Faster Fastening
If there's a tool ideally suited for fastening materials to
brick or metal with efficiency, the DX 351E Powder-Actuated
Fastening System is it. Hilti's newest version has a slender
nosepiece designed to fit into narrow spaces like uni-strut and
electrical junction boxes. An optional extension pole lets you
fasten into 13-foot ceilings while your feet remain firmly on
the ground. An optional ten-pin magazine provides fully
automatic operation with minimum reloading. A unique power
adjustment reduces the impact when fastening into softer
materials, allowing users to carry fewer types of loads without
sacrificing versatility. Price on the DX 351E is $555.
Hilti
800/879-8000
www.us.hilti.com
Tool Caddy
Next to driving your truck up to the front door, the Bull Dog
Tool Wheeler might be the best thing for getting your tools on
the job quickly and easily. The 82-pound, portable scaffold
does double duty as a tool hauler when folded. Eight-inch dolly
wheels roll over obstacles, and a 22-inch frame allows passage
through almost any door. The tool tray serves as the dolly
platform when the scaffold is in tool transport mode. The
adjustable work platform measures about 2x4 feet; the scaffold
has a 500-pound rating and a list price of $270.
Warner Manufacturing
877/992-7637
www.warnertool.com
Rust-Free Rack
If you're looking for the ultimate truck rack, a new line of
stainless-steel racks promises unsurpassed durability and good
looks. Made for full-size pickups and vans, the new racks are
stronger than aluminum and won't rust like plain steel. They
feature heavy-duty welded construction and capacities from 700
to 1,000 pounds (depending on the model). Most include
adjustable ladder positioners. The starting price for pickups
with a cap is $600; for pickups without a cap, they start at
$550; van racks start at $290.
Vanguard Manufacturing
800/624-5000
www.vanguardtruckracks.com
Metric Ridge Vent
Metric roof shingles are one of the few products to survive
the stateside conversion uproar. One remaining problem,
however, is that the larger, metric size requires trimming to
fit correctly over a standard, roll-type ridge vent.
Nail-gun-compatible Rapid Ridge vent is now available in a
metric-sized, 11 1/2-inch-wide roll with visible nail lines.
The package includes a coil of 1 3/4-inch collated nails. A
20-foot roll costs $50.
Benjamin Obdyke
800/346-7655
www.benjaminobdyke.com
Above-Ground Wine Storage
A bottle of wine close at hand could put some spark in a
marriage or close a deal, easily making the KitchenAid Wine
Cellar your customer's favorite appliance -- way cooler than a
tumble washer. And speaking of cool, the wine storage unit has
three zones to keep whites, reds, and sparkling wines all at
their optimum temperatures. A top-mounted key lock keeps the
Dom Perignon safe from unruly guests. The cellar can be
installed under-counter or used free-standing in any room of
the house; a glass door and interior light keep the wine
aficionado abreast of dwindling stock. The suggested list price
is $1,500.
KitchenAid
800/253-3977
www.insideadvantage.com
Ladder Upgrades
Anything that makes extension ladders safer and easier to use
deserves a boost. The Grippster Company offers a collection of
well-made and useful ladder accessories. The original Grippster
prevents sliding or rolling on curved surfaces like poles,
trees, and columns. Similar to the special ladders used by
utility workers, the lightweight Grippster is easily removed
when you don't need it. It retails for about $20. The company's
Ladder Stops ladder mitts ($15) prevent sliding and scuffing,
while a suction cup design holds better than traditional mitts,
according to the company. Finally, the Hold-It drill holder
($15) allows easy access to your drill while you're on a ladder
and avoids frustrating snags when you descend.
The Grippster Company
800/292-9124
www.grippster.com
Safer Concrete Etching
Muriatic acid, the traditional product for cleaning masonry or
prepping concrete for painting, can cause blindness or burns,
and it kills plants and vegetation. According to the maker,
Safe-T-Etch is a safer alternative to acid solutions because it
won't burn skin or eyes and the organic salt formulation is
less harmful to plants. Its heavier, water-borne solution is
said to provide more uniform etching and clings better than
acid to vertical and sloped surfaces. Safe-T-Etch sells for
about $18 per gallon.
Duckback Products
800/825-5382
www.superdeck.com
Benchmark Wrench
Some tools, like Rigid's classic pipe wrenches, seem tough to
improve upon -- the ones I inherited from my grandfather still
perform well, 50 years on. But the new, self-adjusting
Rapidgrip has done just that, by eliminating the adjusting nut,
a real improvement over the older design. The 12-inch wrench
has a 2-inch pipe capacity, with a forged-steel jaw for good
grip and durability. The $25 price tag is a little higher than
for a traditional pipe wrench, but if my old wrenches are an
indication, you're buying a future family heirloom.
RidgeTool
800/769-7743
www.ridgid.com
The Clamp Champ
Turning the tensioning screw on an ordinary bar clamp can be
awkward, making one wish for that elusive third hand. The
cam-actuated Quick-Jaw PowerCam Clamp works one-handed and can
provide over 500 pounds of clamping pressure. The signature
"power cam" uses a ratcheting lever, providing greater force
with more precision than screw-adjusted clamps. Large
non-marring pads feature an integral V-groove to allow clamping
of pipe or dowels, and a quick-release button on the handle
allows easy removal, according to the maker. The clamp has a
4-inch throat depth and comes in 6- and 12-inch lengths. Prices
range from $8 to $28.
Wolfcraft
630/773-4777
www.wolfcraft.com
Safety Specs
If you're not ready to hang up your toolbelt but are having
trouble seeing the fine print in your contracts or the small
marks on your tape measure, you may want a pair of Shop Specs.
The polycarbonate safety glasses with built-in bifocal
magnifying lenses help the "experienced" tradesperson see more
clearly without having to constantly switch glasses.
Four-position, adjustable ear stems ensure comfort, and
integral side shields provide maximum eye protection. Shop
Specs sell for about $25 and are available in five different
levels of magnification.
Wizard Industries
888/346-3826
www.wizdist.com
Safer Paint Stripper
There's little good to say about stripping paint, but a new
tool imported from Sweden promises to make the slow and
miserable task a little easier. By using infrared heat to
soften multiple layers of old paint for easy scraping, the
Silent Paint Remover works without the mess and odor of
chemical strippers and without the danger of heat guns or
torches. Its lower operating temperature won't vaporize lead,
and the scraping technique reduces the amount of toxic,
airborne particles produced by grinding or sanding. The tool
sells for $395 and includes a hands-free attachment for use on
vertical surfaces.
Advanced Repair Technology
607/264-9040
www.advancedrepair.com
Promising the best attributes of vinyl and composite decking,
Timberlast decking installs with a patented fastening system. A
brushed texture aids traction in wet or slippery conditions.
The virgin polyethylene deck boards, available in driftwood and
redwood colors, offer greater strength than those of
competitors, claims the maker. The unique fastening system
allows the decking to float on the framing, so it can expand
and contract with temperature changes. While most composite
decking requires 12-inch joist spacing when installed in a
diagonal pattern, Timberlast can go over 16-inch on-center
spacing on a diagonal. Pricing is said to be consistent with
pricing of other composite decking.
Kroy Building Products
800/933-5769
www.kroybp.com