Toolbox

During the Milwaukee Tool Pipeline influencer event, the company announced the M18 REDLITHIUM FORGE XC6.0 Battery Pack, which delivers HIGH OUTPUT 12.0 power in a smaller size, 15-minute supercharge up to 80%, and the longest life vs REDLITHIUM batteries. REDLITHIUM FORGE are Milwaukee’s most powerful, fastest charging, and longest-life batteries.

The REDLITHUM FORGE XC6.0 delivers the same power as the M18 REDLITHIUM HIGH OUTPUT HD12.0 in a smaller size and lighter weight design. The optimized combination of size, weight, and increased power provides the best solution for power-demanding overhead work and tight work areas.

The REDLITHIUM FORGE XC6.0 is the fastest charging battery pack within its class on M18, charging in just 15 minutes to 80% with the new M18 Dual Bay Simultaneous Super Charger. This lithium-ion battery has the longest life, the most recharges, and the best performance over the life of the battery.

This solution is designed with resistant housing for increased protection against exposure to common oils, greases, and solvents. Built-in REDLINK Intelligence protects the battery from overloads, preventing you from damaging your cordless power tools in heavy-duty situations. The REDLITHIUM FORGE XC6.0 battery is fully compatible with 250+ M18 solutions.

RectorSeal LLC, a leading manufacturer of quality HVAC/R and plumbing products, adds Falcon BIG RED stainless gas connectors to the company’s extensive line of plumbing products. BIG RED movable gas connectors are explicitly designed to connect gas supply lines for stationary and caster-mounted appliances.

Falcon BIG RED stainless connectors are constructed of 304 braided stainless steel with a red PVC coating and chrome-plated brass fittings and are 100% leak tested. The NSF-listed PVC sleeve provides an extra layer of protection against damage to the movable gas connectors from abrasion, cuts, or impact. Flexible and easy to install, BIG RED connections offer quick and easy repositioning of appliances for regular cleaning and repair. In addition, BIG RED fittings feature 360°rotational fittings allowing for greater installation flexibility. RectorSeal’s 3-year  no-registration limited warranty backs all BIG RED fittings.

BIG RED fittings have received the following approvals/certifications:

• ANSI Z21.69 / CSA 6.16
• ANSI Z21.75 / CSA 6.27
• NSF 51 PVC Sleeve

To facilitate changeouts, BIG RED kits include ½” or ¾” 90°street elbows, or ¾” gas quick disconnect, a restraining kit, and a ½” or ¾” full port gas ball valve.  In addition, the quick-disconnect socket acts as a shut-off valve when the plug and socket are disconnected.

“At RectorSeal, we take pride in providing the best plumbing products,” said Jeff Ponce, Product Development Manager at RectorSeal. “The addition of the BIG RED gas connectors supports a clear need we heard from our distributors and contractors to

complete our product line of gas and water connectors to service refrigeration and commercial food service.”

Since 1937, RectorSeal has offered products that have built a steadily growing and loyal following among contractors due to differentiated and proven product performance. Further, the company is often the first to tackle and solve challenges professional trade contractors face. In 2015, RectorSeal became part of CSW Industrials, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSWI), and it now plays a leading role in CSWI’s Contractor Solutions segment.

Please visit www.rectorseal.com for additional details, and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest product enhancements and news.

Malco Products, one of the nation’s leading solution developers and manufacturers of a variety of high-quality tools for the HVAC and building construction trades, was recognized for excellence in product design in the 2023 Dealer Design Awards Program, sponsored by The Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News magazine.

Malco’s Andy™ Offset Aluminum Handled Snips 12” was the Silver winner in the Hand Tools category, selected by an independent panel of contractors. Introduced in early 2023, the Andy Offset Snips is ideal as a vinyl siding snip or for cutting aluminum, copper, or sheet metal. With this versatile tool, trade pros can make longer, tighter, higher-quality straight and left curve cuts in many types of materials, including sheet metal, metal roofing, aluminum, stainless steel, steel siding, vinyl and more.

“Malco prides itself on product innovation and bringing tools to market that help HVAC and construction professionals save time on the jobsite,” said Rebecca Talbot, vice president of marketing at Malco Products. “Receiving this award validates that the Andy Offset Snips delivers on that vision, as a product that is of the highest quality that specifically addresses their needs on the jobsite.”

Based on internal testing, the Andy Offset Snips offer the following advantages:

• Superior material flow for up to 60% faster cutting speeds
• Up to 45% longer cuts when operating one-handed
• The highest maneuverability for continuous cut radii half the size of leading competition, with better cut quality
• Lower jaw made of investment-cast tool steel allows for starter holes as small as ½”

The ACHR News is the leading trade magazine in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industries. Winning entries in the Dealer Design Awards were featured in the July 24, 2023, issue of The ACHR News, which is distributed nationally to over 27,000 HVACR contractors, wholesalers and distributors, and other industry professionals.

“These awards give us a unique opportunity to recognize the outstanding research and development efforts that go into many of the products serving the HVACR industry and the awards issue gives our readers an opportunity to read about innovative installation and service solutions,” said Sarah Harding, publisher of The ACHR News.

For more information about Malco Products, visit www.malcoproducts.com.

Thoughtful Design Reduces Leaks, Increases Durability and Offers First-of-a-Kind Configurable Options

Fieldpiece Instruments, the leading manufacturer of HVACR tools pros trust, recently announced the launch of a new line of hoses and fittings featuring two key types of premium hoses: charging hoses and vacuum hoses, with accompanying accessories and a variety of different fittings perfect for all HVACR charging, recovery and evacuation needs.

“Every Fieldpiece product is designed to make the HVACR pro’s job easier, faster and better – and our new hose line is no exception,” explains Jeb Ball, vice president of sales and marketing at Fieldpiece Instruments. “Our A2L-compatible, black hoses can withstand extreme use, and their unique color tagging system increases versatility in the field by making hoses easy to identify and customize.”

Fieldpiece designed its charging and vacuum hoses in a universal black to allow each hose in a set to function as a spare for any other, removing limitations that technicians typically experience when using traditional yellow, blue and red colored hoses. Sturdy colored tags snap onto each hose for identification and customization. This contemporary approach reduces the number of spare hoses field techs must carry and decreases errors by allowing technicians to easily mark hoses that are specific for particular use cases or refrigerants. Additionally, the highly flexible hoses allow a tight bend radius ideal for cramped locations and compact storage, provide a good grip even in oily hands, and won’t degrade over time from UV and oil exposure.

Fieldpiece hoses also feature durable triple-ring crimped fittings for increased reliability even at high pressure, and greater pull strength than a traditional single-crimp or hex-crimp where if one crimp fails, the entire hose fails. With triple-ring crimped fittings, redundant crimping ensures the hose still maintains pressure – extending hose life with fewer leaks and less frequent need for replacement.

Fieldpiece hoses also have smaller diameter low-loss fittings and low-abrasion, knurled brass fittings, offering an improved feel while still providing a solid grip. An added premium feature is the compact ball valve knob design that reduces inadvertent refrigerant release if bumped, protecting users from accidental refrigerant burns.

All hoses are UL 1963-compliant, third-party tested and compatible with industry standards (SAE J2196, SAE J2888 and SAE J513) for refrigerant recovery and recycling. Hoses are A2L-ready with durable four-layer construction; have neoprene gaskets for a lasting seal even when exposed to harsh temperatures and lubricants; and are certified for 4000 psi burst pressure and 800 psi working pressure.

Fieldpiece charging hoses are available in 3-packs or individually to fit both a quarter inch standard and five-sixteenths inch split system service ports. Vacuum hoses are sold individually to mate with either three-eighths or quarter inch port sizes. Accessories such as ball valve and open hose extensions as well as straight and angled split system adapters are part of the new lineup along with replacement gaskets and extra hose color tags.

To learn more about Fieldpiece hoses and accessories, see the Fieldpiece website: https://www.fieldpiece.com/product-category/hoses-and-fittings and visit your local Fieldpiece distributor for purchase: https://www.fieldpiece.com/where-to-buy.