Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Ass. (STAFDA) 2009 Show Review

Posted by on under nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp, framing nailer, stafda, cool new products, universal tools, private meetings, specialty tools, v28, acti, m18, jobsite, fasteners, gauge, first quarter, trade show, slots, amp, milwaukee, alg, models |

The STAFDA trade show is traditionally where manufacturers come together and solicit current distributors to carry their products thus increasing their overall reach. This show does not have as many product launches as the larger and more end user focused show like the www.BuildersShow.com or www.WorldofConcrete.com but there were some cool new products that were launched or at least that were available to touch and feel for the first time. Many of the larger vendors also had private meetings to unveil future plans and products however those products weren’t ready to launch.

Some of the highlights (more to come):

The Senco Fusion was one of the bigger product launches of the show. They didn’t have any marketing material ready and currently nothing on their website but they did have several working models of the 15 gauge and 18 gauge finishing nailers which I got to try out. These should be available sometime in the first quarter 2010 with other finishers on the way shortly afterwards. The framing nailer they said was in the works but we would not see it anytime soon.        

The Milwaukee 2790-20 JobSite Radio for M12, M18, V18, V28 & NiCds was also at the show along with all the new Milwaukee Test & Measure tools. I have probably already had too many posts on these items already but it was nice to get chance to see them in action and answer a few questions like how can the radio take every kind of battery? Answer 3 different battery slots so probably not going to see any other universal tools coming.

   


Tagi: nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp, framing nailer, stafda, cool new products, universal tools, private meetings, specialty tools, v28, acti, m18, jobsite, fasteners, gauge, first quarter, trade show, slots, amp, milwaukee, alg, models

TPI Portable Electric Salamander Indoor Heaters

Posted by on under portable electric heaters, kerosene heaters, degree temperature, temperature increase, salamanders, fostoria, power tool, tpi, salamander, square footage, jobsite, coils, thermostat, propane, kw, sq ft, sg, amp, mai tai, temperatures |


It’s getting cold outside all over the country and in many cases a portable heating solution is needed. If you are sipping Mai-tai on the beach somewhere I am jealous and you can probably skip this post all together. If not…  TPI carries a full range of portable electric heaters from the small 120V units to these much larger units. The Fostoria Hear Wave Salamanders are available ranging from 10 kW to 45 kW and are designed as a safer flameless alternative to propane or kerosene heaters. Below are some typical applications and a time to heat chart:

New Construction

An insulated “up-to-code” 1800 sg ft building would only need 1 15kW heater to achieve up to 60 degrees temperature rise. Uninsulated, the same space could realize a 40 degree temperature rise. These temperatures would be reached in just over 2 hours.  

Pole Building / Work Shop

To heat an insulated 2000 sq ft (40’ x 50’) pole building with a 12’ ceiling – use two 15kW heaters. This would provide a 60 degree temperature increase within 2-3 hours.

The units are very simple to operate and push ambient air over multiple heat coils and recirculation the air within the room until the temperature on the unit’s thermostat is reached. The 10 & 15 kW units operate at 800 CFM while 30 & 45 kW units are able to do 1100 CFM. These units are extremely easy to move around or take to and from the jobsite.

Ohio Power Tool supplies a full range of ceramic, infrared, forced air and radiant electric heaters from TPI. If you have any questions about power requirements, square footage calculation or any other things related to these electric heaters contact the experts at Ohio Power Tool at sales@ohiopowertool.com or call 800-242-4424.

   


Tagi: portable electric heaters, kerosene heaters, degree temperature, temperature increase, salamanders, fostoria, power tool, tpi, salamander, square footage, jobsite, coils, thermostat, propane, kw, sq ft, sg, amp, mai tai, temperatures

Ridgid Launches a New Online Service at RIDGIDConnect.com

Posted by on under jay gatz, anning, sd cards, busy at work, launch, logical step, web cast, jobsite, mth, web service, co workers, vp, peoe, nbsp, laptops, efficiency, press release, laptop, checkout |


Ridgid has been busy at work upgrading their SeeSnake video inspection equipment to smaller, lighter, less expensive, more user friendly and digitally formatted equipment. All the new products now work with either DVD or SD cards, both of which can now be easily uploaded onto a laptop and sent to a new website RIDGIDConnect.com from the jobsite or anywhere. This new web service will then index the videos and other files which can be sent to customers, shared amoung co-workers and kept safe for years to come.    

I just watched the Web Cast for the launch of RIDGIDConnect given by Jay Gatz, VP of Strategic Planning and there were some statistics I found interesting in their research. Of those currently using video inspections equipment 60% are already recording digitally on DVD or other media, 51% currently use laptops on the jobsite, 65% said they needed to save the recordings for a year or more and 40% said they needed to share the recordings with other people. It looks like pricing for the service will run between $49 - $129/month which could be worth it for many reasons. Obviously if some 40% are still recording inspections onto VHS this service will not be for everyone but seems like it would be the next logical step in improving efficiency. Checkout the full Ridgid Press Release Below the video:


Tagi: jay gatz, anning, sd cards, busy at work, launch, logical step, web cast, jobsite, mth, web service, co workers, vp, peoe, nbsp, laptops, efficiency, press release, laptop, checkout

New Milwaukee M18 Hacksaw 2625-21 & 2625-21CT

Posted by on under quik lok, blade holder, youtube video, hacksaw, sawll, m12, power tool, jobsite, opti, nbsp, milwaukee, stroke, amp, checkout |

The Milwaukee M12 hacksaw 2420-22 ($179, Ohio Power Tool) has been an incredibly popular seller, with the pistol grip it is far more user friendly for 1 hand cutting than your traditional reciprocating Sawzall. Milwaukee has also recently come out with high capacity M12 XC Battery ($79, Ohio Power Tool) which not only give the M12 hacksaw longer runtime but actually gives the tool more power.

Available soon you will have the option of an M18 Hacksaw which will come with either the M18 slim or XC battery. This will be a good addition for those that already have other Milwaukee M18 tools. For many professionals there will be plenty of justification to have both a Sawzall & Hacksaw on the jobsite.

The only difference I can see in the stats is that the M18 has a ¾” stroke vs M12 with a ½” stroke. Otherwise it looks to be the same 0-3000 SPM speed and Quik-Lok keyless blade holder. We will let you know more as these become available.  Checkout the youtube video below:

   


Tagi: quik lok, blade holder, youtube video, hacksaw, sawll, m12, power tool, jobsite, opti, nbsp, milwaukee, stroke, amp, checkout

Chicago Pneumatic Portable Handheld Hydraulic Tools

Posted by on under atlas copco, hydraulic tools, envirment, hydraulic tool, optis, chicago pneumatic, life span, rsquo, reas, atex, tool company, low maintenance, jobsite, tool business, hydraulics, torque, temperatures |

It is a little confusing that a tool company with “Pneumatic” in their name would be in the Hydraulic Tool business. However, since the company is a part of Atlas Copco, one of the top names in Hydraulics worldwide and because these CP Hydraulic Tools are basically the red version of those Atlas tools we are very confident these tools will live up to the Chicago Pneumatic Construction name.

Hydraulic vs Pneumatic vs Electric
There are many reasons to consider the Hydraulic Tools over pneumatic or electric including: provide the most power and torque, fluid cannot compress like air, the tools will not freeze at low temperatures, hydraulic tools can work underwater, ATEX approved for dangerous environment (in many cases), life span of the tool is very long, low maintenance as the parts are continuously lubricated and the tools are quieter than other options. The reason you don’t see more hydraulic tools on the jobsite today is basically because of the higher initial start up costs for a complete system.

Tagi: atlas copco, hydraulic tools, envirment, hydraulic tool, optis, chicago pneumatic, life span, rsquo, reas, atex, tool company, low maintenance, jobsite, tool business, hydraulics, torque, temperatures