Just a couple days ago I returned from an event that has me so excited about working in the trades and what it means to be “Made in the USA”. The RIDGID Experience is only in it’s second year of existence but its clear to me that this will be an amazing annual event for Read more
tools
Just a couple days ago I returned from an event that has me so excited about working in the trades and what it means to be “Made in the USA”. The RIDGID Experience is only in it’s second year of existence but its clear to me that this will be an amazing annual event for years to come. Here’s how it works: All across their social media channels RIDGID invites anyone who uses their tools, any and all of the RIDGID tools to show off their pride in the work they do with those tools. There’s an official entry process and some hashtagging involved but its super simple and fun. Once entered RIDGID picks the winners of the contest and those winners are treated to a total first-class experience with factory & hands-on training center tours, an inside look at new upcoming products and tools, meals, lodging, airfare, limo, professional photo shoots, a box suite at the Indians ball game and even a fishing trip on Lake Erie! Oh man, I gotta tell you it was a blast!
Of course factory tours are exciting, getting to see how our favorite tool is made and even meeting the people who make them daily leaves me with a higher level of respect for the brand and excitement for my work. That was definitely the case for me after the #RIDGIDExperience.
Unfortunately we don’t always get to take the camera’s along for every step of the tour but I’ve posted a few cool shots on our Facebook and Instagram along with some comments along the way. I’ve included a video of the final steps in the assembly of the iconic 300 below; its hard to believe that machine was ever so clean and shiny!
I’d like to thank the entire team at RIDGID and those involved who organized and pulled off a truly memorable experience for all of us “winners”. It’s clear the entire company knows and cares about who their customer is. Thank you, Eric Aune.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLwrqWhEO3/?taken-by=mechanicalhub
PrimeSource Building Products, an international distributor of building materials for residential and commercial needs, has launched GRX Gloves, a brand-new line of quality gloves designed with new levels of comfort and fit to promote hand safety and value. The glove lines include GRX Cold Weather, GRX Industrial, GRX Professional and GRX Tradesman. GRX Read more
PrimeSource Building Products, an international distributor of building materials for residential and commercial needs, has launched GRX Gloves, a brand-new line of quality gloves designed with new levels of comfort and fit to promote hand safety and value.
The glove lines include GRX Cold Weather, GRX Industrial, GRX Professional and GRX Tradesman.
GRX gloves will be available through the PrimeSource network of pro-contractor supply location and pro-supply locations like 84 Lumber and BMC.
See the glove live at www.grxgloves.com
Plugfones are a combination of comfortable, safety-rated earplugs and high-quality speakers that allow you to listen and communicate more effectively on the job. Plugfones feature an ANSI- and NIOSH-certified NRR of up to 26 dB, and when paired with technologies like Bluetooth and noise isolating microphones, they make for the ultimate hearing protection + listening Read more
Plugfones are a combination of comfortable, safety-rated earplugs and high-quality speakers that allow you to listen and communicate more effectively on the job. Plugfones feature an ANSI- and NIOSH-certified NRR of up to 26 dB, and when paired with technologies like Bluetooth and noise isolating microphones, they make for the ultimate hearing protection + listening experience. OSHA-compliant volume limiting models are available.
Visit Plugfones to learn more about the ultimate in jobsite hearing and listening at their website: https://www.plugfones.com/
To read a review of Plugfones from The Hub’s Eric Aune from last year click here: Review: Bluetooth Earplugs
The Milwaukee 3pc Close Quarters Tubing Cutter set #48-22-4263 has been available for about a year now, I recently added it to my tool bag. The cutters can be bought separately but I definitely have a need for all three sizes (1/2″, 3/4″ & 1″) so the kit made the most sense for me. I Read more
The Milwaukee 3pc Close Quarters Tubing Cutter set #48-22-4263 has been available for about a year now, I recently added it to my tool bag. The cutters can be bought separately but I definitely have a need for all three sizes (1/2″, 3/4″ & 1″) so the kit made the most sense for me.
I purchased the kit at the Milwaukee factory service center here in the Twin Cities for about $50, a price point I would expect for all three sizes and a case. So far I have only used the cutters for a few weeks and I’m still on the fence. Having used similar style cutters for twenty years, I have to wonder if I didn’t get a bad set or if they simply need some “breaking in” time to exercise the tension springs. Let me explain.
The cutting wheel articulates under spring tension, this is how the cut happens. When you place the cutter on the copper tubing the wheel is spring loaded and pushing against the outside wall of the tube, as the cutter turns the wheel and spring does the cutting. My problem so far is that when the cutter is placed on the tube and not yet cutting, it tends to jump off the pipe. This is annoying. Check out the video below for a visual.
I’ve talked with dozens of other plumbers using the cutters or similar styles, some having the same issue, many who are not. I intend to continue using the set for a full month before I decide to keep them or try another cutter.
The NEW Model 7899 Gas Sniffer from E Instruments is a portable, rugged & VERY easy-to-use leak detection tool ideal for any industrial or HVAC Professional. The 7899 is equipped with a highly sensitive tip to Pin-Point small leaks of any Combustible gases & Hydrocarbons from piping and/or appliances. (Natural Gas, Methane, Propane, Butane, LPG Read more
The NEW Model 7899 Gas Sniffer from E Instruments is a portable, rugged & VERY easy-to-use leak detection tool ideal for any industrial or HVAC Professional.
The 7899 is equipped with a highly sensitive tip to Pin-Point small leaks of any Combustible gases & Hydrocarbons from piping and/or appliances.
(Natural Gas, Methane, Propane, Butane, LPG, etc.)
The 7899 Gas Sniffer Includes:
- Economical, Hand-Held & VERY Easy to Use!
- 11” Fully Flexible Probe for Hard-to-Reach Places
- Auto Zero-Drift Adjustment
- LARGE Visual LCD and Bar Graph Display
- Audio Alarm
- HOLD Function
- Readings in PPM, %vol, %LEL
- Range: 0 to 10,000 ppm
- Quick Response Time