Fall 2010 Table of Contents

When General Motors recently previewed its completely revamped Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Heavy-Duty pickups to automotive journalists, the event included a display of stripped chassis that allowed the media to compare the previous models side-by-side with the new ones. Last year's versions were supremely capable work vehicles, among the best trucks ever built. But the 2011 pickups are an awesome step up in just about every capacity. Read more

With little fanfare, the complete Sprinter line was returned earlier this year to Mercedes-Benz, the former Chrysler/Dodge corporate partner that developed the cargo and utility van in Europe and brought it to the U.S. as a Freightliner truck in 2001, then badged it as a Dodge vehicle in 2006. According to Mercedes-Benz, Sprinters will continue to be built in Germany and sold here, but they will be available only through select Freightliner and Mercedes-Benz dealers. Read more

We gathered nine pumps, ranging from midlevel budget models to a few suited for everyday use on smaller jobs – they just had to be able to handle the pros' requisite .019-inch tip. Our painter of 25 years used them with interior and exterior latex paints to determine their worth from a full-time painting contractor's point of view. Read more

As tool makers prepare to roll out their newest products at the annual STAFDA (Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association) Show, Tools of the Trade is right there with them – and, in some cases, a step ahead, with an advance look at what will be unveiled in the coming year. Here's just a sample of the best and brightest items you'll be seeing this season. Read more

Work Boots / Kneepads / Safety Harness / More... Read more

Prefinished siding and trim – whether fiber-cement, plastic, or wood – are becoming more popular. Factory-applied finishes are hard to beat, and it's great not to have to schedule another sub or deal with weather-related painting delays. For the best look, matching color-coated nails should be used, and care must be taken to protect both the heads of these nails and the adjacent material surface. We found polyurethane Protect-O-Cap hammer caps at the request of one of our testers and gave him some to test. Here are his results. Read more

Just after we completed our 5-inch random-orbit-sander tool test for the Winter issue, Makita announced the release of an updated model. Read more

Senco's new Fusion trim nailers operate unlike any drive system you've seen before and represent a giant leap forward in hose-free technology. As in pneumatic models, a cylinder-housed piston creates the force to drive fasteners, but the system uses a captive volume of nitrogen to pressurize, shoot, and repressurize over and over in a closed loop. The tool's motor applies force on the upstroke to pressurize the piston, so the driver shoots down the instant the trigger is pulled, just as it does with a pneumatic nailer. That's why the company bills the Fusion trim nailers as the first 'cordless pneumatic' tools on the market. Read more

Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw / Palm Nailer / Rotary Hammer / Impact Driver Read more

Despite the continuing economic uncertainty affecting the housing and construction industries, not all of the news is bad. Three recent high-level studies are seeing early signs of recovery and forecasting growth for the months ahead, with residential building and remodeling picking up steam as we move into 2011. Read more

Peter Liebhold must have a million tools. As the curator of the Division of Work and Industry at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., he weaves them into stories that illuminate our growth as a country. Read more

The legacy of this magazine is based on our expertise, editorial independence, technical accuracy, job-site relevance, and down-to-earth hands-on experience. During my tenure I have worked to honor, nurture, and protect the credibility we've established over the years, as a way of acknowledging the trust you have placed in our work. I hope that I have served this mission well. Read more

A 12-volt cordless 3-in-1 Impact Driver (model RK2515K2) that operates in power drill/driver, screwdriver, and impact-driver modes has been added to Rockwell's LithiumTech line of rechargeable lithium-ion tools. Read more

Hilti's new rechargeable battery-powered rotary hammer (model TE 4-A18) has a high-efficiency motor and eccentric gearing. Read more

Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. has added a professional-grade battery-powered palm nailer (model 2458-20/21) to its 12-volt cordless M12 line. Read more

Milwaukee Electric Tool Co. has added a professional-grade battery-powered palm nailer (model 2458-20/21) to its 12-volt cordless M12 line. Read more

A revolutionary articulating dual-arm pivot system is the key feature of the recently unveiled 12-inch Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw (model GCM12SD) from Bosch Tools. Read more

he NXT Metal-Cutting cutoff saw blades are the next generation of blades in the Metal Devil line. Read more

A Lithium Ion Inspection Camera Kit (DCT410S1) is part of the new 12 Volt MAX cordless platform. Read more

The Quik Drive PRO300S auto-feed screw-driving system now includes a decking nose clip that places each screw an equal distance from the edge of the deck board and centered on the deck joist below. Read more

A unique articulating reciprocating saw has been added to Porter-Cable's line of cordless 12 Volt MAX Compact Lithium tools. Read more

A new Paddle Switch 4-1/2-inch Angle Grinder (GA4534) features a small-diameter (2-3/16-inch) barrel grip and light weight (4.2 pounds) for reduced operator fatigue and greater control. Read more

This cordless rebar-tying tool (RB397) makes code-approved wire ties in less than one second per tie with consistent strength. Read more

Three all-new hose-free gas-powered finish nailers have been introduced, along with a hose-free gas framing nailer that is the first to use full round-head wire-weld nails, says Bostitch. Read more

The 18-inch Laser Drill Press (18-900L) has a 16-speed (170-3,000 rpm) heavy-duty 3/4-hp motor and an adjustable twin laser that projects a bright red crosshair at the point of bit contact. Read more

The Seeker 400 Video Borescope System (DCS400) is designed for inspecting hard-to-reach or hard-to-see areas. Read more

Innovative replaceable cutting tips on new Nail Eater wood-boring auger bits can save time on the job and space in a toolbox. Read more

The 4-in-1 Ratcheting Wrench Set does the work of eight combination wrenches or sockets with just two tools. Read more

A total of 18 new power tape measures and long tapes have been added to this manufacturer's line. Read more

All 13 compact, impact-resistant, 14.4-volt lithium-ion cordless tools in the Tough IP line are IP56-certified. Read more

Versatile building-calculator software Construction Master Pro, Construction Master 5, and Construction Master Pro Trig are now available on several new platforms. Read more

New additions to the T2 Technology metal-cutting reciprocating saw blade line include T2 Demolition & Wood reciprocating saw blades. Read more

Three new 60-hertz, single-phase SGX Generators are powered by Subaru's EX Series overhead cam engines and feature automatic voltage regulators that provide precise voltage control output. Read more

The company that introduced oscillating detail tools again leads the field with the first battery-powered professional-grade oscillating tool. Read more

The Flexeel Curly Coiled Pigtail strain-relief accessory protects pneumatic-hose couplers from damage due to vibration, bending, flexing, and routine wear, prolonging the life of supply hoses during normal use. Read more

A new compact cordless 18V Impact Wrench (SSW18) has been added to the PowerMaster series of 18-volt lithium-ion tools. Read more

New Diablo Demo Demon 7-1/4-inch circular-saw blades are designed to provide superior cutting ability and durability for both routine and extreme construction tasks, including demolition, siding and subfloor removal, and framing, says the maker. Read more

The compact pneumatic 1-1/2-inch Tico Nailer (DF150S-TC) is designed to make fastening metal hangers to wood framing with framing-bracket nails faster and more efficient. Read more

The new DBI-SALA 50-Foot Sealed-Blok SRL is a fall-arrest device designed with several industry-first safety features. Read more

Radical new Ax reciprocating saw blades don't look or perform like ordinary blades, says Milwaukee. Read more