October 21, 2011 7:00 AM CDT

Harnessing power

Power tools

By Jennifer Morrell

With each passing year, power tools pack more of a punch, become lighter in weight and are safer to use – all great news for you, the end-user, on the jobsite. To give you an idea of the many types of tools and endless advances in features available to you and your crew, Masonry has created a power tool round-up showcasing the endless array of bells and whistles. This review will allow you a snapshot of what a few of our industry’s top manufacturers are offering in the way of power tools.

Bosch Rotary Hammers

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories
Farmington Hills, Mich.

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories introduces three new, super powerful rotary hammers that maximize impact energy, minimize vibration levels, yet maintain manageable size and weight to provide the utmost comfort in extended chiseling and drilling. Bosch has incorporated its patented Active Vibration Control technology into the newest members of the Bulldog family, 1-1/8-inch SDS-Plus RH328VC, RH328VCQ and 1-1/4-inch SDS-plus RH432VCQ Rotary Hammers. This technology reduces vibration in both the hammer mechanism and the grip area to reduce overall vibration by as much as 50 percent. The RH432VCQ operates at 8.5 amps with 3.7-foot-pounds of impact energy, making it the fastest drilling SDS-plus hammer in its class.

www.boschtools.com

EDCO Core Drills

EDCO - Equipment Development Company
Frederick, Md.

EDCO — Equipment Development Co. has teamed with Cardi to offer a new line of Core Drills. EDCO Core Drills are lightweight, simple to use and feature Cardi electronic technology. These features include Electronic Clutches, Mechanical Clutches and Soft-Start technology – benefits that protect motors from overload, protect users against jamming and ensure smooth drill bit impact. EDCO’s single- and three-speed drills operate wet or dry, and run on normal household outlets. Lightweight stands designed for steady drilling and increased depth also are available. EDCO’s Core Drills are ideal for all kinds of projects, including chimney and boiler installation, anchoring tasks and A/C piping.

www.edcoinc.com

Hilti Cordless Rotary Hammer

Hilti
Tulsa, Okla.

The Hilti TE 4-A18, when combined with Hilti’s proven CPC battery technology, drills more holes in concrete per charge than any other 18V cordless rotary hammer in its class. The TE 4-A18 is ideal for drilling anchor holes or through holes in concrete and masonry, with an optimum drilling diameter range of one-quarter to one-half inch. The Hilti CPC battery technology protects the battery, switch and motor for increased durability and longer battery life. This cordless rotary hammer comes standard with a high-efficiency motor for longer tool life and productivity, as well as a drop-resistant housing to achieve maximum protection of the tool’s vital components. It also is built with a keyless “click” chuck for fast and easy drill bit changes.

www.hilti.com

Husqvarna Power Cutter

Husqvarna Construction Products
Olathe, Kan.

Husqvarna’s K1260 power cutter follows in the footsteps of the K760 and K970 power cutters. Its 7.8-hp engine produces more output, and the built-in automatic filter compensation unit, SmartCarb, helps maintain high power and lowers fuel consumption. The Active Air Filtration system is one of the market’s most efficient air filtration systems. It delivers operational times (dry cutting) of about one year without filter service required. The Poly V-belt provides better power transmission, less retensioning and increased product life. The DEX, dust-handling system, provides cleaner cutting with less water usage.

www.husqvarna.com

Metabo Lightweight Angle Grinder

Metabo Corp.
West Chester, Pa.

Metabo Corp.’s WP780 4.5-inch angle grinder has a non-locking paddle switch and a “Deadman” function that increases user safety by turning the grinder off automatically when its trigger is released or the tool is dropped. Built to withstand rugged operating conditions, including edge grinding, deburring, weld grinding, metal removal and tile cutting, the WP780 features a robust, 7.2-A motor with 780 watts of power, 14 inch-pounds of torque and a no-load speed of 11,000 rpm. Weighing just 4.7 pounds, this lightweight grinder is ideal for overhead applications or ones that require the operator to reach. It includes a burst-proof wheel guard meeting the latest international standards.

www.metabo.us

Milwaukee Small Angle Grinders

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp.
Milwaukee, Wis.

Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. has launched 18 Small Angle Grinders in 2011, designed to deliver durability, power and ease-of-use. Each grinder will feature an advanced motor technology. Milwaukee's Electronic Advantage includes Overload Protection to maximize motor life, an Electronic Clutch that extends tool life and helps prevent bind-up, Line Lock-Out that prevents automatic start-up after power loss, and Soft Start. Many models also include Constant Power Technology, enabling the grinder to maintain speed under load. An airflow system allows air to move rapidly through the tool, keeping the motor cool and delivering optimal performance. L-shaped vents protect the motor by blocking debris particles.

www.milwaukeetool.com

Multiquip Four-Cycle Rammer

Multiquip
Carson, Calif.

Multiquip’s Four-Cycle Rammer is designed for high efficiency with lower exhaust emissions, less noise and better fuel economy than standard two-cycle rammers. There is no need for mixed fuel. The engine is lubricated through the crankcase instead of through the fuel, so no oil is burned in the cylinder, reducing carbon buildup and minimizing gumming problems. The Rammer has a long-lasting composite clutch; a built-in hourmeter/tachometer; throttle control; and a cyclonic air filtration system. The MTR40F has an ability to work in confined spaces and is lightweight and portable – only 101 pounds. Grease lubrication minimizes the body size. A four-stage air filtration traps more than 99 percent of engine-damaging airborne dirt and dust particles.

www.multiquip.com

STIHL Electronic Water Control on Cut-Offs

STIHL
Virginia Beach, Va.

STIHL’s TS 410 A (EWC) and TS 420 A (EWC) STIHL Cutquik cut-off machines are complete with the electronic water control (EWC) feature. The newly added EWC features a mounted key pad that allows the operator to easily adjust the flow of water while cutting, and remembers the last setting used. When using this feature, the flow of water stops at idle speed and starts again automatically when the throttle is engaged. Key features include the X2 Air Filtration System; an anti-vibration system; an upright, large-capacity fuel tank; a top-handle, lightweight and compact design; and increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

www.stihlusa.com

Originally published in Masonry magazine.

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About the Author

Jennifer Morrell was the editor of Masonry magazine. She has 20 years of experience in the publishing industry as a writer and editor, covering such topics as real estate and construction, insurance, health care, relationships and sports. A graduate of The University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in magazines and is an award-winning newspaper columnist.

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