ShopTalk

I’ve got a lot of comments and messages asking which saw is best for plumbing and HVAC work since the new Milwaukee 2782 metal cutting circ saw was announced. Is it the full-size 2729 Deep Cut Band Saw or the Circular saw?

The best answer I have is: It depends.

If you’re cutting rod, copper and iron pipe along with some demo or even plastic then I’d suggest the porta-band all day. It’s more precise, lends more control for a finer cut. It’s 0-380 surface feet per minute rating mean variable speed and full direct drive power thru any suggested material without slowing down.

On the other hand if you’re cutting strut, spiral duct, emt or angle iron throughout the day then the circ saw is better suited. It’s 3900rpm and 30T blade will handle heavy materials ferrous or not. You might consider a toothier blade for copper or aluminum for a finer cut though.

The deep cut porta-band has a cut depth of 5″, the width is identical so 4″ iron or copper fits within the blade opening. Of course larger diameter piping can be cut with a tracking method but normal operation allows for already large material handling. Overhead and in-place material cutting (demo) is more realistic with the porta-band over the circ saw in my opinion.

The cut depth of the metal circ saw is 2″ with the factory supplied 5-3/8″ blade and jumps slightly to 2-1/4″ with an optional 5-7/8″ blade. Milwaukee is making claims of it being the fastest on the market, I can’t comment on that but if you’ve owned Fuel tools you can expect battery usage and performance to be acceptable in its category.

It’s hard to place these saws in the same category, or pit one against the other. Each does something the other cannot. Both can handle some of the same tasks with nearly the same outcome. I’ll be using the new circ saw on some boiler installs this week, that should give me a better feel for the saw overall.

My first press tool was corded and weighed twelve billion pounds (that’s like 467 metric tons, Canada). Since that first tool I have owned multiple press tools, all cordless but different makes, models and manufacturers.

Prior to the inline models [we’ve had now for a few years] were the typical pistol grip style. I’ve probably pressed 20K fittings, who knows but, I can tell you for sure that gun style press tools present an access issue many times throughout a week or even multiple times throughout a single job. It’s not that they’re an inferior tool or design but simply do not fit well in tight spaces. That’s fine for, let’s say, 50% of the time (?). But it’s that other half where tight access does not allow the tool to fit where its needed, even with the swivel rings, that the inline tool is worth its weight in gold.

This particular job was a tight squeeze for a couple joints. A heating line was leaking over a tuck-under garage and ruined the Sheetrock. We arrived to find a haphazard demo of the area that made finding the leak quick and simple. As you’ll see in the last pic, there’s no way we would’ve been able to press a couple of those joints with our gun style press tool, there was not enough space .

We got more than the normal amount of calls this week for water leaks. Business is good I guess.
Tool pictured: Milwaukee M18 ForceLogic Brushless press tool with copper tubing jaw set. Model #2773-22

This particular press tool is the first brushless model on the market. When talking press tools brushless motors increase the speed, power management issues benefit and overall size and weight is decreased. The value of brushless technology for press tools is significant. This model boasts performance ratings that place it in the fastest, lightest and most powerful categories currently.

The DEWALT  XP™ Tape Measure (DWHT36225) is re-engineered from the inside out. The result is a compact, professional-duty ergonomic tape with a case designed for a better fit in the user’s hand.

I got my hands on the new XP tape this week, a couple months before it will be available for sale and I have to say Dewalt may have hit it out of the park with this one. Here are some highlights:

• Impact-resistant PC/ABS and rubber case is engineered to survive drops up to 60 feet.
• 9″ of heavy-duty thermoplastic coating at the beginning of the blade to provide 3X more blade protection, reduces blade breakage near the hook.
• Three-rivet fastened, extra large end hook grabs construction material from all four sides making grabbing objects while taking measurements easy.
• “Dual-Core Technology” internal return spring [dual springs that are more compact and powerful]
• Availability: Canada- May, US- July 2017
• Retail price: $29.95 US

I have a thing for tough, well made tape measures. There are a lot of poorly made, poorly engineered tapes out there but the new XP has zero traits in common with any of those tape measures in my opinion. From the moment I picked it up and felt the heft in my hand to the last time I threw it in my tool bag for the day I could feel the quality and engineering built into the XP.

The large hook end is designed to grab from all four sides, this type of design has long been an area of contention for many. Some people prefer a smaller hook to fit inside pipe or smaller openings, others like that a large hook will grab the end of material easily with the blade extended. I understand both arguments but in the end I guess I prefer the convenience of the large end and being able to easily hook the end of a pipe quickly. For insertion measurement I’ll just stick to grabbing my folding ruler, I feel more comfortable with that in the situation.

Inside the rugged exterior are two internal recoil springs. Dewalt is calling the new compact return spring system “Dual Core Technology”. The more compact design allows for a more powerful return of the tape from longer extensions but allows for a smaller design overall compared to other tapes already in the marketplace. The snap back as the tape returns for 10′ extension is enough to jolt your hand a little, the power is noticeable.

This closeup shows the end of the thermoplastic coating applied to the top of the blade. The coating is engineered and place there to extend the life of the highest wear-point of the blade. Its hardly noticeable except for the slight gloss added. Time will reveal whether this coating will mar with use but no visible distortion is present otherwise.

Overall I really do like the feel of the tape in my hand. The rubber and plastic exterior had just the right amount of grip in my bare or gloved hand. The steel belt clip seems more than adequate, though it is the straight metal design that tends to tear clothing if used regularly.

As a Stanley Black & Decker brand, DEWALT has created a rival to the longtime industry champion Stanley FATMAX tape with the new XP. If I’m honest I admit that the MADE IN THE USA labeling excites me. Dewalt could easily have manufactured this overseas, no matter where the materials were sourced, but they aren’t and ultimately that means jobs for our neighbors. Nice work, Dewalt.

One of my favorite parts of my job is meeting people from all over the world working in the trades. John and I have met face to face with dozens of plumbing and heating pros at trade shows, on job sites and at industry events but its our daily interaction on social media that puts us in contact with countless new friends annually that keeps us on our toes.

Whether on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram I get messages weekly from seasoned pros to new guys and gals just entering the trades. Some are sharing their experiences with a certain product, pictures of an install they’re proud of or something crazy they encountered on a job. Often I’m asked by the new hires the same question: What’s that one tool or few tools you just can’t be without?

I never have a solid answer, or at least the one they’re likely expecting. For me that one tool I couldn’t be without is the only tool needed to complete the job at hand. So the answer is “all of them”, I suppose.

Take this basic tubing bender. It’s as old as the hills, super simple and will outlast my career as a plumbing and heating contractor. It’s only good for about one or two things but without it what could’ve been a simple task to turn out a proper product, I’d instead be hand-bending and likely taking too long to get an offset right or simply ending up with a crappy looking bend. I don’t even use it every day, I have others for various size tubing and wouldn’t want to be without those either, no matter how infrequent they leave the truck.

The point is there are obviously a handful of essential tools but if you need to be told to never forget your tape measure then we’re not talking about the same thing. My advice is this: Pay attention to what you’re doing daily, weekly, monthly and make note of the tools you use on a regular basis. Then, buy the best available within your budget and they’ll last you a long time, like this Imperial-Eastman bender that my now retired Grandfather gave me when I started out over 20 years ago. It wasn’t new then and it’s bent at least a few thousand offsets over the years. To all the new guys and gals I say good luck and don’t hesitate to contact us!