One of the things that keeps contractors up at night is worrying about where their next qualified hire is going to come from. The shortage of skilled workers in the trades is severe and getting worse. Seventy percent of construction companies nationwide are having trouble finding qualified workers, according to the Associated General Contractors of Read more
Milwaukee Tool
One of the things that keeps contractors up at night is worrying about where their next qualified hire is going to come from.
The shortage of skilled workers in the trades is severe and getting worse. Seventy percent of construction companies nationwide are having trouble finding qualified workers, according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
And if Congress ever does approve a much-needed infrastructure package, the need will be even greater.
We in the trades can hope parents will stop pushing the necessity of a four-year degree to every child, regardless of interest or qualifications, but there are more practical measures we can take in the meantime.
Last year, Viega LLC launched the Viega Trades Education Network (VTEN) to boost the ranks and skills of students studying the design, installation and function of plumbing and hydronic systems. Viega is partnering with trade schools, community colleges and the UA in the United States and Canada to subsidize and provide training on mechanical systems.
VTEN is about providing a better education for those already enrolled and supporting the schools and instructors that are training the next generation of workers. Like all educational institutions, these schools don’t have the budgets and resources to deliver everything they’d like to give their students.
As members of VTEN, schools get comprehensive curriculum modules that easily integrate into existing programs. The modules include Hydronics 101, Piping & Controls, Radiant Design, Trades Math, Blueprint Reading, CAD and BIM, and more. In addition, Viega provides functional demonstration units supported by lesson plans and projects and a complete tooling package.
Educators receive admission to an annual VTEN conference in Colorado or New Hampshire, including hotel, airfare, food and admission; Viega and direct vendor support of BlueVolt® eLearning platform; hands-on tool demonstrations and LoopCAD® license options and instructor training.
The LoopCAD package includes on-site orientation to the network and a Zoning Demonstration Board and Mixing Demonstration Board to give students hands-on experience in troubleshooting systems.
And, of course, VTEN offers credentialed classes for Viega products, including ProPress® and MegaPress®.
But the program doesn’t stop there. Schools also receive a RIDGID® RP-340 tool or Milwaukee M18® Force Logic Press Tool with a set of jaws for metal and PEX, as well as samples of various types of pipe and couplings for each student.
The first students in VTEN will graduate soon and we welcome them to the ranks of the trades. We invite other companies to follow suit and join us in building the workforce of the future.
Lino Santoro is Viega Trades Education Network (VTEN) Manager.
After 38 years in the hydronics business, Stephen Minnich of Minnich Mechanical Design is hanging up the tools. The Hub’s John Mesenbrink caught up to Stephen on his last jobsite, a 24-zone radiant system at an apartment complex in Wheaton, Ill. The change-out consisted of removing two 400,000 BTU cast-iron boilers with no boiler protection Read more
After 38 years in the hydronics business, Stephen Minnich of Minnich Mechanical Design is hanging up the tools. The Hub’s John Mesenbrink caught up to Stephen on his last jobsite, a 24-zone radiant system at an apartment complex in Wheaton, Ill. The change-out consisted of removing two 400,000 BTU cast-iron boilers with no boiler protection and no mixing among other hydronic issues that cut down the life of the boilers by 10+ years.
Minnich is installing for two Lochinvar KBN models, an upgrade from their KHN models to remedy the problem. Check out the video here.
As far as what Minnich will do in the next chapter of his career, Minnich has accepted a position with an engineering firm downtown Chicago as an HVAC consultant for multi-residential units on the Chicago area. Congrats on a great career and good luck with the next chapter in your life!
See the video here:
• Industry’s first 18V heat gun of its kind • Reaches operational temp 30% faster than corded • Most compact electric heat gun • Ability to stand up & guarded nozzle • One charge, 40+ connections • Available: October 2017 • MSRP: Kit ($239); Bare Tool ($119) Milwaukee Tool continues to drive innovation within the Read more
• Industry’s first 18V heat gun of its kind
• Reaches operational temp 30% faster than corded
• Most compact electric heat gun
• Ability to stand up & guarded nozzle
• One charge, 40+ connections
• Available: October 2017
• MSRP: Kit ($239); Bare Tool ($119)
Milwaukee Tool continues to drive innovation within the tool industry with the introduction of the new M18™ Compact Heat Gun, the first 18V solution of its kind. Reaching operational temperature 30% faster than corded, as well as the portability advantages of the M18™ system with a compact profile, the M18™ Compact Heat Gun offers superior productivity to the user. Altogether, the power of cordless, the high performance heating coil, and the compact size allow users to heat connections quickly anywhere, anytime.
When equipped with an M18™ REDLITHIUM™ XC5.0 Battery Pack the tool delivers more than 40 heat shrink connections on one charge, easily getting many users through a full day of work. This battery also acts as a base so users can easily stand the tool up or utilize the on tool ladder hook to hang the tool between applications. For added utility, the guarded nozzle increases protection for work surfaces.
Milwaukee® is committed to improving productivity by providing performance-driven and trade-focused solutions so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. This new tool is fully compatible with the entire M18™ line, now offering more than 150 power tool solutions.
Available October 2017, the new M18™ Compact Heat Gun is a testament to Milwaukee’s focus on the user and investment in game-changing technology.
Specifications
M18™ Compact Heat Gun (2688-21)
Temperature: 875°F
Guarded Nozzle: Yes
Ladder Hook: Ye s
LED Light: Yes
Length: 6.4”
Weight: 3.3 lbs
Includes M18™ Compact Heat Gun, (1) M18™ REDLITHIUM™ XC5.0 Extended Capacity Battery Pack, M18™/M12™ Multi Voltage Charger, 3/8” Concentrator Nozzle, Hook Nozzle and Carrying Case.
*Also available as bare tool (2688-20)
For info, www.milwaukeetool.com.
Quickly diagnosis the problem. With instant start-up for scanning large areas and the ability to give high resolution images with precise single spot measurements, the new Imager is ideal for fast and accurate troubleshooting. Exclusive DUAL SENSE™ technology allows the Imager to individually optimize pixels to eliminate the blurring of hot and cold details in Read more
Quickly diagnosis the problem. With instant start-up for scanning large areas and the ability to give high resolution images with precise single spot measurements, the new Imager is ideal for fast and accurate troubleshooting. Exclusive DUAL SENSE™ technology allows the Imager to individually optimize pixels to eliminate the blurring of hot and cold details in complex environments. Equipped with 56:1 distance to spot performance, a 15-second image hold, and a temperature range of 14°F – 626°F, users are able to scan, target, and see a single on-screen temperature reading from long distance or from up close. Backed by a 5-year warranty, the 102×77 Spot Infrared Imager confirms Milwaukee’s continued commitment to delivering solutions that save time and increase productivity for its users.
Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers. Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first Read more
Copper press systems have become commonplace on the job but the piping systems have expanded recently to include stainless steel piping and fittings along with fittings engineered specifically for iron pipe. As the systems have expanded so have the tool offerings by multiple manufacturers.
Milwaukee entered the press tool market in 2013 with the first generation of M12 and M18 Force Logic press tools. 12v & 18v offering the first inline design by a major tool manufacturer available at the time. Others would soon follow with similar designs. I have owned both corded and cordless models from Ridgid and Milwaukee. My first press tools were the pistol grip type and my most recent purchase (2014) was the M12 inline design.
Last week I took delivery of the newest press tool available. The Milwaukee M18 Force Logic press tool kit [2773-22] is the first tool available with a brushless motor system.
The significance of brushless design for a press tool is high. As we’ve experienced with multiple tools already built with brushless technology smaller physical designs and faster, more powerful performance ratings are now the norm. The case here is very much the same. The new M18 press tool is not only smaller and lighter but the performance ratings published by Milwaukee are faster and longer [presses per battery charge cycle]. From using it now on two boiler change-outs its been my opinion that this is the fastest cordless press tool I’ve ever used. I’ve likely pressed 50-75 joints and have been running the new 9ah battery pack from an initial full charge and have not had to recharge. The current battery charge, according to the indicator lights is about 50% or more.
The new brushless M18 tool is capable of handling up to and including 4” on Viega’s stainless system (ProPress XL-S), and up to and including 1” on Grinnell’s stainless system (Stainless Steel G-Press). Up to and including 2” on MegaPress. The 2773-22 kit will require additional jaw sets for stainless and MegaPress. As mentioned, the kit includes copper jaws up to 2″.
When asked if competitor press jaws are compatible with the M18 tool a Milwaukee design engineer responded with a “Yes, you can use competitive jaws with the tool”.