Survey Rates Most Popular Tools And Purchase Locations

We came across a great survey completed by Contractor Magazine that gives wonderful insight on professional tool users recent purchasing habits. We know you will find this information both intriguing and helpful for your own use! It seems that contractors are making more tool purchases at major home centers lately. In addition, they are doing much more work (72%) in service, repair and retrofit markets, or mainly aftermarket projects.

The major home centers have gained alot of steam in tool sales, overtaking plumbing wholesalers and closing in on the leader, industrial supply houses. Another interesting statistic for all of 2009 was that internet sales were down from the previous year. This survey speculates it might be because contractors like to handle a tool before they see it. We feel this is just a temporary blip, as internet sales will continue to play a major factor in the future. Prices on the internet are way to competitive. When the economy picks up, internet sales should explode. Contractors that do internet buying are doing it for bulk purchases and they already know their brands!

The major thrust in the increase of tool sales at home centers came from small contractors, (those employing 1 to 4 workers). The larger contractors, (those employing 50 workers or more), still did most of their purchasing from industrial supply houses. Plumbing wholesalers numbers fell across the board. As stated above, all of the increases are coming in the aftermarket business, whereas new construction is still soft. Many or most of the contractors surveyed were working in plumbing, hydronic heating, warm air heating, air conditioning, radiant floor heating, and bath and kitchen remodeling. Plumbing was the number one type of work, and interestingly, almost 25% of those surveyed presented themselves as “green” contractors.

As far as tool use went, the number one used corded tool was the reciprocating saw, and then came a variety of hammer drills. Next was circular saws, power drills, and demolition hammers. The list continued down the line with rotary hammers, drill drivers, pipe threading machines, drain cleaning machines and floor drivers. When looking at cordless power tools, the most used by contractors was drill drivers, then power drills, followed by reciprocating saws, circular saws, hammer drills, and last, rotary hammers.

The final interesting fact we read from the survey was that in 2009, 83% of the contractors were doing work in the residential market. Almost 75% said they did work in the commercial market, but only 21% were doing work in the institutional market.

Tips On Tool Safety

We recently posted an article about the ten most dangerous power tools. In reality, any power tool can be dangerous if not used properly. Now it’s time to post a few tips on how to keep yourself safe when using power tools. Please pass this article on to all of your friends that use power tools!

According to safety experts, more than 8 percent of industrial accidents result from bad power tool use. Whether it’s using the wrong tool for the job, carelessness or failing to wear protective gear, the consequences are often terrible.

Most power tool accidents are preventable. McGill, a leading provider of electrical safety equipment, offers the following checklist for safely using power tools.

1)       Use tools only for the specific task they’re designed for, and never operate any tool – power or manual – unless you’re trained to do so.

2)       Carefully read the owner’s manual before using a tool.

3)       Inspect power tools before each use. If parts are worn or damaged – especially cords that become frayed – replace or repair them. Because vibration can loosen the tool’s parts, its screws, nuts and bolts may need tightening.

4)       Keep workshops and storage spaces clean and dry to prevent accidents. Sparks ignite scraps, sawdust and solvents. Water conducts electricity.

5)       Prior to plugging or unplugging tools, be sure the power switch is turned to “OFF.” And never disconnect power by pulling on the cord. Instead, remove the plug from the outlet.

6)       If working on a ladder or scaffolding, carefully set your power tools on a flat surface or in a bin secured to the ladder itself.

7)       Always use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) when working with power tools. Plug-in GFCIs for indoor and outdoor use stop power when loads have a potentially lethal ground current.

8)       Remove rings, jewelry or loose clothing before operating a power tool.

9)       Wear personal protective equipment, such as face shields, safety goggles and disposable masks.

Preventing accidental start-ups  

Power tools operate at very high speeds, so when things happen, they tend to happen fast. A sudden tool start-up after a voltage drop or power interruption can suddenly fling a work piece at the operator. Fingers may be drawn into a cutting blade, or the tool may move toward other body parts that are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

One way to prevent accidental start-ups is with a motor control, such as the McGill Sensing-Safti-Gard. A built-in sensor blocks the control from resetting until the equipment switch has been turned off.

Please take these safety tips seriously! Lastly, always remind friends and family that use power tools to make sure they follow the above tips!

New Construction Industry News

Per our user’s request, we are adding a new category called “Construction Industry”.  In this new category we will have updates on the industry, economics, trucks and more.  Please let us know if there are any specific items you would like us to include.

7 Tools Needed for a Demo Job

Last week we went to a small demo job and were talking at lunch about certain tools.  During this conversation we came out with a must have list for any demolition job.  The tools listed below will be able to tear, bust, destroy just about anything that stands in your way.

One of the simplest tools around – a Crow Bar.  Lets the user get good leverage while maintaing control over the item you are working with.

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