Making a come-back as the first convention to open its doors at the Rhode Island Convention Center, JLC Live made a brave restart earlier this month. As expected, the EXPO was filled with Building Clinics by Peter Heard (in photo above), Gary Strigler, Mike Guertin, Mike Sloggart, Tom Brewer, Mike Kennedy, Ben Bogie, Myron Ferguson, Rick Arnold, Jon Namba, Tony Blue and Jeremy Kassel, all of whom continued the tradition of making their JLC articles come to life, teaching building skills and putting the live in JLC Live. Energized by the activity, the exhibitors didn't disappoint either, bringing experienced technical staff to answer questions and explain their wares. To capture a taste of this, Senior editor Tim Healey roamed the floor shooting quick, informal product and tool videos—guerilla style.
Lightweight Cordless Brad Nailers and Stapler
Lee Iacopetti of Grex Power Tools reviews its brad nailers and soon-to-be-available crown stapler with JLC. These cordless tools are lightweight, feature an all-metal construction, and are powered by a propane cylinder that can be removed and stored.
A New Mat for Radiant Tile Floors
Co-founder Celeste Vaughn reviews Hottrok’s new tiling substrate for JLC. Debuted at JLC Live 2021, this rigid foam board made from expanded polypropylene (EPP) readily accepts any radiant heating cable and has both thermal and acoustic insulating properties.
A Partition-Wall Connector That Helps Prevent Drywall Callbacks
Billy Viars of Simpson Strong-Tie Co. demonstrates Simpson’s new SDPW Deflector Screw with JLC. Toe-nailing partition walls to trusses can lead to cracks in drywall when loading or when environmental forces are applied. Simpson’s SDPW Screws allow for differential movement between partition top plates and the bottom chord of trusses without damage to the drywall.
Wet Saw Work Station
Founder Jesse Gionta of Jionta Products demonstrates his invention, the Wet Saw Work Station, for JLC. This tile-saw enclosure allows clean tile cuts right inside the room being tiled. No more cutting tile outside in inclement weather and treading through clients’ homes.
Rot-Free Clapboard and Shake Siding
Owner and CEO Keith Coleman of Duration Moulding & Millwork discusses an array of clapboard siding products milled from Boral stock. He also reviews its new simulated shake panels available in 4-foot lengths. In addition, Duration can mill custom trim shapes and sizes approved for use in many of the nation’s Historic Districts.
Durable, Impact-Resistant Porcelain Roofing
Joseph De Santis of Innovative Building Solutions reviews Perennial Porcelain Roofing by Daltile with JLC. Perennial Roofing is resistant to scratches and staining, and has a Class IV hail impact rating and a high breaking strength. It is available in simulated slate, clay and wood shake finishes.
Panasonic Intelli-Balance 200 ERV
Product manager for Panasonic’s IAQ division, Don West, demonstrates some of the features of its new Intelli-Balance 200 ERV for JLC. This ventilator’s multi-speed selector provides customizable supply and exhaust airflow (from 60 to 200 CFM) to create balanced, positive or negative pressure within a residential or commercial space.
Mitsubishi EZ Fit Recessed Ceiling Cassette
Say goodbye to wall-mount units. Senior manager for Mitsubishi’s Performance Construction division, David Hazel, quickly outlines the retrofit aspects of the company's new EZ Fit Recessed Ceiling Cassette for JLC.
