Tools of the Trade articles from May 2005

Tools of the Trade archives from May 2005

Give me a break.(Editor's Note)
May 1, 2005... Here's a good one: As of this past February, the 14th to be exact, young carpenters and roofers, and any other 16- or 17-year-olds trying to get a start in the construction trades, are banned by the Department of Labor (DOL) from working "upon...

Jumping in with both feet--and a HUGE truck--Makita is the latest tool company to take its show on the road with its "Experience More" mobile marketing tour, a 53-foot interactive event and training trailer that will allow pros around the country to try out Makita's tools.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2005... Jumping in with both feet--and a HUGE truck--Makita is the latest tool company to take its show on the road with its "Experience More" mobile marketing tour, a 53-foot interactive event and training trailer that will allow pros around the...

Talk about takeoffs: USA Today reported that thieves successfully "stole" a three-bedroom house in Lindale, Texas, by dismantling it board by board and shingle by shingle.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2005... Talk about takeoffs: USA Today reported that thieves successfully "stole" a three-bedroom house in Lindale, Texas, by dismantling it board by board and shingle by shingle. The men carted off about five trailer loads of materials over the course...

APA-the Engineered Wood Association has added a 200-level course to its online education portal: "Wood University 201: Design of Wood Connections.".(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2005... ... APA-The Engineered Wood Association has added a 200-level course to its online education portal: "Wood University 201: Design of Wood Connections." The course provides a basic understanding of connection design in four units: connection...

Quick tip.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
May 1, 2005... Have a basement to finish? Do you dread the framing slow-downs around pipes and utilities? Don't want your nails to rust in the ACQ bottom plate? TooLs contributing editor Steve Veroneau suggests using metal track for your top and bottom plate...

Eye on technology.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
May 1, 2005... Just when it seems like we really are going to be able to manage our jobsites from wireless mobile offices in our trucks, along come wearable computers that go even further. Between new wireless technology and wearable computers like the...

Pencil it in.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)(Calendar)
May 1, 2005... PCBC May 31-June 3 San Francisco 800-956-77469 www.pcbc.com Southern Building SHowcase and Conference June 9-11 Atlanta 800-854-7736 www.southernbuildingshow.com Southeast Building Conference July 14-16 Orlando, Fla....

At your service.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)(Cartoon)
May 1, 2005... MY NAILER IS MIS-FIRING. I DON'T CARE WHAT HER NAME IS--WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

By the numbers.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
May 1, 2005... 825,000,000,000 Estimated square feet of plywood produced since its invention in 1905. (Source: APA-The Engineered Wood Association) 3,000 The dollar value of tools generally kept in a truck box. (Source: Knaack Mfg.)

2005 Site Commander sweepstakes.(SITE COMMANDER)
May 1, 2005... Still haven't won the Site Commander? Well we're back to give you another shot at seeing--and winning--our ultimate work truck. On May 16 the 2005 Site Commander tour and sweepstakes rolls out for another national tour. Three identical...

Tool tracker: Bosch's safe & sound tracking system keeps a watchful eye on tools.(SECURITY)
May 1, 2005... Jobsite theft has become so rampant that practically every contractor has a tragic tale of having thousands of dollars of tools and equipment stolen from trucks, toolboxes, and jobsites. And while we'd like to think that jobsite theft is always...

Work shirt.(HOT FINDS)
May 1, 2005... Gorgonz has introduced a work shirt made with Evaporative Cooling Technology, a lightweight fabric that the company says dries four times faster and breathes four times better than 100 percent cotton shirts. The shirts feature vented side...

Texture sprayer.(HOT FINDS)
May 1, 2005... The Magnum TexFinish interior texture spraying package from Graco includes a 25-foot material/air hose, removable hopper, TexFinish texture spray gun, 1-hp oil-less compressor, and 3/4-gallon touch-up hopper, all on a lightweight cart with...

Plywood turns 100: industry celebrates anniversary in Portland, Ore.(MILESTONES)
May 1, 2005... Holy sheet! Plywood, the venerable product that has helped house generations and led to the development of engineered wood products we rely on today, celebrated its 100th anniversary this spring. Surprisingly, plywood didn't begin as a...

Moty-ko launches pro tool line: new brand aimed at professional tool users.(PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Anew player has joined the game: Moty-ko Professional Power Tools has introduced a line of cordless products aimed at the professional market. Company owner and founder Larry Motykowski says that the tools offer performance, parts, and...

Framing kits.(HOT FINDS)
May 1, 2005... Makita has introduced four new kits that include a framing nailer and circ saw. When you purchase the AN922 22-degree round-head nailer or the AN942 31-degree clipped-head framing nailer, you'll receive a 5507NBK 7 1/4-inch circ saw or a 5007NB...

Fast track: expert advice for framing with light-gauge steel.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
May 1, 2005... I learned how to flame with 2-by sticks, and in those days the idea of flaming with steel was about as foreign to me as speaking Russian. But after setting up shop in New York City, fire codes and commercial building practices left me with no...

Saw guide: Eurekazone puts a new spin on cutting straight.(FIRST TEST)
May 1, 2005... If you've ever used a site-built shooter (or shoot) board--a saw guide made of plywood for straight cuts in sheet stock with a circ saw--you know they're easier and often better than using the table saw. Eurekazone's E-Z Smart Guide 100-inch...

Pneumatic cap stapler: from papering a new roof deck to fastening foam insulation, once you try this pneumatic cap stapler you'll never want to use your hammer again.(FIRST TEST)
May 1, 2005... Bostitch's SB150SLBC pneumatic cap stapler is an evolution in rapid-firing button cap nails that has earned its way onto my jobsites, i used the SB150SLBC securing roofing paper, housewrap, and rigid foam insulation up to 3/4 inch thick, and...

Sparky's toolbox: tools and tricks from a veteran electrician.(SiteLines)
May 1, 2005... In my 18 years as an electrician, I've come across just about every tool rig you can imagine. I've worked with salty old journeymen who swore they could do most jobs with lineman's pliers and a few screwdrivers, while other guys required a...

Tools of the trade 2005: innovation, invention, and refinements that improve the way we work.(2005 Editors' Choice Awards)
May 1, 2005... Cracking the code, cutting a new edge, shifting a paradigm, or re-imagining the commonplace are the traits that drive companies, designers, and engineers forward. They are what makes them great at their jobs and what compels them to create the...

Band on the run: we shop-tested seven new band saws for accuracy, power, and ease of adjustment.(TOOL TEST: 14-INCH BAND SAWS)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2005... Before I went into woodworking and custom boat building, I built and remodeled houses. Oddly, some of my earliest band saw work came flaming a cloverleaf-shaped custom home. We spent days pushing 2x12s through the boss's rickety band saw,...

Multi-duty rotary hammer from Hitachi: is named the editors' choice.(EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS: TOOLS OF THE TRADE 2005)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... From among a large field of tool manufacturers, Hitachi wins accolades from the editors of TOOLS OF THE TRADE. Specifically, the DH24PC2 rotary hammer from Hitachi won the 2005 Editors' Choice Award, which represents leadership and innovation...

Straight shooters: features drive the differences between these 10 straight-magazine pneumatic finish nailers.(TOOL TEST: STRAIGHT-MAGAZINE FINISH NAILERS)
May 1, 2005... In the old days it was easy to pick out the better finish nailer because cool features like depth adjustment, no-mar caps, and swing-out noses for clearing iambs were few and far between. Now these features--and more--are pretty much standard...

Out of the chute: what every contractor should know about working with concrete.(WORKING WITH CONCRETE)
May 1, 2005... Few places in construction are mistakes harder to correct than the surface of a concrete slab, so you've got to pay attention to the basics if you want to get the quality and finish your customers expect, whether it's a driveway, patio, or...

Tool bags.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Veto Pro Pac now offers its upright-storage-style tool bags in three designs. The original Model XL holds more than 100 hand tools of various sizes; Model XXL-F (shown) has space for more than 80 tools, with 55 pockets and two long, open...

Tool backpack.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Duluth Trading Co.'s Master Series Tool Backpack allows tools to be transported hands-free. The bag is made with 1200 denier fabric and has a padded back with airflow channels that reduce moisture buildup and keep the upper back cooler. It has...

Toolbox.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Designed to handle the abuse of jobsites, the Stanley 4x4 ShockMaster toolbox has four Sofprene feet that provide shock absorption to protect the box and its contents, along with slip resistance to keep it secure on uneven surfaces, the maker...

Mobile workstation.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Lista International's Mobile MRO mini workstation/ high-density storage cabinet on wheels allows users to bring parts, tools, equipment, and supplies directly to the project site. The workstations feature built-in shelf storage behind a...

Tool carrier.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Custom Leather Craft's #1538 27-pocket 10-inch triple-zippered tool carrier features 18 multi-use exterior pockets and nine interior pockets. Large, zippered side pockets have loops for holding large-handle tools. The bag is made with 600...

Rolling tool cabinet.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Snap-on Tools' Classic 78 roll cab (model KRA2411) measures 54 inches wide by 24 inches deep and offers 23,000 cubic inches of storage space. Heavy-duty interchangeable drawers and detachable slides allow for customization; seven drawers can...

Electrician's Tote.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Designed for entry-level electrical contractors, the Journeyman Electrician's Tote from Ideal Industries is a rugged, lightweight tote that can be carried by hand, over the shoulder, or around the waist. The tote comes with a collection of...

Soft storage.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... Irwin has introduced a line of storage products: the Pro 22-inch soft-side tool organizer, the Pro soft tray tool organizer, the Pro job tote tool organizer, and the Pro nail pouch. The Pro soft tray tool organizer, shown here, features...

Tool bag.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2005... The Weather Guard 7747 21-inch tool bag from Knaack Mfg. is made of heavy-duty ballistic nylon and features a reinforced bottom and side panels, double stitching and steel rivets for maximum durability, and heavy-duty handles and shoulder...

Jigsaw.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... The DW331K 6.5-amp corded jigsaw from DeWalt features a flush-cutting blade that allows the teeth to cut at the front of the shoe, keyless blade change, and four-position orbital action that allows you to set the aggression of the cut along...

Drywall screwguns.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Hitachi has redesigned its line of drywall screwguns. Models W6V4 VSR, W6VA4 VSR, W6VB3 VSR (shown), and W6VM feature 6.6-amp motors with 750 watts of input power. Depending on model, the tools deliver no-load speeds of 0 to between 2,600 and...

Narrow crown stapler.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... The SureShot 1820 18-gauge narrow crown stapler from Duo-Fast is compact at 5 3/4 inches tall and weighs 1 pound 10 ounces. The tool features a bottom-load magazine and a clean nose for easy fastener placement. It accommodates 1800 Series...

Miter saw.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Part of Metabo's new line of benchtop woodworking tools, the KGS 305 12-inch dual bevel sliding compound miter saw has the industry's largest cross-cut capacity, the maker says, able to cross-cut materials 12 1/2 inches wide and 4 3/4 inches...

Air hose.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... The ProFlex reinforced polyurethane air hose is up to 50 percent lighter than comparable rubber hoses and remains flexible even in subzero temperatures, according to Senco. The hose has a temperature range of -40 degrees F to 150 degrees F,...

Mobile phone.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Designed for rugged conditions, the Nextel/Motorola i325 IS handset is approved for use around flammable gases and vapors, and it meets military specifications for resistance to blowing rain, dust, shock, vibration, high/low temperatures and...

Hydration pack.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Part of Ergodyne's WorkSmart line, the GB5155 Hi-Vis low-profile hydration pack keeps workers hydrated and visible. The pack has a 2-liter water capacity and features closed-cell insulation to keep water cool, an insulated bite valve to help...

Pickup storage.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Designed for midsize and full-size pickup trucks, the Pickup Pack locking storage unit from Highway Products is a pre-assembled single unit that includes a cab guard, gull wing saddle box, two lockable low side boxes, center hatch, and...

Truck body.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2005... Aerotech II service bodies from Beading Truck Body now include Spacemaker compartments--top-opening compartments that provide 15 percent more additional storage on the top of the service body sides. Spacemaker compartments are activated by a...

Pure power.(ToolHounds: We just love tools. Is that a problem?)
May 1, 2005... "People think I don't use power tools," said my friend Harry Bryan, a wooden boat builder and designer I was visiting on the coast of New Brunswick, Canada. Maybe that's because his shop is unusual: It's off the grid. That doesn't mean...