Tools of the Trade articles from May 2004

Tools of the Trade archives from May 2004

A game of inches.(Editor's Note)
May 1, 2004... I know this may sound strange--but do you ever think about your relationship with your tools? I know the word "relationship" is a little scary; but this one doesn't require any commitment and you certainly don't have to talk about your...

PT lumber woes.(Mail call: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... We just received our first copy of TOOLS OF THE TRADE and already it may have saved us from a future problem, specifically your "Editor's Note" column (March/April 2004, page 11) on the issues with the new ACQ pressure treated lumber. Just...

Give us a brake.(Mail call: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I'm writing to thank you for the full day your article on braking sheet metal saved me ("Give Me a Brake," May/June 2003. page 24). I'm a home improvement contractor, which means I don't tend to do the same jobs twice, and that includes braking...

We have a site commander winner: contracting family scores the big win.(News)
May 1, 2004... Russell Armstrong, a retired contractor from Oklahoma City, Okla., won TOOLS OF THE TRADE'S 2003 Site Commander Sweepstakes sponsored by Ford and Hilti North America, In a ceremony held at Hilti's headquarters in Tulsa, Okla., on March 24,...

Tool tracker: the Toolwatch tool inventory and tracking system accounts for tools while keeping employees accountable.(Security)
May 1, 2004... Ever feel like your tools are a little too portable? If your drills and saws seem to be sprouting legs and wandering off your sites, or if your company has grown large enough that it is difficult to keep track of your equipment, it may be time...

?Survey question of the month.(10 Years Pure Tools)
May 1, 2004... What was the BIGGEST change in your tool world over the past 10 years? Here's what you said: 48% Cordless tools changed everything. 23% I use the Internet to find out about new tools--and can even buy them online, 15% Tools are...

Laser keyboard.(Hot Finds)
May 1, 2004... If you rely on your PDA but hate scrawling type with a stylus, check out the Virtual Keyboard, a high-tech gizmo that projects a hologram of a QWERTY keyboard onto any flat surface. Type on the hologram as you would on a normal keyboard and the...

Resources: new training guides for pros.(Cutting edge: your source for trade news)
May 1, 2004... Whether you need help with a miter saw or a how-to for a roof, there's an array of information out there that can help make your projects more accurate and efficient. Here's a few of the latest resources at your fingertips. "Mastering the...

Hole saw.(Hot Finds)
May 1, 2004... Large holes are no problem for the Matrix Xtreme hole saw blade. Designed to cut round holes larger than 6 inches, the unit features three narrow-width, replaceable forged-steel blades and an open-circumference design that allow installers to...

Laser distance meter.(Hot Finds)
May 1, 2004... Laser distance meters are already pretty handy, but now Leica has made its Disto Plus even more useful by incorporating Bluetooth wireless technology, which allows you to send measurements to a Bluetooth-enabled Pocket PC or laptop. The unit...

Change order: contractors adjust to new treated lumber products and fastener requirements.(SiteLines: dispatches from the field)
May 1, 2004... Five months into the CCA phase-out and most contractors have switched from CCA lumber to pressure treated lumber alternatives. But for many installers, the change hasn't been as simple as just switching wood. Some of the new treated lumber...

First test: great gadgets: cool tools for less than 100 bucks.(SiteLines: dispatches from the field)
May 1, 2004... SAW & PRY BAR COMBINATION The Shark Saw and Pry Bar Combo is a must-have for any trimmer or remodeler. Saw. This 22-inch-long Japanese-style saw cuts on the pull-stroke. The design enables the blade to be extremely thin and extra...

2004 Editors' Choice Awards: honoring leadership and innovation in tool design.
May 1, 2004... Evolution, adaptability, and the courage to change are key elements to progress, growth, and success. For this year's bumper crop of award-winning innovations, we searched out the tools and accessories we think best express this energy and...

Tough enough: six new metal-cutting saws take the pain out of cutting steel.(Tool test: metal-cutting circ saws)
May 1, 2004... I build in New York City where fire codes mean that metal framing is the only game in town. And because my company does so much light-commercial work (office and retail build-outs) my jobs are loaded with uni-strut, Chicago bar (also called...

Lean & mean: cordless impact drivers offer big power in small packages.(Tool test: cordless impact drivers)
May 1, 2004... My college rugby coach used to encourage the small guys on our squad (me) by saying, "It doesn't matter how much dog is in the fight. It only matters how much fight is in the dog." While Coach Ortale's phrase fired me up in my rugby days,...

The new nailers: eight new framing nailers are all about power, safety, and versatility.
May 1, 2004... Since our last look at framing nailers in March 2002, eight tough new models with advanced features have hit the street and deserve a closer look. For this review, I worked with the DeWalt D51845, Duo-Fast MainFrame NSP-350 F1, Hitachi NR83A2,...

Tool bag.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... Master Series tool bags are made with 1200-denier fabric that withstands abuse and have extra reinforcement at wear areas, double needle stitching on bindings and edges, and a tighter weave, the maker says. The bags feature wide openings that...

Pegboard storage.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The Portable Pegboard line of tool storage allows you to organize tools and parts on a pegboard in the shop, but also easily remove items for transport to the project or jobsite. A variety of units are available, including a tilt-out bin, a...

Tool bags.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The company has added a 20-inch size to its line of canvas tool bags. The bags feature durable No. 8 natural canvas construction, a reinforced bottom in leather or vinyl that extends 3 inches up the sides to support heavier tools and protect...

Tool cabinet.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The Classic Series 26-inch Roll Cab and Top Chest offer an affordable entry-level storage option, the company says. The units are constructed of heavy-duty Class 1 steel reinforced double-layered walls, with Z-shaped stiffeners between walls...

Toolbox.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The FatMax Professional Tool Box features a unique latch-less aluminum handle that eliminates the need for traditional clasps and latches. The handle mechanism has three positions that slide from a locked position for carrying to an unlocked...

Storage chest.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... This line of four storage chests includes a variety of security features, including permanently retained locks and recessed shackles that prevent access by cutters and pry bars, solid lock tangs for pry resistance, and corner-located lock...

Toolbox.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... Designed to stand up to the rigors of the jobsite, this 26-inch toolbox features structural foam construction that can withstand temperatures below 0 degrees F, the maker says, along with a rainproof design and rust-resistant metal latches. The...

Tool chest lock.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The Watchman IV lock system is now available on Storagemaster and Jobmaster storage chests and cabinets and the company's rolling workbenches. Watchman IV requires only one padlock for two-point deadbolt latching. The lock system features a...

Tool organizers.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... Designed to hold up under professional use, Extreme Gear tool organizers are manufactured with ballistic nylon and PVC reinforcement at stress points. The line includes the Big Daddy Gatemouth bag: (shown), which has a rubber-reinforced bottom,...

Tool cabinets.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... Suited for machining centers and metalworking shops, TCC 900 and TCC 1350 tool crib cabinets can store drills, taps, reamers, fasteners, hand tools, cutting tools, and more. The cabinets each come in eight preassembled configurations and...

Tool chests.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... The Magnum Series of 46- and 56-inch chests is now available in blue, black, and red. The units feature roll-cage construction, 14-gauge steel support coasters, heavy-duty ball bearing slides, full extension, the Posi-Latch drawer securing...

Cordless drill/drivers.(Product focus: tool storage)
May 1, 2004... This line of cordless drill/drivers includes the 9.6-volt DS9DVF2, 12-volt DS12DVF2, and the 14.4-volt DS14DVF2. The drills feature an ergonomic T-handle design, 22-position adjustable torque-setting clutch, 3/8-inch keyless chuck, two-speed...

Spiral saw.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Bosch recently acquired the RotoZip brand and has introduced four new spiral saws designed with features and durability specifically for pros: RZ1, RZ5, RZ10, and RZ20 (shown). The saws have a universal three-jaw chuck, a wrench-free bit-change...

Instant camera.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Geared toward pro contractors for taking jobsite images for design ideas, job estimating, sales, liability protection, client communication, and more, the One600 JobPro instant camera features a durable casing, rugged body, portable folding...

Chalk line.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... The Chalk-Rite Gear Drive snap-line tool (model CR201R-0) includes a positive gear-lock line hold that automatically releases during rewind and a smooth gear-drive winding that winds up to three times faster than standard lines, the maker says....

Optical instruments.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... This family of contractor-grade optical instruments includes the DW090PK 20x level, the DW096PK 26x auto level, and the DW092PK 20x transit level. The DW090PK level kit and DW092PK transit level kit feature protected lenses and vials, a 5-arc...

Work gloves.(New Products)
May 1, 2004... Series 3.0 ProFit impact-protection gloves provide comfort, protection, and durability during pneumatic tool use. The gloves include PVC silicone on the thumb and fingers for a better grip, an anatomically designed thermal plastic rubber-molded...

On the waterfront.(Joe Youcha, Dream Builder)
May 1, 2004... "Craftsmanship is an attitude," says Joe Youcha from the floor of his floating boatbuilding shop on the shore of the Potomac River in Alexandria, Va. "It has a certain amount to do with your hands, but most of it comes from your head and your...