Tools of the Trade articles from November 2004

Tools of the Trade archives from November 2004

Beyond the numbers.(Editor's Note)
November 1, 2004... It's been four-and-a-half years since I first wrote about the lack of, and need for, performance-based testing standards in the tool industry, and standardized, meaningful language for reporting performance results. At that time,...

More tool woes.(Mail call: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I must tell you I was a little surprised to receive a reply from you [to my letter last year about stolen tools]. Let me tell you how a bad story got worse. In October of this past year, two teens burned the building I store all of my...

Hall of Fame.(Mail call: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I enjoy TOOLS OF THE TRADE and look forward to each copy. One especially interesting article is your Hall of Fame (January/February, page 25). It got me thinking about inventors I have known, like Cyril (Cy) Keller. Cy and his brother, Louie,...

Getting hitched.(Mail call: readers sound off)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... First, thank you for your great publication! I always read it first, cover to cover, as soon as I see it in the mail pile. As a builder with a handyman division, I am currently looking to buy a trailer. I'm still not sure if an open utility or...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... In the September/October issue (Cutting Edge, page 17), the drill/driver in Milwaukee's Build Your Own Combo Kit should have been listed as a "1/2-inch drill/driver." We regret the error.

TTI buys Atlas Copco brands: acquisition includes Milwaukee, AEG, and Drebo.(News)
November 1, 2004... Techtronic Industries (TTI) announced on August 30 that it will acquire the electric power tool and accessories business of Atlas Copco, which includes the Milwaukee Electric Tool, Atlas Copco Electric Tools GmbH (AEG), and Drebo carbide drill...

Chevy hybrid pickup truck: tackling the road and the jobsite with Chevy's new fuel-efficient pickup.(Test Drive)
November 1, 2004... Testing jobsite tools is cool. But getting a first look at Chevrolet's new hybrid Silverado, well, that brings it to a whole new level. Chevy has taken gas-electric hybrid engine technology--a fuel-saving option now available on several compact...

Paint roller system.(Hot Finds)
November 1, 2004... Purdy's Pro-Extra paint roller system helps pros apply better "first rolls," the company says. The lightweight frame is stiff to prevent flexing, and the extension pole features a quick-release lever and secure locking. The rollers have an...

Portable printer.(Hot Finds)
November 1, 2004... Developed for construction pros, the Polaroid PP46d compact photo printer generates 300-dpi, borderless photos, with similar definition and color gradations as 35mm photos, in less than two minutes, allowing you to preview work in progress and...

Watch.(Hot Finds)
November 1, 2004... Ideal for construction pros who prefer not to wear a watch while working, the GuardDog Watch and Clock clips onto your belt or pocket within easy reach; it rests in a protective Santoprene case, but is quickly readable by flipping it outward...

Table saw stand.(Hot Finds)
November 1, 2004... New from Bosch, the TS2000 Gravity-Rise portable table saw stand utilizes gravity's effect on the weight of the tool and stand to make it easy to raise into position: simply turn the release lever and guide the stand up. The system eliminates...

Bosch RS20 recip saw: first-class features and plenty of power hallmark this new recip saw.(First Test)
November 1, 2004... Upgrading my classic, battle-hardened recip saw never crossed my mind until I took the new Bosch RS20 out for spin. The first thing that grabbed my attention was the RS20's headlights--there's a forehead slapper of an idea. These two tiny LEDs...

Book it.(Cutting Edge)
November 1, 2004... Even if you haven't read anything mare than blueprints lately, check out "The Carpenter's Notebook," a new novel by TOOLS OF THE TRADE'S own executive editor, Mark Clement. The novel follows Brendan Herlihy, a husband, father, and carpenter's...

Power trip: our fifth annual Site Commander lights up jobsites coast to coast.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... Adam Grampp pulls the 2004 Site Commander onto another jobsite and watches workers drain from the upper levels to check out this year's Ultimate Work Truck and try out all the tools packed into its compartments. It's as it' they were waiting...

Playing the numbers: performance standards would benefit toolmakers as well as tool buyers. So why does the industry continue to shirk them?
November 1, 2004... When shopping for power tools, most professionals want the same thing--reliable power at the best price. The prices are always clear enough, but how do you compare performance without dragging the tools onto the jobsite first? "Everyone...

Launch time 2004.
November 1, 2004... The best part of our job here at TOOLS OF THE TRADE is tracking down the latest and greatest tools, accessories, and equipment and bringing them to you all year long. But every fall is Launch Time in the tool industry, and this year...

28th Annual STAFDA Convention & Trade Show.(Special Advertising Section)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Wondering what's new in specialty tools and fasteners? STAFDA's 28th Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Francisco, CA November 14-16, 2004 will bring you up to date. This month, leading manufacturing and distribution companies within the...

Tool test: 15-gauge finish nailers: innovative designs and lightweight materials improve the performance of finish nailers.
November 1, 2004... When I started in the trades 20 years ago, there were only a few pneumatic finish nailer brands to choose from. Features were functional but crude compared to today's tools. Nailers were still better than hand nailing, but they were expensive...

Electric brad nail gun.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Arrow Fastener's ET200 Nail Master 2 electric brad nail gun drives four sizes of nails up to 1 1/4 inches and offers 14 amps of power. The tool features a removable non-marring bumper, a four track system that prevents jamming, an angled...

Wormdrive saw.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... New from Ridgid, the R3210 7 1/4 inch wormdrive circ saw features heavy duty worm gear construction, a 51.5-degree bevel capacity, a 15-amp motor that delivers no-load speed of 4,400 rpm, and an aluminum baseplate and MG Magnesium Construction...

Drills.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... DeWalt's new DW239 and DW249 heavy-duty 1/2-inch corded drills include Anti-Lock Control, which controls the effects of reactionary torque when bits lock up, helping the user retain control of the tool. The drills also feature a 7.8-amp motor,...

Grinders.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... New from Hitachi, the G23MR (9 inch) and G18MR (7-inch) grinders incorporate the company's Internal Double Insulation (IDI) technology, a design that allows the aluminum housing to be intertwined with an injection-molded inner nylon core,...

Cut-off machine.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Milwaukee's 6190-20 14-inch dry cut-off machine for metal cutting utilizes dry or "cold" cutting technology that allows it to cut about three times faster than abrasive machines while costing one-and-a-half times less to operate, says the...

Electric saw.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... New from Partner, the K3000 Electric handheld cutter features electronic overload protection with built-in warning function, electronic soft start, and a new ergonomic handle system along with a backpack spray kit that allows the saw to be used...

Autofeed screw system.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... The Pro300S autofeed screw system from QuikDrive can be used for driving screws into decking and subflooring. The tool, which can be used with the company's entire line of deck and flooring screws with no additional adjustments, is available as...

Angle grinders.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... The 7430K and 7416K 4 1/2-inch angle grinders from Porter-Cable include a spanner wrench on the handle, which reduces time required to change the pad, blade, disc, and other accessories. The tools operate at 10,000 rpm and feature a...

Hammerdrill.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... The Hilti UH 6.50 1/2-inch universal hammerdrill offers an optimal blend of speed and torque for precise power in a range of applications, including rotary drilling in wood, steel, or plastic or hammerdrilling into masonry, the company says....

Jigsaw.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... New from Bosch, the 1591EVSK barrel-grip jigsaw features the company's Precision Control blade system, which eliminates blade wander and therefore improves cut accuracy. The tool also includes a One-Touch blade change system, a tool-free foot...

Table saws.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Delta has expanded its 10-inch Contractor Saw table saw line with the 36-675, 36-680, 36-681, and 36-682 models. The tools feature a deluxe miter gauge with nine positive stops; a flat-grind table surface for a smoother, flatter work area; see...

Rotary hammer.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Metabo's BHE-D24 D-handle rotary hammer can be used with a variety of materials, including stone, concrete, wood, and steel, and reduces operator reach in down-drilling and overhead drilling, the maker says. The tool features Variospeed...

Reciprocating saw.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... For maximum versatility, the Multi-Angle reciprocating saw (model 28640) from Craftsman has three rotation points: a rotating front blade housing with 360-degree scroll and 12 positive stops, a 180-degree rotating gear housing with 13 stops,...

Autofeed screw system.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Pam Fastening Technology's P13KUE autofeed screw system comes with a removable universal attachment that allows it to he used not only in a standard shorter length to screw 1- to S-inch screws, but also can be used in the standing position when...

Miter saws.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... Makita's new 12-inch sliding compound miter saws, models LS1214 and LS1214F, feature a 4 1/2-inch cutting depth; precision bevel cutting up to 45 degrees left and right and a positive stop at 33.9 degrees left; miter capacity of 47 degrees left...

Rotary sander.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... The RAS 115.04E rotary sander from Festool offers a variable-speed range of 1,500 to 4,000 rpm that is optimized for stripping coatings and prepping surfaces and remains constant under load, the maker says. Other features include a slim,...

Flush milling machine.(Product focus: corded tools)
November 1, 2004... The Lamello Cantex lipping cutter from Colonial Saw features a precisely engineered 45-degree motor and a helical cutter that together create shearing action for flush milling solid wood edges and mini-spot patches, the company says. According...

Building a difference.(Toolhounds: we just love tools. Is that a problem?)
November 1, 2004... Habitat for Humanity site supervisors Amanda Phillips and Brendon Fox use a different currency to measure their success than many other contractors: the noble satisfaction of changing people's lives. Phillips and Fox work like any good site...