ShopTalk

I recently installed my first Lochinvar Noble combi-boiler, it was a replacement upgrade from a failed dual purpose tank heater supplying heat to both garage and basement radiant floors.

This model was the 199K Btu running on natural gas, vented in 3″ (factory outlet size on boiler) with a rating of 95% AFUE. Lochinvar specs the domestic delivery to be 4.8 gallons per minute (77F rise, NKC199 model only) and that was the deciding factor in selecting this model. With a 10:1 turndown ratio the heating capacity of this unit is right-sized for the load even though its capable of much more. Domestic production takes president in this situation.

The Noble boiler is equipped with Lochinvar’s SMART CONTROL and features an intuitive setup wizard to guide contractors through programming parameters quickly and easily. The backlit, user-friendly LCD display provides diagnostic information and system status in plain English, not codes.

Of course this unit is my first of the model line and has only been in operation for about a week as of this posting so I have no long term experience with performance and reliability but based on my experience with the Knight and Cadet models I have relatively high expectations for this one to serve my client well.

Here’s a link to some video I took while installing the system (Click the arrows to advance thru the video clips):

https://www.instagram.com/p/BbPTM8QBHu9/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=uf9c5lrmm0y4

Many pro tradesmen and women work with grinders daily, with the advancement in battery tool technology cordless grinders have become a favorite tool for many trades because of the speed and versatility they offer. Small grinders fit into hard to reach areas and offer the ability to cut materials at speeds other tools cannot match.

Simply put, grinders are such a useful tool and are found on the trucks of HVAC techs, plumbers and electricians alike.

For years I have used my grinder with a thin cutoff wheel for cutting into cast iron plumbing stacks and lateral drains and until just a couple months ago the wheel of choice has been a bonded abrasive disc. I have completely replaced all abrasive discs with the new Diablo Diamond Cutoff Wheels for many reasons, chief among them being safety.

We have all heard of bonded wheels shattering under load and causing the user physical harm. There’s no shortage of pictures available on the Internet of bits and pieces of abrasive wheels embedded in various body parts [go ahead and Google it but I don’t recommend it for anyone with an aversion to blood or graphic bodily injury, do so at your own risk] Diablo’s answer to safety concerns regarding metal cutoff wheels is the new solid metal cutoff discs that will not shatter or break when dropped or banged around a little on the site or in the truck.

These wheels will outperform abrasive cutoff wheels in life expectancy hands-down. Its important to know straight away that the continuous-edge diamond grit metal cutting discs are not all-day production cutoff wheels but for the tradesperson who uses a grinder for cutting occasionally throughout the day or week, this is a solid and safe alternative to a bonded wheel.

The speed in which bonded wheels remove materials is always going to be hard to beat. This cutoff disc will not match or beat an abrasive wheel but it will last considerably longer and remain the same diameter throughout its useful life. That’s not ever going to be true for a bonded wheel; yet another advantage Diablo’s disc offers the user.

For the last couple months we have actually began to use our grinders more because of these discs. Knowing I don’t have to search for a new cutoff wheel for nearly every tie-in out of concern that the disc already loaded on the grinder may have been compromised in handling or storage. Instead I have confidence that the solid metal disc will not shatter when I plunge thru the sidewall of the 4” no-hub in front of me.

Cutting pipe is not the only use we have for these wheels though, they’re often used to cut sheet metal, threaded rod, steel pipe and even during demo work the occasional slew of copper tubing nightmare.

One criticism I have for the design of the diamond grit cutoff wheels would be that they could benefit from an increase in thickness. They’re very thin and can become warped when put under high loads in heavy cuts. That’s an obvious problem requiring immediate replacement for not only performance but safety as well. Increasing the thickness of the disc and adding a segmented rim might best realize this. I have had multiple conversations with the design engineers and product managers about these wheels and have little doubt that this is just the first of an expanding diamond cutoff wheel product line.

So far I have only found these available at The Home Depot. Sizes ranging from 4.5”, 5”, 6” & 7” and costs starting at $14.97 in my local market (MN).

Overall I would definitely recommend exploring the new diamond grit cutoff wheels from Diablo. If you’re using a grinder for occasional metal cutting then you owe it to yourself to increase the safety aspect of this task.

Information courtesy of The Home Depot website & Diablo Tools

Here’s a quick look at the Empire Level True Blue magnetic billet torpedo [model# em71.8] I got this from Acme Tools, cost is $19.89.

I wanted to try this because I’ve always had a hard time with the standard yellow vial in low light conditions. Maybe because I’m super colorblind, who knows? The blue color and vial design seem sharper than the vials in the Milwaukee billet torpedo in the last pic ($35). The Milwaukee level has a powder coat texture that makes it easier to hold onto compared to the super sleek and smooth surface of the Empire. I almost always wear dipped gloves that have a fairly grippy palm and I did almost drop this level a couple times throughout the day where I likely wouldn’t have with the red one.

It’s got three acrylic vials set to plumb, level, and 45-degrees, a fourth vari-pitch vial has graduated markings for slopes of 0.125-inch, 0.25-inch, 0.375-inch, or 0.5-inch per foot. Three powerful neodymium magnets give it strong holding power on ferrous surfaces such as pipes or conduit, and the upper V-groove makes positive contact with rounded surfaces.

I literally just got this on a couple days ago so I can’t attest to its durability or accuracy over long term use but I’d say the initial quality is high, hope this helps.

I’ve had the new ISOtunes PRO noise cancelling earbuds for a couple weeks, now I’ve been testing them in the shop at home and also on a handful of job sites.

I had been wearing the Plugfones, you might remember my review from earlier this year. Those are nice, they work well but the charging hardware is cumbersome, clunky and slow. Runtime [about 2.5 hours] is short with the Plugfones but effectiveness, range and comfort was okay to good.

The ISOtunes Pro model has a 27 NRR (noise reduction rating) which makes them OSHA compliant. The sound quality is actually amazing for an earbud. The base kicks. Purple Lamborghini AND Sabotage sound awesome on these and I can switch right over to some Eric Church to wind down the day with awesome guitar and vocals.

Runtime: 10hrs talk time, 6-7 hours music
Ratings: IPX4 sweatproof & splashproof, 27NRR
Comfort: Excellent and they don’t fall off or out no matter what I’m doing.
Charging: Mini USB, 2+ hours from dead.
Fit: Good to excellent, multiple size foam ear tips included for proper fit. Hook around top/back of ear is flexible and easily shaped to fit.
Phone calls: Takes some getting used to but callers say they can hear me fine.
Connectivity: Super fast and seamless with my iPhone 7+

One note on the Bluetooth connectivity, the range seems acceptable. if you need to charge your phone or device while connected you will only get about 30′ range and will likely disconnect if you leave the space/room.
These were provided free for testing directly from ISOtunesaudio to me, I did not buy these and was not paid to share this info. I would recommend these to friends who are looking for comfortable Bluetooth, noise-cancelling ear buds. Price: $89 direct from ISOtunes website.

Image courtesy of isotunesaudio.com