrown, it's not clear how similar system could work with nails and staples.
In the title text, Munroe says the the order should be reversed, implying Thor armed with a plane would be much more fearsome than with a hammer.
Transcript
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This transcript is incomplete. Please help editing it! Thanks. |
[A timeline labeled "Hand tools Thor could have ended up with" with "Best" on the left and "Worst" on the right.]
[Points on the line are labeled "Hammer", "Axe", "Claw hammer", "Circular saw", "Jackhammer", "Shovel", "Socket wrench", "Bolt cutters", "Hacksaw", "Nail gun", "Staple gun", "Coping saw", "Screwdriver (flat)", "Ball-peen hammer", "Screwdriver (phillips)", "Awl", "Digital Caliper", "Dremel", "Plane"]
[A figure wearing a winged helmet is seen preparing to use: a Circular saw, a Socket wrench, a Staple gun, and a Dremel.]
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I think the comment about the axis direction is based on how you interpret the terms Best and Worst - either for Thor or those who encounter him. Ianrbibtitlht (talk) 17:15, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- I agree. That interpretation should be in the explanation instead of the present one.--Pere prlpz (talk) 19:58, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's also a play on Tools vs Weapons. The chart title is "Tools" of Thor. Thor's hammer and axe are useful weapons, but not useful for building something.172.68.65.228 14:08, 15 February 2019 (UTC)
- Whoops, it's already mentioned in the article. This is not the comment you are looking for. Nothing to see here, move along.172.69.62.220 14:12, 15 February 2019 (UTC)
Many nail-guns use cartridges filled with a combustible material (gunpowder or similar) rather than a supply of compressed air. A blank load of a .22 rimfire pistol cartridge is typical. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powder-actuated_tool 50.202.80.200 18:35, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
Is there a possibility that the reversed axis suggests an (aero)plane as the worst weapon? Bad taste rules it out I suppose. 108.162.212.179 18:46, 11 January 2019 (UTC) Nic
I think a lightning staple/nail gun would be pretty dope...Linker (talk) 18:52, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- Like whenever he staples someone, lighting is summoned from the sky? 42.book.addict (talk) 21:14, 2 February 2024 (UTC)
I've been hit or otherwise injured by most of these, but I do not know of anyone who has been planed, that's how dangerous planes are, everyone knows to be careful. SDSpivey (talk) 19:17, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- I'm not sure if you're being humorous or if you have experience with powered board planers. Are they dangerous? 162.158.78.178 20:37, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's like that World War II story about warplanes returning to base with an especially large amount of bullet holes away from the engine compartment: the reason being that shots to the engine were often fatal to the vehicle. Similarly, there are few people who are left to tell the horrors of plane tool injuries, as they are almost universally fatal. (I'm interpreting OP's post as a joke, for the record)172.69.62.10 02:53, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- I have a neighbor who is missing the tips of several fingers on both hands. When asked what happened he explained that he pushed a board through a power planer without using a push-stick and slipped and the plane took off his fingertips. When asked about his left hand he explained that he used his left hand to push boards through the planer while his right hand was healing. (Yes, the tool most likely was a joiner not a planer, let’s not go down that particular rabbit hole)173.245.54.25 04:55, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- No, quite serious, planes are deceptively dangerous.SDSpivey (talk) 17:57, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's notable that Randall specifies _hand_ tools. He likely meant a hand plane. Having tried to produce the curve in a bow by kneeling over it and scraping toward myself using the leverage of my legs and back, I can see these as potentially being dangerous, too. But most don't appear very dangerous as they have guards preventing deep cutting. 162.158.78.232 15:39, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's like that World War II story about warplanes returning to base with an especially large amount of bullet holes away from the engine compartment: the reason being that shots to the engine were often fatal to the vehicle. Similarly, there are few people who are left to tell the horrors of plane tool injuries, as they are almost universally fatal. (I'm interpreting OP's post as a joke, for the record)172.69.62.10 02:53, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
It's a pity he didn't add "Screwdriver (sonic)" to the chart. JamesCurran (talk) 19:48, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
There are some nailguns that don't use compressed air tanks or combustible materials - they have air compressors in them, powered by drill batteries or wall outlets. 162.158.167.120 20:12, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
Also, unless that's an electric staple gun, the transcript should say nail gun. Look at how it's being held - as if there's a trigger, not as if there's a big handle on the back. 162.158.167.120 20:17, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- It looks like a staplegun to me, which is the most common of the options. I figure the lever is pressed. But that's a good point, his hand is up towards the top, not down towards the bottom for leverage. (edited from previous comment when I realized I was wrong and wanted to talk nicer) 162.158.78.178 20:37, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
Interpretations of items (feel free to change if desired): 162.158.78.178 20:37, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
- Thor holds an adversary who refuses to free hostages, swiping the plane closer and closer to their. Soon chunks of hair are flying. "OH MY GOD DON'T PLANE ME!"
- Thor throws his flying dremel towards the control board of a distant nuclear bomb on a timer, where it _CUTS THE RED WIRE THE TIMER READS 0:00_
- An evil corporation is marketing a new treatment for depression. Thor marches into a demonstration being broadcast worldwide. Brandishing Mjolnir, his digital calipers, he measures the subject's left eyeball. THE TREATMENT HAS GROWN IT BY TWO THOUSANDTHS OF AN INCH.
Actually Mjolnir was supposed to be in original myth a weapon, not a tool. Hammer used as weapon is different from hammer used as a tool; this is even more pronounced for axes: the fighting axe is quite different (less weight, much thinner and sharper blade) than e.g. woodcutter axe. --JakubNarebski (talk) 22:07, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
Soo... I'm guessing that chainsaw was left off because it would require a log axis? 173.245.48.63 22:36, 11 January 2019 (UTC)
Does anyone else fell like the first items are an Infinity War reference?
Depending on which type of digital caliper is wielded, it can be a nasty weapon or more like a rock. The kind that looks like a C-clamp not so fierce. But the Vernier digital caliper can be used like a double sided pick. Imagine Thor driving the inside caliper tines into the side of your head and then spinning the wheel to crack open your skull. Wait... don't imagine that. Fungible (talk) 00:47, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- Would the caliper still function as a measurement tool after this use? 162.158.78.106 15:59, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
It appears to me that a lot of the punchline of the comic is the "dremel", whatever that is, as it is near the right side of the comic and is allegedly what Thor is wielding in the last image. I think it definitely needs further explanation! Maybe I am the only person that has never heard of "dremel" before today, but I doubt it? Even looking it up just tells me that the Dremel company makes "hand held rotary tools", but that doesn't tell me what those are used for, and makes me think of phones... and Wikipedia says they also make other products such as 3D printers... Mathmannix (talk) 12:50, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- The article is seriously missing a list of tools with photos. Could somebody familiar with markup at least make a skeleton table for the rest of us to slowly fill in? I think a dremel is a small powered object like a thick pencil, with a small bit at the end that spins at high speeds. I think you can place the spinning bit against stuff to cut, grind, clean, or polish it, depending on the attachment, not sure, never used one myself. 162.158.78.106 15:59, 12 January 2019 (UTC)
- A Dremel tool is a small motor-powered tool with a locking chuck into which you can insert the shaft of various attachments. Typical attachments include small carbide cutting/grinding heads, thin abrasive cutoff disks, small saw blades, cylindrical abrasive drums, drill bits, soft polishing disks, etc. There are probably hundreds of different attachments available for just about any type of small work requirements. They do indeed run at high speeds, although some of the tools have variable speed control. Their advantage is the ability to control their application on small craft items with extreme precision. Ianrbibtitlht (talk) 04:20, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's more properly called a die grinder or rotary tool. Dremel is simply a brand name that has fallen into regular usage as a generic trademark (much like kleenex, velcro, teflon, etc). That said, most people I talk to have no idea what I mean by "rotary tool" so I've sort of given up on using the tool's actual name. It's important to note that the tool relies on speed rather than torque for performing most functions. A dentist's drill is a good example of the possible application of this tool. 103.22.200.144 13:18, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
- Thor meets Inspector Gadget: Archaeology 172.68.65.228 16:15, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
- I don't know if it was on Randall's mind, but this old TV commercial for a Dremel multi-tool is quite apt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgKLhzArQTI . In the commercial, a narrator enthusiastically rattles off all of the various DIY tasks that can be accomplished by a Dremel... but the punchline is a hammer banging a nail into a piece of wood, the one thing that Dremel can't do (although it can cut the nail). Hawthorn (talk) 13:42, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
- Thor meets Inspector Gadget: Archaeology 172.68.65.228 16:15, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
- It's more properly called a die grinder or rotary tool. Dremel is simply a brand name that has fallen into regular usage as a generic trademark (much like kleenex, velcro, teflon, etc). That said, most people I talk to have no idea what I mean by "rotary tool" so I've sort of given up on using the tool's actual name. It's important to note that the tool relies on speed rather than torque for performing most functions. A dentist's drill is a good example of the possible application of this tool. 103.22.200.144 13:18, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
- A Dremel tool is a small motor-powered tool with a locking chuck into which you can insert the shaft of various attachments. Typical attachments include small carbide cutting/grinding heads, thin abrasive cutoff disks, small saw blades, cylindrical abrasive drums, drill bits, soft polishing disks, etc. There are probably hundreds of different attachments available for just about any type of small work requirements. They do indeed run at high speeds, although some of the tools have variable speed control. Their advantage is the ability to control their application on small craft items with extreme precision. Ianrbibtitlht (talk) 04:20, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
There exist electric jackhammers and pyrotechnic nailguns, so compressed air supply is not essential for Thor. -- 198.41.242.46 17:16, 13 January 2019 (UTC)
I'm not sure if Randall was watching Infinity War closely enough. The axe is far, FAR more powerful than the hammer.
Don't show this comic to the Brits - they'd ban all the tools listed, and more. -- 162.158.88.128 15:16, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
Where's the Lathe of Asgard on this scale? -- 172.69.69.190 16:01, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
Gary Larson HEY, DON'T DISS COW TOOLS
How about "thor's hammer, screwdriver and crescent wrench " (https://www.pinterest.de/pin/482025966347236010/) 162.158.114.76 09:21, 14 January 2019 (UTC)
A lot of cordless tools have a sort of inverter built in. Specifically the 'brushless' ones. Just a three phase AC motor being powered by a rechargable battery: nothing to see here, move along. 162.158.79.33 00:24, 14 September 2020 (UTC)
At least some historians think Thor's/Donar's hammer was originally a double-bladed axe seen in silhouette, then the art was misinterpreted later as a hammer. Walt Simonson, who invented Stormbreaker, did a lot of reading in Norse myth when he was writing the Thor comic and most certainly knows that. Nitpicking (talk) 00:22, 21 May 2023 (UTC)
Why is the nail gun so far towards "worst"? Firing electrically charged nails would be so cool! Psychoticpotato (talk) 18:39, 3 June 2024 (UTC)
