Leviton OBC Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter AFCI Receptacles
The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires Arc fault circuit breakers or interrupters (AFCIs) in many areas of the home. This includes […]
Channellock Code Blue Tongue & Groove Pliers 430CB
Channellock’s brand new Code Blue Tongue & Groove Pliers (430CB) are rugged, durable, and possible most important of all – familiar. These aren’t new tools so much as old tools made even better. And that’s what you want in a good hand tool. People aren’t quite so interested in a whole new way to use a tool, disrupting the comfortable feel they’ve developed over decades of use – they just want something that feels right and lasts a long time. Channellock seems to have delivered just that with its Code Blue line of Pliers.
Channellock Code Blue Long Nose Pliers 318CB Review
Channellock pliers have been a staple of many tool bags for years. Their signature blue “dipped” handles are easily recognized and have served the trades well for decades. This year, Channellock released a new line of tools it’s calling “Code Blue” which, ironically is one of the hospital terms for someone in cardiopulmonary arrest. I don’t think anyone will have a heart attack over these tools, but the new heavy duty Long Nose Pliers (318CB) may be just the thing if you’re looking for a new pair of rugged pliers.
Milwaukee M12 600 MCM Cable Cutter Preview
My electrician friends frequently tell me of their exploits cutting large-diameter cable. It’s almost a right of passage with some of these guys and I have yet to find anyone who enjoys the process, particularly those who buy their own tools… and everyone I know owns their own tools. Apparently, Milwaukee must talk to the same people – of course they have rapid prototyping and a few factories, so they could actually, you know, do something about it. The new M12 600 MCM Cable Cutter is what happens when Milwaukee “does” something about a problem.
Milwaukee Max-Lok Carbide SDS-Max Bit Extension System
So Milwaukee is into innovation – everyone who is even remotely familiar with the company and its product lines can attest to that. But what’s always surprising (to me, at least) is the diversity of areas that innovation touches. Take their new Max-Lok Carbide Extension System, for example. This falls smack dab in the lap of serious concrete professionals who use SDS-Max bits day in and day out. The Max-Lok system is designed to extend SDS-Max rotary hammer bits up to 82.5″. That means you can take your existing SDS-Max bits and bore deeper and into more places than ever before. And you’re not buying expensive and dedicated extended length bits to do it.
Leviton SmartlockPro Slim Self-Testing GFCI
One of the most commonly frustrating things is the amount of room a standard GFCI takes up in a receptacle […]
USB Outlet Review – Newer Tech Power2U
It seems like every portable consumer device needs a USB power supply these days. So how does the rampant availability and use of iPads, smart phones, and Kindles affect how we build homes? Since it’s very likely that your own office, your kitchen – possibly even your bedroom – is littered with a myriad of power adapters, accommodating this new trend is something that would be convenient to you, and certainly beneficial to your clients. Newer Technology’s Power2U is an innovative device that combines two USB charging ports with a standard electrical outlet or receptacle. That means you eliminate those bulky power adapters and can, instead, plug in a USB cable directly to the outlet’s accessory ports. And the 2A (2000mA) rating means that it delivers enough power to charge even high-current devices like the new iPad.
USB Receptacle – FastMac U-Socket Review
In the past 85 years, not much has happened to the electrical outlet. At least, nothing groundbreaking except for perhaps a new form factor to give it a facelift (think Decora-style outlets). One thing that has changed is that more and more devices require power. I remember when a home was filled with blenders, vacuum cleaners and those gigantic televisions – and not much else as far as table-top appliances and devices went. But now we’ve got all manner of electronics and portable electronics. And that’s where FastMac’s U-Socket gets real practical. With iPhones, iPads, Kindles, and all the other gadgets we use, your wall outlet could start looking like it’s giving birth to a host of adapters and USB chargers. I don’t know about you, but it would be nice to have a cleaner and more organized way to charge your devices. Apparently not FastMac, who invented the U-Socket, agreed. The U-Socket marries the standard wall receptacle with a pair of 2.6A (2600mA) USB outlets.
Milwaukee Diagonal Pliers 48-22-4106 Review
As an electrician, diagonal pliers are definitely a tool I use a lot in the field. This is especially true with commercial work where you have to cut a lot of cable and wire. Milwaukee’s Diagonal Pliers (48-22-4106) made a clean cut every single time I went to use them. This week we’re working on a remodel job on a commercial building built in the 1930’s. While some walls have been torn down and rebuilt, there are still some that are the original concrete block. On these I have had to put conduit and electrical boxes. Normally, this would be easy, but the wall was literally riddled with nails and screws. I found that these pliers were able to cut through the nails and screws with little to no difficulty. It sort of became my go-to tool for getting through the nitty gritty of clearing my area.
Milwaukee 6 IN 1 Long Nose Pliers 48-22-3068 Review
Having just taken a look at Milwaukee’s 6 IN 1 Combination Pliers, we weren’t too thrown off guard by the 6 IN 1 Long Nose Pliers, which are a different tool, but similar in many ways. If anything, the 6 IN 1 Long Nose Pliers feel like they are meant for things that are a bit more heavy duty. These pliers are 1/4″ thicker than the combination pliers, which is good since they can be used to pull nails. We found that the design – particularly, the head of the tool which is squared off – does a pretty decent job at pulling nails out of wood. This really is a good tool if you are an electrician and need something heavy duty in the field. I really enjoy having it in my tool pouch at work and have recommended to other electricians to go buy one as well.