Just a reminder: eveyryone should carry a hammer to break car windows

[question everything]

if stuck in water

http://www.sears.com/search=emergency%20hammer%20to%20break%20glass




(am not promoting Sears, Amazon has them, too)

[kairos12]

1. With safety belt cutter.

[question everything]

34. Right. Forgot to mention it. Thanks (nt)

[John1956PA]

35. Also, a spring-loaded centering punch will shatter a side window, BUT NOT A WINDSHIELD.

Last edited Thu Aug 31, 2017, 07:16 AM - Edit history (1)

Some drivers use an eighth-inch metal cable (or chain) to attach a centering punch to their vehicle's dashboard. Pressing the point of the punch firmly against a side window should shatter the window within an instant.

ON EDIT: Many thanks to the poster below who pointed out that the tool will not shatter a windshield. In my original post, I mistakenly wrote that the tool would shatter a windshield.

[SethH]

36. that sounds too fun

if I had one of those, I don't think I could resist the temptation to try it out.

[rusty quoin]

55. I didn't know. I have that.

[juxtaposed]

56. it will crack the windshield but,will not shatter it. You use this on rear and side windows.

[John1956PA]

64. Thank you for correcting me on this point (slight pun).

I have edited my post to point out that the center punch will shatter a side window, but not a windshield.

[juxtaposed]

69. is that a 1956 continental, almost bought one a few years ago!

[John1956PA]

70. It is a '56 or '57. I pulled the photo off of the Internet.

I have never owned one of these cars. For many years, I dreamed about owning a 1958 Mark III, which is technically a Lincoln, even though some have suggested it is a Continental. Maintaining one of those cars, which were all convertibles, would require great commitment and cost outlay, which I can not afford.

Getting back to the 1956-57 Mark II Continentals, I think that, about ten years ago, it was possible to pick up a decent, worked-over unit for under $15k. Back then, a very nice unit could purchased for under $25k. It seems to me that the Mark II sale prices have increased since then. I am not in a position to invest in a classic car of this type. Although the maintenance costs would not be as steep as those for the '58, they would still be high. If you are able to invest in classic cars, I hope that you find good deals on models which appeal to you and which increase in value.

[juxtaposed]

71. if you are not sure, it's a 56 continental. never a lincoln! The most expensive car built in 56.

In the world at that time the best luxury car.

[Boxerfan]

2. Do not use a regular hammer unless there is nothing else.

They bounce back after a amazingly hard blow.

You need a sharp tip-as the picture above shows.

An automatic center punch is a really easy tool for the job but wear thick gloves as your hand tends to push into the glass.

Auto yard work tells me so.

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. What about those with limited arm/hand strength?

Would this type of tool be effective?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

59. You should be able to manage.

Pick one up at the home store and give it a try. There are different settings for how much of a mark you want to make when using it as a punch. Press it against the steel display frame in the store.

I use them for marking tile for drilling. The punch makes a small chip in ceramic tile or natural stone. The chip makes drilling easier as the drill bit doesn't travel.

Though I don't see why one would use the punch on the windshield unless it is a last resort. The windshield is laminated with plastic so it would take a lot of force to get out even after the glass shatters.

All the other car windows will collapse in to mostly harmless tiny chunks.

Tempered glass is REALLY strong. But it is susceptible to concentrated force of other hard surfaces. That's why the center punch works.

More than a few people have learned the hard way setting expensive tempered shower doors down on tile. My neighbor moved a shower door we were installing in her bath. We had it set on towels but she moved it to clean. She set it on the tile and a piece of the corner popped off. She's very lucky it didn't explode in her hand.

[dixiegrrrrl]

66. Just ordered one from Amazon, 9 bucks. Thanks for the video.

Thanks for the video. I might need to keep a glove in the car, have hand problems.
Where we live is usually "safe" during hurricanes, but if we ever had to evacuate, flooded roads could be anywhere.

when I think how many people died in that storm because they did not know/realize how deep the water
was on the road, or got carried to deeper water because they did not realize 2 feet of water can float a car...yikes.

[mitch96]

32. An automatic center punch is a really easy tool for the job

The trick is to either smack or center punch in the corner of the glass, like where the locking button use to be. It just crumbles.. Now getting to it in a hurry is gonna be interesting. First remove your seatbelt and lower the window or smash and out you go.. You have about 20 seconds.
I think you can get a little holder for the window hammer that attaches just under the steering wheel.
I live in So Fla and we have lots of canals that people drive into with not so good outcomes... I keep a center punch in the glove box just in case..
m

[Shrike47]

37. Mine is attached to the driver's door pocket, right by my left knee.

[IggleDuer]

3. Would six-inch stiletto heels work?

off

[underpants]

8. Ouch

[Phentex]

12. Ha!

Good one!

[question everything]

52. In the Weather channel clip, below #29

they do mention high heels shoes..

[customerserviceguy]

60. You're wicked

but in a fun sort of way. Welcome!

[dembotoz]

4. Happy u added if in water thing

[bellmartin]

24. Indeed. I was just picturing for the increasingly-likely post-apocalyptic war zone

[MineralMan]

5. Yes. One of those needs to be in the center console of

every motor vehicle, or somewhere it can be accessed quickly. You just never know when you might need it to save a life, perhaps your own.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

51. That's exactly where mine is.

[MineralMan]

65. Yup. I have one in both cars.

I hope I never need to use them.

[Girard442]

6. Mythbusters did the submerged car escape.

Don't expect to break tempered glass with your fist or foot. "Kingsman" is just a movie.

[mitch96]

29. So did the Weather Channel

Got to give the lady props for doing this scary thing...

m

[question everything]

50. This is scary. Good for them to show this

and, of course, the woman there is quite athletic...

[customerserviceguy]

61. Thanks for posting this

I sure learn a lot of things from the Mythbusters team! They make science fun.

[Warren DeMontague]

7. if I had a hammer...

[MuseRider]

9. I put those exact items

in my husband and son's stockings one year for Christmas. I have mine in my car door pocket, my husband does as well. I should check my son's and see if they do because if they don't I will get them another one.

[drray23]

10. yeah especially with modern cars where lowering the windows is electric.

not sure if it would work when the car falls into the water or just short out..

[Thor_MN]

21. 12 Volt systems will work fine submerged.

They will not short out, but the battery will eventually fail if submerged.

The real problem is that as soon as the car starts sinking, a pressure differential forms that prevents the door from opening or the window from opening, power or manual.

Additionally, you may not be able swing a hammer with enough force under water. Water is much denser than air, if you wait until the water covers your arms, you may not be able to break the side window.

A better option is a spring loaded center punch. Place it against the window and push - no swing needed and will cause any side window to shatter into thousands of little pieces.

https://www.google.com/search?q=spring+loaded+center+punch&oq=spring+loaded+center+punch&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0l4.30503.35678.0.40253.8.7.1.0.0.0.252.1172.0j6j1.7.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.8.1216...0i7i30k1j0i13k1.aoN9UXbK_Co

[CentralMass]

30. I keep a spring loaded center punch in my glove box.

https://m.grainger.com/mobile/product/3G833?cm_mmc=PPC:+Google+PLA&s_kwcid=AL!2966!3!166589249416!!!!104636199957!&ef_id=WXe-4wAAAFMtX0Ub:20170830205853:s&kwid=productads-adid^166589249416-device^m-plaid^104636199957-sku^3G833-adType^PLA

However the belt cutter is another issue.

[Thor_MN]

39. The knife in my pocket will take care of that if need be.

[CentralMass]

44. +1

[Adrahil]

11. Those are good. I use these....

https://www.amazon.com/StatGear-Tactical-Auto-Rescue-Tool/dp/B0085P4TWW/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1504122702&sr=8-6&keywords=rescue+tool

Belt cutter, knife (with serration incase you need to saw) and a SPRING-LOADED window breaker. Requires less room to use.... just press against the windshield and POP.

Also, it's hard to swing a hammer under water and get the right striking angle.

[redwitch]

14. Both of my sons are getting these for Christmas.

Great gift idea!

[Adrahil]

15. I bought my daughter one as soon as she got a learner's permit. NT

[CentralMass]

31. Nice.

[Cirque du So-What]

13. A spring-loaded center punch works too

So do 'ninja rocks' (illegal in California), which are shards of broken spark plug ceramic insulator - best broken up with a regular hammer in an old sock.

[Mosby]

17. they are hard to find

I found one a while back at Harbor Freight.

[Thor_MN]

22. Hard? Any hardware store, home center, any where that sells tools will have them.

Spring loaded center punches are a better tool than a hammer to break a car side window than a hammer.

I've seen videos of reporters bouncing hammers of car windows. One push of a punch will shatter it, incidentally much more discretely than a big swing of a hammer.

[Mosby]

40. That's not my experience

When I looked for one about 10 years ago I couldn't find one at home depot, ace or true value.

[Thor_MN]

41. Two minutes with Google. Most of that trying to highlight to copy.

Home Depot
Model # 70079H
Internet #206007134
Store SKU #1001389632


Ace
Item no: 25787 | 038728310620

True Value
GENERAL TOOLS MFG model # 77 item # 601823

[Mosby]

42. That's great they have them now.

The one at harbor freight is about 25% the price of the HD husky one.

It's made of brass and chrome vanadium steel and it's only $3.99.


https://www.harborfreight.com/spring-loaded-center-punch-621.html

[Thor_MN]

45. Oh sorry, didn't realize that you were still living 2007.

By the way, the Powerball numbers for 9/22/2007 are going to be 04,09,18,43,55 with PB 03

Enjoy.

[cwydro]

43. Do you know what the word "discretely means"?

And it is different from "discreetly."

Two different words, and neither of them fits in your sentence. Look 'em up.

[Thor_MN]

46. Aren't you special?

I admire your ability to think you know what I am trying to say.

Guess what I'm thinking now.

[cwydro]

48. i really don't care what you're thinking.

But I do know you have no grasp of vocabulary.

Did you look up those two words?

Nah, you didn't.

[Thor_MN]

49. Then why bother replying to me?

Your actions don't match your words, clearly I have no fucking clue what you are thinking...

[grantcart]

62. works for me

apart or detached from others; separate; distinct:
six discrete parts.

[Kablooie]

16. A friend of mine drowned in his car.

He let another person drive and they went over a cliff into the ocean on highway 1. One passenger survived. Horrible and tragic.

[question everything]

53. Oh, this is horrible. I am not even sure about how fast one has to work in an ocean

I think that all the examples are for creeks, rivers, or flooded roads.

[icymist]

18. Can't afford or find a hammer? Try a broken spark plug ceramic.

The volume is recorded real low in this one:

[oneshooter]

19. There are probably some locations where having this item

"readily available" to the driver and/or passengers is illegal. Check your local laws.

[lpbk2713]

23. I have one of these under my driver's seat.

I see it as a multi-purpose device.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

25. I find that a Slim Jim works better, is much quieter and doesn't make a mess! 😏

What? Oh! Nevermind!

[Warpy]

26. Good advice

Flash flood water here moves so fast that 6-8 inches can take small cars and it gets deep very fast.

I see clouds in the hills and flowing water in a deep dip in a road, I stop and wait the half hour or so it takes to go away.

[Not Ruth]

27. $5

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-6580-Automatic-Center-Punch/dp/B0037UUO60/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1504126530&sr=8-3&keywords=spring-loaded+center+punch

[LSFL]

28. Oh...if stuck in water. ...

I have been using mine on pro trump bumper sticker whips. After all they broke the back glass of my cherokee because of a Hillary sticker. I figure I might get the culprit eventually. Anyway, thay all deserve it!

[TheBlackAdder]

33. What's a Sears?

...just kidding!

[GoCubsGo]

38. Or, a ResQMe.

It breaks glass and cuts seat belts. You can get them for as little as five bucks. Available at Walmart, on Amazon, eBay, and numerous other web sites.

[Stinky The Clown]

47. That's a good tool because of the seat belt cutter, but maybe a better way is a center punch

A spring loaded center punch, to be exact. Harbor Freight has them for just a few bucks, but really you can get them anywhere tools are sold.

In practice, you need only press the point against the glass. No need to cock or arm it. Just push it into the glass. The internal spring sets itself with pressure and when it reaches full travel, releases with more than enough force to break the glass. The required strength to do this is remarkably low. Even the elderly or physically challenged, it seems to me, have a better chance for success that even with that pointed hammer.

Here is a youtube showing it in action.

[MrScorpio]

54. The windows in my Olive are manual

Remember those?

[riversedge]

57. so are mine.

[Best_man23]

58. So carrying a picture of tRump won't do the trick??

...I have spring loaded center punches in my cars.

I've thought about the seat belt cutter, as I experienced the jammed seat belt latch in a non-emergency situation.

[raven mad]

63. They work.

Another source, that includes a seatbelt cutter, as this one does:



https://www.amazon.com/Towallmark-Seatbelt-Cutter-Breaker-Emergency/dp/B002AMAXNA

[hunter]

67. If you think an automobile is your best means of escape from catastrophe you are likely wrong.

Especially when everyone else is thinking the same thing.

[Leith]

68. Here Is Something Already in Your Car

Probably. The headrest. This site shows you how.