Greetings everyone! Let me just say thank you to Mechanical Hub for reaching out to me for another tool review and inviting me to be on their new Pro Staff team! Since my early start in the Trades as a “Seasonal Helper” in residential plumbing and a Commercial HVAC installer to my now current full-time Read more
ShopTalk
Greetings everyone! Let me just say thank you to Mechanical Hub for reaching out to me for another tool review and inviting me to be on their new Pro Staff team! Since my early start in the Trades as a “Seasonal Helper” in residential plumbing and a Commercial HVAC installer to my now current full-time career as a Licensed Fire Sprinkler Fitter Foreman, I never thought I would be a part or involved with such a great opportunity and team. I’m grateful for all of it. Now let’s get down to this Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw review.
I was on a recent Retro fitting job for a major Grocery Chain moving into an existing shopping center. Part of my Job scope was the demo of now dead existing main and branch lines. The mains consisted of Schedule 10 and the branch line were threaded schedule 40. Normally we would go into the air with a 100’ cord hanging off the side of the lift (because the outlet was abused and dead in the lift) attached to a porta-band. This would be heavy and clumsy overhead use, as most time two hands are needed to hold the porta-band and try to balance the pipe being cut. So this time around I was excited and yet tempered my expectations to be able to use the Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw.
Some first impressions was that it was beefy yet manageable (4.4lbs) to hold and manipulate with one hand. The handle is large enough for different grips and rubber grips on both the back and front to avoid slipping, which is important when dealing with oil and water. The overall length without blade is 15-3/4” long. The trigger itself is large enough to be activated in most grips and angles. To be honest the look is uncanny identical to the Milwaukee M18 Cordless Hackzall Reciprocating Saw. Some nice features I noticed were the LED Light for the cutting zone and a lock out switch to prevent inadvertent startup.
Information courtesy of boschtools.com
Working with the Bosch GSA18V-083B I was provided with generic Bi-metal blades. So I already knew any cutting shortfalls could not all be shouldered by Bosch. The tool accepted the generic blades in its easy-to-operate blade-change system without problem. I decided to use the wireless charging batteries from the Bosch EC Brushless Socket-ready Impact Drill/Wrench (IDH182) that I previously reviewed. Maybe the staff will link that review here for you too. So when I previously stated that my expectations were tempered, it was because I expected the saw to fight or stall when cutting into steel. Whereas with a porta-band blade it has the finer teeth with a constant rpm and motion. To my surprise when cutting the 3” main it breezed right through. The schedule 10 steel was an easy cut for the generic blade and the Bosch. It was a nice little warm-up. Now with a little duller blade and a much thicker schedule of pipe, 40, I assumed when cutting I would get the snag and fight. In my head I would probably blame most of it on the cheapness of the bi-metal blade. Again Bosch impressed not only myself but my fellow Journeyman. A fast 3,050 strokes per minute was enough to handle said generic blade and about 12 cuts of 2” to 1-1/2” sched 40 pipe. On a side note; the battery lasted in power on one charge.
Overall in practicality and performance the Bosch GSA18V-083B Reciprocating Saw did the job. It was nice to be able to get into bar joists due to the compact design and make strategic cuts. The beefy weight was not too overwhelming for one handed grip cutting. The rpm was fantastic as it maximized material removal per stroke. The blade guard was not too bulky to get around the pipe and joist spaces. I can definitely see the potential for everyday general uses, and as far as job site use this tool is a must!
Heavy duty yet flexible knit cut resistant gloves! Galeton, a leading supplier of quality work gloves and personal protective equipment, has recently expanded its popular line of RESIST™ Cut Resistant Gloves to include the #12463 RESIST™ ANSI Cut Level 5 Seamless Knit Gloves with Crinkle Latex Coated Palms and #12464 RESIST™ ANSI Cut Level 5 Read more
Heavy duty yet flexible knit cut resistant gloves!
Galeton, a leading supplier of quality work gloves and personal protective equipment, has recently expanded its popular line of RESIST™ Cut Resistant Gloves to include the #12463 RESIST™ ANSI Cut Level 5 Seamless Knit Gloves with Crinkle Latex Coated Palms and #12464 RESIST™ ANSI Cut Level 5 Seamless Knit Gloves Uncoated.
These heavy duty knit black gloves provide ANSI Cut Resistance Level 5 protection. Constructed from a blend of polyester entwined with steel wires, they are an ideal of flexible yet durable hand protection. Black color looks clean longer. #12463 Crinkle Latex coated palm gives exceptional gripping ability.
For more information on this product or for a full selection of Galeton’s products, please visit galeton.com
RIDGID® has awarded four scholarships to students enrolled in plumbing apprentice programs. In partnership with the Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC), the scholarship recipients will receive up to $1,000 in tuition assistance as well as $1,500 in RIDGID tools. There are as many as 3.1 million trade jobs available currently with Read more
RIDGID® has awarded four scholarships to students enrolled in plumbing apprentice programs. In partnership with the Educational Foundation of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC), the scholarship recipients will receive up to $1,000 in tuition assistance as well as $1,500 in RIDGID tools.
There are as many as 3.1 million trade jobs available currently with an additional 2.1 million jobs to fill in the next two years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The scholarship program, administered by PHCC and supported by RIDGID since 2011, is designed to attract new talent essential to the future of the plumbing, heating and cooling industry.
“The need for tradespeople is growing and RIDGID has been a long-time supporter of programs helping to fill the gap. We’re proud to be able to provide these scholarships to help not only train professionals but also set them up with the quality tools they will need to enter the industry,” said Christopher Burton, RIDGID Global Director of Brand Management.
The 2016 scholarship recipients are:
- Jose Avila of San Diego, Calif. is working for PHCC member company The Brinks Group, Inc. He is studying plumbing at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.
- Devon Moyer of Lauries Station, Pa. is working for PHCC member company Tim Beil Plumbing. He is studying plumbing at Lehigh Career & Technical Institute.
- Spencer Sarjeant of Atlanta, Ga. is working for PHCC member company Plumb Works, Inc. He is studying plumbing at PHCC Academy of Georgia.
- Brendon Webb of San Diego, Calif. is working for PHCC member company The Brinks Group, Inc. He is studying plumbing at the PHCC Academy of San Diego.
RIDGID has a long history of supporting trade education through tool donations and monetary support to trade schools. In addition, the company provides ongoing training around the world at one of 14 training centers to distributors, employees and local vocational and high school students. In 2017, the company will announce additional initiatives to drive awareness and combat the trade shortage trends.
For additional information about RIDGID, please visit RIDGID.com, connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn, or call toll-free: 1-800-769-7743.
About RIDGID®
RIDGID is a global manufacturer of more than 300 dependable and innovative tools, trusted by the professional trades in over 140 countries. RIDGID products are designed to help professionals in the demanding commercial, industrial and energy markets install and maintain the world’s infrastructure with greater certainty and efficiency. Headquartered in Elyria, Ohio, RIDGID is a business unit of Emerson™, a global innovator in technology and engineering.
About Emerson
Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world. The company is comprised of five business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions. Sales in fiscal 2015 were $22.3 billion. For more information, visit Emerson.com.
©2016, RIDGID, Inc. The Emerson logo and RIDGID logo are registered trademarks of Emerson Electric Co. or RIDGID, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.
New ProPEX ® engineered polymer (EP) opposing-port tees reduce the number of required fittings in a riser application by 75%.Apple Valley, Minn., Nov. 1st, 2016 — Uponor North America (Uponor) is now offering an innovative solution for PEX hydronic heating and cooling applications with back-to-back installation spacing constraints.The new ProPEX® engineered polymer (EP) opposing-port tees Read more
New ProPEX ® engineered polymer (EP) opposing-port tees reduce the number of required fittings in a riser application by 75%.Apple Valley, Minn., Nov. 1st, 2016 — Uponor North America (Uponor) is now offering an innovative solution for PEX hydronic heating and cooling applications with back-to-back installation spacing constraints.The new ProPEX® engineered polymer (EP) opposing-port tees eliminate the need for additional tees and elbows to facilitate piping in two directions, reducing the number of required fittings by 75%.”Our new ProPEX EP opposing-port tees are a time-, cost- and labor-saving solution for hydronic piping systems,” says Mark Hudoba, director, Heating and Cooling at Uponor. “Instead of using four fittings to change piping direction in a confined space, an opposing-port tee can do it with just one part.”Available in 1″, 1¼”, 1½” and 2″ flow-through sizes with ¾” outlets, the ProPEX EP opposing-port tees are listed to ASTM F1960 as well as NSF 14, and they are code-compliant with the International Mechanical Code (IMC) and Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) for hydronic heating and cooling applications.
Source: Industry-first ProPEX® opposing-port tees for PEX hydronic systems
Aston, the Dallas Texas based completely frameless shower company, is expanding their luxury bathroom product portfolio with new freestanding acrylic tubs and introducing an entirely new line accompanying collection of floor-mount tub fillers for the fall home improvement season. This expansion into the freestanding tub sector will see seven (7) new acrylic freestanding tubs and Read more
Aston, the Dallas Texas based completely frameless shower company, is expanding their luxury bathroom product portfolio with new freestanding acrylic tubs and introducing an entirely new line accompanying collection of floor-mount tub fillers for the fall home improvement season. This expansion into the freestanding tub sector will see seven (7) new acrylic freestanding tubs and four (4) floor mount tub fillers be introduced to the North American market. Each new tub model has the ability to complimentary pair with each new tub filler model.
“Aston’s heritage and history began in acrylics, and for decades achieved a worldwide success in the industry, both residential and commercial. Today, we re-introduce our roots in the form of these gorgeous, quality acrylic tubs and tub fillers to all of our current and new North American customers.” Richard Caplan, Director of Marketing exclaims. “This decorative plumbing trend has been impossible to ignore, and one of our major manufacturing and design strengths happens to exist in this field.”
The freestanding tub collection will be available in a number of widths, from 59-in to 74-in, in a number of shapes: modern oval, rectangular, asymmetric oval, asymmetric rectangular and scoop-neck oval. All tubs are constructed of durable fiberglass-enforced acrylic that keeps water temperature consistent and makes it to clean and maneuver, recessed slim-line design overflow, and their own pop-up drain kits, which are included. All tubs are UPC/cUPC certified. The stunning tub filler faucet collection each are crafted with their own exterior styling, but all feature the same features: brass body, tube & thermostatic water wand handset, pairing base, mounting hardware, polished chrome finish and UPC/cUPC certified.
Terra Harbour, Director of Sales, explains, “[It would seem like] for years our build, plumbing and design partners would ask Aston if we would and could supply them freestanding tubs with their existing orders of our popular completely frameless shower doors and enclosures. We’re ready to meet that demand and are pleased to say that moment is now.”
Early model prototypes drew and impressed the large crowds at the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS 2016) earlier in the year in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The new freestanding tub and floor mount tub filler collections will be available in the Fall with all major home improvement and home décor retail partners, as well as the network of showrooms around the country.
For more information about Aston’s new freestanding tub collection, along with their top-selling completely frameless shower door, tub and enclosure collection, including the new oil rubbed bronze finish and frosted glass models, please email press@astonbath.com. If you are a business, retailer or professional and would like to join Aston’s professional network, please visit www.astonbath.com/dealer-application.
About Aston Global, Inc.
For over 20 years, Aston Global, Inc. (d/b/a Aston) has manufactured and marketed luxury products for the bath around the world. Aston fixtures are sold throughout the United States and Canada with major home improvement online retailers, such as The Home Depot / Home Depot Canada, Wayfair, Build.com, Houzz, Menard’s, Overstock, ATG Stores, Sam’s Club and other popular home improvement and design showrooms. Aston offers an extensive luxury product line of over completely frameless luxury 1600+ shower doors & enclosures. Aston products are featured regularly on HGTV and DIY Networks programming, and various home, build & design publications. Aston is a proud member of the NKBA, NARI, KBIS & IBS. For more product and company information, please visit www.astonbath.com.