Junkyard Wars
Remember Junkyard Wars? It was a show on TLC where two teams would compete to build contraptions using scrap metal and misc. parts.
The challenges would vary, such as to add remote control capabilities to a gas engine car, while also weaponizing it to be pitted against the other team’s remote control battle car.
Junkyard Wars was awesome. Is there anything like it today?
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Bosch Superbowl Ad
Bosch uploaded a 60-second version of their Superbowl 2025 ad. Here’s the clip:
Thoughts?
I enjoyed the silliness, but the Macho Man Randy Savage impersonation still feels too soon to me.
Haas Automation Fined After Reaching Settlements
Haas Automation, which manufactures advanced CNC and manufacturing equipment, was fined over $2.5 million in civil penalties for engaging in prohibited export transactions.
Fines were imposed on them by the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) for 41 violations, and by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for 21 violations.
In announcements about their respective settlements, both agencies reported that Haas cooperated with the investigation and took remedial efforts.
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SawStop Patent Infringement Lawsuit was Dismissed
In mid 2024, SawStop Sued Another Table Saw Maker over Safety Tech Patents.
I recently checked for updates and found that the lawsuit has been dismissed, likely due to Felder’s challenge.
In a motion for dismissal, Felder argued that there was i) insufficient service of process in how SawStop filed suit against a subsidiary rather than the parent company, ii) a lack of personal jurisdiction over Felder as they don’t have any physical presence in the USA, and iii) insufficient allegations of patent infringement.
It seems that Felder succeeded in convincing the courts, because a 60-day order of dismissal was filed at the end of July.
On a separate note, there have been no new announcements, findings, or public-facing discussions from the CPSC regarding table saw safety regulations. It has been nearly a year since the last meaningful activity.
Robert
Bureau of Industry & Security, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs indicates that the Haas fines were for sales to Russian and Chinese entities.
ken
Not a fan of the Bosch ad. It’s better than the stupid MegaWatt crew stuff they did, but as a Bosch tools fan I don’t think the commercial highlights the brand’s strengths at all.
Aside from the “Freak” impact driver being used, how would the average consumer know anything more about their tools from this ad? They had a new 18V laser randomly positioned on a shelf, but I don’t think this is a visually-distinctive or obvious tool for most people. Instead of showing tools, Macho Man does high kicks and punches while using a barely audible, guttural voice to say “rotary hammers” and “miter saws”. I actually had to listen three times to figure out what he was even saying. Even the use of the “Freak” impact driver failed to show the “killer feature” of that tool.
The appliance references were audible and straightforward. And I do own a Bosch dishwasher that has worked like an absolute champ at least once per day for a decade.
Maybe I’m just too serious, but I fail to see how this ad will help Bosch make inroads in the US tool market.
Stuart
I think their goal is to improve brand awareness and familiarity.
Scott F
They had a good hook, but went into 30 seconds of wasted time. There should have been some other tools/appliances integrated into the skit. Or find a way to slogan-ify the appliance names so I’m singing it in my head after the commercial. Meh.
I remember watching a few episodes of junkyard wars at a somewhat young age, but it never caught on for me. Might have just been bad timing.
Jacob M
I consider some of the YouTube channels that focus on ridiculous builds of various things (think 100hp Barbie Jeeps and the like) to be sort of a successor to Junkyard Wars. I’d bet the show was a major influence on many smaller content creators these days, although it’d sure be fun to see a studio-backed, competitive remake of the show. Maybe Netflix or the like might see an interest in a revival?
eddiesky
The thing with youtubers is that they really try to make something (rockets with cameras and stabilizing fins, etc), or Colin Furze that just makes some silly and dangerous stuff…the fans determine the show. Junkyard wars was Discovery channel crap. Rather see reboot of STEM doing Robotwars…with AI and such…now THAT would be popcorn time!
Still, I’ve seen some youtubers get picked up on TOH or other shows…
Stuart
Depends on the YouTuber. You really have to sort through massive amounts of nonsense to find someone making something interesting.
There are a few I like, but at some point every project is selling something, such as lessons, plans, or courses.
Nathan
Junkyard wars was awesome but so staged.
Sadly on Amazon prime there is a similar show that started last year or so. The name escapes me right now but if I see it tonight I’ll post back
Stuart
“Look, the red team found a CO2 tank they can use with their pneumatics cylinders!”
I didn’t think about whether it was staged or not at the time, i just enjoyed the builds and problem-solving.
Nathan
Always . Oh they got the front of a range Rover oh and it’s a V8…… This other show I’m talking about is so similar it’s even British
Nathan
Incidentally it’s called scrapyard supercar
MM
They certainly seeded the junkyard with essential items, I remember figuring that out when contestants found things like fancy solid-fuel rocket motors and large, intact, rolls of mylar film in the back of random cars. They weren’t just items you’d never expect to find in a junkyard, but they were also strangely appropriate for the builds underway. That said I loved the show and it was a ton of fun!
MM
Oh, and that reminds me. Does anyone else remember the show “The Secret Life of Machines”? That was another great one that featured crazy contraptions.
Robert Boerner
The creator of the series (Tim Hunkin) released restored versions of each episode on his YouTube channel —> https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtaR0lZhSyAPLuoSbMA29s3Ry8ZUvKff3&si=72OQLKWUriXKFNME
He also created a new made for YouTube series called, ‘The Scecret Life of Components’
Alexk
Selling prohibited tools should include prison terms.
The amount of a fine is not enough to make a company play by the rules. My friend worked for IBM and they sold certain super computers, but not ones that could endanger our country, financially or militarily.
Another Bob
Agree. In the old days we would call this treason.
However, this situation seems rather murky. One of the instances was Abamet a Russian authorized distributor/importer. I can only imagine the mind-boggling compliance paperwork trying to export this stuff to a country that is basically a foreign adversary, but does have legitimate industries they are allowed to work with.
It’s also quite easy for the Russian, Chinese etc clandestine services to place orders through a legitimate business and transfer the equipment to .mil. Heck, USA did it to get the titanium from Russia to build SR-71 in the middle of the Cold War.
I would hope Haas corporate does not enabled or endorsed selling to foreign adversaries. Appears they made some stupid decisions and got caught up in the 18billion Russia spent on machinery and tooling the last couple years.
Other high profile technology companies (chips) had hardware in downed/recovered munitions. So this is a systemic issue across multiple industries.
Speaking from experience, if the fines are big enough it will change corporate attitudes. Awareness, and compliance with those rules will become extremely important. Might even close off some markets for fear of legal issues.
OldDominionDIYer
With the CSPC being closed by the current administration, it looks like the SAWSTOP tech will likely just stay with them thank goodness.
Jason
Yes, because requiring manufacturers to adhere to some level of safety standards and then take responsibility when they put out an unsafe product is such a terrible thing.
Those agencies, rules and laws all came about because industry doesn’t want to bother or spend a dime they don’t have to.
Goodie
Safety regulations are written in blood.
Mopar
Safety Third.
https://mikerowe.com/2025/02/honoring-safety-third/
S
Honestly though, at what point does it stop?
We can clamor for “safety” all day. But at what point do we dull all the knife edges, and hand out plastic safety scissors like candy?
In this case, we’re operating a machine that has 3 horses worth of power driving a 10″ blade covered in razor sharp carbide pieces at 4,000 rpm. Many people don’t even drive their cars hard enough to get that rotating assembly to 4,000 rpm.
The manufacturer can make all the safety stuff they want, the installation contractor can ensure that the saw is made as safe as possible using a combination GFCI and arc fault breaker.
But at some point, we need to point to the end user and say “HEY, DUMMY! DON’T DO THAT”. Where does that line come in? Or are we perpetually blaming someone else for our own safety?
Contrary to OSHA or any safety briefing, if I’m doing a task, and I want to finish it without blood loss or limb loss, it’s up to ME to do that task in a way that minimizes my own risk to injury. And with a table saw, sawstop tech or not, it means staying away from the violently spinning pointy thing.
Safety has it’s place, but I’ve really got issues with OSHA offloading it’s responsibilities to the deepest pockets of manufacturers and employers at every turn.
Meatbingo
I had the pleasure of appearing on the UK (predecessor) of Junkyard Wars called Scrapheap Challenge (same production company/team etc.), and although certain components were absolutely placed/staged, you had a decent amount of free-reign on what you built. Great memories and my ugly (and younger) face is still on YouTube