Tools of the Trade articles from July 2005

Tools of the Trade archives from July 2005

Reality check.(Editor's Note)
July 1, 2005... OK, I'm probably the only person left in the world who doesn't get a kick out of "reality" TV shows--but I don't. If watching TV is a waste of precious time, then watching these "redesign a room in two days"/"build a mansion in a week" shows...

Bosch Power Tools North America.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... We'd like to congratulate Frank Carroll. who was named president of Bosch Power Tools North America in May.

Lenox.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... Lenox also has a new president. Bob Heisner moves up to the position after serving as VP of marketing.

We'd like to know what Toyota chairman Hiroshi Okuda was thinking when he offered an idea for how his company could aid troubled U.S. auto companies: raising Toyota's prices.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... We'd like to know what Toyota chairman Hiroshi Okuda was thinking when he offered an idea for how his company could aid troubled U.S. auto companies: raising Toyota's prices. And in a case of weird timing, GM launched its "Employee Discount for...

Lowe.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... Lowe's is expanding into Canada with six to 10 stores opening in Toronto in 2007.

The Home Depot says it sells enough paint in a year to paint Manhattan.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... The Home Depot says it sells enough paint in a year to paint Manhattan. Guess which color they'd use? Looks like Depot will be further targeting pros with its acquisition of Williams Bros. Lumber, a major pro dealer chain in Georgia.

Hitachi Power Tools.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
July 1, 2005... Speaking of colors, we love Hitachi Power Tools' new look of cool black and green graphics. Company reps say the redesigned, tough-looking outside reflects revamped engineering inside.

Here, take the ... wire?(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
July 1, 2005... It may take a few years for you to notice, but the steering systems in cars and trucks are already undergoing awesome changes According to the Research and Information Center at the Specialty Equipment Market Association [SEMA), manufacturers...

Good news ... bad news.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
July 1, 2005... The good news is that police guarding the House of Commons in London from a mob of protesters last year helped eight contractors working on renovations to enter the building and get to work, according to BBC News The bad news is that once...

Worth repeating.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
July 1, 2005... "THE ISSUE OF POWER TOOLS IS SEPARATE FROM THOSE FLORAL AND PINK TOOL KITS. --PROJECT MANAGER TISHA KUNTZ ON THE NEED FOR FEMALE-FRIENDLY PROFESSIONAL POWER TOOLS."

By the numbers.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
July 1, 2005... 44,005 Number of houses D.R Horton closed in 2004 to top the 2005 BUILDER 100 list from our sister publication BUILDER magazine. 75% Projected market share of top 20 builders in 2011, by the NAHB. 16,000+ Number of power...

At your service.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)(Cartoon)
July 1, 2005... DO YOU CARRY CONCRETE BLOCKS? NOT SINCE MY BACK WENT OUT. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Pencil it in.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)(Calendar)
July 1, 2005... Hanley Wood's JLC Live! Sept;. 13-16 Chicago 800-261-7769 www.jlclive.com Hanley Wood's The Remodeling Show Oct. 12-15 Baltimore 866-490-3097 www.theremodelingshow.com Sunbelt Builders Show Oct. 12-15...

First look: Hitachi miter saw: saw offers high-tech features and innovative slide system.(BRAND NEW)
July 1, 2005... Hitachi gave us a sneak peek at their brand new miter saw, a tool that features a cool new sliding mechanism along with an array of versatile, user-friendly features. The "wow" factor of the C12LSH 12-inch sliding compound miter saw is a...

Ridgid offers lifetime service: manufacturer sets high standards with service coverage.(BREAKING NEWS)
July 1, 2005... After unveiling a three-year service warranty and three-year guarantee on manufacturer defects last year, Ridgid Power Tools has upped the warranty ante again with the introduction of a limited lifetime service agreement for its power tools and...

Portable air system.(HOT FINDS)
July 1, 2005... The Turanair T-Force 1000 Portable Air-Powered Kit is a lightweight, quiet alternative to compressors and generators, the firm says. The thermos-sized bottle packs 3,000 psi of compressed dry air for 750 shots with a standard brad nailer, 1,300...

Concrete pinner.(HOT FINDS)
July 1, 2005... Powered by 400-psi high-pressure technology, Max USA's HN120 PowerLite pneumatic concrete pinner is about 40 percent lighter and 20 percent smaller than competing tools without sacrificing power. The tool can drive .300-inch head pins into...

Perles enters U.S. market: European brand targets pro contractors here.(PRODUCTS)
July 1, 2005... Perles of Switzerland, manufacturer of a range of power tools from corded and cordless drills to angle grinders to mixers, will begin offering its professional-grade power tools to the U.S. market. In addition to selling tools in European...

Swing time: radius layout and installation techniques.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
July 1, 2005... The architects I work with love to design arches--sometimes even serpentine soffits that roll like ceiling-mounted ocean waves--but they don't spend much time on layout, leaving us to figure them out on site. Fortunately, not every arch we...

Block work for dummies: tips for working with block and mortar.(SiteLines)
July 1, 2005... Most builders sub-out block work. In my practice, however, doing block work myself increases profits, lowers costs, and maximizes my control over jobs. It also gives me another service to offer prospective customers. The key to working with...

Roof Mates Air Knife pneumatic shingle cutter: cut the shingles instead of your knuckles with this innovative air-powered tool.(FIRST TEST)
July 1, 2005... Roof Mates' new Air Knife is a real knuckle saver. A cross between a pneumatic tool and a hook-blade utility knife, the Air Knife's reciprocating piston zips the 1 1/4-inch-deep hook through shingles in a blur with just a light draw force. It's...

Deals on wheels: preparation and homework are the keys to controlling your next truck purchase.(Part 1)
July 1, 2005... Buying a new truck through an auto dealership is a contest, played on the other team's home turf. Because actual vehicle cost can be hidden in so many fees, finance charges, financing options, an all but meaningless sticker price, and nearly...

Super size: bigger isn't always better. For light routing, in fact, trim routers--or laminate trimmers--do more with less.(TOOL TEST: TRIM ROUTERS)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... When you're working with historic buildings, there's one thing you can depend on: You can't depend on anything. Over the last 150 years, changes in hardware, trim details, and other product introductions and evolutions (weather stripping for...

Stay the course: new and retooled, the latest crop of roofing nailers hits the target.(TOOL TEST: COIL ROOFING NAILERS)
July 1, 2005... Coil roofing nailers are the most abused tools on my jobsite. They withstand blistering rooftop heat under summer sun, take two-story high-dives onto frozen mud in winter, and endure constant grinding as I drag them across 10-grit shingle...

Construction master: our professor of framing speaks the truth about the ancient framing square and the joy in cracking its code.
July 1, 2005... When someone says "framing square," we all probably think of the same object. But before it became a mass-produced tool in early 19th century America--and the tool we all think of--medieval European timber framers used flaming squares to lay...

Take a look at the products readers liked best.(2005 TOOLS OF THE TRADE Readers' Choice Awards)(Advertisement)
July 1, 2005... Each year TOOLS OF THE TRADE tallies up the reader service card responses to determine which of the hundreds of new and improved products garner the most interest from readers. On this page is a list of the top 100 companies whose products were...

Insulated tools.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Klein's insulated tools comply with NFPA-70E standards to protect users against shock, as well as IEC 60900 and ASTM F1505 standards for insulated tools. Designed to protect users against shock from energized sources up to 1,000 volts, the...

Wall scanner.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The MultiScanner i700 OneStep wall scanner features three modes: Stud Mode for finding wood and metal studs, Metal Mode for metal pipes and wire, and AC Scan Mode for mapping out sub-surface hot electrical wires. The scanner includes...

Pipe wrenches.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Ridge Tool has relaunched its Ridgid Quick-Acting Tubing Cutters (models 151-156). The cutters feature a larger, ergonomic knob that allows for more force to be applied, a quick-change wheel pin that eliminates fastener clips and allows for...

Caulk gun.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Gator Trigger caulk guns from Newborn Bros. Co. feature all-steel construction and a dual-component ergonomic grip that reduces hand fatigue and prevents pinching; the handle does not get blistering cold or scalding hot, says the firm. The line...

Ratchets.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The Ideal Ratch-a-Nut is a 9-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver that includes 3/16- and 1/4-inch slotted head; #1 and #2 Phillips head; 1/4, 5/16, and 7/16 nut driver; and connector wrench. Both ends of the tool ratchet, reducing wrist fatigue, the...

Mini saw guide.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Designed for cutting molding or making picture frames, the Mini Saw Guide System includes an aluminum guide with 45- and 90-degree stops for cross-cuts and miters, a dummy blade insert for accurate positioning, and a sliding guide for use with...

Demolition tools.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Stanley's new demo hand tools include a line of pry bars and nail-pulling bars. Each bar is forged from high carbon steel that is heat treated for extra strength and durability. The pry bars feature a thin, flared end for prying off molding and...

Hammer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... New to Vaughan & Bushnell's Blue Max California Framers line of hammers, this hammer features a 21-ounce curved fiberglass handle that allows for a natural alignment of the wrist and forearm to minimize fatigue and injury, says the maker. The...

Measuring tool.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... New from Great Neck Saw Mfrs., the Mark & Measure (model 89002) features a square, 16-foot tape measure, carpenters pencil, and pencil sharpener, combining all measuring needs into one unit. The tool's front edge can be used as a saw guide and...

Roofing tape measure.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Designed for laying out the two most common roofing shingles, L.S. Starrett's Roofing Tape features a black print scale for conventional 5-inch spacing, with bond markings indicated by a circle around the number, and a red scale for dimensional...

Hacksaw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... New from Seatek, the FS-303 Fold-A-Saw hacksaw can be folded away quickly into a compact size ideal for carrying and storage. The saw features a quick-release blade mechanism, and its two folding members rest in a U-shaped channel, which also...

Miter tool.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The Miter Divider saves time and reduces wasted material by simplifying miter cuts and eliminating guesswork, says the manufacturer, Arnott Tools. To use the tool, place it against an inside or outside corner, adjust the angle by moving the...

Groover.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Ben Tool's Bullet Groover has a mirror-finished blade that glides easily through concrete to create consistent, clean-cut grooves. The stainless steel groover is four times more wear-resistant than traditional bronze groovers, the firm says....

Pliers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Irwin's new Vise-Grip GrooveLock pliers feature a multi-groove ratcheting system to ensure a precise fit and better hand position, an All-Purpose Jaw that grips all shapes, a Quick-Adjust button for easy jaw adjustment, molded anti-slip...

Tile and stone tools.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The Platinum line of tools from Custom Building Products features materials and engineering designed to improve durability, performance, and comfort for the rigorous demands of professional users, the maker says. The notch trowel, shown,...

Hacksaw: with blades and a frame that can be configured in four different ways, Cooper Hand Tools' Nicholson Pro Series 4-in-1 high-tension hacksaw allows users to make standard cuts, as well as flush cuts, cuts in tight spaces, and inside cuts.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... With blades and a frame that can be configured in four different ways, Cooper Hand Tools' Nicholson Pro Series 4-in-1 high-tension hacksaw allows users to make standard cuts, as well as flush cuts, cuts in tight spaces, and inside cuts. The...

Hammers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Johnson Level & Tool's Fuller Wavex hammers feature anti-vibration technology originally designed for tennis racquets and an integrally molded ergonomic grip to protect against repetitive stress injuries, says the firm. The line includes 16-...

Mud masher.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The D Grip Mud Masher features a sturdy 23-inch hardwood handle with a D-grip design for more leverage and efficiency, says Marshalltown, along with a metal ferrule securely attached to a 5-inch-by-51/2-inch square mixing head. The tool's...

Pipe wrenches.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Lenox's cast iron and cast aluminum pipe wrenches have heat-treated components for durability and hardened teeth for maximum torque. The cast iron pipe wrench handles have a wide I-beam design for a comfortable grip and weight distribution. The...

Caulk guns.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... The Convoy Lite caulk gun from Tajima offers the smooth performance of the Twin-Thrust dispensing system along with glass fiber-reinforced polymer construction for a lightweight yet strong frame that reduces hand and arm fatigue, the company...

Drywall knives.(PRODUCT FOCUS: HAND TOOLS)
July 1, 2005... Hyde Tools' Maxxgrip Pro Series includes putty knives and scrapers, drywall joint knives, and multi-use painter's tools. The blades are made with extra heavy-duty high carbon steel that is ground polished and mirror-finished, stainless steel,...

Sound work.(ToolHounds: We just love tools. Is that a problem?)
July 1, 2005... It's not what Hans Nebel does with his tools that's important. It's what the tools do for him. In Nebel's 48-year career as a violin maker and restoration master, he has rescued and repaired some of the most treasured violins on the...