Bosch BS 150 Compact Tripod
So tripods don’t get me all that excited, but it’s cool that you can now order a BS 150 Compact […]
Empire QR Code on Squares, New Torpedo Levels
Even if you’ve a roofing pro, at one point or another you’ll have to consult the manual. Problem is, nobody […]
Fluke VT02 Visual Infrared IR Thermometer Preview
The Fluke VT02 Visual Infrared IR Thermometer has sophisticated on-screen markers which pinpoint hot (red box) and cold (blue box) spots […]
Bosch GSL 2 Surface Laser Review
Bosch released a new tool this summer – one that wasn’t merely an improvement on an old idea or a tweak to some existing designs. It was revolutionary and it grabbed our attention. The GSL 2 Surface Laser is a new type of laser leveling device that uses dual angled self-leveling lasers to mark both peaks and valleys on floors, be they concrete or any other material. No, for concrete guys this is going to be a no-brainer purchase. We’ve used it and the tool is clearly going to appeal to anyone who has to deal with this common issue on a regular basis. In a sense I’m giving away our conclusion up front, but let’s explore the tool and see how it works and what exactly it does. By the end, whether you lay wood flooring, vinyl, tile or are a concrete guy, this a product you’ll want to pick up in order to save time and money.
CST/berger RL25HCK and RL25HVCK Self-leveling Rotary Lasers
We checked out the CST/berger RL25 series of self-leveling rotary lasers back in June of this year at Bosch’s 2012 Media Event. CST/berger is well-known for making serious laser levels and the USA-based (Illinois) company is always on our radar for innovative and trending laser technology. The new RL25H Exterior and RL25HV Interior/Exterior Self-Leveling Rotary Lasers are particularly of interest to us because they take the power of rotary laser and package them into a more durable product with less moving parts. These are the products you use on a regular basis if you’re doing any sort of grading, leveling or excavating work. CST/berger’s RL25 lasers are IP56-rated and have a very durable overmold. They scream “heavy duty”. Of course, they can also reach 2000 feet and have an accuracy of 3/32″. That’s tight enough tolerance for all but the most amazingly stringent applications. There are two models we checked out, the RL25H with a horizontal-only beam and the RL25HV with both horizontal and vertical lasers.
Milwaukee 10-inch Torpedo Level 48-22-5009 Preview
Milwaukee’s new 10″ Electrician’s Level will retail for $30 and has a neat function whereby you can “hang” it on a double-gang wall switch and level them out by allowing the switches to protrude through the level itself. So in addition to a four vial level with rare earth magnets to hold it to steel studs, conduit or duct work, the 10″ Electrician’s Torpedo Level is a specialized tool for making sure your switches are perfect – before you fasten the plates. But not only switches… flip the torpedo level around and you can also position it onto a double-gang outlet to line those up as well.
Milwaukee 10-inch Reaming Torpedo Level 48-22-5109 Preview
Milwaukee has a couple of new torpedo levels. We already looked at their 10″ Electrician’s Level ($30 retail) and now we’re taking a good hard look at their 10″ Reaming Level. This new torpedo level has two ways in which it can be used to ream or de-burr PVC. The first is used for reaming the inside of PVC pipe from 1/2″ up to 1″. But it can also ream pipe by placing the level flat against the end of a pipe and using the grooves on the torpedo to clear off 1.5″, 2″, 2.5″, 3″, 3.5″, 4″, 5″ and 6″ PVC pipe. That is extremely versatile and should make for a pretty innovative tool that can save tons of time in the field. Anytime you can grab one less tool or shave off minutes from a repetitive job, you’re going to save money. At $24, the Milwaukee 10″ Reaming Torpedo Level should pay itself off in a few days.
Irwin 250 Series 9-inch Magnetic Torpedo Level Review
It’s easy to say that all torpedo levels are the same. It’s just as easy to think that if you have one you don’t need another, or that any 9″ level will do. For some that might even be the case. But as we’re introduced to more and more products, like the new 250 Series Magnetic Torpedo Level from Irwin, we are being made away of more and more handy features that will appeal to some trades over another. Let’s dive right into the 250 and talk about some of the stand-out features. A mirror on a level isn’t something you see every day, but Irwin put one on the 250. They dubbed it, sensibly, the “Plumb Site” and it’s there so you can check if you’re plumb without having to look around the level or move it to the side.
Johnson Level 40-6005 Laser Distance Measure Review
Tape measures are great, but for anyone who’s done layout work or estimated for a significant construction project, you aren’t going to get much joy out of dragging out a physical tape 200 feet tape measure. The new Johnson Level and Tool 40-6005 Laser Distance Measure is a tool that takes the walking and dragging out of the distance measuring game. It’s super compact in size, yet it has an incredibly useful range. But that’s all common features of a technology that’s commonplace now. Where Johnson attempts to distinguish itself is in its flexibility and speed. The Johnson Level 40-6005 can handle taking measurements from as little as 2 inches out to its maximum of 230 feet. On top of that, it’s lighting quick, thanks to a fast on-board processor that delivers results faster than just about any other similarly-priced laser distance measure we’ve used. Accuracy is also an astounding +/- 1/16 of an inch – even out at long distances. And, just to make sure that you are on target, a built-in laser pointer shows you exactly where you are aiming. Now let’s break down the features a little at a time.
Irwin 2500 Series Levels Preview
Irwin has released a new line of levels, dubbed the 2500 Series and they are marketing them in an unusual way. To demonstrate how tough they are, the company took a Chevy Silverado with 3,360 pounds of front axle weight and drove it across both a pair of Stabila Type 196 levels and a pair of their new 2500 Series levels. The Stabila levels folded under the pressure, but the 2500s held firm with just a slight bow in the middle. It’s an impressive demo and now perhaps you can use your levels to square up your shed and then make a ramp to drive your tractor into it… or not. In either case, the frame of the new levels are made with thick-walled high-grade aluminum. It’s gotta be pretty thick indeed to stand up to that type of stress.