New masonry products for October 2014

Words: Dan Kamys

Arriscraft New, Light Colors

Arriscraft
Cambridge, Ont.

Arriscraft, manufacturer of all-natural products that emulate quarried stone, introduces two new, bright colors in coordinating Shadow Stone and Contemporary Brick — allowing homebuilders, designers and architects to create modern and striking exteriors. Arriscraft is the stone products group of General Shale. Shadow Stone Building Stone in new bright Avalanche provides designers a fresh option for contemporary designs in both residential and commercial applications. The Blizzard color in Contemporary Brick allows designers to continue a lighter color scheme throughout a project.

www.arriscraft.com

HDI+/HDI-L and HDV Drop in Anchors

Hilti
Tulsa, Okla.

HDI+/HDI-L and HDV Drop in Anchors
HDI+/HDI-L and HDV Drop in Anchors
Hilti’s HDI+/HDI-L+ Drop-In Anchors are taking productivity to the next level. These FM and UL approved drop-in anchors (3/8-inch and ½-inch) provide outstanding performance for applications such as anchoring sprinkler, HVAC, plumbing, electrical elements and suspended interior finishing elements The HDI+/HDI-L+ Drop-In anchors have been redesigned with a new stepped plug, which requires less impact energy to fully set the anchor. This reduction allows the HDI+/HDI-L+ to be installed with Hilti Cordless rotary hammers and an automatic setting tool with integrated stop bit.

www.us.hilti.com

American Built Work Boot

KEEN Utility
Portland, Ore.

American Built Work Boot
American Built Work Boot
KEEN Utility has built a brand of progressive safety styles, with the understanding that the best work boots blend comfort and protection in unique silhouettes. KEEN Utility’s American Built Hybrid safety footwear is built to perform. KEEN’s new boot features a direct-attach outsole featuring a proprietary PU-injected midsole that does not compact over time, helping to deliver long-term cushion, comfort and durability. A full-grain waterproof leather upper is partnered with a KEEN.Dry waterproof breathable membrane and hydrophobic/hydrophilic Zone Comfort Technology.

www.keenutility.com

The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss

Stihl
Virginia Beach, Va.

The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss
The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss
The GS 461 STIHL Rock Boss is the newest member of the STIHL industrial family lineup, giving professional masons a lightweight, handheld companion for deep cutting tasks. The first STIHL concrete cutter of its kind, the STIHL Rock Boss is ideal for plunge cuts, shaping square corners and cutting concrete pipes in trenches, cinder blocks, masonry bricks, asphalt and soft stone. This concrete cutter provides the best power-to-weight ratio in the industry and a powerful engine with low exhaust emissions and a 13,500 max rpm.

www.stihlusa.com

SKILSAW Family of Saws

SKILSAW
Mt. Prospect, Il.

SKILSAW Family of Saws
SKILSAW Family of Saws
SKILSAW’s new worm drive family includes three saws: the SKILSAW SHD77-02, the SKILSAW SHD77M-02 and the SKILSAW MAG77LT. Each is designed to achieve different cutting applications. The main feature of the new SKILSAWs is the reduced weight. Each saw is lighter than its predecessor, which was a big improvement noted by SKILSAW user groups. The new saws also feature a multi-function wrench that stores on the saw foot for convenience, a Cut-Ready Depth of Cut System for quick and easy adjustment, and a 24-tooth carbide blade.

www.skilsaw.com
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic