Tools

If you've spent a lot of time in the NW or standing around campfires you may have come across the game "Nails," also known as Stump. If you haven't, it is a really fun and easy to play game that tests your skills with a hammer. Here's what you need to play the Game of Nails A fairly straight cut section of tree stump that can be stood up to a height above your knees and below your waist. Typically two log sections stacked on top each other is just right. A hammer. (Need a hammer?) Nails (4-5 inches tall are best) Nails can come loose so make sure to wear safety glasses or eye protection. Some amount of light, so you can see the hammer. The Object of the Game Each person gets a nail. Lightly tap your nail into the stump so that it stands upright. When it's your turn, you try to hit your opponents nails into the stump. Your opponent is ... Read more

AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. You can see our selection of AGM batteries online here. AGM Batteries are a good choice for anyone looking for a new battery to put in their boat.  AGM's are spill proof because the acid absorbs into fine fiberglass crystals inside the battery.  Having a spill proof battery on rough seas and choppy rivers really boosts the confidence of any boater out on the water. Learn more about DuraStart--made in America batteries right here. AGM batteries have a low internal resistance while still maintaining a quick response time with hig... Read more

Mastering the art of welding can be a rewarding and useful skill.  Things break, and they need repaired around the ranch, farm, shop or home.  When it comes to metal repair, welding has long been the reliable and standard solution. But welding isn't something you just learn by reading a book or watching a few videos on the intrawebs. To really learn welding, you have to flip down your welding helmet and let the sparks fly. As my high school Ag-Ed teacher would say, "You gotta burn to learn." Lincoln Electric Welder Review: Some Background Information My high school mentor taught me many useful skills that are still with me today, but my overwhelming fear of electrical currents challenged him the most.  He taught me welding safety, how to correctly operate a welder and then watched until I was confident enough to explore on my own.  S... Read more

Trailers. Hauling. Cargo. At North 40 Outfitters, we've seen it all hay bales, logs, tractors- classic cars. When you need to haul something that reflects your passion- or impacts your bottom line, you want to know that cargo is secure. We stock a wide range of trailers and towing accessories and have been part of the hauling game for more than a decade- so we know what straps to use, what tie downs, what hitches, etc. Here are some common use cases: Construction: securing table saws, ladders, air compressors, and shovels and rakes Moving: securing mattresses, head/foot boards, dressers, tables, filing cabinets, and any and all appliances Camping: securing tables/chairs, kayaks, mountain bikes, and coolers The Erickson E-Tracks are designed to control your cargo during your haul. Let's look at the different ways you can use the Erickso... Read more

Bully Tools  "For many years I would buy a rake, hoe, shovel, or some such tool. Many times I would return to the store the following spring to show them the rake with the handle that pulled out from the head, the broken shovel, or the bent hoe. I admit that I am a bit tough on tools but, jeez, they should be tougher than that. I got so exasperated. When I got the opportunity to sell Bully Tools I was excited because I AM a tool user and I could see that these tools are built DIFFERENTLY than others. Hold any American Made Bully Tool up against any foreigner (just about all other brands are made in China, Mexico, etc.) and you see and feel the difference. Use a Bully Tool and you won't be back next year to replace it! Check out our selection of Bully Tools online here. Attached are some pics from the (unfinished) project I built with a ... Read more

Your local North 40 Outfitters is having a Milwaukee Tool Event at various locations throughout the month. There will be demos, GIVEAWAYS, experts onsite and much more! These deals won't last so get in to #yourlocal40 and check out these savings! Read more

Being able to determine the grade of bolts you purchase can be the difference between a solid, durable joining of two materials, or the failure of that bolt. Below we will help you to first identify the difference in bolt grades on visual inspection. After this article, you'll be able to walk in to your local hardware store, pick up a bolt (as long as it is one of these common types), and be able to tell what type it is, and the basic working loads you can expect from each bolt. How to Visually Determine Bolt Grades Bolt grades are easy to determine and important to recognize for the right application. This is a list and description of the most common bolt grades. Grade 2 Bolts Grade 2 bolts are the most common grade of bolts and are also the least expensive. Grade 2 bolts are found mostly in household fasteners like carriage bolts, and ... Read more

Hoof Jack Equine Innovations & Bellota Finish Rasp I've been finishing horses for my brother for probably about 8 years now. Every summer since my freshman year in college. We work out of Great Falls, Montana so I've worked on rodeo stock, draft horses, pack mules, reiners, cutting horses every kind of horse really. Two things you know you need when you finish horses: a stand and a file (you also need a clinch block, nail clippers, a gouge, a finish hammer, maybe a hot rasp for reiners/ropers, plus miscellaneous shoeing equipment but this is a spotlight on the Hoof Jack and the Bellota Finish Rasp). If you're looking for a clench block, clench cutter, or any of the other tools I mentioned above, they are online here. You can see the utility of the Hoof Jack right away those magnets on the side are heavy-duty and can hold stacked nip... Read more

The efficacy of the Carhartt Pyramex Billings safety glasses, the functionality, the fit- and most importantly the price our store is able to get them to you that's the subject of this blog. These glasses are available at our stores right now at a price of under 5 dollars. You can't beat that. Carhartt Pyramex teamed up to get you these glasses at a ridiculous price. The glasses my brother is using in this video are the Carhartt + Pyramex Billings model- price? $4.99 yeah... $4.99 in USD. Shop for your Carhartt Pyramex Billings safety glasses here. And, well- I've used my brother once again for a tester of our products. He is a farrier out of Great Falls, Montana that only uses handmade, bar stock shoes on the horses. The argument for handmade horseshoes versus keg shoes- that isn't the subject for this blog. If you have your own though... Read more

Just let me preface this "Gone Logging, Montana" blog post: Sam owes Jake and me dinner. And not a Tombstone pizza from the gas station either. I mean a real dinner or a Howard's pizza at the office. Here's how this whole project started. Monday afternoon, 4 pm, the Great Falls office: Sam walks in and says: "Jake, Cutter. I have an idea." I've only been working here for two months, but I believe these words will come to strike a note of trepidation, perhaps even full-blown anxiety into my heart if what follows them is anything like what happened after I heard these words first voiced. 90% of the time I am thinking about food (like the time we had to "field test" Wheat Montana cookies in the office), so my first thought was, "Are we leaving before or after lunch?" But no one could tell me a definite time, and Jake (who's worked here fo... Read more

This No Spill gas can is the ticket to spill-less dispensation of gas. You can use it on any size tank, whether you can see a fill-line or not (we discovered this neat little trick while logging in Monarch, Montana link to Gone Loggin' blog). Without further ado: Welcome to our own rendition of the 1980's favorite, "No Spill Jill, the Demo." Here is how it works: when you depress the fill button (it's literally a button, no more inserting Crazy Straws and securing threads and getting gas all over your hands circa 1990) you just tip and press. Tip. And. Press. When the gas in the tank reaches the nozzle, it trips the built-in vent and the little white button you see there will pop up and hit your finger. If you're interested in procuring your own No Spill Gas Can, click here to order yours today. You can see the value of this if you imagi... Read more