Summer vacations are winding down and the annual ritual for parents buying school supplies for the kids is underway, but maybe it’s high time to kick off the old work boots and find a new pair. Does that sound like a great first step? Recently, Mechanical Hub ProStaff member Andy Mickelson, owner of Mickelson Plumbing and Read more
Product Spotlight
Summer vacations are winding down and the annual ritual for parents buying school supplies for the kids is underway, but maybe it’s high time to kick off the old work boots and find a new pair. Does that sound like a great first step?
Recently, Mechanical Hub ProStaff member Andy Mickelson, owner of Mickelson Plumbing and HVAC in Montana, tested a pair of Ariat Rebar Flex 6″ Waterproof Composite Toe Work Boots on multiple job sites and in various indoor/outdoor conditions to provide us with the following observations.
For those not familiar with the Ariat Work Boot Brand (most recognize the brand for its western boots), they have unique and tasteful designs while at the same time delivering high-quality performance and comfort in a stylish and fashionable boot.
Ariat work boots are designed and engineered with the contractor and jobsite person in mind. Constructed from premium sturdy and durable leather with the most advanced footwear technologies they offer superior performance and on the job critical protection in any work field or the environment. Ariat boots offer a safety platform to match every environment, such as the Grip Strip Platform, the Work Ride Platform, the Expert Safety Clog Platform and the Safety Clog Platform.
Ariat also offers ATS and 4LR technology for comfort, stability, and traction as well as waterproof technology with the impermeable waterproof barrier. Insulated boots featuring Thinsulate Ultra insulation will help to give your feet the highest level of cold weather protection and while remaining a lightweight shoe. Ariat also offers a steel toe range for added safety. Ariat boots come with an oil, slip, heat, and abrasion resistant sole that will perform with the best grip and traction on any floor surface.
MICKELSON: It’s the first safety toe boot that I have comfortably worn throughout an entire work day in many years. For the past few months, I’ve worn them almost daily, sunrise to sundown, and in many cases hours into the night, on various surfaces without issue.
The Ariat Rebar work boots come out of the box ready to wear, with relatively little break in needed. The boots have a stylish design with a combination leather and mesh upper. The insole of the boot is comfortable with decent arch support. The soles are listed as a slip & oil resisting, debris release design. I’d support that statement having worn the boots through the better part of winter. Snow and parking lot slop stomps off easily. The tread pattern seems to grip well on most surfaces even when the temperatures drop well below zero.
Many soles will begin to harden and become hazardous well before that, not the case with the Rebar. The debris release design comes in nice while constantly transitioning from snow covered ground onto finished concrete or similar smooth finishes. The uppers of the boot are leather and man-made materials, which lend to the boot breathing very well. Generally breathing well and waterproof aren’t generally both strong traits in a work boot, again, not the case with the Ariat Rebar.
As a Professional Plumber and Pipefitter, these boots have been nearly submerged numerous times and thoroughly soaked on the exterior with no leakage regularly. The leather is holding up fairly well with normal daily abuse, resulting in small cuts and scrapes. The hardware on the boots consist of a single plastic rivet and webbing attachments below, holding a quality paracord like lace. Double row stitching has the components locked together.
Overall I look forward to wearing these boots for as long as they’ll last and very much looking towards to fulfill my work boot needs with Ariat in the future.
Work Boot Specs:
- Waterproof leather in key protection and support areas combined with rugged mesh panels
- 100% non-metallic
- Anatomical last for true fit
- Injected lateral support cage
- Forefoot flex notch
- Mesh lining
- EVA cushioning midsole
- ESS midsole in heel for extra protection and support
- Oil-and slip-resistant Duratread™ outsole with debris-release tread design
- Defined heel
- Safety toe is ASTM F2413-11 M/I/75 C/75 EH rated
- 4LR™ footbed for support and cushioning
For more on Ariat work boots and other work gear, visit Ariat Work.
General Pipe Cleaners’ new Sewerooter T-4™ mid-size drain cleaner packs the performance, punch, and portability to unclog 3” to 6” diameter lines up to 100 feet long. With more cleaning power than its T-3 predecessor, Sewerooter T-4 carries 100 feet of 9/16” Flexicore® cable to clear stubborn stoppages in 3” to 4” inside lines. Heavy duty Read more
General Pipe Cleaners’ new Sewerooter T-4™ mid-size drain cleaner packs the performance, punch, and portability to unclog 3” to 6” diameter lines up to 100 feet long.
With more cleaning power than its T-3 predecessor, Sewerooter T-4 carries 100 feet of 9/16” Flexicore® cable to clear stubborn stoppages in 3” to 4” inside lines. Heavy duty 9/16” cable provides more torque than traditional 1/2” cables offer, yet can clean the same size drain lines.
Need to clear tree roots and other tough clogs from 3” to 6” lines? Simply switch drums to 75 feet of 5/8” Flexicore cable. To adjust to different cable sizes, just turn a knob atop the feed. No screwdriver required!
General’s labor-saving variable speed Power Cable Feed also provides enhanced control through blockages. You can easily guide the cable in and out of the line at up to 20 feet per minute – yet keep hands clean and off spinning cable.
Sewerooter T-4 features a fold-down handle, stair climbers, and truck loading wheel for easy transport, maneuvering, and storage. Its robust, reinforced frame smoothly rides on big 10” semi-pneumatic wheels.
The powder coated metal drum includes General’s unique, self-aligning Flexitube™ distributor tube to reduce cable tangling. And a heavy-duty 1/3 hp capacitor-type motor with thermal overload protection powers Sewerooter T-4.
Flexicore cable offers superior kinking resistance and unequalled strength with the right amount of flexibility. It’s so tough that it carries the best warranty in the business with a one-year protection against defect and breakage.
For details contact the Drain Brains® at General Pipe Cleaners at 800-245-6200 or 412-771-6300, or visit www.drainbrain.com/T4.
Offer Ease of Installation and Simple Levelling The new Pronto!™ line of adjustable floor drains from Watts is a durable, aesthetic product that provides ease of installation and simple levelling for all floor finishes. Available in PVC, the Pronto! line is designed for post-pour adjustment with flexibility in mind. The drain features an integrated level Read more
Offer Ease of Installation and Simple Levelling
The new Pronto!™ line of adjustable floor drains from Watts is a durable, aesthetic product that provides ease of installation and simple levelling for all floor finishes.
Available in PVC, the Pronto! line is designed for post-pour adjustment with flexibility in mind. The drain features an integrated level and is pre-packaged with shims for tilt correction to create a professional finish.
Pronto! drains are designed for light to medium duty commercial and residential use.
Features include the following:
- Available in four durable nickel-bronze grate sizes with five, six, seven, and eight-inch diameters.
- Pipe connections of two, three, and four inches are available in PVC.
- The PVC on-grade floor drains come complete with anchor flange, weep holes, a
reversible clamping collar, up to 1-¾ inch pre-pour and 7/8 inch post-pour adjustability, and a round, nickel-bronze strainer. - Solvent weld outlet connection.
- Come out of the box completely assembled.
For more information and an overview video, visit www.watts.com/pronto.
The LevelBest offering from Jones Stephens is a complete drainage and cleanout system. LevelBest drains allow for adjustment to floor level after the concrete is poured. The adjustment of the spud eliminates the need to break and repair the floor when the concrete is poured too high. The drainage system is compatible with PVC, ABS Read more
The LevelBest offering from Jones Stephens is a complete drainage and cleanout system. LevelBest drains allow for adjustment to floor level after the concrete is poured. The adjustment of the spud eliminates the need to break and repair the floor when the concrete is poured too high. The drainage system is compatible with PVC, ABS or Cast Iron drains and cleanouts and feature industry standard IPS threads that are compatible with most adapters and drain bodies. Jones Stephens. For more info on LevelBest Drains and other plumbing products, visit www.jonesstephens.com.
Delivering big performance in a small package, the RIDGID SeeSnake Compact series of camera reels just got better with the addition of the SeeSnake Compact C40 and M40, each powered by TruSense technology. Both camera reels feature a 25 mm self-leveling camera head, 131 feet (40 meters) of push cable and are compatible with RIDGID Read more
Delivering big performance in a small package, the RIDGID SeeSnake Compact series of camera reels just got better with the addition of the SeeSnake Compact C40 and M40, each powered by TruSense technology.
Both camera reels feature a 25 mm self-leveling camera head, 131 feet (40 meters) of push cable and are compatible with RIDGID CSx series Wi-Fi enabled monitors. Their quick-release docking system makes them ideal for the new CS6x Versa digital reporting monitor and their sturdy metal frame provides a solid base that makes it easy to push and retrieve the cable for fast, efficient use. The C40’s flexible push cable is ideal for small/restricted branch lines with tight turns and shorter runs in main laterals, while the M40’s moderately stiff push cable better suits longer runs in main and branch lines.
The integrated TruSense technology establishes a two-way datalink path between the camera head and a connected RIDGID SeeSnake CSx series Wi-Fi enabled monitor. TruSense technology brings powerful data capability to plumbing diagnostics. A high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor and Tiltsense inclinometer takes the next leap forward in diagnostic imaging and conveys valuable information about the in-pipe environment.
A common challenge faced by diagnostic professionals is being able to see far down the pipe as well as the image just in front of the camera’s lights. An HDR image sensor expands the camera’s dynamic range, allowing a greater ratio of bright and dark areas to be displayed in the same image at the same time without reducing visibility. This means fewer blown-out areas and sections of the pipe that are too dark to see, offering superior clarity and detail. TiltSense measures the camera’s angle and, when connected to a SeeSnake CSx series monitor, can convey the camera’s degree of tilt on the monitor display – giving pros a useful indicator of the pitch of the camera in-pipe.
“The compact, lightweight design of our new RIDGID SeeSnake Compact C40 and M40 are engineered to make transporting from work truck to jobsite easier while minimizing strain on the body,” said Amy Moneypenny, RIDGID Global Product Manager, Underground Technologies – Inspection and Locating. “The small package and all-in-one monitor capability, when used with the SeeSnake CS6x Versa monitor, enhance jobsite speed and efficiency for a more productive day.”
The Compact C40 and M40 each come with the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.
To purchase or learn more about the Compact C40 and M40 or other underground technology products, contact your local distributor, visit RIDGID.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-4RIDGID.