ShopTalk

TOOL: FLIR CM174 Imaging 600A AC/DC Clamp Meter With IGM (Infrared Guided Measurement)

Mechanical Hub asked me to test out the FLIR CM174 Clamp Meter with the integrated IR Camera. I was excited yet skeptical to try out a new meter.  In my line of electrical work I have my ‘go to’ meters and current clamps that I know every in and out of.  These have shared the same long days, weekends, overnights, and holiday emergency calls, so why look at product other than what I’ve carried for years?  Well after I familiarized myself with the FLIR CM174, I was impressed by the added functionality that this meter provided.

Let’s be honest, in the electrical world there is voltage and current and you don’t need much of a complex device to tell you what these readings are; however, I didn’t realize what all I was missing without FLIR’s IGM technology (Infrared Guided Measurement).  The IR function of this compact meter gave me an advantage and more importantly a safety aspect to my job that was not their previously.  Not only can I easily troubleshoot hot spots and imminent failures with this meter, but when going through my procedures to test for ‘zero’ voltage or absence of voltage, I am also able to take a look at the thermal properties of the equipment.  The old mentality is that I need to get to work and get this job done as quick as possible, so I only care about voltage – am I going to get shocked or not. Getting hit by a stiff 480V in the morning is not how I like to start my day, but the reality is I’m stuck in a time crunch and the customer is standing behind me tapping his feet because his plant is shut down and costing him big dollars every second it is down.  So I hurry up and grab my ‘new’ meter, and as expected, the voltage is zero, but what about the temperature?  Do I really have time to check this, and why would I care to even look at this, I have never done this in the past.  So I have the meter in my hand and it is only 1 quick click away from telling me the temperature.  To my surprise there is a section of the equipment that was extremely hot due to a loose connection.  My heart takes off and I get a little clammy thinking about how bad I could have been burnt when I would have grabbed onto the equipment to get this repair completed while trying to get the customer back online.

The silent killer, known as electricity, is not the only silent danger that I should be worried about.  I thank the FLIR CM174 for identifying other safety aspects of my job and preventing me from being injured.  The safety aspect alone is worth having the meter, but the ability to troubleshoot using the IR functionality of this meter is a huge step above what the industry is used to.  At the end of day, the customer has the lights back on and was thoroughly impressed by the equipment not only to solve their problems, but to identify and resolve other pending issues that were not identified before.  This customer is now loyal to us and continues to use us for their service needs.

Tool feature info courtesy of flir.com

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Red Kap workwear known for exceptional apparel since 1923, has expanded into purpose-built apparel for the construction industry.

Red Kap, a leading workwear apparel brand, announces its entry into the construction industry with purpose-built products designed specifically for the construction worker.  Red Kap spent 2 years on construction sites to have a deep understanding of how construction guys work and designed garments that they need to focus on the job at hand, not on their workwear. Red Kap’s unique ability to flow function into style and professionalism is part of what makes Red Kap the leader in workwear apparel.

“For construction workers, apparel choice is really one of the many tools he considers to perform his daily tasks. Selecting apparel that is engineered for mobility and comfort is a priority.  Red Kap has developed the next generation of function for this industry.”

Cindy Chatman-Marshall, Director of Marketing, VF Imagewear, Red Kap

Some of the marquee offerings in the lineup include t-shirts, hoodies and carpenter jeans.  Red Kap Construction offers a complete line of apparel to make your crew productive and looking their best on the site.

This expansion is part of Red Kap’s continued dedicated to improving and expanding apparel choices to some of the hardest-working professionals in America.

Buy Red Kap Construction apparel today at:

http://www.redkapconstruction.com

For more details about Red Kap products, please check out our website and other interactive social media outlets.

As the clear leader in cordless power tool technology, Milwaukee has announced the industry’s largest step towards full corded replacement. With the introduction of the M18™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack, Milwaukee will completely shatter cordless expectations, delivering up to 5X more run-time, 35% more power and run 60% cooler than standard lithium-ion batteries. In conjunction with the advanced framework of motors and electronics in the M18™ system, this new battery technology exceeds what’s possible on high-voltage or multi-battery tools, and is fully compatible with the entire M18™ system.

“The M18™ system is now the most advanced, capable, and complete system in the industry. Milwaukee’s proprietary battery, electronics, and motor technology is what drives the unmatched performance of our trade-specific solutions. M18 FUEL™ has created a revolution in the cordless industry. With the introduction of the new M18™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack, we’re taking the extreme performance of M18 FUEL™ and bringing up to 2X the performance of our industry-leading 5.0 XC battery to everything in this system. And because this new solution is fully compatible with the M18™ system our users have come to know and love, they won’t experience a loss of productivity,” said Paul Fry, VP of Product Marketing for Milwaukee Tool. “This is a leap in lithium-ion technology that completely changes the perception and expectations of what cordless tools are capable of.”

Upgrading to the new battery pack will instantly increase the performance of users’ current M18™ cordless tools. The new M18™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack will deliver more work per charge and more work over the life of the pack than any other power tool on the market regardless of voltage. In addition, the ability for the M18™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack to run significantly cooler also means users will be able to push their cordless tools harder and longer than ever before.

With the launch of the M18™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack, Milwaukee now offers fully compatible battery solutions for the best performance at all levels (Compact, Extended Capacity, and High Demand) to meet specific user needs.  The HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 pack is optimized for high draw M18 FUEL™ tools and solutions that need an extensive amount of sustained power and run-time for applications such as high demand drilling, chipping, cutting, and grinding.

The M18™ REDLITHIUM™ HIGH DEMAND™ 9.0 Battery Pack will be sold as an accessory to the M18™ System and in select M18 FUEL™ kits, and will have full system compatibility with all M18™ cordless solutions.

Battery Highlights

• Up to 5X more run-time
• Up to 35% more power
• Runs up to 60% cooler
• Up to 2X the performance of M18 REDLITHIUM XC5.0
• Delivers more work per charge of any 18V battery on the market
• Fits all 100+ M18 tools

Keep Clean at the Right Price!

Galeton, a leading supplier of quality work gloves and personal protective equipment, has recently expanded its popular line of Safe N’ Clean™ Disposable Coveralls to include the #12715 Gray Coveralls with Open Wrists & Ankles, #12716 Gray Coveralls with Elastic Wrists & Ankles, and #12717 Gray Coveralls with Hood and Elastic Wrists & Ankles.

Breathable Safe N’ Clean™ Disposable Gray Economy coveralls keep you cool while protecting you and your clothes from dust, grime and other non-hazardous particles. Strong and lightweight polypropylene material breathes to keep you comfortable. Gray color looks clean longer than traditional white coveralls. Start as low as $1.75 each.

Remember that when you are taking steps to have the best coveralls, you can also upgrade your gloves, breathing apparatus, and even your eyewear can be safe too (review safety glasses here).

Since 1908, Galeton has been a leading supplier of fine quality work gloves and personal protective equipment at great prices for manufacturing, commercial industry, construction, contractors , as well as federal, state and local government facilities. Built around its unique product line and legendary customer service, the company continues to expand to meet the growing needs of its customers.

The Galeton catalog and website offer a wide variety of work gloves ranging from premium quality to economy plus a broad selection of exclusive brands and unique products.  The expansive offering also includes rainwear, high visibility work wear, work boots, disposable apparel, safety glasses, hard hats, respiratory & hearing protection, as well as other personal protective equipment all designed to help keep the worker safe, comfortable and productive on the job.  Shop the easy-to-use website at galeton.com.

For more information or a FREE catalog call Galeton at 800-221-0570, fax 800-322-2003 or go to galeton.com.