By Jon Eakes

Hand to Foot Comfort & Convenience

After three consecutive Tool Talk columns dedicated to glue and adhesives, it was a nice change for me (and perhaps for you, too) to take a look at what’s new from hand to foot.

Camera Rotation
Despite the improved images in new wall inspection cameras, the problem has always remained that as you turned and twisted that snake, you had to stand on your head to figure out what you were seeing. DeWalt innovated first with a wireless removable screen: the instrument and the viewer no longer had to be in the same room. Milwaukee responded with a screen that can be rotated with the same hand holding the tool—fewer hands. Both now get the image right side up, comprehensible and recordable in pictures or video.

Panel Rotation
The guys that invented the Gorilla Gripper to carry 4x8 panels with one hand, now have a great little hinged attachment to put on your table saw, the “Leg-Up.” Put the end of a panel in the hook almost on the floor alongside the table and stand at the other end. Simply tilt the panel up horizontal, slide over onto the table and the hook falls away as in the photo. Safe one-man manipulation of panels on a table saw. It is worth watching the web video on www.GorrilaGripper.com

Serious 6-in-1 Tools
Milwaukee is serious in its attempt to be a strong player in the hand tools market, particularly for electrical and HVAC trades, like with their “6 in 1 Diagonal Pliers” (6, 7 or 8 inches long). The head is shaped to be a reamer for the inside of electrical conduit; #6 and #8 threaded bolts can be sheared clean, not with a burr as with many less sturdy wire strippers. It has hardened cutting edges for cutting wire, bolts, screws and nails, and an offset head design for prying and pulling. Their new Lineman’s pliers have the same threaded bolt cutters and other multiple features. www.MilwaukeeTool.com

Tell Me About Your Boots
I am not really an expert on all the changes happening with work boots, but I sure get a lot of PR information from the various boot companies. One such case is Timberland PRO’s information on their new Helix collection. They brag about TiTAN Safety Toes for roomier, lighter CSA certificated toe protection, spring-like action despite that puncture-proof sole, heel locks to keep your foot from rubbing, better traction, and the list goes on. www.Timberlandpro.ca.
I want to make you aware that hi-tech has come to work boots, but what I really want to do is to ask you to give me feedback on what makes you love, or hate, the boots you wear. That will let me focus in on how the different manufactures are answering your concerns—for a future article.
Jon Eakes can be reached at: Jon@HomeBuilderCanada.com

One thing I have learned is that if you work on the floor, the first thing to wear out, besides your knee pads, are the toes on your boots, and when the leather is gone and the steel is exposed they are no longer CSA approved! Usually that happens just when they are beginning to get comfortable. Let me introduce you to the Boot-Saver. This tough rubberized bumper with its own special glue sticks solidly to old leather, and even covers bare steel. The toe now becomes the last place to wear out. I get them on the web from AmSal, Inc. at www.AmSalinc.com.

Blade of the Month
My blade of the month is a utility blade that Irwin calls their “Snap-Blade.” Built like a utility knife blade with the break off segment you love in your Olfa knife, now you get four sharp tips with one blade. www.Irwin.com.

 

Drill of the Month
The drill of the month comes from Hilti, the TX-CX concrete anchor drill. Yes, it has a special tip for cutting right through both concrete and re-bar, but a new gadget is a little indentation in the side. This is a wear mark—and if you can still see it, the hole size is still perfect for your concrete anchors. If it is gone, the hole will be tight. If the wear mark still shows and the bit snaps, you get a new one free. www.Hilti.ca.

 

Montreal-based TV broadcaster, author, home renovation and tool expert Jon Eakes provides a tool feature in each edition of Home BUILDER.
www.JonEakes.com