GM Developed ‘Roboglove’ Could Make Construction Workers Stronger, Less Fatigued

July 18, 2016 Shane Hedmond

With the introduction of 3D printers on construction job sites, many are worried that robots will begin taking over the jobs of hardworking tradesmen. It’s more likely, however, that workers will be working WITH robots long before we’re completely replaced. For example, one company that makes exoskeletons to help paraplegics walk is also developing an exoskeleton specifically for constructions workers that will allow them to lift 50 pound pieces of equipment with one finger. Now, a former NASA and General Motors (GM) partnership has turned into an expedition into the blue collar fields.

Convert Corded Power Tools to Battery Power with DeWalt’s New Portable Power Station

July 13, 2016 Shane Hedmond

DeWalt is killing the power tool battery game right now, there’s no doubt about it. With the recent release of their new flagship product, FLEXVOLT, which consists of a line of 60V and 120V cordless power tools and batteries, their mission is to turn every jobsite into a mobile jobsite. Now, their doubling down on battery solutions with the announcement of a portable power station that can power most corded tools by plugging into a series of batteries.

Cool Tools: New Smart Tape Measure is All of Your Favorite Measurers Rolled into One

July 6, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Tape measure, wheel measure, and laser measures are all great tools for their own situations, but why isn’t there one that can do all three of those jobs? That doesn’t have to be a question anymore, because there’s a new smart measure hitting the market that can do it all.

Cool Tools: These Lightsaber Screwdrivers Will Help You Flaunt Your Star Wars Fandom on the Job Site

June 23, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Why should Luke Skywalker and the gang get to have all the fun with lightsabers? The time has finally come for grown men and women to show how much of a true fan of the Star Wars Empire they with a set of 3 lightsaber screwdrivers. Sure, they might not be as comfortable and rugged as our favorite traditional tool manufacturer’s versions are, but, I ask you this: can you current screwdrivers strike fear into the dark side?

DeWalt Just Unleashed Revolutionary New Line of Batteries, 60V & 120V Tools

June 22, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Speculation has been ongoing for weeks about DeWalt’s impending “World’s First” announcement that they’ve been teasing and today was the day the announcement was made. In an effort to give cordless tools the same power of corded, the tool giant announced the release of 20V/60V flexible voltage batteries and a new line of cordless 60V and 120V tools. The best part? The new ultra-powerful batteries are compatible with your favorite 20V tools that you already own.

FLEXVOLT, touted by DeWalt as the “World’s first battery that automatically changes voltage when you change tools,” will bring unprecedented power to cordless tools, especially workhorse tools like miter saws and circular saws. Perhaps most importantly, two 60-volt batteries ($149 to $199 on Amazon) can be used in tandem to extend the life and the power of the batteries. This system will be used in 120V tools, the first of which to be released is the 120V cordless/corded miter saw. The exciting new line of tools includes:

120V Cordless/Corded Sliding Miter Saw ($499-$799 on Amazon)

60V 7-1/4” Circular Saw ($179 on Amazon)

60V ½” VSR Stud & Joist Drill ($TBD on Amazon)

60V 8 ¼” Table Saw ($379 on Amazon)

60V Reciprocating Saw ($299 to $379 on Amazon)

60V 4 ½” – 6” Grinder with Kickback Brake ($TBD on Amazon)

All tools will incorporate the brushless motor technology that has made many tools so much more efficient in recent years. With the brushless motor technology combined with the new batteries and FLEXVOLT accessories that were also announced today, you can expect up to twice the run time vs. standard DeWalt tools. The accessories that DeWalt will release so far include circular saw blades engineered for low vibration, reciprocating saw blades with a finish that helps to reduce heat, and a self-feed pilot bit for faster cuts.

DeWalt had Twitter abuzz today due to the major announcement, which was in conjunction with the DeWalt media day. Several other tools and accessories were announced as well, like this new DeWalt Toughbox for safe jobsite storage.

Coming soon, a new place to store your #dewalt tools on the job #worldsfirst pic.twitter.com/KpA9YUQiaR
— Electrical Business (@EBMag) June 21, 2016

And this 60V chainsaw…

@BIM2theBone @JamesMBenham Check out this 60V cordless chainsaw from @DEWALTtough #flexvolt #worldsfirst pic.twitter.com/OCiPYkTmLX
— Rob McKinney (@conappguru) June 21, 2016

And this cordless dust extractor vacuum:

So THIS is how you make a #cordless dust extractor vac @DEWALTtough #worldsfirst #flexvolt #vacuums pic.twitter.com/QJCufS9rS3
— Pro Tool Reviews (@ProToolReviews) June 21, 2016

It was certainly an exciting day for DeWalt tool lovers. It’s even more exciting that you won’t have to replace your existing 20V tools to upgrade to the new batteries, unlike the last time DeWalt upgraded their batteries from 18V to 20V MAX.

FLEXVOLT will be made available to the public in the fall of 2016. To find out more about FLEXVOLT, visit flexvolt.dewalt.com.

Featured

Apr 1, 2021

Makita Announces Release of New 40V, 80V XGT Tool Lineup for US Market

Apr 1, 2021

Those that follow tool news may have heard about a new Makita tool platform that launched in several other countries a few months ago and have been waiting for the news of it finally being released in the United States. Well, the wait is over, as the teal tool brand has finally announced the release of their 40V and 80V XGT system in the US.

Apr 1, 2021

Jul 7, 2017

Cool Tools: A Belt Clip for Your Tablet

Jul 7, 2017

For many construction superintendents and project managers across the world, tablets are becoming one of the most important tools on the job site. They’re great for looking at plans, taking pictures, making notes, and running your favorite construction apps. Carrying a tablet does take up at least one of your hands, however, so it can be a hindrance if you need to help a co-worker lift material or climb a ladder.

Jul 7, 2017

Jul 6, 2016

Cool Tools: New Smart Tape Measure is All of Your Favorite Measurers Rolled into One

Jul 6, 2016

Jun 23, 2016

Cool Tools: These Lightsaber Screwdrivers Will Help You Flaunt Your Star Wars Fandom on the Job Site

Jun 23, 2016

Jun 22, 2016

DeWalt Just Unleashed Revolutionary New Line of Batteries, 60V & 120V Tools

Jun 22, 2016

Jun 21, 2016

Cool Tools: Makita’s Robotic Workshop Vacuum is the Invention We All Deserve

Jun 21, 2016

The best part of any construction job is making a mess. The worst part is cleaning up. With all the talk of robots entering the job site and doing all the fun stuff for us, why in the world have we not been pouring money into robots that will clean for us?! Makita may have answered our prayers, as Makita Japan has released an automated robotic vacuum that can handle the odd materials in your workshop or job site.

Jun 21, 2016

May 16, 2016

Cool Tools: Bosch Set to Release Highly Anticipated Flesh Detecting Table Saw

May 16, 2016

Accidents happen when you least expect them and many times they’re caused by tools and equipment you use every day on the job. All it takes is a split second before disaster can strike, so every one of them counts. That’s where technology can step in and prevent major injuries before they happen and that’s exactly what Bosch is hoping to accomplish with the pending release of their new flesh detecting table saw.

May 16, 2016

Jan 20, 2016

Cool Tools: Easily Climb and Work on Steel Columns With These Shoe Attachments

Jan 20, 2016

Steel workers have one of the most dangerous jobs on a construction site and, while safety has significantly improved in the past few decades, it often comes with a productivity decrease or cost increase. Depending on the job site, the use of ladders or lifts could be a safety hazard itself.

Jan 20, 2016

Jan 13, 2016

Cool Tools: Turn Your Smart Phone Into a Laser Measure

Jan 13, 2016

iPin is releasing a new product that will use your phone's headphone jack as an accessory port. The product will allow your phone to become a full-on laser measuring device. The iPin Spatial Ruler allows the user to measure the length between any two points in a shared photo, or the distance from your phone to some far away point.

Jan 13, 2016

Dec 22, 2015

Milwaukee Now Lets You Customize Power Tool Settings by Using a Smartphone App

Dec 22, 2015

Milwaukee Tool has had a busy year in 2015. They’ve expanded many of the M18 Fuel Power Tool lines to drilling and driving products, released an industry first cordless breaking grinder, released a new 3-in-1 heated ripstop jacket, and released the start of their powerful new tool reporting and customizing application One-Key. Milwaukee has already released phase one of One-Key, the inventory management portion (which you can learn more about here) and have released a set of One-Key enabled crimpers that allow tool reporting, which is phase 2.

Dec 22, 2015

Cool Tools: Makita’s Robotic Workshop Vacuum is the Invention We All Deserve

June 21, 2016 Shane Hedmond

New Milwaukee Bucks Arena Construction Site to be Sponsored by Milwaukee Tool

June 20, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Rendering via the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center

Naming rights for professional sports venues are a big deal, so much so many of the businesses that own naming rights become synonymous with the team. As far as we can determine, though, no construction job site has ever been sponsored by a company in exchange for naming rights…until now.

[VIDEO] Guy Builds An Electric Skateboard Powered by Power Drill

June 14, 2016 Shane Hedmond

When you pack as much raw power in a compact battery powered drill, people are bound to get creative with how they use them. Electric skateboards and “hoverboards” have been all the rage with teenagers and young adults that past couple of years, but many can break the bank, like the popular Boosted Board, which can run you up to $1,599.

New Craftsman Hammer Comes with Adjustable Claw For Superior Prying Ability

June 9, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Hammers haven’t changed much in hundreds of years, save a few minor tweaks with materials and aesthetics for branding. But, though they haven’t changed, the old saying still goes, “hammers are the hammers of the construction industry.” Don’t quote me on that. Everybody has a hammer, even people who can barely even hold a hammer. Hammers are even used to make other hammers, here’s proof. So, when a new hammer hits the market, it’s not really that big of a deal, unless, of course, it’s the only one to provide an adjustable claw.

The Ultimate Construction Father’s Day Gift Guide 2016 + Giveaway!

May 26, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Chances are, your dad is awesome…so awesome that he deserves to have nice things every once in a while. We’ve put our heads together and compiled a list of our favorite tools, apparel, and other products that we think any dad would like, but especially those who are cool enough to work in the construction industry. If you’ve got any additional suggestions, add them in the comment section below!

We're also giving you a chance to win several of the products on our list in our Father's Day giveaway! Details are below!