Masonry Magazine October 2008 Page. 46
POWER TOOLS
Husqvarna-K750
"Some of the stuff they're cutting weighs more than the power cutter does," Ward says. "For a hardscaper, I don't know how you'd operate without one."
Husqvarna's new K3000 electric power cutter, priced at $799, has a direct water supply and a governing valve to minimize water usage. Nozzles placed in specially designed housings, in specific locations, also keep water usage to a minimum, Ward says. The saw suppresses dust without producing excessive slurry.
An overload protection system, called Elgard, varies the blade's rotation speed if the saw is approaching overload, he says. The rear handle is ergonomically designed to make cutting easier, especially during long work periods.
For gas-powered cutting, Husqvarna offers the K750. Its new DualCharge engine provides more power while lowering fuel consumption and reducing emissions, Ward says. The "SmartCarb" features a built-in automatic filter that maintains high power while using less gas, and the "active air filtration" has been upgraded with a redesigned paper filter for better dust control. A large muffler decreases noise by 25 percent. The 14-inch model costs $899.
Fast, user friendly concrete drill
BOSCH TOOLS CALLS its new 11258VSR 5/8-inch SDS-Plus concrete drill with a 4.8-amp motor a faster alternative to less comfortable, obnoxiously loud hammer drills. The concrete drill is up to 50 percent faster than a two-speed hammer drill when drilling 3/8-inch diameter holes in concrete, according to the company.
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"The 11258 is specifically for drilling small diameter holes in concrete," Burdick says, adding that it's a great tool for drilling tapcons. "It's actually a small rotary hammer, which gives it less vibration. This is truly designed for the guy who's drilling in concrete all day."
He says the drill, which costs $159, works like a premium hammer drill, but it's easier to handle, because it weighs about two pounds less than hammer drills.
"A tool that drills faster, runs quieter, and is more comfortable is going to be beneficial to these guys," Burdick says. "It's just a smooth tool for the job." IMAS