With Sears and Kmart stores slowly closing across the country, Sears Holdings had to sell off their longtime brand of tools, Craftsman to generate cash flow. The buyer turned out to be Stanley Black & Decker (SBD), who also runs DeWalt, Black + Decker, Porter Cable, Bostitch, and others. Late last week, their deal to purchase the tool icon was officially finalized.
Read moreMilwaukee ONE-KEY Gets Upgrade with Added Tool Security
As technology is slowly but surely creeping into construction job sites across the world, power tools are no exception. Not only are they becoming lighter, more powerful, and cord free, they’re also beginning to interact with smartphones and applications. In 2015, Milwaukee Tool jumped head first into the industry’s most comprehensive smart tool application, ONE-KEY, and it’s still continuing to develop with new upgrades.
The are 4 key benefits of the ONE-KEY system: tool customization, tracking, and management. ONE-key enabled tools can be located using Bluetooth technology when within distance and remembers the last known location. The ONE-KEY app allows you to change tool settings with the click of a button and save profiles for specific tool functions. The tool and equipment management software is a free, digital catalog for all of your company’s or your personal tools, no matter if they’re the red and black brand or not.
In January, Milwaukee announced it’s newest addition to the application: Integrated Tool Security. With the new update, your tool can be remotely rendered completely useless if it ever gets stolen. If the tool comes within Bluetooth range of any open ONE-KEY app, a remote signal will be sent to the tool to lock itself out. Another added benefit of tool security is that you can hide your tools from other ONE-KEY users so only you can see your tools. At the end of the day, you can lock the trigger or the footpad to prevent others from using the tool or changing your settings.
The update adds some nice features, which allow you to take back control of your tool security. Check out the infographic below or the ONE-KEY website for some additional information.
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Same Day Deliveries to Pros Coming to a Home Depot Near You
An acquisition of Interline, a home repair and maintenance products firm, and a 2 year trial run of delivery services has positioned The Home Depot (THD) to begin offering same day deliveries for professionals.
Read moreSmart Hard Hat Maker, Daqri, Releases New Lighter Weight Smart Glasses
Daqri, an augmented reality technology company, made waves throughout the industry when they released the heir apparent to the trusty hard hat last year. The Daqri Smart Helmet is part head protection, part computer and is littered with sensors and gadgets that can make a construction job site completely interactive. The helmet puts 3d models, plans, and even a thermal imaging camera on your head and overlays that information onto your real life project. At 3.3 pounds, the helmet is a pretty hefty object, so that’s one of the reasons the company decided to create a lighter, more mobile version of their technology in the form of Smart Glasses.
Read more[VIDEO] How Lithium Is Mined for Power Tool Batteries
With the increased push from nearly all major tool manufacturers to ditch the cords and convert your toolbox to battery power, it’s important and interesting to learn about where all that lithium is coming from. Not only are lithium ion batteries in power tool batteries, but, as you probably know, they also power smartphone batteries and electric cars.
Read moreFLIR Updates Thermal Imaging Smartphone Accessory for Pros
FLIR
Announced at the start of the new year, FLIR has released specs on its new and updated line of thermal imaging devices and accessories. We have talked about the many reasons that contractors should use a thermal imaging camera and the FLIR ONE mobile accessory in the past and it has returned in 2017 with a new Gen 3 Pro Model. They have also announced their FLIR C3, which is the size of a standard digital camera, offering great accuracy and detail in a compact form. Lastly, FLIR is also offering the FLIR Duo, which will remind you of an action camera. Intended to be used on that fancy new drone quad-copter you got your kids for Christmas.
Read moreCraftsman Brand Tools to be Sold to Stanley Black & Decker
Sears' iconic brand, Craftsman, is leaving the mothership and being bought by Stanley Black & Decker for around $900 million. This announcement comes on the heals of Sears planning to close 150 Sears and Kmart stores nationwide this year. The deal for the 89-year-old Craftsman brand allows Stanley Black & Decker to manufacture and sell Craftsman products in non-Sears stores. Sears will also continue to sell the Craftsman brand in its dwindling retail stores.
Read more2016’s 12 Most Interesting Advances in Construction Technology
Robonaut 2
For decades and decades, construction and technology didn’t mix. In recent years, companies have been flocking to the underutilized construction industry to try and offer the newest solutions. When we talk about technology, we’re not just talking about computer work, there are tons of new products out there that are challenging the way our industry thinks and acts.
Many of the items on our 2016 technology list are still very much conceptual and will undergo plenty of testing over the next few years, but that’s one of the beauties of technological advances: many are extremely forward thinking.
Read moreNike Makes a Construction Boot?
nike.com
Until recently, I had no idea that Nike even made field boots, especially ones that could be used on a construction site. The men's Special Field boot is designed by Nike for first responders, military, rescue, and law enforcement, but if you ask me, it would be perfect for the jobsite. Some of the key features of this boot are its lightweight design, flexibility, and breathable materials.
Read moreLast Minute Construction Holiday Gift Guide 2016
You did it again...you waited too long to start Christmas shopping. Have no fear, Construction Junkie's got you covered with more great gift ideas for the hard working person in your life. Better yet, if you're in the construction industry yourself, here's some gear you could use no matter what time of year!
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Last summer, Hilti announced that they had developed their first exoskeleton designed for construction tradespeople in a partnership with Ottobuck, a prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeleton provider. Earlier this month, Hilti officially released the exoskeleton, announced more details, and published its retail price on their website.