May 17, 2013 - Greenlee, a Textron company, says its new high-quality reciprocating saw blades are designed to cut a variety of construction materials, thanks to its carbon-alloy blade frame and cobalt tool-steel teeth. The reciprocating blade line-up consists of standard-duty Bi-Metal blades, Specialty blades, Extreme blades, and Extreme Ti-Metal titanium-coated blades. The Specialty blades are purpose-built for cutting construction materials, such as stainless steel, cement board, masonry block, and cast-iron pipe. The Extreme blades feature a wider, thicker blade frame, suitable for structural steel applications, such as angle iron, I-beam, structural tubing and C-channel. The Extreme Ti-Metal blades boast titanium coating to help reduce friction and heat build-up, giving it the longest blade life in the entire Greenlee reciprocating blade lineup.

May 17, 2013 - The new Platinum Tools CCS-6 cable cutter claims to cut copper cable with steel content without nicking, degrading, or deforming the cutting blades. According to the company, its optimal blade geometry ensures that the cable stays round during the cutting process so connectors are easy to affix to the cable. The cable cutter is forged from SCM 440 steel and weighs about 7.22 oz (or 204.8 g).

May 1, 2013 - Milwaukee Electric Tool has expanded its hand tool offering with five new products:

April 25, 2013 - Greenlee’s new and redesigned E-Z Bore Self-Feed Wood Boring Bits claim to make conduit or pipe sized holes up to four times faster than standard bi-metal hole saws, without a difficult slug to remove. The E-Z Bore bits are suitable for different types of construction lumber, including hardwood, softwood, laminated veneer, and pressure-treated woods. According to Greenlee, the two-blade design resists clogging, and the outer spur teeth help prevent splintering and blowouts while providing fast, smooth holes. The bits are available in 13 sizes from 1-in to 4-5/8-in (for installing 1/2-in to 4-in conduit and pipe). A seven-piece contractor kit is also available.

April 5, 2013 - Milwaukee Electric Tool is now offering two new application-specific Sawzall blades: the Ductwork blade and Drywall Access blade. The Ductwork Sawzall blade has been engineered to address the unique frustrations encountered when installing ductwork take-offs, where the main duct line branches off into subsidiary lines. Milwaukee claims the new blade eliminates the need of a hammer and screwdriver, lightening up the tool belt and speeding up the installation process. Engineered with a Pierce Point tip, the Ductwork blade makes radius and square cuts to accommodate various take-off installations. The 2-1/2-in long Drywall Access Sawzall blade is optimized to cut through up to 5/8-in drywall, boasting a unique multi-directional tooth design to allow for cuts in all directions. According to Milwaukee, the blade minimizes the risk of puncturing an existing pipe or wire when electricians are looking for a faulty wire behind installed drywall.

(UPDATED March 25, 2013, with VIDEO) March 19, 2013 - Masterack, a division of Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products, revealed SmartSpace at the Work Truck Show 2013. The configurable storage system features stackable shelf units designed for use in the new high-cube cargo vans coming to market within the next 18 months, which include the Ford Transit and Ram ProMaster, as well as smaller fleet vehicles such as the Ford Transit Connect and Nissan NV200. It is engineered with lightweight materials that promise fuel efficiency over traditional steel cargo systems. SmartSpace is modular, giving users the ability to easily customize the system for different trades and needs, even after vehicle delivery. Additionally, the system satisfies Masterack’s installation partners’ desire to reduce installation time for the system. SmartSpace will be available to Masterack customers in Q4. (Photo from Work Truck Show 2013 by A. Capkun)

March 19, 2013 - Pace Edwards says its RUBC (retractable utility bed cover) hard tonneau cover presents numerous possibilities for work trucks. Service body trucks can be equipped with a convenient tonneau cover for secure and attractive storage of tools and equipment: just press a switch located in a locked compartment, and RUBC retracts into a canister at the front, allowing full access to the bed. In the closed position, the tonneau cover tucks in behind the tailgate for security. With the electromagnetic brake, the truck bed cover locks in any position along the rails. It is available in both manual and electric versions.

March 19, 2013 - Weather Guard Van Solutions is now offering new and re-engineered van storage accessories for professional users, and all commercial van models. The Weather Guard Van Solutions Red Zone accessories include a range of items designed to help improve productivity and organization, including end panel accessories, tool and parts cabinets, cases and bin boxes, specialty equipment including tank holders and wire racks, window screens, floor mats, a secure Strong Box, Cab Command Center (a between-the-seat organizer), and the Grab & Go tool cart. Weather Guard Van Solutions products and professional trade packages can be viewed online at www.weatherguard.com.

March 19, 2013 - Buyers Products is now offering barn door underbody toolboxes in smooth and polished diamond tread aluminum, both with enhanced design improvements, says the company. The toolboxes feature a full perimeter D-bulb seal to help protect against leaks. The underbody boxes that are 18-in., 24-in., and 30-inc. wide have a single, left-swing door with a single point latch. Models that are 36-in. or wider have double barn doors and feature full access openings with no centre post. A locking three-point, T-handle compression latch with low-friction roller also provides secure storage, it adds. With TIG welded corners, the underbody toolboxes are available in 0.100-in. thick, polished diamond tread aluminum or 0.125-in. thick smooth aluminum. Oversized 1/4-in. pins with 1-in. knuckle aluminum hinges are bolted and riveted for easy service, says Buyers Products.

March 15, 2013 -  With digital plans stored in memory, the new Hilti POS 180 and Hilti POS 150 Robotic Total Stations feature a controller, which is in permanent wireless contact with the total station, to provide direct access to functions and simplify layout and measuring tasks.  According to Hilti, these total stations are great for 3D layouts: outdoors on the ground or on facades, indoors on floors, ceilings and walls, and for checking positions on plans and measurements for drawing up building plans. Thanks to automatic prism tracking and continuous measurement data capturing, the new controller puts the complete building plan in the palm of the user’s hand, it adds.