Resources for power tools

Maintenance Strategies for Special Tools

2012-04-23T08:43:46-05:00

We all accumulate special fixtures, lifting frames, carts, transport pallets and piping inserts that are infrequently used but save time and enhance safety when their time comes. What you do with these special tools in between determines whether you get that savings and safety boost again or if you have to make the same investment over and over.

What kind of an investment? If you do the job infrequently, you have to retake the measurements, find the stock material, fabricate the pieces and verify the fits. None of this is cheap, and it usually happens in the middle of a job when you can least afford the time or diversion of labor. It’s obviously not cost effective to do it over and over again, so why not make the first time count?

Even if you aren’t sure that it will ever be used again, wait until things calm down and then evaluate the item. If it was a once-in-a-century affair, trash it and move on. If it looks like something that will be used again, record

The Hidden Costs of Manual Tool Tracking

2011-10-26T08:27:48-05:00

I recently had a fascinating discussion with a friend who performs materials inspections for one of the world’s largest suppliers of aircraft parts and assemblies. His company had just switched from manual materials tracking to radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based tracking, and he calculated that the changeover had already saved them hundreds of thousands of dollars — maybe more.

Before they adopted RFID, materials frequently left his inspection facility and failed to make it to their intended destinations. Sometimes they were tracked down, and other times orders valued at as much as $300,000 vanished forever. RFID has entirely solved this problem.

This is an excellent example of the savings RFID can bring to a large operation. Although his story relates to materials inventory, tool tracking offers similar opportunities to reduce losses.

Material losses are easier to measure. When one-third of a million dollars’ worth of composite fabr

AIMCO Receives Honda Supplier of the Year Award

2011-10-12T09:57:38-05:00

AIMCO recently announced that the company has received the “Supplier of the Year Award” from Honda. The award was given in recognition of excellence in providing services for Honda plants in Ohio and Indiana.

“Today, we are acknowledging an outstanding group of suppliers that deliver the highest possible value to our customers through their quality products and services,” said Jan Gansheimer, purchasing division senior manager at Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. “All of us at Honda appreciate their excellence at meeting the needs of their customers.”

AIMCO recently celebrated its 40th anniversary as a leading marketer and manufacturer of industrial power tools used for assembly operations. AIMCO offers a comprehensive line of electric

Snap-on facility in North Carolina named one of North America's 10 best plants

2011-01-20T08:40:12-06:00

IndustryWeek magazine has selected Snap-on’s Murphy, N.C., power tools manufacturing facility as one of the top 10 plants in North America.

DeWalt, Empire Level agree to end private-label partnership

2011-01-17T08:50:41-06:00

DeWalt, the leading manufacturer of industrial power tools and accessories, and Empire Level Manufacturing Corporation, the industry leader in developing accurate levels and measuring tools, announced today that they will end their partnership on the private label line of professional box levels that Empire Level licensed, designed and manufactured in 2010 under the DeWalt brand.

Robert Bosch Tool Corporation appoints new president/CEO

2011-01-13T13:37:14-06:00

The Robert Bosch Tool Corporation announced on January 13 that Terry Horan will succeed Manfred Seitz as president and chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2011.

Bosch hammer drills recalled due to electrical shock hazard

2010-11-24T10:07:25-06:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Wilson Tool acquires Exacta Precision and Exacta FabTool

2010-11-03T08:26:44-05:00

Wilson Tool International on November 3 announced that it has acquired Exacta Precision and Exacta FabTool of Toronto. Like Wilson Tool, Exacta has been a supplier of high-quality tooling for the fabrication and stamping industries since the mid-1960s.

Ryobi recalls cordless drills due to fire hazard

2010-10-26T13:43:10-05:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Back to basics: How to measure electricity with a clamp meter

2010-09-29T08:53:23-05:00

A clamp meter is an electrical tester that combines a basic digital multimeter with a current sensor. Clamps measure current. Probes measure voltage. Having a hinged "clamp" jaw integrated into an electrical meter allows users to simply clamp around wire, cables and other conductors at any point in the electrical system and measure its current, without disconnecting it.

The daily grind: Test your knowledge on grinder safety

2010-09-29T08:50:20-05:00

A worker steps up to an abrasive wheel grinder and places a piece of metal against the wheel's spinning surface. But because the machine was not adjusted correctly, the metal catches in the grinder. A split-second later, the grinding wheel explodes, sending stony chunks, as deadly as shrapnel, shooting through the shop. The worker drops lifeless to the floor How familiar are you with abrasive wheel grinders and their safe operation? Take this quiz and find out.

DEWALT unveils new 12-volt lithium-ion cordless system

2010-09-17T14:28:58-05:00

DEWALT on September 17 announced the launch of its new 12-volt MAX Lithium-Ion platform that includes a 1/4-inch Screwdriver (DCF610S2), 3/8" Drill/Driver (DCD710S2), 1/4" Impact Driver (DCF815S2), 3/8" Impact Wrench (DCF813S2), LED Work Light (DCL510), Inspection Camera (DCT410S1), Infrared Thermometer (DCT414S1) and two combo kits (DCK210S2 and DCK211S2). The platform was designed to incorporate comfort and a compact design with the power and industry-leading features contractors need on the jobsite.

Atlas Copco acquires Kramer Air Tool

2010-09-08T08:23:07-05:00

Atlas Copco Tools & Assembly Systems LLC has agreed to acquire the sales and marketing operation of its current tool distributor Kramer Air Tool Inc., based in Michigan. The agreement further strengthens Atlas Copco’s presence, market coverage and support to customers.

Cooper Industries and Danaher announce closing of tools joint venture

2010-07-06T08:08:39-05:00

Cooper Industries plc and Danaher Corporation on July 6 announced the completion of the joint venture combining Cooper’s Tools business with certain tools businesses from Danaher Corporation’s Tools and Components segment.

Atlas Copco takes over distribution of its tools in southern U.S.

2010-06-02T08:26:24-05:00

Atlas Copco Tools & Assembly Systems LLC has agreed to take over the sales and marketing of products and services in southern United States from its current distributor Tooling Technologies Inc. The agreement further strengthens Atlas Copco’s presence, market coverage and support to customers in the region.

Sears Blue Tool Crew adds Hitachi to collection of power tool brands

2010-05-07T08:04:12-05:00

The Sears Blue Tool Crew is bringing customers another great reason to shop for tools with Sears. Consumers can now shop sears.com for a full line of products from Hitachi, including lithium-ion drill/drivers, power saws, routers, work lights and more. With a reputation for superior design and unsurpassed durability, the power tool collection from Hitachi brings another innovative brand to Sears' tool department.

Danaher, Cooper Industries to combine tool businesses, form new company

2010-03-29T07:45:12-05:00

Danaher Corporation and Cooper Industries plc on March 26 announced they have reached an agreement to combine their respective tool businesses, Danaher Tool Group and Cooper Tools, in a joint venture.

Manufacturing technology consumption in January 26% higher than year ago

2010-03-08T16:05:58-06:00

January U.S. manufacturing technology consumption totaled $130.96 million, according to AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association, and AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology in a report published on March 8. This total, as reported by companies participating in the USMTC program, was down 40.3 percent from December but up 26.2 percent from the total of $103.77 million reported for January 2009.

U.S. power & hand tool demand to reach $14.5B in 2012

2009-07-30T00:00:00-05:00

Power and hand tool demand in the United States is forecast to increase 3.3 percent annually through 2012, reaching $14.5 billion. Although difficult in the shorter term, the U.S. construction outlook is expected to recover by 2012, creating demand in the professional sector. In the meantime, consumer demand will benefit from continued interest in DIY and home remodeling activities. Ongoing introduction of new products – especially improved cordless tools – will create gains in both markets. These and other trends are presented in Power & Hand Tools, a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry resea

Snap-on recognized for excellence in power tools

2009-05-27T00:00:00-05:00

Snap-on announced that it has been recognized as having the “Overall Best Power Tools in the United States” among its top competitors on the basis of Frost & Sullivan’s independent research, 2008 United States (U.S.) Automotive Technicians’ Choice: Evaluation of Automotive Tools.

Technicians gave high ratings to Snap-on by a wide m

A comprehensive guide to hand tool and power tool safety

2008-03-10T00:00:00-05:00

Tools are such a common part of our lives that it is difficult to remember that they may pose hazards. All tools are manufactured with safety in mind but, tragically, a serious accident often occurs before steps are taken to search out and avoid or eliminate tool-related hazards.

In the process of removing or avoiding the hazards, workers must learn to recognize the hazards associated with the different types of tools and the safety precautions necessary to prevent those hazards.

Hand tools hazards
Hand tools are non-powered. They include anything from axes to wrenches. The greatest hazards posed by hand tools result from misuse and improper maintenance.

Some examples:

Using a screwdriver as a chisel may cause the tip of the screwdriver to break and fly, hitting the user or other employees.
If a wooden handle on a tool such as a hammer or an axe is loose, splintered or cracked, the head of the tool may fly off a

Taking control of your power tools

2006-05-31T00:00:00-05:00

Manufacturing plants use a wide variety of power tools. From electric drills and impact wrenches to reciprocating saws and air chisels, power tools are utilized throughout the facility by maintenance and production workers. But, how are your power tools distributed to these plant-floor employees? How are your employees using a particular tool? How are they expected to access it? And, how does an employee find a tool when it isn’t where it’s supposed to be?

An electronic locker system can house power tools, hand
tools and a myriad of other MRO (maintenance, repair and
operations) products.

Speeding up the process of distributing power tools on the shop floor eliminates a great deal of downtime. Effectively tracking where the tool was used, who used the tool and what it was used on can t

Safety Rules to Help You Avoid Power Tool Accidents

2006-04-04T00:00:00-05:00

According to safety experts, more than 8 percent of ind ustrial accidents result from the improper usage of power tools. Whether it’s employing the wrong tool for the job, carelessness or failing to wear protective gear, the consequences are often tragic.