Masonry Magazine February 2007 Page. 40
POWER TOOLS
"The ergonomic aspect is wonderful. The tool balances perfectly in your hand." - Terry Tuerk, Product manager for the Multihammer.
# Milwaukee Caulk Gun
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The caulk gun automatically reverses as soon as the user releases the trigger to keep the caulk from dripping out, Chen said. The tool's interchangeable carriages adapt to the 10-ounce, quart-size and sausage packs.
"This gun is designed to be as versatile as possible," he said. "It can handle any caulk and adhesive."
Two tiers of speed control allow users to caulk up to 23 inches per minute for high productivity. A single battery charge provides enough power to dispense 185 tubes of caulk in the 10-ounce size, Chen said. The gun has the ability to dispense high viscosity materials with 620 pounds of pushing force. "We have the best pushing force," he said.
# Coming Up Next?
THE COMPETTIIVE NATURE of tool manufacturing forces companies to keep producing safer, more powerful tools. Manufacturers are constantly conceiving, designing and testing new ideas. During the next three to five years, the masonry industry will reap the benefits as some of these concepts hit the market.
Anti-vibration technology, currently offered primarily on hammers, grinders and reciprocating saws, will continue to develop and the cost will come down, predicts Hitachi's Fedor. "You'll start experiencing it in other tools"
Fernandes agreed. "The trend toward more anti-vibration, more ergonomic features will continue," he said. "Comfort is important."
Milwaukee is looking at ways for tools to collect dust and pollutants at the point of contact, Fernandes said. Another emphasis is designing new, multi-function tools.
"Versatility will also become more important. It is an interest that users have," he said. "Contractors want one tool that can serve multiple functions so they won't have to keep switching tools."
The U.S. market may also see the new Multihammer (P7911) by the Metabo Corporation in West Chester, Pa., within the next few years. The rotary hammer, developed by Metabo and Porsche Design, also serves as a drill and pneumatic hammer. An unusual design places the handle and trigger on top of, rather than under, the hammer.
"It has an innovative design," said Terry Tuerk, product manager for the Multihammer. "The ergonomic aspect is wonderful. The tool balances perfectly in your hand."
While it's already available in Europe, the company has yet to decide if it will sell the tool in North America. Brett Martin is a freelance writer located in Shakopee, Minn.