ShopTalk

Tool options for a variety of cutting, crimping, and pressing tasks

DEWALT announces its further expansion into trade-focused products with five tools dedicated to the Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing Trades; categories DEWALT plans to continue to develop as the brand expands its line in the future. Featuring cutting, crimping, and pressing tools, the new line includes products with premium ergonomics, the capability to complete wide range of applications, and compatibility with the existing 20V MAX* system from DEWALT.

Electrical Tools

New DEWALT electrical tools include a U-Type Died Crimper (DCE300) and a Dieless Crimper (DCE350). Both feature the Crimp Connect™ System, an intelligent onboard reporting system integrated into the tool that reports and prints the date, time, force, and successful crimp cycles completed by the tool as well as the tool’s calibration and service history. An LED panel on the tool is used as an interface that powers on or off the tool, indicates battery state of charge, cycle completion, and if recalibration or service of the tool is needed. Another bright LED work light helps to illuminate the crimping area when working in dark spaces. Finally, the tools each include a shoulder strap for convenience when transporting around the jobsite.

The Died Crimper (DCE300) delivers a 12-ton crimping force for UL classified crimps using connectors from most manufacturers. It accepts U Type dies from most brands and has a capacity from #8 – 750 MCM Cu /1000 MCM Al. A 270° pivoting head allows the crimper to maneuver in tight spaces while forward and reverse trigger switches provide one-handed control of the crimping operation.

The Dieless Crimper (DCE350) features a universal 4 pusher design and crimps #8 – 750 MCM Cu/ 1000 MCM Al. An innovative head design helps reduce user error when crimping smaller cable, thereby providing durability. A 360° pivoting head allows the crimper to maneuver in tight spaces while forward and reverse triggers, as with the Died Crimper, provide one-handed control of the crimping operation.

Another tool available for the electrical industry is the Cable Cutter (DCE150) which is capable of cutting up to 750 MCM Cu/1000 MCM Al, cutting a full range of copper and aluminum cable. A hardened steel cutting blade provides long life, can be self-serviced, and is replaceable; a convenience for working in the field. A bright LED work light helps to illuminate cutting area while and inline forward/reverse switch offers quick and convenient operation.

Plumbing and Mechanical Tool

The new DEWALT Press Tool (DCE200) is capable of pressing pipe fittings from 1/2″ to 4″ in copper and stainless steel pipe.  The Press Tool is capable of completing the full range of presses listed above and is compatible with a wide range of crimping heads and attachments for different materials and applications. The head of the tool pivots 320° to maneuver in tight spaces and the crimping jaws are protected from corrosion with a black galvanized coating. This tool also features the Crimp Connect™ System, a bright LED work light that helps to illuminate the workspace and an LED panel which powers on or off the tool, indicates battery state of charge, cycle completion, and if recalibration or service of the tool is needed. Finally, this tool also includes a shoulder strap for convenience when transporting around the jobsite.

Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Tool

The new Threaded Rod Cutter (DCS350) is capable of quickly and cleanly cutting a range of threaded rod sizes including 1/4″, 3/8″ and 1/2″ mild steel rods and ¼”and 3/8” stainless steel rods.  The four sided rotatable cutting die allows the user to cut each of the three different sizes of threaded rod with the same tool just by rotating the cutting dies to the size needed. The unit does not create chips or sparks while cutting, providing a burr-free cut that can easily be threaded onto fasteners. The Threaded Rod Cutter is part of the DEWALT Perform & Protect™ line of power tools which is designed to provide a high level of one or more of the following: control, dust containment, or low vibration, without sacrificing performance. The Threaded Rod Cutter eliminates fast moving cutting blades or wheels which can bind up when cutting or trimming threaded rod. The unit includes a bright LED work light, a forward/reverse/lock off switch, and a hang hook. A full line of replacement cutting dies will be available as well.

Available in June 2016 where DEWALT products are sold, users who had previously needed to switch tools from their DEWALT drills to their industry-specific tools will benefit from the convenience and performance of the 20V MAX* system, now available for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, MRO, and HVAC professionals.

*Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 20 volts. Nominal voltage is 18.

With failing oil-fired boilers and an aging, inefficient heating system, Elm Street School in Gardner, Mass., turned to modulating boilers from Weil-McLain to spark energy efficiencies and lower heating costs for the school.

Built in 1923, Elm Street first served as a high school, but over the course of numerous years, the district converted the facility into an elementary school. Today, the 130,000-square foot facility houses more than 500 students.

“Our heating system consisted of two nearly 20-year-old boilers that were in constant need of repair,” said Robert O’Brien, director of facilities for Gardner Public Schools. “We found ourselves changing out cast iron sections on an annual basis. In addition to the maintenance issues, we wanted to decrease our overall heat load.”

To assist with project funding and help cover boiler replacement costs, the school applied for and received a green repair grant from the Massachusetts School Board Authority (MSBA). The MSBA Green Repair Program offers districts the opportunity to repair or replace roofs, windows and/or boilers in public school facilities that are otherwise structurally, functionally and educationally sound.

With funding in place, the school selected, MacRitchie Engineering, based in Braintree, Mass., which provides HVAC, plumbing and electrical design services, to handle the boiler replacement.

“We sought a dual combination gas and oil commercial boiler and Weil-McLain was my primary choice,” said O’Brien. “We also wanted units with the ability to modulate with a control package that could be implemented into a building management system.

“We received three competitive offerings when the project was put out for bid and we chose Weil-McLain because the equipment had the best load matching characteristics,” said O’Brien.

The team chose three Weil-McLain 88 Series low pressure steam boilers as the optimal choice to match heating load requirements with two carrying the building load and one installed for redundancy. MacRitchie also was tasked with handling oil conversion to add gas for dual fuel firing, boiler room valves, boiler feed unit, fuel oil pumps and controls, and associated electrical and plumbing work.

The Weil-McLain 88 Series boilers offer up to 85.7% thermal efficiencies, are operational in single or multiple systems as gas, oil or gas/oil, and feature modulation control.

The old oil-fired burners were removed and replaced with the Weil-McLain dual fuel boilers and configured with gas as the main fuel source and oil as a backup. Each boiler was installed with its own pump plus a common manually valved standby pump.

The project was completed and the units were placed in operation in October 2015.

Built in 1923, Elm Street School in Gardner, Mass., houses more than 500 elementary students.

Numerous Benefits Realized

According to O’Brien, the installation went smoothly and the school already is experiencing benefits.

“We expect to save anywhere from 20% to 25% of our fuel costs with these new boilers because they are more energy efficient, feature low-range pressure controls and have the  ability to modulate,” said O’Brien.

Modulating burners are designed to control the burner output to match the boilers’ variable load requirements to ensure maximum combustion and boiler efficiencies during large heating demands. The modulation feature also has decreased the system pressure.

“Thanks to modulation, we reduced the amount of operating pressure from about 10 pounds on a cold day to about 5 pounds,” said O’Brien. “Dropping the pressure created a lot of savings, yet we are still maintaining the temperature inside the building so that’s a definite plus.”

Other benefits O’Brien and building staff are realizing include the adoption of a building management system that will send notifications via email and sound an audible alarm in the school if an issue should arise.

“If a boiler burner should misfire, for example, I immediately get an email and an audio alarm goes off in the school,” said O’Brien. “This alerts school custodian staff that an issue is happening, and it’s an important safety feature to have.”

The expected duration and life of the boilers are another plus, according to O’Brien.

“The life expectancy is typically 30 or more years for these boilers,” he said.

When Milwaukee Tool introduced its first Fastback™ utility knife, it set a new industry standard for cutting on the jobsite. Now, the company raises the bar once again by introducing a next generation Fastback™ Flip Utility Knife w/ Blade Storage, designed with the same trademark features users have come to know and love. Milwaukee® also announces a smaller, more compact version of the Fastback™ knife with the introduction of the Fastback™ Compact Flip Utility Knife.

“The original Milwaukee® Fastback™ Utility Knife has been iconic since it was first introduced to the industry, and the innovation behind it has set the bar for all other utility knives that have followed,” said Bobby Shaw, Vice President of Product Marketing for Milwaukee Tool. “We’ve now fully redesigned these tools to make them even better than the originals by offering a version with increased blade storage, as well as a more compact version. And we’ve done it all without sacrificing their ergonomic shape or ease of opening, which are defining features for Fastback™ fans.”

Similar to the original Fastback™ and Fastback™ II, the Utility Knife w/Blade Storage and the Compact Flip Utility Knife are designed to maximize productivity on the jobsite with Press & Flip one-handed opening. In addition, quick blade changes allow users to make blade replacements quickly and easily.

The Fastback™ Flip Utility Knife w/ Blade storage increases blade capacity to 5 blades – one in the tool and four in the storage door, allowing users to fit an entire 5-pack of blades in their tool – all while maintaining the same thickness of the Fastback™ II Flip Utility Knife. It also incorporates a 45 degree cut position, designed to make easier pull cuts. The Fastback™ Flip Utility Knife w/Blade Storage also includes an integrated gut hook, wire form clip, and wire stripper to improve overall productivity.

For users who prefer a smaller-sized knife, the Compact Fastback™ was designed to easily fit in the pocket. And, while many other small knives on the market require special blades, the Compact Fastback™ uses a standard size utility blade – allowing users to easily make blade replacements using the same blades across all of their utility knives, without the need to purchase a set of smaller blades.

Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the new Fastback™ Knives confirm Milwaukee’s commitment to best-in-class durability and their relentless commitment to provide innovative solutions to the end user that will increase productivity. The iconic Fastback™ line will continue to grow with innovative cutting solutions.

Model Options

Fastback™ Flip Utility Knife with Blade Storage (48-22-1903)

Fastback™ Compact Flip Utility Knife (48-22-1906)

As part of its continued commitment to innovation, Pfister^® is expanding its filtration options into the showroom with the new Lita^™ Filter Faucet with Xtract^™ Filter Mode. This addition to Pfister’s filter faucet offering continues to make home water filtration sleek, easy and convenient. With the new Pfister Xtract Filter Mode and GE^® 2X High Flow Filtration System, Lita provides great-tasting filtered water straight from the faucet at unrivaled speed.

The new Lita Filter Faucet has the ability to deliver filtered water two times faster than most conventional drinking water systems, due to its integrated filtration design and technology. The filtration system also reduces contaminants such as chlorine, mercury and pesticides, helping to fight against the more than 300 chemicals found in tap water throughout the country*. With recent headlines of lead contamination in public drinking water sources, it is critical for remodelers, designers and builders to understand consumer options for effective home water filtration.

The Lita Filter Faucet can filter water two times faster than most conventional drinking water systems, and can reduce contaminants such as chlorine, mercury and pesticides.

“Thanks to a design that integrates the Xtract Filter Mode directly into the handle, clean filtered water is right at the fingertips of the user,” said Tim Burdett, Marketing Manager for Pfister. “Consumers can easily switch from tap to filtered water simply by pushing the faucet handle back, eliminating the need for other devices like filter pitchers or cumbersome faucet mount filters.”

While Lita emphasizes water quality and convenience as major selling points, the filter faucet also makes kitchens more efficient. Unlike traditional filter devices that can clutter counters and take up valuable refrigerator space, Lita gives that space back to consumers and saves money in the process. For an average family of four, compared to the cost of bottled water, the faucet can provide cost savings up to $1,550 in three years.

Additional features include:

• Three-Function Sprayhead: Spray, pause and stream functions

• 1- or 3-hole configuration: Installation versatility

• AccuDock^™: Advanced sprayhead docking technology, ensuring the sprayhead stays firmly in place when docked

• Pfister Pforever Warranty^®: Covers finish and function for life

Lita with Xtract, offered in Chrome or Stainless Steel finishes, will be available in showrooms across the U.S. in April 2016 with an MSRP of $625 to $675. For more information, visit www.pfisterfaucets.com.