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Toolbox Talk: Tall Tales and Legends of Pipefitters, Welders, and Other Dudes With Trucks
TOOLBOX TALKHave you ever seen one of those jacked-up trucks drive by, and you thought you knew everything about that person that you needed to know? Toolbox Talk might make you think again!This book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Tradies who are hard at work keeping the lights on, the fuel tanks full, and the goods and services moving. Toolbox Talk is a collection of humorous stories inspired by the authors’ careers in the industrial sector. Ryan and Tim share the laughs, danger, and downright absurdity that all tradespeople have encountered.
You will be entertained with tales of confrontations with coworkers, spouses, and nature. What happens when several men are plunked into the middle of nowhere with little to do and nothing but time? What do pipefitters and welders do when no one is looking? What happens to a long-distance relationship after years on the road? Why would you put glue THERE? What IS a flange anyway?
Sprinkled with a handful of more serious tales about struggles with addiction and depression, Toolbox Talk invites readers to celebrate the construction workers, plumbers, electricians, welders, and the average Joes who keep society from falling apart.
Join Toolbox Talk and discover the secrets of a world that no one talks about.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Ryan Hanson started working in the trades as a Welder’s Helper in 1998, then became a Pipefitter. He only meant to keep out of trouble until he decided what he really wanted to do with his life. Twenty-some years later, he’s still trying to figure that out, but he’s happy where he’s landed, and it’s been quite a ride. His rotator cuffs are so messed up from working that he needs a week to recover if he throws a baseball. This is his second book, both of which were written with his pal and frequent collaborator, Tim Ebl. He hopes to write another very soon.
Tim Ebl is a father of three children and is happily married. He was a pipeliner, then a welder. He moved on to become a pipefitter, and that led to supervisory and quality control positions. After working with his hands and lifting heavy tools for years, Tim uses yoga to keep his body from seizing up. In his spare time, he wrote and published three books. Tim is a certified meditation coach. He worked on one book with a co-author about how meditation saved him from a devastating mid-life crisis, and how anyone could use mindfulness to improve their life.
Tim and Ryan also like to talk to each other about whatever they find amusing on the Unreliable Narrator Podcast.
You will be entertained with tales of confrontations with coworkers, spouses, and nature. What happens when several men are plunked into the middle of nowhere with little to do and nothing but time? What do pipefitters and welders do when no one is looking? What happens to a long-distance relationship after years on the road? Why would you put glue THERE? What IS a flange anyway?
Sprinkled with a handful of more serious tales about struggles with addiction and depression, Toolbox Talk invites readers to celebrate the construction workers, plumbers, electricians, welders, and the average Joes who keep society from falling apart.
Join Toolbox Talk and discover the secrets of a world that no one talks about.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Ryan Hanson started working in the trades as a Welder’s Helper in 1998, then became a Pipefitter. He only meant to keep out of trouble until he decided what he really wanted to do with his life. Twenty-some years later, he’s still trying to figure that out, but he’s happy where he’s landed, and it’s been quite a ride. His rotator cuffs are so messed up from working that he needs a week to recover if he throws a baseball. This is his second book, both of which were written with his pal and frequent collaborator, Tim Ebl. He hopes to write another very soon.
Tim Ebl is a father of three children and is happily married. He was a pipeliner, then a welder. He moved on to become a pipefitter, and that led to supervisory and quality control positions. After working with his hands and lifting heavy tools for years, Tim uses yoga to keep his body from seizing up. In his spare time, he wrote and published three books. Tim is a certified meditation coach. He worked on one book with a co-author about how meditation saved him from a devastating mid-life crisis, and how anyone could use mindfulness to improve their life.
Tim and Ryan also like to talk to each other about whatever they find amusing on the Unreliable Narrator Podcast.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 23, 2023
I received an advance review copy from BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The title of this book made me laugh and it's always interesting to me to read about jobs of tradespeople because without them, the world would definitely grind to a screeching halt.
Fun, lighthearted book.
The title of this book made me laugh and it's always interesting to me to read about jobs of tradespeople because without them, the world would definitely grind to a screeching halt.
Fun, lighthearted book.
May 25, 2023
I received an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This isn’t my usual type of reading material but I thought the premise sounded interesting.
This is a book of short - sometimes very short - stories of the working and leisure hours of construction workers in Canada.
I found it interesting, sometimes funny sometimes sad on one occasion the tale made me very angry at the stupidity of some people.
I was deeply disturbed by the amount of drug and alcohol misuse which according to these tales seem to be pretty standard in Canadian construction. I realise that long periods of absence from home in often seedy and downright dreadful conditions must be a major contributory factor, but the narrators seemed to take the drug and alcohol problem with a sort of shrug of dismissal. I found that pretty shocking.
It’s also pretty crude, however it is honest and sounds authentic and worth dipping into
This isn’t my usual type of reading material but I thought the premise sounded interesting.
This is a book of short - sometimes very short - stories of the working and leisure hours of construction workers in Canada.
I found it interesting, sometimes funny sometimes sad on one occasion the tale made me very angry at the stupidity of some people.
I was deeply disturbed by the amount of drug and alcohol misuse which according to these tales seem to be pretty standard in Canadian construction. I realise that long periods of absence from home in often seedy and downright dreadful conditions must be a major contributory factor, but the narrators seemed to take the drug and alcohol problem with a sort of shrug of dismissal. I found that pretty shocking.
It’s also pretty crude, however it is honest and sounds authentic and worth dipping into
June 3, 2023
Startling, enlightening, and raw.
I must give you fair warning. This book contains stories that are funny, startling, enlightening, and raw. Toolbox Talk is a collection of tales from two workers who live the fly-in fly-out trade life in Canada. This collection is clearly for an adult audience and it deals with male bonding, drug use, drug testing on work sites, relationships, and a work environment that most of us can barely imagine. It is a fascinating collection and the two authors don't hold back. It is difficult to assess how much of the stories are true, but clearly, they are authentic. Ebl and Hanson provide insight into the pipefitters and welders' extreme lifestyle. Sometimes they share too much, but they write well and their stories are easy to read. Health and safety have a different meaning in these tales, but luckily, they have survived to share their experiences.
I must give you fair warning. This book contains stories that are funny, startling, enlightening, and raw. Toolbox Talk is a collection of tales from two workers who live the fly-in fly-out trade life in Canada. This collection is clearly for an adult audience and it deals with male bonding, drug use, drug testing on work sites, relationships, and a work environment that most of us can barely imagine. It is a fascinating collection and the two authors don't hold back. It is difficult to assess how much of the stories are true, but clearly, they are authentic. Ebl and Hanson provide insight into the pipefitters and welders' extreme lifestyle. Sometimes they share too much, but they write well and their stories are easy to read. Health and safety have a different meaning in these tales, but luckily, they have survived to share their experiences.
June 17, 2023
Toolbox Talk offers readers a fascinating glimpse into the world of Tradies and the often-unseen realities of their work. Ryan Hanson and Tim Ebl, with their combined experience in the industrial sector, share a collection of humorous stories that will leave readers entertained and enlightened. From encounters with coworkers, spouses, and nature, to the peculiarities of life in remote locations, Toolbox Talk explores the absurdity, danger, and camaraderie experienced by tradespeople. While the book is filled with light-hearted tales, it also touches on more serious subjects such as addiction and depression, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. With their engaging storytelling, Hanson and Ebl celebrate the unsung heroes who keep our society functioning smoothly. Join Toolbox Talk and discover the untold secrets of this captivating world.
June 18, 2023
Toolbox Talk: Tall Tales and Legends of Pipefitters, Welders, and Other Dudes With Trucks by Tim Ebl and Ryan Hanson is a humorous and entertaining collection of stories that provides a glimpse into the world of skilled tradesmen. Through witty anecdotes and colorful characters, the authors paint a vivid picture of the unique experiences and camaraderie found within this industry. The book captures the essence of the work, showcasing the expertise, challenges, and triumphs of pipefitters, welders, and other skilled tradesmen.
Ebl and Hanson's writing style is engaging and light-hearted, making it an enjoyable read for both those familiar with the trade and those curious about the inner workings of this profession. Whether you're a tradesman yourself or simply appreciate a good story with great characters I recommend reading it.
Ebl and Hanson's writing style is engaging and light-hearted, making it an enjoyable read for both those familiar with the trade and those curious about the inner workings of this profession. Whether you're a tradesman yourself or simply appreciate a good story with great characters I recommend reading it.
June 15, 2023
“Toolbox Talk” by Tim Ebl and Ryan Hanson contains some entertaining tales about pipe fitters, welders, lumberjacks and such like that are unfortunately spoiled by the frequent use of crude language and obscene words.
There was some enjoyable dialogue in a certain story about a lumberjack and a “lumberjill”. The lumberjack asks the female equivalent whether, if he were a tree in the forest, she would hear him falling for her. She replies, “I sure wood!”
It is a great pity that many of the anecdotes related in this book are spoiled by bad language. I notice it more in some tales than in others. I wonder if one of the authors abstains from this practice. Perhaps he can go solo in his next book.
There was some enjoyable dialogue in a certain story about a lumberjack and a “lumberjill”. The lumberjack asks the female equivalent whether, if he were a tree in the forest, she would hear him falling for her. She replies, “I sure wood!”
It is a great pity that many of the anecdotes related in this book are spoiled by bad language. I notice it more in some tales than in others. I wonder if one of the authors abstains from this practice. Perhaps he can go solo in his next book.
June 16, 2023
Written by Ryan and Tim, two industry experts, this collection of humorous stories is a fun and insightful window into the working world of trades. Throughout the pages, the authors immerse us in their personal experiences and show us hilarious situations that they have faced during their careers.
What makes this book so charming is the way Ryan and Tim combine humor and reality. Through their entertaining and witty narrative, they manage to convey the passion they feel for their trade.
Besides the laughs, this book also offers valuable insight into the industrial world. Get ready to laugh, reflect, and appreciate the hard work of the trades.
What makes this book so charming is the way Ryan and Tim combine humor and reality. Through their entertaining and witty narrative, they manage to convey the passion they feel for their trade.
Besides the laughs, this book also offers valuable insight into the industrial world. Get ready to laugh, reflect, and appreciate the hard work of the trades.
June 26, 2023
This book grabbed my attention because of its striking cover. “Toolbox Talk: Tall Tales and Legends of Pipefitters, Welders, and Other Dudes With Trucks” by authors Tim Ebl and Ryan Hanson is a behind the scenes book that I found really interesting.
In this book, the authors put pen to paper of many of the anecdotes and experiences they face in their careers in the industrial sector. I found most of them entertaining really.
I have never seen a book such as this one and that’s what I liked from it. Also, the reader can learn a lot about the industrial sector with the stories shared in this book. I recommend reading it.
In this book, the authors put pen to paper of many of the anecdotes and experiences they face in their careers in the industrial sector. I found most of them entertaining really.
I have never seen a book such as this one and that’s what I liked from it. Also, the reader can learn a lot about the industrial sector with the stories shared in this book. I recommend reading it.
June 14, 2023
“Toolbox Talk” by Tim Ebl and Ryan Hanson is a good choice of book or gift for people who work in various trades and are familiar with all the hilarious and not-so-hilarious things that go on. It wasn’t the right book for me, but I am still giving it four stars because I can see that it would probably resonate very well with the right audience. For my taste, the humor was too coarse but I am sure that many of the stories and anecdotes will have people familiar with this world in stitches. If you don’t like crude humor, it’s probably best to give this book a miss though.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews