ToolBusiness Review of the


Report by Peter Brett


DUST!! Legislation and


compliance are usually responsible for bringing some


focus points into the market and this year it was dust. From now on, all contractors big and small have to take measures to control dust. On building sites this could mean water suppression and a lot of powerful machines, but even one man bands have to have at least an ‘M’ class dust extractor to collect and control any dust they might make. We tested a few vacuum machines


this year – the DustControl ‘H’ class vacuum is more than up to the collection of the most dangerous silica dusts with its well-designed systems and attachments. The company can also rely on its well informed staff team to provide sound advice to hirers and end users. A chat with one of the DustControl team will change for the better the ways in which you handle your exposure to dust. Festool and Fein


sent us M-Class vacuum machines aimed at independent trade users. Both vacs are packed with features that help users collect dust from machines as well having the accessories needed for general tidying up. Raising dust by sweeping up at the end of the day is not on – let


the vac do it and your lungs feel the benefit. Both the vacs cost over £500 so are not cheap – but for users whose needs are perhaps not as complex, the V-Tuf M-class vac is smaller and provides a way of complying with dust collection on a budget. Another tool that had to deal


with dust was the electrically powered Diaquip disc cutter – a choice of vacuum extraction or water suppression provided genuine solutions for users as well as improved performance from the tool. Genuine Innovation Two tools that will change the market for nailers are the 18v Hitachi Finish


Nailer and Hitachi First Fix Nailer. Leave behind gas canisters or compressor hose options and simply plug in a standard Hitachi battery and prepare for reliable, speedy and accurate nailing. I was really impressed with both of these and indications are that the market has already picked up on them. Abrasives are also subtly changing. Mesh backed abrasives seem to be more


available in an increasing number of grades and types. When mesh abrasives first appeared, I found that they were not as durable as paper or fabric backed ones, but newer meshes are appearing that support coarser abrasive grades. Mesh backing also fits universally onto hook and loop sander bases and are open enough to improve dust extraction – see above - so are an obvious choice for users big and small. National Abrasives and Mirka both had sanding innovations to bring to market. National Abrasives focuses on simple


6 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


and practical sanding solutions while the new Mirka orbital sander tackles the problems of hand arm vibration, noise and dust collection – at a price. But it does mean that other manufacturers will need to look at their sander offers – Metabo’s new Random Orbit Sander looks very similar to the Mirka for example. Other Power Tools and Hand Tools The Trend T5 Router has been


around for a while but the basic design is so sound that innovations to it merely add to its user-friendliness and value for money. Now is definitely the time to invest in one if you need a medium size router. Basic power tools like drill drivers


seem to have an inexhaustible market and now that users have found out that simple screwdriving doesn’t need a bulky 18v machine, smaller 12 and 10.8v machines have become popular. Flex has launched a compact and light 10.8v drill driver that I have used a great deal – especially working at height. I love it and the electronics and battery charging are as good as bigger machines. I also liked Flex’s 18v angle grinder – simple and reliable, it handles well. I used it for cutting metal, grinding and removing pointing and all tasks were done efficiently with good battery life.


Wera is always innovating and


developing and always looking for better ways to evolve and expand their range in an integrated way. Big launches this year were the 2go tool caddies and new bitboxes to take advantage of Wera’s Take It Easy tool finding system. Part of the motivation is to make it easier for users to choose the right driver bits and bitholders for the job. With the


near universal use of impact drivers there are still users who don’t choose impact rated driver bits. DART Tools had a small victory


when their angle driver won Innovation of the Year at Torque Expo – and very handy it is too. WIHA launched sets of their L-


Keys – packaged in a novel way for easy access and secure storage they can be used at various angles due to their ball-end design so should find favour with fitters and


engineers. The Zipp Mini air-powered sander/grinder


has a niche following but is extremely useful for paint repairers and car body workers who need a delicate touch in confined spaces.


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