Tools of the Trade articles from November 2005

Tools of the Trade archives from November 2005

The long haul.(Editor's Note)
November 1, 2005... Once again, everyone was glued to the television watching with horror something that always happens to other people, somewhere else in the world; everyone, of course, except those actually fleeing from our Gulf Coast states and what was left of...

Werner Ladder Co.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD.)
November 1, 2005... Former Bosch president Steve Richman has been named CEO of Werner Ladder Co.

The Stanley Works has entered an agreement to purchase hardware manufacturer National Mfg. Co.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD.)
November 1, 2005... The Stanley Works has entered an agreement to purchase hardware manufacturer National Mfg. Co. This follows Stanley's announcement that it has made an offer to purchase Facom Tools, a European maker of hand and mechanics tools.

Habitat for Humanity.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD.)
November 1, 2005... Habitat for Humanity has launched "Operation Home Delivery," a three-phase response to provide assistance and rebuilding in New Orleans and other areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. For more information on this and other outreach efforts, see...

eBay.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD.)
November 1, 2005... eBay is making it easier to buy and sell heavy equipment on its online auction site with the Freight Resource Center, which allows users to compare rates and book pickups.

TOOLS' executive editor Mark Clement has followed up his The Carpenter's Notebook book debut with the Kid's Carpenter's Workbook, Projects for Families.(TOOLSworthy: NEWS AND NOTES FROM THE CONSTRUCTION WORLD.)
November 1, 2005... TOOLS' executive editor Mark Clement has followed up his The Carpenter's Notebook book debut with the Kid's Carpenter's Workbook, Projects for Families (CenterLine Media, www.centerline media.com). The book--written in English and...

Offbeat home improvement reality TV keeps on comin'.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
November 1, 2005... Some people who pursue life in the trades are, well, quirky. And that's being polite. Stories of jobsite lunacy and bullet-head crew members are endless. Former carpenter-turned-comedian Adam Caralla (of Comedy Central's The Man Show fame)...

By the numbers.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
November 1, 2005... 64,000,000,000 Number of nails Bostitch is forecasted to manufacture in 2005. 1,224 Number of fatal work injuries recorded in the construction industry in 2004. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor) 10,060,000 Dollars per...

Pop! Culture.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)
November 1, 2005... The so-called housing bubble--and the industry debate over whether it exists or if it will blow--has crossed over into the pop culture arena. Online retailer t-shirthumor.com has launched "Mr. Housing Bubble," a line of T-shirts, caps, and...

Pencil it in.(Takeoffs: The buzz from the biz)(Calendar)
November 1, 2005... International Builder's Show Jan. 11-14, Orlando, Fla. 800-368-5242 www.buildersshow.com World of Concrete Jan. 16-20, Las Vegas 866-490-3097 www.worldofconcrete.com

Come together: the industry helps to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.(GIVING BACK)
November 1, 2005... From countertop collection jars to multi-million-dollar fund-raising efforts, the construction industry is digging deep into wallets and toolbelts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We're proud of the industry's response to the...

Habitat for humanity.(GIVING BACK)
November 1, 2005... www.habitat.org Visit the Web site to learn more about Habitat's Operation Home Delivery, to donate funds, and to get information on volunteering for pre-building efforts and the permanent rebuilding effort.

National Association of Home Builders.(GIVING BACK)
November 1, 2005... www.nahb.org The NAHB Web site accepts donations for its Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund and provides a form for visitors to submit offers to donate building materials, volunteer labor, or offers to work.

Association of general contractors.(GIVING BACK)
November 1, 2005... www.agc.org AGC has organized the Hurricane Katrina Construction Workers Fund, which provides financial assistance to employees of AGC-member firms affected by the storm.

McGraw-Hill Construction.(GIVING BACK)
November 1, 2005... www.construction.com The publisher has set up a Hurricane Resources Directory on its Web site that connects hurricane-affected areas with tradespeople.

Deep Impact? Will new tool lines make a dent in the market?(ANALYSIS)
November 1, 2005... Over the past few months, we've reported on several new pro-targeted power tool brands--Perles USA, Moty-ko Tools, Dodge Hemi, Rockwell, Alltrade's Kawasaki, and Positec's Worx. Each brand varies greatly in origin, manufacturing, and product...

Timesheet software.(HOT FINDS)
November 1, 2005... WorkTrack Timesheet from Aligo collects employee hours along with job numbers, tasks, cost codes, and work order numbers directly from the field and integrates them into production tracking and payroll systems at the office, eliminating or...

Cordless vac.(HOT FINDS)
November 1, 2005... DeWalt's DC515K 18-volt 1/2-gallon wet/dry vac weighs 6 pounds but provides suction power comparable to larger portable units, the maker says. Cleanup occurs through the nozzle at the nose or an expandable hose. Its washable and reusable Gore...

Makita launches lithium-ion.(PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Last month Makita became the second tool manufacturer to break into the sought-after market of lithium-ion tools with the introduction of the LXT series, a line of 18-volt cordless products that promise the power of an 18-volt tool with the...

No-cut shingle valley: shingle technique saves time, material, and effort.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
November 1, 2005... There are lots of techniques for shingling a valley--woven, cut, open metal lined--but there's one you just won't find described on shingle wrappers that's easier and faster to install, is just as weather resistant, and looks great. It works...

Sub it out: sometimes it just makes sense to bring in the talent.(SiteLines: Dispatches from the field)
November 1, 2005... Almost everybody subs out "the trades"--plumbing, electrical, and HVAC. But some jobs seem so easy or necessary for you or your crew--wood flooring, cutting concrete, specialized framing, or tile--that they're tempting to take on. The reasoning...

Hitachi KM 12VC router combination kit: versatile router kit performs well with either base.(FIRST TEST)
November 1, 2005... Sometimes combination tools have to make too many compromises to perform their numerous functions. Fortunately, that's not the case with Hitachi's new KM 12VC router combination kit. This smartly designed, solidly constructed, and...

Where the rubber meets the road: with three big Fords and all 18 wheels grinding out the miles, out sixth-annual Site Commander Tour has tons of traction.
November 1, 2005... Bigger may not always be better, but when it comes to trucks more is definitely both bigger and better, especially when it comes to TOOLS OF THE TRADE'S Site Commander. And that's what you'll find with this year's National Tour and...

Launch time 2005.
November 1, 2005... This month members of the tool industry will descend on Baltimore for the annual convention and trade show of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA), an organization made up of manufacturers and distributors of...

The contenders: we tested (and loved) these six heavy-duty cabinet saws, with features performance that improve quality, productivity, and safety.(TOOL TEST: 3-HP CABINET SAWS)
November 1, 2005... The undisputed king of the woodshop is the 10-inch cabinet saw. Along with a good workbench, a well-tuned and -outfitted cabinet saw with a good blade and a proper out-feed is the beating heart of the shop. As such, choosing which saw to buy is...

Side job: tips and tools for installing vinyl siding.
November 1, 2005... The only time I used to touch vinyl siding was to tear it off an old Colonial or Victorian I was hired to rescue, or to hang it on unremarkable buildings like strip malls, multifamily units, or a shotgun ranch. So, I was shocked when a client...

Reciprocating saws.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Makita's new series of recip saws, models JR3070CT, JR3060T, and JR3050T, feature the company's Anti-Vibration Technology--a counterbalance design that provides for two times less vibration, the maker says. The tools' clutch assembly protects...

Drywall screwdriver.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Ridgid's R6000 Heavy-Duty VSR Drywall Screwdriver includes a 6.5-amp motor with hardened steel gears for longevity, engineering designed to operate under dusty conditions, and auto-stop brushes that prevent the motor from operating when the...

Jigsaw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... The 4390 jigsaw from Skil features a 5-amp motor that provides 800 to 3,250 spm, four-position orbital cut control, tool-free foot adjustment to 45 degrees, tool-free blade change, built-in work light, soft-grip handle, and an open-foot design...

Hammerdrill.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... The Worx Revolver Blockbuster 1/2-inch hammerdrill features the company's Revolver adjustable grip with 65-degree-angle rotation and ErgoSum Design Technology, in which the correct angles, geometries, sizes, and shapes are taken into...

Chop saw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... New from DeWalt, the D28700 14-inch chop saw features a 15-amp, 4-hp motor that delivers a no-load speed of 3,800 rpm. The tool cuts round pipe up to 4 1/2 inches and rectangular pipe up to 4 3/4 inches by 5 1/8 inches. The saw features a...

Correction.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)(Correction notice)
November 1, 2005... In Product Watch in the September/October issue (page 82), we listed an incorrect Web site for McGuire-Nicholas. The correct address is www.mcguire-nicholas.com. We regret the error.

Orbital sanders.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Craftsman's 5-inch random orbit sander and 5-inch variable-speed random orbit sander feature a counterbalance and counterweight system to reduce vibration, contoured palm grip with textured overmold, sealed on/off switch, replaceable brushes,...

Angle grinders and sanders.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Bosch's 1800 series 7- and 9-inch large angle grinders and sanders feature a vibration-reducing handle system--which incorporates vibration-absorbing rings into the side handle and between the main trigger handle and grinder motor housing--that...

Percussion drill.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... Available in three models, Perles' D80 percussion drill offers percussion operation for drilling in concrete and stone. Features include a safety overload clutch, spindle lock, soft-start, reverse action, and easy switching between gears....

Reciprocating saw.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... The WSR 1400-PE recip saw from Hilti features the company's Smart Power system, which maintains constant speed under load to reduce cutting time, says the company; in addition, the 13.5-amp motor and six speed settings provide the right amount...

Impact wrench.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... The WR16SA 1/2-inch impact wrench from Hitachi features a 4.2-amp, 480-watt motor that delivers 3,190 inch-pounds of torque, 1,900 rpm, and 2,100 impacts per minute. The tool's armature bearing is seated in aluminum to withstand high heat and...

Rotary hammer.(PRODUCT FOCUS: CORDED TOOLS)
November 1, 2005... The KHE D24 SDS D-handle rotary hammer from Metabo is designed to keep the operator's hand and arm in line with the hole, thereby minimizing fatigue, providing more control, and maximizing drilling pressure. The tool drills up to...

Laser level.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The Mayes three-in-one laser level from Great Neck Saw Mfrs. offers dot, crosshair, and line configurations that can be rotated up to 180 degrees; it includes a beam splitter for providing horizontal and vertical lines at various angles. The...

Paint brushes.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The XL Cub series of paint brushes, new from Purdy, offers the same quality features as the company's XL brushes, but with a shorter handle for tight spots. The hardwood handle features an ergonomic thumb grip for control, along with a flush...

Pliers.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The ViperGrip Switch self-adjusting and locking pliers from IDL Tools features cam-assisted technology that increases gripping power by six times, the maker says, along with self-adjusting jaws that lock onto different material shapes and sizes...

Two-way radios.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... DTR Series two-way radios from Motorola provide two-way digital communication without monthly fees or service contracts. The digital units provide a coverage range up to 300,000 square feet or 25 floors with loud-and-clear audio up to the edge...

Laser levels.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... AccuLine Pro laser levels from Johnson Level & Tool include automatic rotary laser levels with GreenBrite technology for maximum visibility, self-leveling or manual-leveling rotary lasers, five-beam laser levels, self-leveling line-generating...

Jobsite heater.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Ground Heaters' E2200 ground heater, which replaces the E1700 model, can thaw up to 3,300 square feet of frozen ground at 1 foot deep per day and can heat up to 4,400 square feet of ground to prepare for concrete placement. It features 2,200...

Tonneau cover.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The TracTonneau tonneau cover is engineered to work with TracRac's cargo management system and installs easily on trucks with the TracRac universal rail. The cover features automatic tension control, floating hook technology, and an easy...

Wire connectors.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Ideal's next-generation UnderGround pre-filled twist-on wire connectors are an alternative to heat-shrinking conductor splices, using resin packs, or installing multi-step corrosion kits for connecting electrical wires for landscape lighting,...

Sledgehammer.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... With its unpainted tool head, the "Naked" sledgehammer offers a durable head-to-handle connection, along with a longer-lasting aesthetic, says Council Tool. The head is lacquered to prevent rust. * Cost: $16-$74 (Naked tool line). 866-646-3011....

Flex shaft.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The FS2 Flex Shaft allows users to convert their Bosch RotoZip RZ model spiral saw into a lightweight tool for precision sanding, grinding, polishing, carving, and detailing hard-to-reach areas. The tool's shaft lock button allows for easy...

Work gloves.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Mechanix Wear's Glove Light work glove has a flashlight incorporated between the thumb and index finger for use in under-lit areas. A replaceable battery pack and on/off access are located on the top of the hand. The light automatically shuts...

Work lights.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Warner Tool has modified its 1,000-watt and 2,000-watt Bull Dog Power Tower lights with rectangular light heads that provide 30 percent more light coverage and a horizontal bulb position for more useable light. The lights now include a hand...

Pump jack scaffolding.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Qual-Craft's All Pro aluminum pump jack scaffolding system is available as a complete system or as components that are interchangeable with Mum-A-Pole and Werner, allowing Alum-A-Pole and Werner users to utilize M1 Pro replacement components....

Trash pumps.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Designed to move high volumes of trash water without clogging, Subaru Robin Trash Pumps come with 2-, 3-, or 4-inch discharge outlets that provide a delivery volume of 185, 343, and 528 gallons per minute, respectively. The 2-inch model handles...

Rotary Hammerdrill.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Powered by compressed air, CS Unitec's SDS-Max Air Rotary Hammer Drill is safer than electric drills in hazardous and wet environments, the maker says. The pneumatic tool, which has a 2-inch bit capacity for concrete and masonry drilling...

Work boots.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... Suitable for field or factory, the Harrison men's 7-inch lace-up boot from Wolverine features a Rubber Lug outsole that provides sturdy traction on almost any terrain, the maker says, and is resistant to slipping, oil, water, abrasion,...

Spraying system.(NEW PRODUCTS)
November 1, 2005... The Earlex Spray Port HVLP spray system provides a piano finish without leaving visible brush marks, says the firm. An alternative to electronic spray guns and buzz guns, the unit is easy to use, has minimal overspray and less paint waste, and...

Sniffing out trouble.(ToolHounds: We just love tools. Is that a problem?)
November 1, 2005... "Seek." That's the only command mold investigator David Marcelli of Westminster, Md., has to give his two best inspectors to set them off in search of mold. That's right, his best searchers are dogs. Barney, a 3-year-old, 75-pound...