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TOOLING UP FOR THE NINETIES
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Having the right tools for the job is essential in the super-efficient workshops of the nineties. Tony Pattison previews the latest offerings.
The 'Exclusivey Tools show will run from Tuesday 22 to Thursday 24 May at London's Olympia Two exhibition centre.
The Federation of British Hand Tool Manufacturers, on stand 116/level 1, will have available the third edition of its British Tools directory, showing the approved products made by member companies. The FBHTM represents some 100 British hand tool manufacturers: it provides legal and commercial services and campaigns for quality standards.
Stayer Power Tools, on stand 256/ level 1, will launch three new 650watt power drills with chuck capabilities up to 13mm. Two 1,600watt angle grinders will also debut, for either 7in (178mm) or 9in (229mm) wheels, alongside Stayer's wide range of power tools.
On stand 136, Norbar will show off the latest improvements to the Slimline torque wrench, including a transparent handgrip, to correctly locate the operator's hand, and a re-designed scale mechanism to overcome parallax problems. Two new hand-torque multipliers will also be on show.
Facom Tools will launch its range of flank-driven OGV sockets. Facom says that the new OGV profile revolutionises the previously accepted principles of tightening, giving up to 80% more available tightening power without distortion to the socket or the bolt head. It will also show its huge range of hand tools and accessories.
On stand 352, JBG (Marketing) will show a new retractable-blade trimming knife, with spare blades available in 10 cards, each with five blades per strip. Also on show will be drill sets, socket sets and wrenches.
A snap-ring plier with five colourcoded pairs of tips will be launched by RGS Attenborough (Tools). The company produces a wide range of screwdrivers, voltage testers, spark-plug and car light testers, bits and wrenches, alongside magnetic inspection mirrors, insulated magnetic retrieving tools, screw and nut starters, and magnetisers. There will also be a range of tool boxes on display and Tome Feteira files for magnetos, soft metals and precision work. Also on the Attenborough stand will be the American-made Bend Light, which has a long, very thin tube at the end of which is a tiny, but intense, light source. It can be equipped with either a magnet or a mirror.
Another large range of socket sets, spanners, screwdrivers and pliers will be on the Teng Tools stand (170/level 1). Teng says that its emphasis this year is on supporting the stockist, with pointof-sale material and display units. It has recently extended its range with magnetically-tipped circlip pliers, adjustable wrenches, ratchets and a torque wrench.
Sykes Pickavant has introduced a 250mm adjustable spanner capable of opening to 29mm: the spanner has a pivoted static jaw that will tighten onto the nut when torque is applied. A new
inspection lamp is available in 12 or 24volt versions and has a neoprene casing, with a steel plier mounting clip.
Prostar will show its range of drill bits, taps, dies and chisels, while Ingersoll Rand (stand 220/level 1) will launch a reactionless ratchet, the I-R 110A. Based on a hammer clutch mechanism, the ratchet absorbs torque reaction when the tool stalls, says Ingersoll Rand. The ratchet weighs 1,24kg; maximum torque is 68Nm (50ftlb), and it is possible to hand-torque the tool to loosen rusted fasteners. Other new tools on the Ingersoll Rand stand include high-torque screwdrivers, angle tools and drills from the Series 3 range, alongside the new 1RAX range of air tools and air-line accessories.
Surprise event
CK Tools will celebrate its 200th birthday at the show with special deals on popular ranges, birthday competitions for its customers and a "surprise event" on stand G30. Pride of place on its automotive tools stand will go to the Stahlwille spanner range.
Bosch will show off its new range of impact drills, including its top model, the CSB 20-2 RET with electronic control for SCrewdriving, thread cutting, drilling and impact drilling. It has a 900watt motor and a drilling capacity of up to 13mm in steel.
Wrenches for industrial users will be launched by Stanley on stands G44/45, with four new trimming knives with special features for workshop use and a range of tool boxes.
Abingdon King Dick will display its spanners, socket sets, torque wrenches and service kits, together with various display aids. One of the latest showboards is the SDI3400, containing A/F and metric combination wrenches. Special discounts will be allowed on orders placed at the show.
New additions to the Levermore range (stand 180/level 1) include combination, flat and specialist Wrenches, and sockets for use with 3/8in drives. Levermore will be showing 150 new items from its USmade SK range of socket and spanner sets.
New air tools will be shown by Draper, in addition to a selection of Metabo, Elora and Knipex tools, and its colour catalogue will be available.
Wiha (UK) will be offering a wide range including screwdrivers, circuit testers, hex drivers, magnetisers, bits and the Toni drive system.
Auto accessories on the Berlyn stand (120/level 1) will include a casehardened chain wrench and 'multi spanner'. This consists of a linked set of eight spanners to fit most small metric and BA nuts, complete with a screwdriver and lever. It is also introducing a new Hi-Heat canister livery for its Ronson blowtorch system.
A range of tungsten carbide grit
coated blades will be introduced at the show by MarshaIls Hard Metals, under the Speedicut banner. They are claimed to cut through glass, sheet steel, stainless steel and steel cable. The range comprises hacksaw, reciprocating saw, jigsaw and rodsaw blades.
The Metabo stand will feature a range of angle grinders with the newly launched automatic clamping nut release system, and there will be live demonstrations.
The Sealey Group will show off its new dust-free sanding system on stand G61. It is claimed to allow both electric and air tools to be run from the central unit at the same time. Sealey will also display its American-made toolchests, as well as hand tools, welders, heaters, battery chargers and generators. Thesetare all featured in its 1990/91 catalogue, which is being launched at the exhibition: look out for its Supermig 170 and 180 mig welders, with timers. They feature immovable wire feed units so that the torch can be used within the normal 1.5m range of the transformer, or lifted out and used within a 10m radius of the main unit.
Festo, (stand 530/level 2) will show a new stirrer for mixing paints and, if needed, high viscosity materials, and will have its sanding range on display too.
New on the Hilka Tools (UK) stand will be a nine-drawer cabinet and chest combination, heavy duty chests and cabinets, new tool boxes and promotional items.
Wesma BV will show its System Case mobile component storage system, a new tool box range and machine cases.
New on the Concessionaire Tools stand will be the heavy-duty Tuff Box, by Contico. This range of tools boxes is claimed to be impervious to chemicals, petrol and oil.
GPS International Tool Box Supply will be introducing the Grand Prix heavy duty tool chests and roll cabinets, made by Aero Industries of the USA.
Kick Schulp Flashgrange is importing a new range of open-ended storage bins, parts cabinets and metal tool boards, with what is claimed to be a unique plastic rail and metal hook system. They are made by Absaar, West Germany, and can be seen on stand 260/level 1.
Wesco will be showing its range of gaskets, washers, oilcans and greasers.
Karcher and Kew will display their pressure washers. Karcher is launching its compact HD575B petrol-driven cold water pressure washer on stand 356/level 1. Another new model being introduced at the show is the NT2001 wet and dry vacuum cleaner, along with two examples of Karcher's small cold water pressure washers, the HD475 and HD595 and the Wash 'N' Wax set for paintwork.
Powerful magnets
If you're looking for magnets James Neill Tools will be showing off its new Eclipse 24-item pm-packed range. Eclipse Magnetics is well known for its powerful magnets of all shapes and sizes and on
stand 156/level 1 will be showing a range including flexible magnets, welding clamps and tool mats. These are designed to hold tools and nuts and bolts, for example, to the side of a vehicle. Eclipse says that the mat does not scratch.
Brennenstuhl will display its cable reels and inspection lamps. The reels feature what the firm calls an 'electrowatcher' safety cut-out to guard against overheating.
Rapitest's new four-in-one electronic tool is claimed to be able to detect the presence of 110V and 240V AC current without touching live wires. It has a detachable probe to check circuit continuity and a polarity test capability for battery circuits on vehicles for finding out whetter a wire is negative or positive. See it on stand G23.