Hot products 2005

Readers responded to the hundred of products featured in the last year in Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine. Here’s a glimpse at the most requested products

A. 3-in-1 drywall
tool and more
C.H. Hanson Company’s SpeedRocker is a 3-in-1 multi-purpose tool that makes cutting and shaping drywall, acoustical tile and insulation board easier, safer and more accurate. The unique tool features a knife, saw, rasp and a convenient ScoreSlot tape measure slot that allows the user to read the tape measure, score and cut faster without breaking the tape, while keeping fingers away from the blade. Item 138

B. Get a handful of comfort with dual-composition drivers
Get a better grip and reduced slippage with Channellock’s Dual-Composition Drivers. Available in various screwdriver and nutdriver sizes and styles, the new line has polypropylene/TPR-rubber handles that offer a more secure, tighter grip; and chrome vanadium steel shafts and blade with chrome plating for durability and resistance to the elements. The Vapor-Blast tip prevents chrome from flaking off and getting left behind in delicate work. Item 139

C. Top-of-the-line
bit sharpener
The Drill Doctor DD750 is designed for heavy-duty use. It can sharpen 118 degree or 135 degree bits as well as turn standard bits into self-centering split-point bits. Features the patented E-Z Align system and diamond grinding wheel for precise sharpening and two chucks that can sharpen bits up to 3/4" diameter. Item 140

D. Stand-up lighting
Wobble Light‚ a new, innovative jobsite light, is durable, safe and solves lighting problems on jobsites. It is easy to set up, self-righting and nearly impossible to damage. Wobble Light immediately returns to its standing position when knocked to the ground. Units are available that can illuminate areas from 16' to 110' in diameter and can be easily moved. Item 141

E. Recip saw blades offer fast removal
The M. K. Morse Company introduces six new blades to its premium line of Master Cobalt reciprocating saw blades. The blades utilize an innovative tooth geometry with a fatigue-resistant backer welded to an 8 percent cobalt high-speed steel cutting edge. Available in a variety of tooth pitches and 6", 9" and 12" lengths, these .042"-thick blades provide exceptional metal removal rates over conventional competitive reciprocating saw blades. Item 142

F. Laser in bright light
PLS Pacific Laser Systems offers the PLS2E system with the exclusive LD detector that allows contractors to use it in bright sunlight for short or mid-range vertical and horizontal alignment tasks. Small, accurate and easy to use, it is an alternative to complicated and expensive rotary lasers for decks, fences, siding, windows and more. Item 143

G. 12" compound miter saw with laser marker
The Hitachi C12LCH 12" compound miter saw with Laser Marker features an all-new design and a revolutionary liquid crystal display that takes the guesswork out of miter and bevel readings. It cuts various types of wood, crown molding, plywood, decorative panels, soft fiberboard, hardboard and aluminum sashes. Item 144

H. Flush cut with recip saw
Flush-Cut, Inc. offers an offset adapter that allows users to offset-mount a recip saw blade for fast, efficient flush cutting. It fits most brands of recip saws and helps users get the blade into hard-to-reach places with minimal damage to materials. It also helps extend blade life. Other accessories are available to use a recip saw as a sander or rasp. Item 145

I. Fall protection system
Compliance-in-a-Can Light includes a five-point adjustable full body harness and 6' shock absorbing lanyard conveniently packaged in a bucket. The kit is available in three different configurations, one kit only, a box of 12 and a pallet of 48. Item 146

J. Internal pipe wrench
RectorSeal offers the GoldenGrip internal pipe wrench with a self-locking mechanism that allows pipe nipple installation or extraction. Can be used with ratchets, extensions, air tools or impact wrenches. Item 147

K. Framer’s best friend
Mayhew Tools offers the Tweaker, a handy tool for twisting warped studs into place for nailing. Fits any 2" dimensional lumber and can strip nailed lumber, wedge lumber into place and pull nails. Guaranteed against defective material and workmanship. Item 148

L. Fast set up, easy use
Technidea Corp.’s Ziplevel Pro-2000 is a laserless tool that works like an airplane’s altimeter, but is 1,000 times more precise. Ziplevel levels and then reads elevations over a 200' circle and 40' vertically with ±0.1" precision. The unit reads in English or metric with no math, rods, tripods, line of sight, error with distance or factory calibration. Allows measurements over unlimited ranges without loss of zero reference or computations. Optional PC serial link allows stored or real-time data to be downloaded to a PC or PDA. Item 149

M. Rolling storage cabinet
The Maintenance Pro tool storage line from Kennedy Manufacturing includes features such as extra large wheels and casters; deep, full-width, easy-glide drawers with ball-bearing slides; high-security tubular locks and two new colors (gloss blue and gloss yellow). Item 150

N. Van rack tie-down system
Rack-Strap now offers the RS-5 strap for full-size van racks. The RS-5 can be mounted directly to the rack mounting bracket, no longer requiring a horizontal side bar for mounting. It offers the ultimate in tie-down security for Weather Guard 205/215 style and many other van racks. The RS-5 stops the ongoing expense of buying expensive tie-down materials, replacing weak and undependable rubber straps or rope. Features solid steel construction that is zinc-plated with yellow chromate for extremely high weather protection. It is convenient, quick and easy to use and can be permanently bolted or welded to the rack. Works in all weather conditions. Item 151

O. Gas-powered tool for steel, concrete fastening
Powers Fasteners, Inc. introduces the Trak-It TI-C gas-powered tool to fasten building materials to steel or concrete. Lighter and better balanced than competitive models, it has a 42-pin magazine capacity and a unique nosepiece latch that allows jammed fastener removal without tool disassembly. Item 152

P. Cordless band saw
Stout Tool Corporation introduces its X-Band cordless portable band saw. The 18-volt unit can cut a variety of building materials up to 2 1/2". It weighs only 8 lbs. and is 15" long. Uses a Starrett 24 TPI blade that can cut 475 sfm. Item 153

Q. Labeler for almost every need
Brady offers the IDXPERT labeler that allows users to make nearly any kind of label for any application. Cartridges carry label materials, ink and smart chips that format the printer to print the correct letter size. Can make electrical, datacom and pipe labels. Available in handheld ABC and keyboard styles. Item 154

R. LED flashlight
The 24/7 SmartBright from Emissive Energy is a palm-sized LED flashlight that offers eight distinct lighting patterns for work or emergency situations. Can be handheld, mounted or used free-standing. Rugged construction for rugged work; lithium-ion battery offers up to 10-year shelf life. Item 155

Published in the July/August 2005 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.