The right tool for the job: the mantra of every professional contractor. Having the right tool, at the right time, saves time, reduces effort and improves results.
Every year, Contractor Advantage reaches out to leading vendors to find out which of their products are particularly cool, innovative, exciting or jobsite-worthy.
This year’s standout tools deliver. They cut cords, and just about everything else, and eliminate gas, terminate trade-offs, and power performance, safety and convenience. Whether it’s cordless cutting, precision measuring, airflow control, all-weather starting or easy restoration, the right tool is more than just “cool” — it solves jobsite problems, sometimes before we even know we need it.
Photos courtesy of DEWALT
Making the Cut
Designed for residential remodelers who need a versatile, lightweight and portable tool, DEWALT’s new 20V MAX* XR 10” Double Bevel Fixed Miter Saw (DCS714) is the most powerful among DEWALT’s compact 20V MAX* miter saws and the first 10” model compatible with both 20V MAX* and FLEXVOLT batteries. Its adjustment-free Cutline blade positioning system ensures precise results, while the Cut. Capture. Charge. system’s bevel gear transmission maximizes runtime and efficiency. Quick bevel adjustments are simple with bevel pawls, and efficient dust collection captures up to 97% of debris.
Steve Whidden, Commercialization Manager at DEWALT Canada, adds, “Ideal for professionals working with softer materials, it excels in finish work, flooring, trim and baseboard applications. As a 10” fixed saw, it offers enhanced accuracy with less play in the arm and reduced blade deflection compared to larger or sliding models. Its compact size and lighter weight make it easy to carry from room to room and convenient to store in the shop or truck.”
Photo courtesy of DEWALT
Products That Aren’t Just Hot Air
Ted Fuller, Vice President at King Canada, highlights several jobsite-ready innovations with a shared focus on airflow and control.
He says his company’s new 60,000 and 125,000 BTU Forced-Air Construction Propane Heaters (KPH-60, KPH-125) are “ideal for the jobsite, with variable output heat settings to control temperature.” Their torpedo-style design includes adjustable front plates to direct airflow, and both models feature safety systems like high-temperature shutoff, flame-out fuel cutoff, and a thermocouple. Fully certified and built for use with 20 lb propane tanks, they’re ideal for heating spaces where masonry is curing, windows are being installed, or warmth is needed to keep crews productive.
The company’s 1600 CFM High Velocity Air Mover (KC-1600AM) is perfect for drying carpets, entryways in winter, circulating air for drywall or mud curing, and moving air to keep dust clear of your workspace. Three settings, an LCD display and timer let contractors control volume and runtime. “Go home and leave this to shut off at a specific time or duration,” Fuller says.
Photos courtesy of King Canada
Sustainable Cutting-Edge Performance
New Razorback Titanium-Coated Oscillating Tool Blades from EAB Tool Company (Exchange-A-Blade) are designed for professionals and serious DIYers, combining durability, precision and versatility to deliver longer cutting life across a wide range of materials.
Says EAB Product Manager Dave Cameron: “At the heart of the Razorback line is its titanium coating, which dramatically reduces wear, resists heat and maintains sharpness through extended use. Whether you’re tackling wood, metal, or cement board, these blades are built to go the distance.”
The line includes two specialized edge technologies: Speed Edge, which is optimized for fast, clean wood cutting and ideal for framing, trim work and general carpentry; and Tough Edge, a rugged carbide tooth design that cuts through hard materials like metal and cement board with ease. Razorback blades are part of EAB’s sustainable Exchange System that lets users return worn blades for credit toward replacements.
Photo courtesy of EAB Tool Company
A Hot Boost in Starter Technology
Milwaukee’s M18 HOTSHOT Jump Starter (3841-20) is a first-of-its-kind automotive solution designed for professionals who need reliable performance in all conditions.
“Our M18 HOTSHOT Jump Starter is a new-to-world solution that delivers an always-ready experience, true all-weather performance and longer life,” says Gabriel Caron, Regional Account Manager at Milwaukee Tool. The specs back it up. The HOTSHOT is ready to jump in under 70 seconds — requiring no maintenance or pre-charging — and built for true all-weather operation (–20.0°C to 50.0°C).
Photo courtesy of Milwaukee
It uses internal capacitors rated for 500,000 cycles and pairs with any M18 battery to deliver up to 2000 peak amps, starting engines up to 8.1L gas and 3.0L diesel. One M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0 battery delivers up to 70 jump starts per charge.
Photos courtesy of Milwaukee
Cold-Cutting Rebar with Less Sparks
Adding to the M18 battery portfolio, Caron also gives a shoutout to Milwaukee’s M18 FUEL #10 (1-1/4”) Rebar Cutter. Designed for the reinforcing ironworker, he says the tool provides “faster cutting, increased cuts per charge and cold cuts with less sparks than an abrasive wheel.”
The product features POWERSTATE Brushless Motor Technology and offers two-second cuts through #5 bar. When paired with the company’s M18 REDLITHIUM High Output XC6.0 battery, the M18 FUEL Rebar Cutter delivers up to 240 cuts in #5 bar.
It boasts easy blade change with a connected cover and limited fasteners. RAPIDSTOP Blade Break provides stop times less than 1 second with the exclusively compatible Milwaukee #10 (1-1/4”) Rebar Cutting Blade —which uses carbide teeth to cut faster and with less sparks than an abrasive wheel. “The M18 FUEL #10 Rebar Cutter provides the durability and performance to handle the toughest jobsite conditions and takes steel rod cutting to the next level,” Caron says.
Photos courtesy of Richelieu
Hinging on Innovation
New Hinge Repair Plates (RICHINGEPLATE) from Richelieu are a cost-effective solution to restore damaged cabinets and doors with style and strength. “Our new hinge repair plates provide a quick, versatile and durable solution to repair damaged cabinets or doors, making them stronger and safer while extending their lifespan,” says Martin Robert, Merchandising Manager at Richelieu.
The plates fit most 35 mm North American and European hinges — including Blum, Richelieu, Hettich, Liberty, Hafele, FGV and DTC — and feature a corrosion-resistant zinc finish for a clean, secure fix. “These plates are easy to install and eliminate the need to replace the entire door or cabinet,” Robert adds.
The hinge plates come in a pack of two with mounting screws for easy three-step installation. Robert calls them, “Perfect for DIY enthusiasts, contractors, cabinet makers and retailers looking for an efficient, cost-effective way to give cabinets a second life.”
Photo courtesy of Richelieu
A Tool that Measures Up
A refreshed MegaTrak Tape Measure series from Richelieu’s Task Tool division aims to give contractors everything they need.
Available in five models — including a 25’ x 1-1/4” Left-Handed version — the tape measures each feature a nylon-wrapped blade with an extra 8” of wear protection, a high-impact ABS case and a double-ended magnetic hook with markings on both sides. The new W-blade design delivers a 13’ standout without bending, and an auto-lock mechanism adds convenience and control.
“Contractors often must make sacrifices with the features of a new tape measure,” says Tara Coen, Director of Product and Marketing at Task Tools. She suggests that’s not the case with the new Mega Trak. “It is loaded it with the best of the best features. An auto-locking, uniquely designed w-blade resists bending and twisting at long (13’+) standouts, and the double-sided markings and magnetic tip make it flexible for all applications.”
Photos courtesy of Task Tool
Cutting the Pneumatic Cord
DEWALT Canada’s Product Commercialization Manager, Miguel Aguado, says his company’s 20V MAX* Atomic Grinders reflect its commitment to cordless solutions built for professionals.
“In metalworking, we first freed users from electrical cords; with our Atomic grinders, we now extend cordless advantages to those who rely on pneumatic tools. No hoses, no complex setup, just powerful performance on a single battery platform. Experience power, speed, precision and safety without compromise.”
The new lineup includes 4” and 5” angle grinders (DCG400, DCG402), a die grinder (DCG420) and a right angle die grinder (DCG422) — all designed for high-power performance in tight spaces. The company says each model packs a performance punch in a compact size for maximum maneuverability. Select models feature DEWALT’s Perform & Protect anti-rotation system, electronic brake, variable speed up to 24,500 RPM, and Tool Connect chip compatibility.
Photos courtesy of DEWALT
A Concrete Example of Cordless Innovation
“Meet the Makita CE001GL401 — the world’s first 14” cordless power cutter running on 80V max (40V XGT x2), delivering gas performance without the gas hassles,” says David Stewart, Makita’s Business Development Manager Sales Ontario. “With a massive 5” cutting depth, instant startup and pro-grade safety features, it’s built to dominate the jobsite — clean, quiet and cordless.”
Powered by two 40V max XGT 8.0Ah batteries, the 80V max (40V max X2) XGT Brushless 14” Power Cutter with AFT and Electric Brake delivers the cutting depth, RPM and runtime contractors expect from a 75.6cc gas model minus the emissions, noise and pull starts. Its belt-drive design reduces vibration, while an integrated water delivery system supports OSHA Table 1 compliance for concrete cutting. Safety features include Active Feedback-Sensing Technology (AFT), overload protection and a lock-off power switch. Additional highlights: Extreme Protection Technology (XPT), soft start, LED light, aluminum wheels for floor cuts, and a rubberized multi-position handle. The kit includes four batteries and a dual-port rapid charger. —
Photos courtesy of Makita