Tools of the Trade articles from May 2006

Tools of the Trade archives from May 2006

Building our bench.(Editor's Note)
May 1, 2006... I'm pleased to introduce TOOLS' new senior editor, Michael Springer. Michael brings with him a long construction background along with a deep and detailed curiosity, understanding, and love for tools; a degree in architecture; and a passion for...

Lost in transition.(Editor's Note)
May 1, 2006... One of the toughest transitions facing any trade-based business owner is knowing when to let go... of your tools. It's an awkward moment for sure because so much self-perception and personal identification, ingrained over years of hard work...

Hilti.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... Hilti is offering the first tool leasing arrangement we've heard of. Its Fleet Management program allows contractors to tool-up without paying-up (up-front, that is) by paying monthly fees through the lease period. Services like inventory...

Members of Ridgefield Supply Co., a lumberyard in Ridgefield, Conn., have launched From Builders For Rebuilders.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... Members of Ridgefield Supply Co., a lumberyard in Ridgefield, Conn., have launched From Builders For Rebuilders, a nonprofit organization that is collecting new and used power and hand tools at participating pro dealers throughout the country...

ACIMALL.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... Italian woodworking machine and tool manufacturers are trying to expand global markets for their products through their trade organization ACIMALL (www. acimall.com), which represents 215 of the 300 companies operating there. The group produces...

ToolBase Services (www.toolbase.org), an online resource of the NAHB Research Center.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... ToolBase Services (www.toolbase.org), an online resource of the NAHB Research Center, lists tools you can use to conduct diagnostics on your new homes' HVAC systems, including a balometer, which measures airflow from floor registers and...

By the numbers.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... 100 Maximum recommended decibel exposure for a two-hour period 101 Approximate decibel level of a circ saw 114 Approximate decibel level of a hammerdrill 30,550 Number of construction-related knee injuries in...

A toolbelt doesn't count.(Too Weird for Words)
May 1, 2006... A California carpenter is facing indecent exposure charges after homeowners returned to find him building bookcases in their house last October--naked. According to the Oakland Tribune, Percy Honniball told police he didn't want to get his...

A fraternity house's dream come true.(Too Weird for Words)
May 1, 2006... Haldis Gundersen of Kristiandsund, Norway, got a big surprise recently when she turned on the water to clean up after dinner and found beer flowing from her faucet, the Associated Press reported. At the Big Tower Bar, two floors below, water...

Pencil it in.(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... Southern Building Show and Conference June 8-10 Atlanta 800-854-7736 www.souther buildingshow.com PCBC June 20-23 San Francisco 800-957-7469 www.pcbc.com

You might be a toolhound if ..(TOOLS worthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD)
May 1, 2006... ... your wife asks you to set the table and you run out to the garage to adjust the angle on your table saw.

Job sites: your dream job could be just a few clicks away.(CAREERS)
May 1, 2006... The current labor shortage is keeping skilled contractors in hot demand, which means more opportunities for you to find the job that fits. In addition to newspaper classifieds or Web sites like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com, there are a...

Back to school: construction education center to open.(EDUCATION)
May 1, 2006... On May 6 and 7, California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo celebrated the groundbreaking for its new Center for Construction Excellence, a state-of-the-art facility that will house the university's Construction Management...

Pneumatic tools.(HOT FINDS)
May 1, 2006... Milwaukee has introduced a line of seven pneumatic tools: six nailers, including a 3 1/2-inch roundhead framer, a coil roofing nailer, and a 16-gauge straight finish nailer, as well as an 18-gauge narrow crown stapler. The tools have a...

Metal-cutting bits.(HOT FINDS)
May 1, 2006... The RotoZip XB-MC1 is the industry's first metal-cutting cutout saw bit, says Bosch. Durable and heavy-duty, the bits are ideal for cutting duct work, metal studs, gutters, sheet metal, and more. The 5/32-inch-diameter bits have a drill point...

Simpson strong-tie installation pocket guide.(TRAINING CENTER: WHERE TO GO FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN THE TRADES)
May 1, 2006... Structural connector engineer and manufacturer Simpson Strong-Tie is adding to its extensive training library with a quick-reference pocket installation guide. This detail-oriented, bilingual pictorial booklet provides a quick visual reference...

Truss Technology Workshop.(TRAINING CENTER: WHERE TO GO FOR TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN THE TRADES)
May 1, 2006... Offered by the Wood Truss Council of America, Truss Technology Workshops offer education and CEUs on structural building components for a range of jobs in the industry, including inspectors, architects, and suppliers. For builders and...

Valsi Generators.(RECALLS)
May 1, 2006... VALSI GENERATORS Product: Valsi Power Equipment Single Phase Portable Generators, models G38MGO750RV, G42MG0750RV, G55MG0900RV, and G65MG1100RV. Recalled generators are black with blue label with Valsi Generator printed on it. Problem" The fuel...

Tap/Cummins Air Compressors.(RECALLS)
May 1, 2006... TAP/CUMMINS AIR COMPRESSORS Product: Tap Enterprises/Cummins Industrial Tools Mini 2-Gallon Pancake Air Compressors. Problem: Undersized power cord can overheat and pose fire hazard; improper assembly of power cord strain relief and improper...

Crain Cutter Toe-Kick Saws.(RECALLS)
May 1, 2006... CRAIN CUTTER TOE-KICK SAWS Product: Crain Cutter Co. Toe-Kick Saw Model 795 [with blue handle and motor housing) Problem: The handle could break, causing the user to lose control, which could cause the saw to kick back and cause injury. What to...

Shear strength: using Simpson's Steel strong-wall to solve shear wall challenges.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
May 1, 2006... Here in the Western mountains, we build homes with massive windows in every room to capture the 360-degree views. And as a framer, that's where the problem starts. Architecture is a blend of art and science, two diametrically opposite...

Great gadgets: cool tools (for solo work) for less than $100.
May 1, 2006... Everybody ends up working alone at some point, whether by choice or by circumstance. For me, it's a choice. I like working solo and to my standards, and using the right mix of tools makes me even more efficient and capable when jobs get tough....

Worx WT480 miter saw: new brand, new tools, cool compound miter saw.(FIRST TEST)
May 1, 2006... When the new Worx WT480 10-inch compound miter saw arrived at my shop, I admit I wondered what I would do with it. After all, for years the center of my cutting operations has been a tricked-out 12-inch sliding compound miter saw. But after...

Honoring innovation and leadership in the development of new tools and technology.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... In this era of widespread hype and rhetoric, words like "groundbreaking" and "revolutionary" are so commonly overused they often turn us off rather than attract our attention. Instead of being wowed, we are often numbed and under-impressed....

Lithium-ion batteries.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE GRAND AWARD)
May 1, 2006... The tool industry is committed to hooking us all on lithium-ion--and it's working. Milwaukee started the ball rolling last year, and garnered a 2005 Editors' Choice Grand Award for being the first to unleash this new power source onto the U.S....

Knee blades rolling kneepads.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... The "Favorite New Product" at last fall's Remodeling Show, Knee Blades combine the comfort of a kneepad with the convenience and mobility of wheels. The Knee Blades feature a one-strap design and pads with air pockets to evenly disperse weight...

Gorgonz performance work shirt.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Work. Sweat. Stay comfortable. Repeat. The Performance Work Shirt combines the breathable clothing technology you might find for athletes with the work shirt needs of the contractor. Compared to traditional 100 percent cotton T-shirts, the...

Hitachi miter saw.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Who says you can't teach an old saw new tricks? Hitachi has taken a great tool--the sliding compound miter saw--and made it even better with a new sliding mechanism and unique details. The C12LSH 12-inch miter saw's slide system operates with...

Subaru robin silent generators.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... The annoying drone of jobsite generators could become a thing of the past thanks to the Silent Series, a line of generators with advanced inverter technology the company says significantly reduces running sound. Unlike traditional generators...

Dual award: theft prevention systems.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Tool theft is on the rise, so manufacturers are stepping up efforts to provide systems and product details designed to deter thieves and keep tools safe. This year we honor two companies, Hilti and Metabo, that have incorporated theft-deterrent...

Hilti's TPS Theft Protection System.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Hilti's TPS Theft Protection System comprises a Company Card, an Activation Key (like a car system's key fob), and an electronic module inside the tool. The tool owner programs the tool by passing the Company Card over the electronic module;...

Metabo's Code! anti-theft system.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Metabo's Code! anti-theft system for its rotary hammers operates similar to a car security system: the tool owner uses a key fob to enable or disable the tool. If a disabled tool is stolen, it cannot be operated. Keys can be assigned for single...

MegaPro multi-bit driver.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... The MegoPro multi-bit driver takes the idea of an all-in-one screwdriver and makes it even better with well-thought-out features. Seven of the eight MegaPro models feature 15 tools in one: 14 screwdriver tips are stored in a pull-out cartridge...

Knerr Masonry arching tool.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... These reusable arching templates allow masons to create accurate arches in record time. The tools, which come in four size ranges, allow you to set the template for a stone or brick arch in less than three minutes, saving all the trouble of...

Stabila laser hole locator.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Set it and forget it: With the HL100 laser hole locator, you can say goodbye to setting and resetting your laser level for each hole needed to run pipes and wires. To drill holes in a row, drill the first hole, then simply attach the unit to...

JCB backhoe.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... They say form follows function, but JCB's model 3CX-14FT is proof that both can work just fine together. JCB is a 60-year-old, family-owned, British-based equipment manufacturer that is giving the big companies a run for their money based on...

Senco jump start system.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Now there's no excuse for getting to the jobsite late. The PowerPlus 6-in-1 Rechargeable Jump Start System puts a variety of products you need to keep moving in one handy, portable unit. It includes a 12-volt jump starter, an air compressor, a...

Ford, Microsoft, Stargate Mobile office.(2006 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... The FordLink mobile office is offered jointly by Ford, Microsoft, and Stargate Mobile and is available in Ford Super Duty pickups. The system includes a small, lightweight touch-screen computer loaded with practically everything you need to run...

Allspeeds lightweight Jack.(2006 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... If you're tired of lugging that boat-anchor-of-a-jack around for those occasional "adjustments" that need a little extra help and persuasion, Easy Jacks will ease the pain. Made with lightweight alloys, Easy Jacks are lighter and more compact...

Positec USA power tools.(2006 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Among a proliferation of new tool brands launched last year, the Worx Revolver line was a real standout, boasting features and benefits that prove Positec's designers are paying attention to the way we use tools. All four tools in the Revolver...

Bostitch metal connector nailer.(EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Carpenter's helpers rejoice, nailing off joist hangers just got easier. At less than 10 1/2 inches tall, the compact MCN150 metal connector nailer fits between 12-inch-o.c. framing, and its in-line magazine fits into 90-degree-angle corners....

Werner leveling ladder.(EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... The Equalizer ladder makes setup on uneven terrain easier and safer. The ladder's leveler leg features dual channel holes for leg adjustment in 3/8-inch increments up to 8 1/4 inches for more accurate positioning; a durable, zinc-plated-steel...

United States motor motorized wheelbarrow.(2006 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... "If you can fill it... the Joe Built can haul it," says the manufacturer of the Joe Built HD-500 motorized wheelbarrow, so load up this bad boy with up to 1,200 pounds (about four regular barrow loads) of sand, rocks, concrete, or whatever....

Max USA joist hanger nailer.(2006 EDITOR'S CHOICE AWARDS)
May 1, 2006... Max's revolutionary high-pressure technology lands on our list again in 2006, this time with the new PowerLite HN65J joist hanger nailer. The 400-psi tool is 40 percent more compact than conventional tools, the company says, and weighs only 4.4...

Feeding frenzy: we tested eight autofeed screwguns for subfloors and decking. Here's how they compare.(TOOL TEST: AUTOFEED SCREWGUNS)
May 1, 2006... As a production framer building large-scale projects. I could probably measure the amount of plywood subflooring and decking we install in terms of acres. And while most framers still use pneumatic nailers to fasten their subflooring, the...

Battle of the bands: five portable band saws that make short work out of cold steel.(TOOL TEST: PORTABLE BAND SAWS)
May 1, 2006... I remember the first time I used a portable band saw as a young plumber's apprentice. We were working on a large commercial project and needed to hang our piping mains above a drop ceiling. When my boss told me to make 50 hangers out of steel...

Knee deep: the selection of models and styles of gel kneepads is seemingly endless. When it comes time to shop, look for pads that fit the work you do--and try before you buy.
May 1, 2006... There is an incredible number of kneepads on the market--so many that it's practically impossible to figure out which ones to buy or even how to make reasonable comparisons between models. For this article, I had to narrow the field, so I...

Tool bag.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... New from The Rooster Group, the American Work Products model 22500 20-inch tote offers easy access to tools, with a large main compartment for larger tools, bungee cord loops for vertical storage of hand tools, and 16 outer pockets. The tote's...

Utility tote.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... Part of Bucket Boss' Extreme Gear line, the 54018 Sparky-in-the-Box Utility Tote features a box-shaped design to prevent tipping, a metal tool snap, a tape strap, a reinforced handle, and an adjustable shoulder strap. It is manufactured with...

Tool bag: the 1535 18-inch tote bag from Custom LeatherCraft offers a variety of tool storage options, with 37 pockets and a tray system on top for easy access to small parts.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... The 1535 18-inch tote bag from Custom LeatherCraft offers a variety of tool storage options, with 37 pockets and a tray system on top for easy access to small parts. Pockets include six large outside pockets for bulky items, 12 inside pockets,...

Storage cabinet.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... Lista International's line of Mechanic's Toolboxes offers high-density storage on wheels. The units' drawers, which each have a 440-pound load capacity, extend 100 percent from the housing for accessibility to the farthest corners and include...

Tool boxes.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... Stow-N-Go modular storage boxes from Piano Molding Co. come in a range of configurations to suit a variety of needs, including several sizes of tool boxes and three units ideal for small-parts storage. Stow-N-Go units feature individual,...

Toll bag: Duluth Trading Co's Canvas Rigger's Bag is manufactured with heavy-duty 28-ounce cotton canvas and features triple layering on the bottom for longer life and leather reinforcement along the top and on the handles for additional strength and a classy look.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... Duluth Trading Co's Canvas Rigger's Bag is manufactured with heavy-duty 28-ounce cotton canvas and features triple layering on the bottom for longer life and leather reinforcement along the top and on the handles for additional strength and a...

Rolling tool center.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... The FatMax rolling tool center from Stanley features four drawers--ranging in size from an accessories tray at the top to a large drawer at the bottom--for storage of tools, equipment, and accessories. The unit, which rolls on 5-inch-by-2-inch...

Tool bag: one of a range of new tool storage products from Irwin, the 18-inch Tool Center has a two-sided design for storing a variety of power and hand tools.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... One of a range of new tool storage products from Irwin, the 18-inch Tool Center has a two-sided design for storing a variety of power and hand tools. The bag's interior includes a zipper pocket for small items and heavy-duty straps to secure...

Work cart.(PRODUCT FOCUS: TOOL STORAGE)
May 1, 2006... Milwaukee's rugged Trade Titan work carts allow for easy organization of tools and materials for a variety of trades. The two cart models feature two shelves, a dedicated storage area for a cordless drill, a 4 1/2-inch-deep open storage area...

Work boots.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... Iconic Collection boots from CAT Footwear offer out-of-the-box comfort with no need for breaking in, the maker says. In addition to the durability of traditional welted work boots, the Iconic Collection's SuperWelt construction provides...

Benchtop Router Table.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... New from Bosch, the RA1171 Benchtop Bouter Table features a 25-inch-by-15 1/2-inch smooth laminated top; two adjustable, quick-mounting featherboards; a starter pin and guard for support while routing curved material; dust ports on the fence...

Cordless drill/driver.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... The Mansfield Signature Series 18-volt Dual Drill features a "grip and flip" dual-head design and dual keyless chucks that allow the user to switch from drilling to driving by flipping the head, eliminating the need to change bits or carry a...

Tool holder.(NEW PRODUCTS)
May 1, 2006... With a hook made from solid steel and a base manufactured from aircraft-grade aluminum, the Gunook tool holder is sturdy, has only two working parts, and has no rivets or plastic parts to break or wear out, allowing users to carry even heavy...

Looking sharp.(ToolHounds: We just love tools. Is that a problem?)
May 1, 2006... How well you sharpen a Japanese planer blade with your whetstone depends on how you hold your mouth. So goes the legend--and Paul Discoe, who has delicately hand-sharpened many a blade in his Japanese timber-framing shop, has found it to be...