Electronic Tools

Electronics have invaded our lives! They are everywhere. You can find them in your car, your coffee maker, your alarm clock, your watch, your lawn mower, and now, tools. There is no doubt that within a few years, we will probably be 100 percent dependent upon electronics in order to function. Those of us in the business world are already there, as all forms of communication seem to involve electronics.

There are both advantages and disadvantages to using electronics in things. Accuracy is often unparalleled when using items that have electronics. Because the microchips that are the heart of electronic devices are getting smaller and smaller, the size of objects is shrinking. This can be a significant advantage.

However, electronic devices require power in order to operate. Often the chips or devices can be affected by extremes of heat or cold. Moisture or condensation can short circuit a small chip or printed circuit board. Vibrations or impacts can damage components. In other words, they aren't perfect.

Time Savers

Within the past few years, electronics and microchips mated with old-fashioned hand tools and produced some very fine offspring. These electronic devices or tools offer extreme accuracy and can often deliver it very quickly.

For example, when I graduated from college in 1974, I was still using trigonometry tables to calculate roof problems and other angle problems. Not too long ago, a company developed an incredible calculator for builders. This calculator automatically does the necessary trigonometry to arrive at a problem solution.

Simple levels are another item which have electronic relatives. You can purchase electronic levels that are highly accurate. They will tell you how out-of-level something is by either using a simulated bubble, or displaying percent grade, pitch, slope or degrees. Another nice feature of these levels is that some have the capability to remember. Let's say you are in a dark crawlspace and you can't see the readout. You simply push a button and the level remembers the display until you can get the level to a spot where you can read it!

Star Wars

If you have seen any of the futuristic movies involving space themes, I'm sure you remember the extensive use of laser weapons. Well, guess what? Lasers are now commonplace in construction as well. Technological advancements have made these items highly accurate and affordable.

Laser levels come in a wide assortment of types. You can purchase some small models that are very similar to common torpedo levels. These levels emit a laser beam parallel to the surface upon which they are resting. This capability can come in handy when trying to project an angle or a line onto another surface. Gone forever are the days of sagging string lines!

Seeing the Unknown

I can't tell you the number of times on past jobs where I wondered what exactly was inside a wall. Often I would have to punch a hole to do my investigative work. Other times I wondered just where the plumbing drainage pipes were beneath concrete slabs.

Homeowners and contractors now have access to a wonderful radar tool which enables you to see through objects. The resulting findings are displayed on a miniature TV screen. Zircon's MetalliScanner can find metal six inches deep through solid concrete or pipes and junction boxes behind tile. It automatically differentiates between magnetic and non-magnetic metal, and reports both location and depth. You can find the location of hidden electrical conduits or buried plumbing lines. This tool can save you hundreds and thousands of dollars. No longer will you need to base your decisions on hope! In other words, I hope I don't cut through a pipe, or I hope that sewer line is right here.

Electronic tools are here to stay and I'm convinced that they will save all of us time and money. Sure there are some disadvantages, however the advantages are far greater. Good luck on your next project!

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Electronic Tools - Manufacturers & Features

ELECTRONIC LEVELS

Macklanburg-Duncan makes the SmartTool Electronic Levels. These feature readings in degrees, percent slope, pitch (inches of rise/foot of run), and a simulated bubble. You can use the sensor module as a torpedo level or snap the module into a 24, 48 or 78 inch Smart Level rail. It also features a hold button to "freeze" a reading. Last but not least, you can choose two levels of accuracy!

Zircon Corporation also makes electronic levels. One of their products uses both an LCD display and a sound signal to signify for level or plumb. They also make a sound water level which allows you to create a level line around corners out of sight of the unit! Check out their web site for other electronic tools.

ELECTRONIC CALCULATORS

Calculated Industries makes a wide assortment of building and remodeling calculators. I personally have used their Construction Master IV. This calculator does all mathematic functions in feet, inches, metric, decimals or whichever format you want to use. It is incredible. It will also instantly convert between formats. The calculator has built-in programs to allow you to calculate any right angle problem solution. This allows you to easily 'square' something up or calculate any roof framing problem. They also make a simpler version called the Measure Master Classic if you don't need all the fancy right angle solution functions. For you electricians out there, they also make the ElectriCalc Pro. This calculator is a must for anyone who needs to make electric calculations. I have used their products in the field for years and have been delighted. I'm sure you will be satisfied as well if you purchase from them.

ULTRASONIC MEASURING DEVICES

Calculated Industries also makes an ultrasonic measuring device called Pocket Dimension Master. This device eliminates the need for tape measures when attempting to measure between walls or objects. It uses sound to measure. The device comes with a nifty aiming light so that you can get accurate results. The manufacturer claims a 99.5 percent accuracy rate up to 50 feet. I tested the device and found this to be true. The device also has a calculator that works in any format (see above). This allows you to use feet and inches, or whatever.

Sonin, Inc. makes the Multi-Measure Combo Pro for measuring upto 250 feet. It claims an accuracy of +/- 1/4 inches. I was unable to obtain a sample to test, so I cannot verify this claim.

LASER LEVELS

Laser levels come in two types: smaller torpedo levels, some of which can be mounted on tripods, and larger models that resemble builder's transits. Both operate basically the same. They emit a narrow visible laser beam. This beam is projected to wherever the laser is aimed. The beauty of these devices is that once set up, you can walk away from the levels and mark where the laser beam hits. No need for two people to operate the device. Manufacturers include:

• Macklanburg-Duncan SmartDot Laser levels

• Laseraim Tools

• Laser Tools Company

• CST/Berger

• Topcon Laser Products

REMOTE SENSING DEVICES (wide band radar)

Zircon Corporation makes an electronic stud/joist/beam finder.This device uses sound waves to find solid objects in hollow walls. It can actually sense different wall densities. I have used this device with great success. It can tell you just where studs begin and end, even through plaster!

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Electronic Tool Maintenance & Care

As you might imagine, electronic tools have sensitive internal components. These components are the brains that allow these devices to produce highly accurate results. As such, they must be protected from extremes of heat, cold, moisture, dust and impact.

Virtually every tool has the capability to be easily re-calibrated in the event it gets out of adjustment. The trick is to minimize abuse. The tools are constructed from rugged materials, however, the temptation is to treat these tools just like the old tools which were commonly left out in the rain or dropped from the scaffolding. Do that with these tools, and you will regret it!

Each of the tools has specific care instructions. Most of them come with foam padded carrying and storage cases that offer superb protection when not in use. All of the manufacturers recommend that these cases be used when the tool is not in use.

Extreme heat can sometimes damage electronics. Be sure to read the owner's manuals about this topic. Leaving these tools on the dashboard of your truck or car may not be the best thing to do. Temperatures can climb dramatically inside of closed cars and trucks in summer months. Use common sense!

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Pneumatic Nailers - Safety & Use Tips

I remember clearly the first day I used a pneumatic nail gun. My crew and I were working with a friend of mine who was a carpenter. He had recently purchased a used air compressor and a framing nail gun. The size of the gun astonished me. It appeared bulky and heavy. When I picked it up, my observations were confirmed. However, when I began to use it those feelings quickly vanished!

The Need for Speed

Pneumatic nailers do many things well. One of the most impressive is the speed with which they can drive nails or staples. I would venture to say that for every nail that I could hand drive on my best day, a pneumatic nailer would drive and set twelve! That is no exaggeration.

Although there is no need to go this fast, a reasonable speed would allow you to be 400 to 800 percent more productive. Nailing large subfloors and roof decks is a breeze. Hours worth of work becomes minutes. This means that contractors who use these tools can save you money. They are much more competitive.

Holding Power

The nails that are used by pneumatic nailers are precision made. Often they come in strips. They are held together by a resin/adhesive that coats the shaft of each nail and allows the nails to stick to one another.

This resin performs additional functions. When the piston drives the nail rapidly into the wood, it creates quite a bit of friction. The friction turns to heat which melts the resin. This melted resin acts a a lubricant helping the nail to penetrate the wood more easily. Within a matter of seconds, the resin resolidifies and becomes an adhesive! Pneumatically driven nails generally have up to twice the holding power of regular hand driven nails.

I can easily attest to this claim. Virtually every frame wall we built required bracing to hold it in place. We would nail a 2x4 diagonal brace to the top of a vertical wall stud until the structure was secure. Several days later when we removed the braces, the nails would pull through the brace as we hammered it away from the wall! In other words, the nails would not budge. They remained in the vertical wall studs!

The Many Uses

There is a nail gun that fits just about every need. The big ones will drive a 3.5 inch nail into a piece of oak with no effort. Or you can purchase a gun that fires roofing nails. Small brads (1/2 inch!) can be driven for picture frames. My favorite gun is one that fires trim nails for woodwork. I actually have two different trim guns. One fires nails up to two inches long, while the other can shoot a 2.5 inch nail. The first trim gun I purchased was so fantastic that it paid for itself within the first week of ownership.

The pneumatic nail guns that are used for trim work are especially handy. Have you ever goofed up and hit the wood instead of the nail? BINGO, a beauty mark! Or, you carefully drive the nail, begin tapping the nail with the nail set and oooooops!, the nail set slips and drives a hole next to the nail! This looks horrible on woodwork that is to be stained.

Nail guns don't make mistakes like this. They drive and set the nail in one motion! The only time they have trouble is when they hit a knot in a piece of wood. In these rare instances, the nail might bed or curl out of the trim. I'd say this happened to me maybe one in 5,000 times. I'll take those odds any day!

Safety - A Number One Priority

Pneumatic nail tools are powerful and dangerous. They must be treated with respect. I have hurt myself with pneumatic nail tools as well as hand driven nails. Every time I have injured myself, it has been a result of a lack of concentration and/or using the tool in a manner considered inappropriate.

For example, three years ago I was working in my basement. I was using a framing nail gun to toe nail a wall stud into a top plate. The gun bounced off the stud from the recoil and hit the top of my eyebrow. It knocked me off the ladder, bent my glasses, and caused me to see more stars than I can remember. After I got up from the ground I felt you-know-what flowing down my face. Fifteen stitches later I was as good as new.

I have seen photographs of x-rays where nails have entered heads, arms, legs, etc. In fact a fellow worker once nailed his big toe. He was in the hospital for a week after they surgically extracted the nail from his bone.

The point is this - the tools are wonderful, they produce lots of work, but you must be careful at all times.

Cost vs. Value

I have owned pneumatic nail tools for approximately 10 years. My first nail gun cost approximately $400. In addition, I purchased a gasoline powered air compressor. This compressor cost $500. Air hoses, nails, etc. brought the total to $1,000. Within a matter of years, I purchased three other guns. My total investment hovers near $2,300.

As for value, I can say that these wonderful tools enabled me to get jobs because I was more productive. My callbacks were less, especially regarding squeaking floors. I damaged less finish lumber. My guess is that the tools actually made money for me. Lots of it.

Reliability

The mechanism of the gun is somewhat simple. A piston is charged by air. When the trigger and safety mechanism are engaged, the piston pushes a rod which drives the nail. Moving parts are minimal. If a nail jambs, a quick release feature allows you to fix this quickly.

Believe it or not, I have never had to take one of my guns in for service! That claim is incredible when you figure that my oldest framing gun has fired in excess of 500,000 nails.

Two Types

A huge majority of manufacturers make pneumatic nailers that are powered by compressed air. This means that you need a source of air. The air is supplied to the gun through a hose.

However, one manufacturer, ITW Paslode, makes a gun which does not require compressed air! It basically is an internal combustion engine of sorts. The gun comes with a spark igniter and a fuel cell. Each pull of the trigger causes the fuel to ignite and pushes a piston which drives the nail.

Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, I use the air hose to lower my tool to the ground. It works great. But, there are many occasions where the air hose gets in the way. Many times I have covered my hands in mud while coiling my air hose at the end of the day. See what I mean!

Whichever type of nail gun you use, the results should be fantastic. Stay alert during use, do NOT horse around, never point them at something other than wood, and you should be in good shape.

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Pneumatic Tool Manufacturers

Each of the companies listed makes pneumatic tools. They are very competitively priced. All of the tools are built to last. I would base my decision on service and availability of nails and parts. Yes, I know that the tools (at least mine!) rarely if ever break down. But, in the event it happens to you, who wants to have to mail it away?

Check out the following companies' web sites!

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