Toolbox

Last Up To 100 Times Longer In Tough Metal-Drilling Applications Than Titanium Bits Spyder® today unveiled its highest-performance drilling accessories yet — the new STINGER™ Mach-Blue™ high-speed steel (HSS) bits for wood and metal drilling, which will be available as a home center exclusive at Lowe’s. The bits mark the debut of Spyder’s proprietary Mach-Blue™ Read more

Last Up To 100 Times Longer In Tough Metal-Drilling Applications Than Titanium Bits

Spyder® today unveiled its highest-performance drilling accessories yet — the new STINGER™ Mach-Blue™ high-speed steel (HSS) bits for wood and
metal drilling, which will be available as a home center exclusive at Lowe’s.
The bits mark the debut of Spyder’s proprietary Mach-Blue™ armor plating, an ultra-hard surface plating that helps retain sharp cutting edges and reduce heat build-up, resulting in faster cuts and exceptionally long life. The Mach-Blue™ plating gives the bits an eye-catching, iridescent blue finish that performs like nothing else on the market.

Beneath the plating, the bits are constructed of heat-treated M-Series tool steel, known for its durability and resistance to breakage. They are optimized for use in wood, steel, mild steel, aluminum, stacked materials and other tough-to-drill alloys.

The new HSS bits join Spyder’s other STINGER™ drilling accessories, which include auger, power and spade bits. The HSS bits are Spyder’s first-ever standard-size drill bits, but there is nothing standard about their performance, said Matt Tyson, Senior Product Manager at Spyder.

“Mach-Blue™ bits are engineered to drill quickly and cleanly over and over,” Tyson said. “They cut cleaner and last significantly longer than other high-quality titanium plated or cobalt bits, even when drilling dense, thick metal.”

STINGER™ Mach-Blue™ HSS bits have been shown to drill up to 100 times more holes than titanium or black oxide drill bits before a replacement is required, and to make holes up to eight times faster than titanium drill bits.

Other features include a self-centering split point design that won’t walk or wander, even on pre- hardened or curved surfaces. The impact-rated 1/4" speed hex shank allows the bit to be used in quick-change impacting drivers as well as conventional three-jaw chucks in hand drills and drill presses. The high-performance, jobber-length bits are made in the USA.

STINGER™ Mach-Blue™ armor plated HSS drill bits are available in a 10-piece kit with an MSRP of $39.98. The kit includes 1/16”, 5/64”, 3/32”, 1/8", 5/32”, 3/16”, 7/32”, 1/4", 5/16” and 3/8" bits, and a durable case with rubberized corners. Individual bits in diameters from 1/16” to 1/2" are sold separately.

STINGER™ Mach-Blue™ armor plated HSS drill bits and other additions to the STINGER™ line of drilling and wood-boring tools will be available online at Lowes.com and rolling out to Lowe’s stores nationwide this month.

Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco offer an affordable entry to pressing technology Broomfield, Colo. — Viega LLC, the company which introduced pressing to North America, now has its own branded pressing tools for use with its fittings. The Viega Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco are now available in distributors and through Viega. The Read more

Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco offer an affordable entry to pressing technology

Broomfield, Colo. — Viega LLC, the company which introduced pressing to North America, now has its own branded pressing tools for use with its fittings.

The Viega Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco are now available in distributors and through Viega. The tools, which are the first in North America to carry the Viega name, cost less than similar press tools from other manufacturers and are an affordable way for contractors to adopt pressing.

Viega, Viega Pressgun 6, Pressgun 6 Picco, press technology, pressing, plumbing, heating, HVAC

“We know the cost of tools has been a barrier for some contractors who want to adopt pressing,” said Dominic Küng, Senior Manager, Product Portfolio. “The lower price of the Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco will make it easier for those customers to buy a tool and begin realizing the enormous benefits of pressing.”

Tools aren’t a new offering for Viega. It has sold branded tools in Europe for years in collaboration with RIDGID, whichmanufactures the Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco for Viega.

Viega, Viega Pressgun 6, Pressgun 6 Picco, press technology, pressing, plumbing, heating, HVAC

The Pressgun 6 is a no-frills, cost-efficient workhorse that can press up to 4″ ProPress copper and stainless and 2″ MegaPress with the V2 actuator and rings, as well as 2″ PureFlow PEX. Its features include:

  • Eight-second press cycle
  • LED display indicating number of presses left on a charge
  • Steel cylinder head and jaw intake
  • 270° rotating cylinder head
  • Forward and backward compatibility with RIDGID batteries

    The less expensive and less powerful Pressgun 6 Picco can press up to 11⁄4″ ProPress with the C1 actuator and rings, 11⁄2″ PureFlow and 3⁄4″ MegaPress.

     

    Neither tool can be used with the MegaPress XL PressBooster or MegaPress Z3 Actuator.

    Both tools come with an 18-volt lithium-ion battery and charger. The 2.5/5.0 Ah battery offers 25% more presses per charge than the previous battery. It includes a battery life indicator. The charger comes with a standard 100-240V charging cord and a 12V DC charging cord so it can be charged off a vehicle lighter. The battery also features forward and backward compatibility with RIDGID batteries, chargers and tools.

    “We’re excited to make it possible for additional contractors to become more efficient and productive through pressing,”Küng said. “They’ll find that the Pressgun 6 and Pressgun 6 Picco will revolutionize their businesses and quickly pay for themselves.”

    To learn more about the tool, visit here.

The RP 350 features a brushless motor, no service interval downtime and 360-degree swiveling head. RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s Professional Tool group, is adding even more versatility to its line of trusted press tools with the introduction of the RP 350 – an advanced, long- running press tool that’s built for the most demanding jobsites Read more

RIDGID RP 350 Pistol-Grip Press Tool, press technology, plumbing, pressing, RIDGID, Rodge Tool Co., HVAC, heatingThe RP 350 features a brushless motor, no service interval downtime and 360-degree swiveling head.

RIDGID®, part of Emerson’s Professional Tool group, is adding even more versatility to its line of trusted press tools with the introduction of the RP 350 – an advanced, long- running press tool that’s built for the most demanding jobsites. Engineered to be five percent lighter and almost three inches shorter than its predecessor, the RP 350 eliminates scheduled service intervals for less downtime and features a brushless motor, 360-degree swivel head and most advanced LED interface and lighting.

“RIDGID has been the leader in press technology for decades, and we’re excited to give tradespeople even more options for connecting pipe quickly, safely and with less fatigue,” said Michael Provenzano, global product manager, press connections, RIDGID. “We’ve already heard from contractors who previewed the RP 350 at the AHR Expo that the tool exceeds their expectations and they are excited to upgrade their pressing capabilities on the jobsite.”

Weighing only eight pounds with the battery, the RP 350 features an advanced brushless motor, known for maximizing tool longevity, efficiency and durability. The tool’s 360-degree swivel is an industry-first and comes paired with brightest-in-class LED lights to let users not only access tight spaces – but see them more clearly in low-light applications.

RIDGID RP 350 Pistol-Grip Press Tool, press technology, plumbing, pressing, RIDGID, Rodge Tool Co., HVAC, heating

“The RP 350 is designed for contractor ease of use, not only from the standpoint of creating a quality press, but also to minimize contractor fatigue when using the tool,” said Don Embree, manager, industrial design – professional tools, Emerson. “Every feature we built into the tool helps put less impact on the body – for a more productive day and to reduce muscle fatigue.”

Ideal for making connections on residential, commercial and industrial jobs, the RP 350 is compatible with the full line of RIDGID jaws and rings, including: 1⁄2 – 4-inch ProPress® for copper and stainless steel, 1⁄2 – 2-inch PureFlow® for PEX, and 1⁄2 – 2-inch MegaPress® for carbon steel. It also offers maximum versatility, pairing with the RIDGID Press Booster for 2 1⁄2 -inch, 3-inch, and 4-inch carbon steel, StrutSlayrTM Strut Shear Head and the Press SnapTM Soil Pipe Cutter. The tool’s 18V battery platform includes a car charger for on-the-go battery charging; the unit also pairs with the RIDGID Link app to track tool usage, service needs, battery life and last known location. All RIDGID press tools, including the RP 350, come with the RIDGID Full Lifetime Warranty.

To purchase or learn more about the RP 350 and its accessories or other press tool products, visit RIDGID.com, or call toll-free: 1-800-4RIDGID.

Milwaukee Tool, the leading jobsite lighting provider in the industry, adds to their Personal Lighting family of products once again with two new flashlight solutions. The expansion includes two new rechargeable lights equipped with high-definition light output – the USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight and the USB Rechargeable 800L Compact Flashlight – both utilizing Read more

Milwaukee Tool, the leading jobsite lighting provider in the industry, adds to their Personal Lighting family of products once again with two new flashlight solutions. The expansion includes two new rechargeable lights equipped with high-definition light output – the USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight and the USB Rechargeable 800L Compact Flashlight – both utilizing Milwaukee’s REDLITHIUM™ USB* 3.0AH Battery for upgraded performance.

USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight

Providing 1,100 Lumen light output with precise beam control, the USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight leverages LED technology to deliver 1100L of TRUEVIEW™ High Definition Output** up to 175-meters (574 feet) away. For full control of the beam size and intensity, the flashlight feature precision twist focusing, allowing users to switch from spot all the way up to flood to search, trace, or inspect more efficiently. Optimized for one-click operation, the flashlight is complete with a multi-functional power button offering that houses a fuel gauge, mode selection, and mode memory intelligence. The flashlight features low, medium, and high modes for up to 14 hours of runtime. Built to withstand harsh jobsite conditions, the flashlight can withstand drops up to 4M and is IP67 rated for protection from dust and water.

Specifications

  • Modes: Low, Medium, High
  • Lumens:
    • Low: 100
    • Medium: 600
    • High: 1100
  • Run-time:
    • Low: 14 Hours
    • Medium: 4.5 Hours
    • High: 1.75 Hours
  • Ingress Rating: IP67
  • Weight w/ Battery: 0.41lbs

Includes: USB Rechargeable 1100L Twist Focus Flashlight, REDLITHIUM™ USB 3.0AH Battery, and Removeable Clip

USB Rechargeable 800L Compact Flashlight

Delivering uncompromised power in a portable, pocket-size, the USB Rechargeable 800L Compact Flashlight delivers 800L of TRUEVIEW™ High Definition Output up to 150-meters (492 feet) away. Complete with a bulls-eye beam, the Compact Flashlight combines the accuracy and intensity of a spotlight with the widespread coverage of a flood light. Optimized for pocket-portability, the compact size allows users to easily take lighting onto any jobsite. The flashlight features low and high modes for up to 13 hours of runtime. For durability, the flashlight is IP67 rated and rated for drops up to 4M.

Specifications

  • Modes: Low, High
  • Lumens:
    • Low: 100
    • High: 800
  • Run-time:
    • Low: 11 Hours
    • High: 2.5 Hours
  • Ingress Rating: IP67
  • Weight w/ Battery: 0.36lbs

Includes: USB Rechargeable 800L Compact Flashlight, REDLITHIUM™ USB 3.0AH Battery, and Removeable Clip

These new flashlights join Milwaukee’s fast-growing Personal Lighting offering. All Milwaukee Personal Lighting is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Focused on the user and investing in game-changing technology, Milwaukee will continue to design and develop lighting solutions with the ability to adapt, perform and survive the demands of professional use.

*REDLITHIUM™ USB provides users rechargeable convenience and performance where maintaining a compact size is critical, and eliminates the downtime associated with other rechargeable solutions due to slow charge speed or integrated batteries. Capable of being charged either in the product or in a separate charger, and with a 3X faster charge time, users can get back to work more quickly. REDLITHIUM™ USB eliminates the dependency on disposable batteries in applications that require extended use.

**TRUEVIEW™ Technology utilizes the most advanced LED technology and optical designs to deliver a consistent beam, optimized color temperature, and true representation of colors and detail leading to a more productive work area.

To provide users with face, head, and neck protection, Milwaukee Tool is expanding its workwear lineup with the addition of a Multi-Functional Neck Gaiter. Made from a moisture-wicking, breathable blend of lightweight polyester and spandex, the Gaiter is designed to keep users dry and comfortable all day with UPF 50+ sun protection and odor-resistant technology Read more

To provide users with face, head, and neck protection, Milwaukee Tool is expanding its workwear lineup with the addition of a Multi-Functional Neck Gaiter.

Milwaukee Tool Multi-Functional Neck Gaiter, Milwaukee Tool

Made from a moisture-wicking, breathable blend of lightweight polyester and spandex, the Gaiter is designed to keep users dry and comfortable all day with UPF 50+ sun protection and odor-resistant technology. The Gaiter can be worn as a face covering, headband, neck guard, or any other adaptable solution. The Neck Gaiter is washer and dryer safe and will be available in three colors – Gray, Hi-Vis, and Red.

The new Multi-Functional Neck Gaiter will be available for purchase at select distributors September 2020.