Spot, the popular yellow robotic dog/grasshopper from Boston Dynamics, was officially released for sale to anyone earlier this year and it continues to make new friends – and grow new limbs apparently.
Sticking with the theme of dogs being man’s best friend, spot has been busy making new friends with a drone and teaming up with construction technology powerhouse, Trimble. In 2021, you will have an option to buy an arm that will attach to the top of the robot right in the middle of its two front legs.
It’s been very interesting following the development of Spot as a platform. As I talked about on my recent appearance on the Construction Brothers Podcast, I can’t think of any piece of hardware that has captured the minds of other companies that want to integrate with it.
Spot + Drones
Just when you thought one robot was enough, now they’re teaming up with each other. Percepto, an Israeli-based drone maker, recently scored a $45 million investment and is putting that money to good use in their R&D department. Percepto’s Autonomous Inspection & Monitoring (AIM) collects and analyzes data from around the jobsite by itself. By teaming up with Spot, the drone takes care of the aerial data collection, while Spot takes care of the ground-based collection. Spot will also carry Percepto’s payloads for their imaging and thermal vision hardware.
"Combining Percepto's Sparrow drone with Spot creates a unique solution for remote inspection," said Michael Perry, VP of Business Development at Boston Dynamics, in a press release. "This partnership demonstrates the value of harnessing robotic collaborations and the insurmountable benefits to worker safety and cost savings that robotics can bring to industries that involve hazardous or remote work."
You can see more about the Percepto and Spot partnership in the video below:
Spot + Trimble
In the same vein as the partnership with Percepto above, Trimble and Spot will combine their forces to use the robot’s autonomous functions to automatically collect data for site scans, surveying, and progress monitoring. Trimble plans to sell their integrated Spot robot with integrated scanning, total station, and GNSS technologies already installed.
"We believe the combination of Trimble's experience and industry leadership in construction technologies and Boston Dynamics' Spot can transform the way the industry operates," said Michael Perry, vice president of business development at Boston Dynamics, in a press release. "The integrated solution will enable any jobsite leader to deploy Spot and Trimble technologies to get an accurate view of construction progress through real-time data collection. With a more comprehensive view of site activity, project managers can take proactive measures to ensure on-time, on-budget and safer project delivery."
The company plans to make the Spot/Trimble robot available in the second quarter of 2021 and will have distribution partners in the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
You can check out the Trimble/Spot partnership in the video below:
Spot + Robot Arm + Charging Station
Since the beginning, Boston Dynamics has touted Spot’s ability to actually open doors and, next year, that will be possible when they release the robotic arm attachment. According to TechCrunch, there isn’t a hard date on when the arm will actually become available, other than “early next year.” The arm will also be able to pick up and manipulate other objects, besides door handles.
In addition, TechCrunch also reported that the charging dock, which will allow Spot to dock and charge itself will also be available sometime next year, price to be determined.
You can see the arm and charging dock in last year’s launch video for Spot below:
The jobsite can be a pretty tough place to be a smartphone. Moisture, dust, high and low temperatures, and drops on hard surfaces have been the demise of many, no matter how much you might spend on a proper case. CAT phones has been producing rugged phones tough enough for the jobsite for several years and has recently released an economical version to fit any budget.
The CAT S42 Overview
First things first, let’s set the expectations. This phone retails for $299 (currently $262.40 on Amazon), so it’s not competing with the newest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device. If your top priority is performance, this phone won’t pack the performance punch you’ll want or need.
If your priority is avoid having expensive phone payments and rocking that gnarly cracked screen that you know one day will sever your finger in two pieces, than you might have found a solid match. Let’s get into the details…
Features
The headline for the CAT S42 is obviously its overall ruggedness. The 8 oz. phone feels beefy – in a good way – and it performs like a defensive lineman. It sports an IP68 rating, making it waterproof in up to 1.5 meters of water for 35 minutes, as well as being sand, dust, and dirt resistant. It was also factory tested against 6 foot drops onto steel (which I had a lot of fun testing on the Cat S48c last year) on every side and corner.
To round out its toughness, it also boasts a MIL SPEC 810H rating, which is a US military standard that tests environmental stress – in this case thermal shock. The phone can handle high to low temperature differences between -22 degrees F and 167 degrees F for up to 30 minutes.
Another very useful feature is the large 4,200 mAh battery, which can give you up to 2 days of runtime, of course depending on your use. That battery size is in line with the Galaxy S20 series, but the Cat will use much less power than those phones require.
The phone has a 5.5” display and is protected by scratch resistant DragonTail Pro Glass, which can also be used with wet or gloved fingers. Like most of the CAT phones, it has a programmable push-to-talk button on the side and a covered headphone jack and charging port. To round out the features, it also offers a 13MP rear-facing camera and a 5MP front facing camera.
Performance
As I mentioned in the overview, this phone isn’t going to be a world beater in speed and power – nor should you expect it to be. It is, after all, a quarter of the cost of the newest iPhone. This is, however, one of the only phones that you’d feel comfortable washing in the sink, which is a bonus during a global pandemic.
It will run most apps without any issue, but you are limited on the internal battery storage. Out of an available 32 GB of storage, the phone comes pre-loaded with over 17 GB of software, leaving just under 15 GB free. The system alone uses up 11 GB, so you’ll definitely need to invest in an external SD card, if you plan to use it for a while
While I enjoyed the volume of the speakers on the S48c I reviewed last year, I found the S42’s lacking in overall volume and depth.
I was also disappointed that the phone is equipped with a micro-SD charging port, as opposed to USB-C. It also is not enabled with wireless charging, which is always a great option for rugged phones.
Value
Priced the lowest out of the available CAT phones in the US, it’s clear that the S42’s purchase was to provide a very rugged option at the lowest price point possible, and I think they have achieved that goal. It’s definitely tough, comes with very solid battery life, and at a reasonable cost.
For individuals looking for a no-nonsense option that they don’t have to baby, this is definitely worth a look. For companies looking for an enterprise rollout option for their crews that are notoriously hard on their phones, it’s also worth a look.
If you need more power, but still want that ultra-ruggedness, CAT have several other options available, including the feature packed S61, which includes a thermal imaging camera and laser distance measurement.
This article has been sponsored by Safe Site Check In. For more information, visit safesitecheckin.com
Historically, it has been pretty difficult to track who enters a construction site or building and when, which can pose a safety and health risk to your jobsite, especially during a global pandemic. Paper check in forms are ineffective and hard to track and other systems, like key card entry, require high up-front costs and hardware purchases.
Safe Site Check In, a new smartphone application, is aiming to make the jobsite sign-in process much safer and easier than ever. Through the use of a QR code, site workers and visitors use their smartphone to scan the code, answer a few health screening questions to make sure they don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19, and are granted or denied access to the site digitally.
By using their personal devices, companies don’t have to worry about multiple people using the same tablet or pen, which can facilitate the spread of germs.
If it’s later determined that an employee or visitor contracts the virus, Safe Site Check In offers private contact tracing. This makes it extremely easy to determine who may have come into contact with that person, helping to reduce the risk of spreading it further.
Guests and workers checking into the site are not required to download an app or create an account, and their personal health information is stored only on their device to comply with HIPAA and OSHA regulations. The app is available in both English and Spanish, but can also be customized to support other languages, if needed.
Site managers can access check-in logs across multiple sites, receive instant notifications when visitors are granted or denied access, and view reporting dashboards from their account of Safe Site Check In. Administrators can also customize the screening questions for each individual site in order to comply with all state and local requirements.
The Safe Site Check In Summary Metrics
Although Safe Site Check In was released in June of 2020 with the pandemic in mind, the benefits extend beyond health screenings and contact tracing. The company told me that many of their clients, which extend from construction to residential and commercial to real estate, plan to use the system after a vaccine becomes widely available.
Having a digital record of who enters your jobsite can help in the tracking of attendance, productivity, workers compensation claims, union dues, security, and profitability, not to mention making daily log reporting easier.
One of the things that I most appreciate about Safe Site Check In is that they don’t over complicate the cost of the system and it’s extremely affordable. For each site, the system costs $79 per month for unlimited users and no need to purchase any additional equipment.
To see how simple and easy Safe Site Check In is to use, check out their demo video below:
Wood, a notoriously opaque substance, has apparently been resting on its laurels for far too long and not reaching its full potential, a team of researchers from Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), the University of Maryland, and the University of Colorado believes.
The team has developed a process to remove the pigment from balsa wood, creating a completely transparent wood that they believe could be superior to glass in nearly every circumstance when used as windows. Their published findings, titled “A Clear, Strong, and Thermally Insulated Transparent Wood for Energy Efficient Windows,” say that the material is lighter, more durable, up to five times more thermally efficient, and creates much less carbon emissions than is glass counterpart.
“The energy used for regulating building temperatures accounts for 14% of the primary energy consumed in the U.S. One-quarter of this energy is leaked through ineffcient glass windows in cold weather. The development of transparent composites could potentially provide affordable window materials with enhanced energy efficiency,” the paper explains.
When the wood window is impacted by an object, it either bends or splinters, as opposed to shattering.
By treating the balsa wood, which is very low density and fast growing, with an oxidizing bath and then penetrating it with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), the researchers were able to make the wood virtually transparent.
What about moisture and water resistance, though? It appears that additional testing will need to be conducted. The research team did not that they experimented with applying an oil-based polyurethane onto the transparent wood, which performed much better in humidity and water immersion tests.
Throughout the pandemic, contractors throughout the US saw lumber prices skyrocket for a variety of different reasons, including a huge increase in DIY and home remodeling projects, sawmill shut downs, and wildfires. In September, there wasn’t a lot of positivity about the situation getting better any time soon, but prices have slowly started to come back down to earth since then – though still much higher than normal.
Part of that recent price drop was due to the US Department of Commerce significantly decreasing tariffs imposed on Canadian softwood lumber, according to the NAHB. Originally imposed in 2017, the tariffs imposed on imported lumber averaged around 20% and have subsequently been lowered to around 9% on average, after an administrative review.
The NAHB, who has been on the forefront of calling for the federal government to reduce the tariffs for several months, says that there’s still more work to be done to continue lowering lumber prices back to a reasonable number.
“The Commerce Department’s action to reduce duties from more than 20% to 9% on softwood lumber shipments from Canada into the U.S. is a positive development, but more needs to be done,” said NAHB Chairman Chuck Fowke, in a blog post. “Tariffs have contributed to unprecedented price volatility in the lumber market in 2020, leading to upward pressure on prices and harming housing affordability for American consumers. The U.S. needs to work with Canada to end the tariffs and achieve a long-term, stable solution in lumber trade that provides for a consistent and fairly priced supply of lumber.”
How has lumber pricing affected your projects since the beginning of the pandemic? Let me know in the comment section.
2 years ago, crane manufacturer, Sarens, unveiled what is considered to be the world’s largest crane, by both size and lifting capacity. Big Carl, as the huge crane was nicknamed, began work a few months later on the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in England. Now, the jobsite boasts an abundance of crane activity, a true site to behold, and it was captured on aerial footage for you to enjoy.
In the November 2020 project Update, EDF Energy explained that 2 of the reactor buildings and 1 turbine hall have gone vertical on the project that is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Big Carl, the gigantic yellow crane in the video below, is working in the prefabrication area of the site and recently lifted a 187 ton “liner cup” into place in the second reactor building. “The liner cup is the base for the reactor’s steel containment which is being prefabricated in five parts and lifted into place by Big Carl,” EDF explained in a September 2020 blog post. The second liner cup was completed 30% faster than the first one, showing the potential productivity gains from repetition on such a large scale.
Big Carl can’t rest his weary bones just yet, though, as he’ll have more than 500 prefabricated steel and concrete structures to lift into place throughout the project, the heaviest weighing over 1,700 tons.
Check out the video below for the breathtaking views of power plant project:
Indoor construction and commercial remodeling jobs require a unique subset of equipment: compact enough to get through tight, sometimes occupied spaces, while still having enough power to complete the job. Equipment that emits exhaust emissions can also be extremely dangerous in enclosed spaces, so ventilation is key, but can be hard to come by. Enter the e-Dingo, Toro’s newly released electronic compact utility loader.
The e-Dingo promises the same benefits and power of a standard utility loader, just without the fuel costs and dangerous emissions. Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the machine has a maximum operating capacity of 515 pounds and is customizable with several different attachments, which also work with their standard Dingo.
The existing attachments include:
Standard Bucket
Narrow Bucket
Light Materials Bucket
Adjustable Forks
Multi-Purpose Tool
Hydraulic Breaker
Grapple
Leveler
Utility Blade
Auger
Reaching a top speed of 2.75 mph, the e-Dingo is also equipped with non-marking, solid wheels, to reduce damage to flooring materials to remain existing. The loader is 35.6” wide, 82.2” long with a bucket, 48.7” high, and weighs just over 2,000 pounds.
While Toro does state that the battery can be fully recharged in 8 hours, it doesn’t list total runtime, which is likely due to the variety of tasks it can perform, each putting different stress on the machine. To help preserve battery, the e-Dingo will go into Auto Idle mode, which shifts it to low idle after 5 seconds of non-use and shuts it off after 30 seconds of down time. The e-Dingo can be instantly woken up with a double tap of the traction control lever.
You can check out the Toro e-Dingo in action in the video below:
From a management-level perspective, the true value of adopting new technologies in the construction industry is the ability to quickly and reliably gather data. It’s nearly impossible to make a sound business decision without it, yet it’s still – in a way -- a relatively new concept in the industry. We’ve always collected data, but many times it’s stuck in paper forms or tucked away in a file on someone’s laptop, not easily sharable with others in the company. So now that construction data is easier than ever to collect and organize thanks to the massive innovation that’s taken place over the last decade, how do we best utilize it?
Back in 1998, the Hudson Department Store in downtown Detroit, Michigan was demolished by explosives. That building stood 410 feet tall across its 29 floors, making it, at the time, the tallest building to ever be taken down by implosion. The dust cloud covered many city blocks and the 20,000 unsuspecting people that came to watch the event. That record was just recently broken by a building over 100 feet taller than it.
Prior to its recent demolition, the tallest building in Mina Plaza Complex in Abu Dhabi, UAE stood at roughly 541 feet across its 46 floors, according to Demoliton News. Scotland based demoltion company, Safedem, carried out the explosive demolition, which landed them in the Guinness Book of World Records.
There were four towers in the complex, totaling 144 stories in all, which were imploded simultaneously, according to Safedem.
You can check out the video of them implosion and the Guinness World Records ceremony in the 2 videos below:
Another year is about ready to wrap up as the holiday season is upon us. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can be stressful for those in your life that are hard to buy for, especially those in the construction trades. Our goal is to make that process easier for you or your loved one with our top picks for gifts every year!
For more gift ideas, be sure to check out our Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guides from 2017, 2018, and 2019 or our past Father's Day Gift Guides from 2018, 2019, and 2020.
I’ve been lucky enough to be able to use many of the tools on this list throughout the year and there are others on the list that I’d love to try because they have been highly regarded in reviews. It should be assumed that the tool manufacturers have given us these tools for free to test out, but none of them have paid to be a part of this gift guide. All tools on this list have been chosen by me, because I think they would be great gifts.
This post contains affiliate links, which earn us a small commission for the things that you buy. The prices in the links are exactly the same as they would be normally!
If you’ve ever had to pull baseboard, crown molding, or other trim work, you know it’s pretty easy to either damage the trim or the wall behind it in the process. I picked up a Trim Puller recently and it makes saving trim extremely easy and greatly reduces damage to the wall. Just line it up with the joint of the trim against the wall, hit the back of it with a hammer and the trim pops loose.
Whether your building new or demolishing existing, chances are you’ll need to pull a nail somewhere. The DA Bar was another one of my recent purchases and its beauty is the ability to dig its claws into wood to expose sunken nails and the leverage it provides to pull it out. The nail puller comes in 8”, 10”, 11”, and 12” sizes.
Removing hinge pins on doors are annoying and using a screw driver can cause damage to the finish on the hinge. Spring Tools not only has a spring loaded hinge pin remover, but also a nail set for those pesky nails that refuse to be driven flush to the surface. Both of these have come in extremely handy for me recently and it’s also another tool that I’ve purchased.
As every contractor knows, wall corners are rarely ever 90 degrees. The Starrett Miter Saw Protractor, another one of my recent purchases, is a low tech way of finding the exact angle of the cut that you need, whether it’s joining 2 pieces together or making a single cut. This simple tool takes a lot of frustration out of the finishing process.
¼” and 5/16” hex head fasteners are extremely common on jobsites and this magnetic driver bit combines those two sizes into one. This bit is a favorite of technicians in the HVAC-R trades, but most will find it to be pretty handy to have for a variety of tasks.
If your house is like mine, the labeling system inside your circuit breaker box is an absolute mess, which makes it extremely difficult to find the correct breaker to turn off when needed. The Klein Tools Digital Circuit Breaker finder is a 2-in-1 tool that not only can confirm that your outlets have been properly wired, but it can also help you easily locate the correct breaker an outlet is wired to. Simply plug the outlet tester into an outlet, bring the receiver wand to your breaker panel, and run the receiver down each breaker until the light indicates that the correct breaker has been found. Of course, you should ALWAYS double check that power has been turned off to whatever electrical system you need to work on before beginning.
For those in the industry that need to change their electronic devices, like laptops or tablets, this is a fantastic mobile option. It provides 175W of power off of a Milwaukee M18 battery pack and, other than charging electronics, it can also power box fans and TVs, making it an option for tailgating purposes. The Top-Off features (3) different charging ports: (1) AC 120V outlet, (1) USB-C Power Delivery (PD) port, and (1) USB-A port, and all 3 can be used at the same time.
The Top-Off was just recently announced at Milwaukee’s online product showcase, PIPELINE, and is currently available for pre-order with the hope they’ll be shipped before Christmas.
I’ve included some version of Isotunes on nearly every one of my gift guides, because they offer a rugged product with sound dampening technology. Last year, the brand released a rechargeable, cord free version of their ear buds, but this year, they have released their first set of earmuffs, by popular request of their customers. The Isotunes Link headphones reduce noise by 24 decibels, have an IPX4 rating for water and sweat resistance, provide 14+ hours of runtime on the included lithium-ion rechargeable battery, or 28+ hours with 3- AAA batteries.
The Bosch GLM400CL is the coolest laser I’ve ever used, because it solves a laser measure’s biggest problem: sunlight. With the use of a built-in camera and on-screen crosshairs, this measure lets users measure up to 400 feet away without the need to see where the laser is pointing. This laser will set you back around $300, so if you don’t want to spend that kind of cash, Bosch makes plenty of other great laser measures that won’t break the bank. Their GLM30 model has a 100’ range and can be found for around $70 currently.
Truewerk makes some seriously comfortable work pants. You may like your jeans, but your jeans aren’t water repellent, stain and wind resistant while also being breathable and stretchable for increased mobility.
The T3 Werkpants are made for the colder months, as they are fleece lined for additional insulation. I’ve been wearing mine for a couple weeks and they truly do make a difference.
For warmer climates, the T2 Werkpants are not lined, but have all of the same features as the T3. For even warmer climates, the T1 Werkpants are even thinner and more breathable than the T2. I have all 3 versions, most of which I have purchased myself and they’re quickly becoming my favorite pants for not only working, but for a casual look when I leave the house.
If you’re on a jobsite that allows music, this compact 12V battery-powered radio from Milwaukee is an easy-to-transport and easy to use radio and Bluetooth speaker. You’re not going to be blown away by the volume it puts out, but that’s probably for the best, as contractors need to be aware of their surroundings on a jobsite. It connects very easily on the Bluetooth setting and I’ve been pleased with the sound quality and runtime from a 2.0ah battery. It can also be plugged in for infinite runtime and for battery charging.
Modular tool storage can make anyone in construction more efficient, as it helps them stay organized, while also making it much easier to get all of the tools they need on and off the jobsite. DeWalt has recently updated their popular rugged storage solution, Toughsystem, with an updated version called Toughsystem 2.0. It features and easier to use, one-handed latching system, upgraded latches and wheels, the ability to connect new half-width cases, and add interior trays for the deeper boxes.
The Toughsystem 2.0 is also reverse compatible with the original version, other than a few exceptions, but the updates make this storage system much easier to use and more versatile.
Ladders are one of the most dangerous tools on any jobsite and much of that can be attributed to using the wrong type of ladder for the task. The good news is that Werner has solved that problem for many different situations with the Leansafe X3. Not only can this ladder be safely used as a step/a-frame ladder, it’s also designed to be leaned against a wall (something that most tradesmen do with other stepladders, but aren’t supposed to), and the back of the ladder can be extended vertically to transform the ladder into a straight ladder, giving the user several additional feet of climbing height.
This Type 1AA ladder has a load capacity of 375 pounds, making it super sturdy to go along with its versatility.
Fall, winter and spring can come with some pretty cold and rainy days, so it’s important to keep yourself or the contractor in your life dry and warm on those days. I’ve been wearing this Milwaukee Hydrobreak jacket for over a year and it’s my go-to for days I have to be in a wet environment. It’s thin enough to not make you uncomfortable on warmer days, but also provides wind resistance to match the water resistance if you want to wear a thermal layer underneath on colder days. Combine it with a base layer of a Milwaukee M12 heated jacket for maximum warmth.
For the female contractors working in cold climates, this new Helly Hansen Luna Winter Jacket is a high-quality, lightweight, waterproof, and windproof jacket perfect for the jobsite. Like many brands have discovered recently, you can’t just shrink down a men’s version of workwear and call it a women’s size, it has to be completely redesigned to meet the needs of the women wearing them, which is exactly what Helly Hansen has done with the Luna collection.
A few different cordless trim routers have hit the market in recent months and I picked up the DeWalt version a few weeks ago and have been extremely pleased with it. It’s powerful, quiet, and smooth, making it easy to control while adding those finishing touches to your trimwork. It also has plenty of power to cut out windows and doors in plywood for framers.
Heading into the cold and wet months of the year, it’s extremely important to find a work boot that is not only comfortable to work in, but also waterproof. Keen Utility recently released a new boot called the Chicago, which features their KEEN.dry waterproofing membrane and a cushioned midsole for added comfort. The 6” boot comes in a variety of different versions, including a soft-toe, carbon fiber toe, a metatarsal guard, a women’s version, an Electro static dissipative (ESD) version, and even a low-top oxford version.
Days are much shorter in the later months of the year, making it extremely important to have a good lighting solution on the jobsite. No one matches the collection of lighting solutions that Milwaukee has and one of their latest releases is the upgraded LED Rocket Light/Charger.
With an output of 6,000 lumens on high, this light can be set up and extended to 7’ high in a matter of seconds. The max height helps reduce shadows and its 3 heads can all be angled separately to provide both ambient and task lighting. The onboard changer can also charge M18 batteries while plugged into an extension cord. I’ve had this Rocket light for a few weeks and, if you only need one light that can pretty much do it all, this is a great place to start, but you’ll have to pay for all of those features.
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Episodes 3 and 4 focused on new lighting solutions, an expansion of their PPE offerings, and several cutting and drilling solutions and accessories. Let’s get into the highlights:
Updated M18 Fuel Sawzall Reciprocating Saw and Blades
Milwaukee’s Sawzall is one of the pillars of the company’s tool arsenal since they invented the concept decades ago, so I imagine they don’t like the idea of other brands matching their performance. To ensure their reciprocating saw stays on top, they’ve recently released 2 updated saws (available now), one with ONE-KEY and one without.
The new saw will feature several upgrades to improve overall durability and function, including a wear-resistant blade change, anti-corrosion blade clamp, and metal reinforced battery rails. It also delivers 3,000 strokes per minute and a 1-1/4” stroke length.
The release of the new Sawzall also comes with the release of two new blades: The Wrecker with Carbide Teeth and the Torch with Nitrus Carbide. The Wrecker is an all-purpose blade and, paired with carbide, promises much longer life. The Torch with Nitrus Carbide is meant for thick and difficult metals, like black pipe, cast iron, and stainless steel. The wrecker is available now and the Torch with Nitrus Carbide will be released in March 2020.
M18 Top-Off 175W Power Supply
Milwaukee has always had a variety of different power supply adapters for it’s M12 and M18 batteries, but the Top-Off takes that concept to the next level. It features an AC 120V outlet, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port, allowing users to charge up to 3 devices at once.
The M18 Top-Off is available now for $99.
M18 Fuel 14” Abrasive Chop Saw
Estimated Release: 2021
Framing contractors working with steel studs may be excited about the future release of this M18 Fuel 14” Abrasive Chop Saw. Boasting the same power as a 15A corded model, the saw provides up to 200 cuts in 3-5/8” 20-gauge steel studs on a single 12.0ah battery.
The saw also features a sub-3 second blade brake, tool free blade change, and tool free blade adjustment.
The 14” Abrasive Chop Saw will be available in 2021 with a price tag of $399.
Lighting Solutions
Milwaukee is, objectively, the undisputed king of cordless jobsite lighting. They offer so many different lighting options for any application, that I’m surprised every time they release another new light. On episode 2, Milwaukee announced the release of a new PACKOUT compatible light/charger, which is available now, but in episode 4, they announced even more new lighting solutions.
M18 Rocket Tower Light/Charger
Release: Available now
Milwaukee released the original version of this versatile light a couple years ago, but the 2nd generation version boasts some impressive updates. Many of the useful features remain the same, including the 3 multi-directional, pivoting heads and the ability to set it up in a few seconds, but the new light also doubles the lumen output versus the original to 6,000.
I’ve had the opportunity to use the new rocket light for the past couple of weeks and it’s been extremely useful. As it can expand up to 7 feet, it reduces shadows, and its multi-directional heads allow for simultaneous ambient light and task lighting, depending on your needs.
The M18 Rocket Tower Light is available now for $399 bare tool or $599 kitted with an 8.0ah battery.
M18 Rover Dual Power Flood Light (2366-20)
Estimated release: early 2021
For a more portable task lighting option, Milwaukee also announced the M18 Rover Dual Power Floor Light. Delivering 4,000 lumens of output, a pivoting head, 3 floodlight modes, and IP54 rating, and 12 hours of runtime on a XC5.0 battery. The light can also be plugged into a 120V extension cord for unlimited runtime.
The new M18 Rover will retail for $149
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
At Milwaukee’s 2019 New Product Symposium, the company announced their new line of PPE products, including hard hats, safety vests, safety glasses, hearing protection, and a large expansion of their line of work gloves. At this year’s Pipeline, Milwaukee announced even more safety products.
Hard Hats and Accessories
A key differentiator to Milwaukee’s hard hats is their BOLT accessory ports, allowing users to quickly mount things like lights and shields securely to the head protection. The expansion of hard hats maintains those 6 accessory slots, but the company now offers the hard hats in 6t ratcheting versus their previous 4pt ratcheting model, which provides additional impact resistance. Available in both Class C and Class E, the hard hats will be offered in 8 colors: white, gray, black, red, orange, yellow, green and blue.
The company will also offer a type 2 rated helmet with the accessory ports (available in June 2021) and a hard hat lanyard (available now).
Knee Pads
Launching in early 2021, Milwaukee will offer 5 different knee pads;
A Free-Flex Knee Pad (48-73-6000) for light weight comfort
Hard Cap Gel Knee Pad (48-73-6010) for more durability
Performance Knee Pad (48-73-6030) for maximum comfort
Non-Marring Knee Pad (48-73-6040) for use on sensitive surfaces
Stabilizer Performance Knee Pad (48-73-6050) for the most security with maximum comfort.
Safety Vests
Also launching in early 2021 are 5 new safety vests:
Class 3 High Visibility Safety Vest (48-73-5148)
Class 2 High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5111)
Class 3 High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5131)
Class 2 Breakaway High Visibility Mesh Safety Vest (48-73-5121 to 48-73-5128)
Class 2 Surveyor’s High Visibility Safety Vest (48-73-5161 to 48-73-5168)
Additional Safety Items
In addition to the hard hats, knee pads, and safety vests above, Milwaukee is also releasing a variety of different colored and magnified safety glasses, a retractable lanyard, banded ear plugs, and face masks, all launching in early 2021.
Watch Replays of Pipeline Episodes 3 & 4
You can also watch the full version of Episode 3 and 4 of Milwaukee Pipeline below for additional details:
