The Origins of Tool Test Raw (TTR): How Our Raw Tool Tests Became a YouTube Channel

Introduction

Tool Test Raw started as a crazy live idea for the #TTR VeryCoolGang. I didn’t plan a new brand. I just wanted to see which tools actually worked. No scripts. No safety net. This post is about the Tool Test Raw origins—how it began, how it grew, and why we gave it its own YouTube channel and blog.

What Is Tool Test Raw (TTR)? Real Tools, Real Tests, Zero BS

Tool Test Raw is our place to beat on power tools in public and let you see everything. No edits to hide mistakes. No perfect studio benches. Just real contractors, real materials, and real reactions when something wins or fails.

Over time, Tool Test Raw grew from a live segment on the VCG Construction YouTube channel into its own brand. Today we’ve got ToolTestRaw.com, this tool testing blog, and a dedicated TTR channel on YouTube so you can find the tests you care about without digging through everything else we do.

At the core, Tool Test Raw is simple: we put tools head‑to‑head, push them until something gives, and let the VeryCoolGang decide if the results are worth their hard‑earned money.

From Jobsite Demos to Tool Test Raw: How #TTR Was Born

Before Tool Test Raw had a name, we were already doing “unofficial” comparisons on the job. If a new drill or impact showed up on site, it was getting pushed that same day. We’d compare speed, power, battery life, and how fast something smoked under real work conditions. Eventually we started filming those moments for the VCG Construction audience.

The turning point came when we decided to take that energy live. No retakes. No editing out the awkward parts. Just a livestream where we grabbed two tools, stacked some lumber and concrete, and let the chat call out what they wanted to see.

Somewhere in those early streams I said, “This is a Tool Test Raw.” The name just fit. It wasn’t a polished review. It was raw. The VeryCoolGang grabbed onto it instantly and turned it into #TTR. Once the hashtag started showing up in comments and social posts, we knew it was bigger than a one‑off idea.

Building the Tool Test Raw Format: Rules, Scoring and Real‑World Materials

Testing Like Tradespeople, Not Marketers

From day one, I wanted Tool Test Raw to look like the kind of testing real tradespeople do in their shops and garages. That’s why you see lumber stacked up, pressure‑treated 2x material, concrete blocks, and steel framing. We drill, drive, and cut the things we actually work with on jobs instead of running pretty little lab demos that don’t mean anything in the real world.

We use spade bits, auger bits, hole saws, masonry bits, structural screws, lag bolts, and Tapcons—everything a contractor actually grabs from the box. Then we repeat the same pattern so every tool gets the exact same shot at winning.

Head-to-Head Rules the VeryCoolGang Can See

Tool Test Raw is built around matchups. We pick tools in the same class—compact drills against compact drills, 12V impacts against 12V impacts—and run them through identical tasks. Chat keeps score, calls out what’s fair and what isn’t, and makes sure we don’t go easy on any brand.

Sometimes it’s a straight race. Sometimes it’s survival: which one keeps going the longest before performance falls off. Either way, the rules are simple enough that anyone watching can tell who did better without needing a spreadsheet.

Zero‑BS Promise and Sponsor Pressure

We buy a lot of our own tools. When a brand does send something in, they know the deal: no promises, no scripts, and definitely no “can you not show that on camera” talk. If a tool crushes it, great. If it chokes, that’s going on the internet too.

That’s why we stamped the site with the line, “Real Tools. Real Tests. Zero BS.” It’s not a slogan. It’s the rule that keeps the VeryCoolGang coming back.

Milestone Tool Test Raw Episodes That Shaped the Series

The Most Requested TTR Ever: DeWALT vs Milwaukee Compact Drills

One of the early signs that Tool Test Raw had a life of its own was the compact drill showdown. The VeryCoolGang wouldn’t stop asking for it. DeWALT dropped a new 20V MAX XR brushless compact drill, Milwaukee had their M18 compact brushless drill, and people wanted to see who actually deserved a spot in their truck.

We turned it into what we called “the most requested Tool Test Raw in the history of tool comparison videos.” You can still read the write‑up and watch the battle in our article DeWALT and Milwaukee Compact Brushless Drills Compared Live Tool Test Raw!

RYOBI vs Makita Sub‑Compact Impact Drivers: Listening to the Gang

Another key moment was the RYOBI vs Makita sub‑compact impact driver matchup. The RYOBI ONE+ HP compact impact looked like it could punch above its weight, and the VeryCoolGang wanted to know if it could hang with Makita’s benchmark sub‑compact driver.

We built a whole episode around that question. It turned into one of the most talked‑about streams we’ve ever done. If you want the full story and specs, check out TOOL TEST RAW (18 Volt Sub-Compact Impact Driver) RYOBI VS MAKITA.

Extreme Durability: PACKOUT Drops, Cuts and Crush Challenges

Tool Test Raw isn’t just about drills and impacts. Sometimes we push storage and accessories way beyond what anyone would reasonably do on the job. One of the wildest examples was our PACKOUT torture-style episodes.

We’ve thrown PACKOUT boxes off roofs, dragged them, and basically tried to do everything haters claim will break them. Then we parked the truck on top just to see what would happen.

These kinds of episodes showed us that Tool Test Raw was more than “reviews.” It was a full‑on show.

Sparks, Blades and Controversy

We’ve also turned some pretty spicy tool debates into Tool Test Raw episodes. When questions pop up about brand demo videos or bold performance claims, we recreate the setup as honestly as we can and let you watch the results. Blades, metal cutting, accessories that claim to “revolutionize” the way you work—if it sounds too good to be true, there’s a good chance it ends up on a livestream.

If you want to binge full streams, start with the TTR live playlist.

Why We Created a Dedicated Tool Test Raw YouTube Channel

Separating Tool Testing from Remodeling and Tool News

For years, every Tool Test Raw episode lived on the main VCG Construction channel. That channel also hosts remodeling content, tool news, trends, and a lot of other topics. The more TTR we did, the more it started to crowd everything else out.

Some subscribers were there for remodeling advice and only occasionally wanted a long, rowdy tool battle. Others only cared about TTR and wanted a place where they could find every test without scrolling past kitchen remodels and bathroom designs.

Making Tool Test Raw Easier to Discover and Binge

Creating a dedicated YouTube home for TTR solved both problems. Now the algorithm knows exactly what the channel is about: raw tool testing for contractors, tradespeople and serious DIYers. When someone searches “Tool Test Raw” or “#TTR,” they land right where they need to be.

It also means you can spend an evening watching nothing but impact driver battles, drill showdowns and PACKOUT torture episodes without bouncing between different types of videos. The channel is built for binge‑watching tool nerds.

Owning the Tool Test Raw Name and #TTR Hashtag

Over time, other people started using the #TTR hashtag and even calling their own videos “Tool Test Raw.” On one hand, that’s flattering. On the other, we wanted to make sure the original format had a clear home. Giving Tool Test Raw its own site and channel makes it easy for viewers to find the real thing and know they’re watching the tests that built the name.

How ToolTestRaw.com and the Tool Test Raw Blog Fit In

Video is great for showing live reactions, but sometimes you want to sit down, compare details, and read through exactly what happened. That’s why we built ToolTestRaw.com and this tool testing blog.

Here we can break down each episode in more detail: which tools we used, what batteries were on them, the bits and blades, the materials, the rules, and the results. We can also link out to deeper articles on specific drill battles or impact driver comparisons when you want even more info.

The goal is simple: the video shows you the action, and the blog keeps the results easy to find later.

VeryCoolGang, Merch and VCG Store: How the Community Keeps #TTR Going

Tool Test Raw doesn’t exist without the VeryCoolGang. You’re in the chat calling out matchups, suggesting materials, keeping score and keeping us honest. Many of the biggest episodes we’ve ever done came straight from the comments section.

Running these tests takes time, tools, batteries and sometimes broken gear. That’s where our merch comes in. When you grab something from the official VCG Store, you’re helping us fund the next round of ridiculous testing.

If you want to represent the crew, check out the VeryCoolGang collection, our high‑visibility hoodies for jobsite comfort, and the classic VCG T‑shirts. If you’re all about the savings, the “Doing More For Tool Deals” T‑shirt was basically made for Tool Test Raw viewers.

Conclusion: Why Tool Test Raw Exists and Where We’re Taking #TTR Next

Tool Test Raw started because I wanted honest answers to simple questions: which drill is better, which impact driver is worth the money, and which storage box actually survives a fall. The VeryCoolGang turned those experiments into a community, a hashtag, and now a full‑blown YouTube channel and blog.

If you’ve ever watched a polished tool commercial and thought, “Yeah, but how does it really do on the job?” then Tool Test Raw is for you. Stick around, subscribe, and hit the next livestream. The story of #TTR is still being written every time we pull the trigger on another test.

Ready for more? Head back to ToolTestRaw.com or browse the latest posts on the tool testing blog to see what we’ve broken—sorry, tested—lately.

Tool Test Raw FAQ: Questions We Get About TTR and the YouTube Channel