The right tools can simplify, speed up and improve almost any job, and never has having them on hand been so important.
As finding skilled labour and subtrades continues to be a challenge nationwide, it is even more essential to have the best, time- and effort-saving tools on hand.
“We are seeing a movement back to where the general contractor is once again doing more of the work, rather than subbing out to trades,” says Ted Fuller, Vice President at King Canada Tools. “Lack of trades folk and tight timelines means that the GC must work on many facets of a job to meet deadlines… For us, this translates to increases in additions of shop equipment and not just jobsite equipment.”
Fuller says, to him, cool tools are ones that not only stand out in terms of innovation but also provide real value and efficiency to contractors.
With that in mind, Contractor Advantage has once again reached out to leading tool vendors across Canada to find out what tools they consider cool, and think will bring value and benefits to contractors this year and for the year ahead.
Easing user frustrations
Evan Joseph, Director of Product Marketing for Hand Tools at Stanley Black and Decker Canada says the company’s soon-launching new measuring tapes are designed to make life easier for contractors.
“It starts with the end user, understanding their frustrations and needs to help them get their job done in a more efficient manner. The New Stanley FatMax Premium Tape addresses many of these end-user frustrations.”
Examples of this frustration cutting include: a two-sided blade print to make overhead measuring less difficult; an integrated finger break for better ergonomics and performance; and the longest and strongest reach of any FatMax tape at 17’. Importantly, for blade durability, it has 6” of BladeArmour and mylar coating.
Photo courtesy of Stanley Black and Decker
Photo courtesy of Stanley Black and Decker
A mobile workstation
From DEWALT Canada comes a new storage system that the company’s Product Commercialization Manager for Storage, Paul Lemaitre, says is unique on the market: the ToughSystem 2.0 DXL.
“There is nothing like this on the market today and the important point is how we have used this unique offering to expand our ToughSystem 2.0 platform with innovation. This is a product that bridges the gap between modular storage, metal storage and a workstation.”
Photo courtesy of DEWALT Canada
Photo courtesy of DEWALT Canada
ToughSystem 2.0 DXL is a 30” platform while current modular storage on the market is 17” to 22”, he says. “This product fulfills many customer pain points by providing modularity, stackability, and portability with a waist-high worksurface while providing organization and security for your tools.”
The platform consists of multiple components: a single deep drawer unit capable of holding 55 lbs. with configurable dividers; a unit with two shallow drawers able to hold 27.5 lbs. with configurable dividers; a worktop surface that can hold 88 lbs. with a grab handle, two cup holders and pre-engraved measuring; a four-wheel dolly with a 440 lbs. capacity.
It boasts several features such as security bars to ensure safe transit, full compatibility with existing ToughSystem 2.0 full and half units, and integration rails compatible with most DEWALT workshop accessories.
Photo courtesy of DEWALT Canada
Hassle-free door installs
The new Quick Door Hanger Bracket from Richelieu is a fail-proof system that allows for quick and hassle-free door installation for everyone from beginners to pros, says Pierre Brault, National Corporate Account Manager at the company.
“Whether you are a beginner or a pro, this is simply the easiest and fastest way of hanging professional doors that are perfectly plumb and have a perfect reveal… up to five times faster than shimming a door.”
The bracket works with hollow- and heavy solid-core doors, require no shimming, and allow for easy adjustment for professional installs. They require no nailing through to door jam or frame eliminating any patch work, and they can be completely concealed with door trim. The brackets are available as a single kit or contractor pack for 10 doors.
Photo courtesy of Richelieu
A range of cordless options
In looking at what tools provide innovation, value and efficiency, King Canada Tool’s Fuller points to the company’s growing partnership with cordless tool manufacturer Einhell.
“While the big brands get most of the truck space, Einhell is super-affordable and making room for specialty tools or duplicate tools.” He says the cost of tools on the company’s battery platform make it perfect for second tools, but also that there’s a wide range of unique tools contractors might not find on other platforms.
“A cordless paint sprayer or even a cordless drain auger are good examples,” he says. “Einhell has all the core tools covered and a host of exceptional and innovative tools as well. There is also a great assortment of outdoor power equipment on the same platform, which makes the justification for additional tools quite easy.”
“The obvious trend is to everything cordless. This couldn’t be truer with Einhell. This extends to everything from wet-dry vacuum cleaners and air compressors to air pumps and submersible water pumps. The pure convenience of cordless is taking over. The power is unbelievable now.”
Photo courtesy of King Canada Tool
Innovative screwdriver bits
EAB (Exchange-A-Blade) Tool Company this year launched DUO BIT by Stay Sharp, a line of impact-ready screwdriver bits offering 20 convenient double-ended bits—doing double duty.
Product Manager Dave Cameron highlights this practical, time-saving power tool accessory as one of the most exciting tools from the company. “We developed the DUO BIT line to provide end users with the convenience of having two screwdriver bits in one, thus eliminating the frustration of needing two different bits for a single job.”
“With a simple switch, two jobs can be completed with one bit,” Cameron says. “DUO BIT will truly transform the way contractors work, saving them time and money.”
Key features of the bits include: their double-ended design providing the two most common bits in one; impact-ready torsion zone to absorb the high torque load of today’s impact drivers; and colour coding for easy identification. The bits are made from special tempered S2 steel for durability and performance.
Photo courtesy of EAB (Exchange-A-Blade) Tool
Battery-assisted material moving
Coming soon to Makita’s 36V(18Vx2) LXT is its new Brushless Material Mover with XL Bucket, Electric Dump (DCU602Z).
While other options for powered wheelbarrows exist, they’ve usually been engine-based or use old-style batteries, says Jayant Lamba, Product Manager of OPE and Cleaning Solutions at Makita Canada. However, the DCU602Z he says it delivers more active time is lightweight and can carry up to 650 lbs. at once, doing 5km an hour. And this version can dump the weight because it has a hydraulic.
Photo courtesy of Makita Canada
Photo courtesy of Makita Canada
He calls the mover super-easy, saying it can handle any slopes commonly found on a jobsite (up to 15°), and can carry liquids. It’s all about reducing effort and bringing ease and convenience to the jobsite, he says, and, of course, it works with existing Makita LXT batteries.
Flatbed versions are also available with an electric lift (DCU601Z) or manual dump (DCU604Z), as well as a flat bucket version (DCU605Z).
Photo courtesy of Makita Canada
Organization efficiency
Tara Coen, Director of Product and Marketing at Task Tools calls her company’s new 16” dual action tool bag “a fantastic little workhorse to organize your tools.”
“It has a tough hard base and centre divider that splits the bag into two compartments. It’s got plenty of loops, hooks and pockets and looks sharp on site.”
The bag boasts 26 interior pockets and one interior zippered pocket, seven exterior pockets and one exterior zippered pocket, and a Velcro loop to attach additional accessories. As its name suggests, it can be accessed from both sides with a centre barrier.
Its 600D polyester construction gives it durability and abrasion resistance, plus it has a hard plastic bottom for additional durability. A card holder offers easy identification.
A growing family
Sarah Margach, Strategic Account Manager at Milwaukee Tool says her company’s new battery additions to its M18 line, and one-ton chain hoist are two of its coolest tools.
The new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE HD12.0 battery delivers 50% more power than the High Output HD12.0, high-speed cooling, a 35-minute supercharge to 80% and the longest life on the M18 system. A new M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE XC8.0 provides High Output HD12.0 power, but in a smaller size, and similarly includes high-speed cooling, a 35-minute supercharge to 80% and long life. Both batteries are Cool-Cycle capable when paired with the company’s M18 Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger.
“It is exciting to see the continuous innovation Milwaukee has been able to bring to the M18 battery platform over the last decade,” Margach says. “These batteries are going to take M18 tool efficiency and power to another level, which is super cool.”
Milwaukee’s M18 Compact 1-Ton Chain Hoist w/One-Key is designed to give users effortless installs, less downtime and improved mobility. It’s powered by M18 REDLITHIUM Batteries, eliminating the need to set up extension cords to power hoists onsite. A kitted wireless remote delivers enhanced control in each lift. Equipped with 60ft of remote range, variable speed and fine adjustment, users gain more visibility and accurate installs.
With a 46lb compact, lightweight design, and kitted PACKOUT Rolling Cart, the chain hoist gives users the ability to more efficiently move around the site. Designed to lift in both inverted and standard orientations, the hoist increases material lifting versatility while decreasing onsite strain.
“The M18 chain hoist was designed in true Milwaukee fashion, to eliminate user frustration and get the job done quicker,” Margach says. “The productivity this tool allows a user to have is such a cool feature of this product.” —