Tools of the Trade articles from March 2006

Tools of the Trade archives from March 2006

Lost & (someday) found.(Editor's Note)
March 1, 2006... I was encouraged recently by news that researchers had found a 700,000-year-old tool in England earlier this year. Seems like Flint-man put down his sharp rock somewhere only to lose it during the Ice Age. I know how he feels, but I have...

Tools worthy: news and notes from the construction world.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
March 1, 2006... We saw tons of great tools during the International Builders' Show in January, most notably lithium-ion lines from Bosch, DeWalt, Makita, and Milwaukee. Metabo is the most recent company to join the pack, unveiling 12-, 14.4-, and 18-volt...

By the numbers.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
March 1, 2006... 105,263 Number of attendees at the 2006 International Builders' Show. 339,000 Number of pounds a typical new home weighs. (Source: NAHB) 46,000 Number of construction jobs added in January, or nearly one-fourth of the nation's...

Pencil it in.(Takeoffs: the buzz from the biz)
March 1, 2006... National Building Museum Careers in Construction Expo April 5 Washington, D.C 202-272-2448 www.nbm.org National Hardware Show May 9-11 Las Vegas 888-425-9377 www.nationalhardware show.com JLC Live! May 16-19 Anaheim, Calif....

Evidence found of ancient Cave Depot[TM].(Takeoffs: the buzz from the biz)
March 1, 2006... Researchers recently uncovered a 700,000-year-old tool in England, but we think they've just scratched the surface with the sharpened stone they found. In fact, wall art and a chiseled old receipt are evidence more advanced tools were available...

You call that precision?(Takeoffs: the buzz from the biz)
March 1, 2006... Sending your crew out to work on a house? Better put a GPS unit in their truck and then follow them to the site anyway to make sure they actually get there. At least that's what the owner of Precision Roofing should have done when he sent his...

Training hands and minds: new university focuses on the building arts.(EDUCATION)
March 1, 2006... There was a time when carpenters, masons, and other tradeworkers got the same respect as doctors and lawyers. Unfortunately, as many of us know, at some point along the way construction and building careers were downgraded in the public's eye...

Tools on wheels: mobile-shop keeps everything where you need it.(PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Here's an ingenious mobile storage system that could help you keep track of your tools and put them at your fingertips. The MobileShop System includes four integrated tool organizers fully stocked with 230 high-quality tools and 160 critical...

6-in-1 system.(HOT FINDS)
March 1, 2006... The Senco PowerPlus 6-in-1 Rechargeable Jump Start System includes a 12-volt jump starter, 260-psi. air compressor, power inverter, high-power spotlight, fluorescent work light, and warning blinker light. The power inverter offers 300-watt peak...

Theft prevention.(HOT FINDS)
March 1, 2006... Hilti now offers the TPS Theft Protection System for many of its tools. A Company Card is passed over an electronic module inside the tool; after connected to power, the programmed tool must be unlocked with an Activation Key. If the tool is...

Stihl chain saws.(RECALLS)
March 1, 2006... STIHL CHAIN SAWS Product: Stihl MS 192 T chain saws, serial nos. 264371702 through 266087005. Problem: Models can leak fuel, posing a fire hazard. Connection in ignition grounding system could loosen and create a spark, posing a fire hazard....

Porter-Cable routers.(RECALLS)
March 1, 2006... PORTER-CABLE ROUTERS Product: Porter-Cable 890 routers: Model 891, serial nos. 10001 through 24647; model 892, serial nos. 10001 through 68442; model 893PK, serial nos. 10001 through 68442; model 894PK, serial nos. 10001 through 24647; model...

Rent right: where and how you rent tools and equipment can make a difference.(RENTING)
March 1, 2006... Whether it's a one-time need for a gas cut-off saw or a week-long journey with a back hoe, at some point you'll have to rent a tool or piece of construction equipment. And just like renting a car, you should take steps to be a smarter, safer...

Training center: where to go for training and education in the trades.(Cutting Edge)
March 1, 2006... JLC LIVE! The 2006 season of JLC Live! trade shows, which are operated by our sister publication, THE Journal of Light Construction, kicks off this month in Providence, R.I. These trade shows not only give attendees access to an exhibit...

Hard tops: material and installation tips for concrete countertops.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
March 1, 2006... Twenty-five years ago concrete countertops were the domain of artisan contractors and high-end clients, mostly in California, looking for a one-of-a-kind surface. Today, homeowners nationwide request concrete for the same reason. I've...

Safety checklist: use this checklist to avoid OSHA's most cited violations.(SiteLines)
March 1, 2006... Each year OSHA publishes its Top 10 list of most frequently cited standards, the standards most commonly violated in general industry and construction. Before we get too far into the 2006, it might be a good time to review your safety program...

Trash talk: reusing framing stock from a tear-down.(SiteLines)
March 1, 2006... At 8 a.m. on demo day, the framing I'm about to tear out and junk is a perfectly functional floor or roof system. By lunch, I'm paying to have it carted off. So, on my latest tear-down, a 25-foot-by-44-foot ranch, I explored saving framing and...

Festoll C12 cordless drill/driver: surprising power in a compact, versatile package.(FIRST TEST)
March 1, 2006... Point blank: This is the best 12-volt drill/driver I've ever used. As powerful and versatile as it is small, Festool's C12 sets a new category standard. I tested it drilling small and large holes, driving various lengths of wood screws and...

Taking charge: lithium-ion batteries are sparking a change in the power tool industry as manufacturers introduce innovative new lines. Here's what you need to know before buying in.(Cover story)
March 1, 2006... In case you blinked, a new generation of battery technology that just a couple of years ago was pure speculation--lithium-ion--has hit store shelves with the promise Of bringing us another step closer to an all-cordless world. Milwaukee...

Aces in the hole: part jigsaw, part router, part lifesaver, cut-out saws are the tools to use when nothing else will do.(TOOL TEST: CUT-OUT SAWS)
March 1, 2006... One of the biggest challenges of my plumbing and heating practice bas nothing to do with pipe, water, or fittings. Instead, one of the most problematic--and recurring--issues is making the cuts required to install those things in all the...

Bringing down the house: down-and-dirty demolition made easier with 10 high-performance recip saws.(TOOL TEST: RECIPROCATING SAWS)
March 1, 2006... Reciprocating saws have been on the move--fast--since the last time we looked at this group. Category-wide, manufacturers have made advances with tool-free blade changes, articulating handles, and even LED work lights. But all the features...

Drill/driver.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Ryobi's One+ Torque IV 18-volt drill/driver allows users to switch from drilling mode to driving mode with the flip of a switch, rather than turning a clutch ring. The compact tool has a center-handle design, a two-speed gearbox with variable...

Lithium-ion metal-cutting saw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Milwaukee has added four new products to its V28 line of 28-volt lithium-ion cordless tools--a 1-inch rotary hammer, a right-angle drill, a metal-cutting saw, and a jobsite radio--which offer up to two times more runtime and 40 to 50 percent...

Lithium-ion recip saw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Metabo now offers lithium-ion batteries for several of its cordless tool models. The batteries offer 40 percent higher performance and 40 percent less weight than traditional batteries, do not have memory effect, and can be stored for up to 18...

Pivoting screwdriver.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... A compact, pivoting body allows Ridgid's 9.6-volt R81030 screwdriver to be used in pistol-grip or straight mode. The tool delivers 0-530 rpm and features an ergonomic two-finger switch, a die-cast torque-adjustment ring, a variable-speed...

Lithium-ion hammerdrill/driver.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Part of Makita's new LXT line of 18-volt lithium-ion tools, which offer the power of 18-volt tools with weights comparable to 12-volt tools, the BHP451 hammerdrill/driver boasts longer runtime and five times lower self-discharge than nicad...

Lithium-ion rotary hammer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Bosch's Litheon line of lithium-ion battery-powered tools includes ultracompact 10.8-volt tools that perform a range of drilling/driving tasks and 36-volt tools that offer the power of corded tools in a lightweight, compact design. The first...

Round-head framing nailer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Hitachi's NR90GR 3 1/2-inch gas-powered round-head flaming nailer offers hoseless convenience with traditional framing nailer power, the maker says. The tool, which operates on a fuel rod and cordless battery, features dry-fire lockout,...

Drill/drivers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Designed for heavy-duty use, Craftsman black drill/drivers are powered by DieHard-branded nicad batteries. The line includes 12-, 14.4-, and 19.2-volt 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch models. They feature a two-speed gear box, a 24-position clutch, a...

Drill/drivers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... The 15.6-volt SFH 151-A and SF 151-A cordless drill/drivers from Hilti deliver 619 inch-pounds of torque with 15 settings and feature all-metal gearing for a longer life and improved performance and a two-piece glass-fiber-composite housing for...

Framing nailer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... Paslode has enhanced its hoseless framing nailer to include a tool-free adjustable depth-of-drive for easy adjustments; a non-slip, over-molded grip; and a dual-position utility hook. The tool operates on a fuel cell and battery system; fuel...

Lithium-ion rotary hammer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... DeWalt's new line of 36-volt lithium-ion-battery-powered tools offers the power of corded tools with similar or less weight than corded counterparts, the maker says, and delivers two to three times more runtime than 18-volt products. The...

Hoseless nailer.(Product Watch)
March 1, 2006... One of two new gas nailers from Powers Fasteners, the Powers Trak-It W3-34CDH drives paper-tape 34-degree offset round- and clipped-head nails with .250-inch-diameter heads. The tool has a lightweight, compact body size, the maker says, and...

Hoseless nailer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... One of two new gas-powered hoseless nailers from Max USA, the Cordless Superframer GS683RH 21-degree plastic collation full round-head framer features a sequential trip trigger, no-mar tip, dial adjustable depth control, safety lockout, and...

Hammerdrill.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDLESS/HOSELESS TOOLS)
March 1, 2006... The Worx WT366K 18-volt hammerdrill from Positec USA features a full-metal keyless chuck and delivers 530 inch-pounds of maximum torque and 0-5,600 bpm/0-20,800 bpm. The tool's drilling capacity is 1/2 inch in steel, 5/8 inch in masonry, and 1...

Utility knife.(PRODUCT FOCUS: NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... The QuickSlide Sliding Pocket Utility Knife from Stanley features a sliding blade holder that allows the user to open and close blades quickly and easily with one-handed operation. The knife accepts all standard utility knife blades and hook...

Floor span connector.(PRODUCT FOCUS: NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... New from Simpson Strong-Tie, the Floor Span Connector connects upper floors to lower floors from inside the wall, providing an alternative to coil straps and eliminating buckling, the company says. Installed on the side of the stud, the...

Pliers.(PRODUCT FOCUS: NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Channellock's new Code Blue line of pliers features laser-hardened teeth and cutting edges for longer life and easier cutting; PermaLock fasteners that won't fail like traditional nut-and-bolt assemblies, the maker says; and high-carbon,...

Kneepads.(PRODUCT FOCUS: NEW PRODUCTS)
March 1, 2006... Custom LeatherCraft's new G350 kneepads feature removable snap-on, snap-off caps: Use the durable, grooved hard cap for rough or outdoor surfaces; remove the hard cap to use the smooth inner cap for flooring and other delicate surfaces. The...

Family ties.(ToolHounds: We just love tools. Is that a problem?)
March 1, 2006... "I grew up on the jobsite," says third-generation builder Kristin Beall of Mount Dora, Fla. "But after eight years running the company, newer subs still think I'm the homeowner. This is a man's world and guys are still surprised when I tell...