The Tradie February - March 2023

Miller makes Superbikes return + JACK IS BACK!

Working remote - fishing remote Pro guide Tim O’Reilly discusses fishing in some of Australia’s most isolated, and beautiful, areas.

AIR-CON

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me has been regularly visited by sparkies, plumbers and fitters – all within the span of just two weeks.

While it’s naturally great business for the tradies, I wonder what horrors have befallen the interior of my neighbours’ block. There’d certainly be a few subbies entering that premises who could use some of the tools in this edition of The Tradie. It all starts with the cover: Ramset’s™ FrameBoss™ XPM – a standout nail PA tool with a flair for trimming time off any job.

Our Tough Test expert Jamie Gray has also played with equipment from the likes of DeWalt, Bosch and Warren & Brown Tools, among others, to give you the best tips on the tools for 2023.

A new year brings with it new opportunities, and this is certainly the case for Moto GP star Jack Miller. The Townsville lad will be returning to team

Red Bull KTM this year, and we caught up with him late last year when he capped off the ASBK season in style on his Cat bike. Speaking of boys and their toys, much-loved machinery spectacle The Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo is fast approaching. We delve into what’s on offer at this year’s event and why you should be getting excited now. New opportunities abound in the plumbing industry, something The Tradie found in our talks with 2022 The Block contestant, Tom. As we wave goodbye to summer, pro fisher Tim O’Reilly brings us the best tips on boating etiquette and how not to make a fool of yourself when fishing isolated.

Valentine’s Day is a highlight of any year, and we’ve got all you single tradies out there covered with a few dating app tips to help find that special someone (or perhaps something less serious). But if you’re like me, and Valentine’s Days are spent getting ear exams or unclogging the S-bend under the sink, the day is just an annoying reminder of all the loved-up couples you never see out doing anything fun anymore.•

Harry Murtough

Let’sshred

Aussie boarder showing out

Although we’ve never snowboarded, we’re always convinced we’d be amazing at it. Then we see images such as this, where pro snowboarder Scotty James launches himself metres into the air for the second-highest score in men’s halfpipe history at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

Then, we’re not so convinced.

The 28-year-old Aussie completed a McTwist (not Maccas related, unfortunately), a 1440 stalefish, a frontside 1080 tailgrab and a cab 900 indy before topping it off with a 1260 indy to finish with a score of 99.

If you understood what any of that meant, you’d know that’s a bloody good effort from Scotty.

In an interview, he said he was grateful to be part of such a rapidly progressing sport, but his performance at Copper Mountain was all about adding creativity and ‘soul’ back to his form.

Being summer, most Aussies aren’t exactly shredding that sweet gnar gnar.

However, this is a healthy reminder that when it comes to extreme sports, we produce some of the best.

So, onya Scotty, and may our winter be as magical as this when it comes around!.•

Scotty James set the second highest score ever for his discipline in the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS).

Picture: Lorenz Richard/Red Bull Content Pool

Parking DEBACLE

A tradie’s tribulation.

A Hobart tradie was put on blast on social media late last year for parking his truck and trailer across four spots at the back of a shopping centre parking lot.

It didn’t take long for opinionated social media users to either scold the tradie or come to his defence.

One big-box retailer (you know who we mean) does have designated spots for trailers, but if you’ve got nowhere to go, what are you supposed to do? Unhook the trailer at home, go and get what you need, then go back and re-hook a one-tonne trailer?

That would be downright preposterous.

The Hobart tradie in question fired back on online against the would-be whingers, and trolled the situation by calling himself out on the Facebook page ‘Tasmania Parking Fails’. He even signed off on his post by flipping the emoji bird.

It’s a problem plenty of tradies have encountered in their time, and many came to his defence with the logistics of alternatives.

“It’s safer to park like this than have the trailer hang out over the road,” one user said.

If the car park were chokkas, perhaps there could be an argument for multiple spots not to be taken up, but this was apparently during a quieter time, at the emptiest part of the car park. Sometimes people just like to complain for complaining’s sake I guess.•

POLLEN

and PONG

Flower’s deathly smell draws a crowd.

Ever wanted to smell one of the foulest odours on the planet?

No, we’re not referring to your old man’s jockstrap, but instead the scent of the famous corpse flower.

The endangered species of flora is well-known for only flowering for a couple of days, and only doing it once every seven or so years - only a few years shy of many dads’ once-in-a-decade garage clean-outs.

The corpse flower gets its name from the gross odour it emits, which has been compared to smelling a dead body (charming).

One such flower at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens bloomed in January, the first time it’s done so in a decade. It’s a popular attraction for botanists, with 10,000 people reportedly travelling from far and wide to get a whiff of the last corpse flower that bloomed.

Maybe it works like Paul Rudd’s Sex Panther cologne in Anchorman, where 60 per cent of the time it works…every time.

We’re all fascinated by things that smell odd, but the concept of travelling to get the scent of a corpse is…off-putting to say the least.

It’s a smell we’ve done well to avoid to this point, and not one we’re keen on gracing my nostrils with any time soon, thank you very much.

On another note, the flower is also massive, standing 12 feet tall – that’s a bit over two David Attenboroughs for all you nature lovers. •

The tradie parked at end of the carpark to avoid a ruckus, but he seemingly couldn’t escape the critics.

Corpse flowers can live anywhere between 30 and 40 years.

Horsing around

Beach race goes awry.

Last month a couple of stallions decided to go for an impromptu pub crawl on The Goldie. No, we’re not talking about that mate’s bucks you weren’t invited to. These were actual horses. During the annual Magic Millions races along Surfers Paradise beach, a couple of steeds got loose and decided to trot into the city for a bit of horseplay. Footage of the horses going a kilometre down the Gold Coast Highway and through suburban streets flooded social media.

If you’re a hungover tourist coming out of a Gold Coast nightclub and you spy a couple of racehorses galloping about while cops and race clerks give chase, you might think it’s just a bit of banter. Much like collecting that one mate who doesn’t want to leave, Queensland Police and race staff were eventually able to wrangle the loose horses safely and get them on the next floats out of Goldie. •

Bizarre ends

Already missing 2023 goals.

It’s that time of year again: the World Cup has been and gone leaving plenty of casual viewers suddenly interested in football (soccer).

It’s frustrating for those hardcore followers, but we’ll bet Sydney FC fans were way more frustrated during their team’s match against Wellington Phoenix in January. Down 1-0 against a depleted nine-man Phoenix squad, former Reading FC – now Sydney striker – Adam Le Fondre was given a penalty kick from a bizarre handball call against Wellington’s Tim Payne (not to be confused with our former Test captain).

The call drew plenty of criticism, most notably because replays clearly showed the ball struck Tim’s back rather than his arms.

Adam’s effort was sensationally blocked by the keeper, and Phoenix players commenced the trash talk and chest-beating.

However, the refs called another handball on the play, this time during a post-penalty attempt on goal. So, Adam had a second shot at redemption in what would likely be the last kick of the game. And would you believe it, he launched it well clear of the crossbar and up into the stands, leaving his team and Sydney fans dumbfounded.

We believe it was Confucius who said, “Re-dos aren’t common in life, so when one presents itself, you’d better not kick it metres into the stands,”…something to that effect.•

most populated beaches, what could go wrong?

Jockeys riding down one of Australia’s

Missing one penalty kick against a shorthanded team is one thing, but to miss two? Not ideal.

Some not-so-useless stuff from the internet. A bloke’s

Chicken harness/leash

We’ve seen dogs, we’ve seen cats, rabbits, ferrets and even guinea pigs. But taking a chicken for a stroll…that’s a new one. However, clearly we haven’t been paying attention. A quick Google search revealed a rabbit hole of communities all about raising and nurturing a pet chicken.

Which leads us to this cute little accessory to go on strolls with your foo- umm…we mean ‘pet’! The icing on the cake has to be the bow tie, so your chicken looks its best as it struts through the park tempting fate around dogs. It can also be fitted onto ducks, geese or a small roostery’know, if you keep any of those as pets, too. We reckon Joey and Chandler from Friends could probably have used a few of these. You can get one for anywhere between $27.99 and $44.99.

Portable shaving net

It might look like one of the most absurd contraptions to be caught using in the bathroom, but the thought of not having to clean up after shaving is a nirvana men seek to attain.

The simple device sticks to the mirror to catch trimmings before they scatter to the wind and coat your basin.

It might look like you’ve become your sink’s personal shade sail, but we’re thinking if more of these were widely used, the world would be a better place.

You can cure your shaving woes for between $12-$15.

No more will stray fries tumble underneath the seat when you make a sharp turn. Imagine picking up a date with these in your car – how together they’ll think your life is when you take fries from one cup holder and dip them in a trough hooked up to your aircon. You can nab a set for around

While there are plenty of blokes out there who have no problem cultivating a sick mullet, some of us aren’t so lucky. Thankfully, a few companies have addressed this downright injustice and produced a vital product for mulletless men everywhere. Now,there’s no stopping us from becoming an all-mullet society. Imagine them all bouncing up and down like a majestic mulleted herd of antelope. If you plan to wear it on the footy field, have no fear. The mullet wig can be fastened with the headband or hat if you’re playing cricket.

The mullet headband wig can set you back anywhere between $15-$25 depending on the quality of the mane.

IN A NAME? What’s

Cordless outdoor power equipment? Magic.

It started with my immediately recognising the advantages of not having to patch together half a dozen extension leads when I was trying to get things done at the far-flung extremities of my sprawling half-acre.

I was also a little nonplussed at how easily my admittedly ancient, vicious, 10-inch circular saw could shred its 240-volt cable during moments of operator inattention.

In any case, the first step on the cordless journey was taken when my line trimmer carked it.

It was a good unit: two-stroke, like all the best small motors, and while it might’ve billowed out a little more smoke than was fashionable, that particle-rich cloud had a velvety texture that’s just not seen these days. Modern technology is all very well, but you can’t replace lead-based compounds and unburnt oil in suspension for a deep lungful of 1970s nostalgia.

And that hard-revving, high-frequency scream as the little piston ran at what felt like an insane 15,000 or so revs for an hour or so at a time? Aural bliss. The inner-ear chiming always lasted for an hour or so after I’d packed up, and, in recognition of the situation, I called that little whipper-snipper ‘The Lord Of The Ring’.

But all good things must come to an end, and, possibly driven by some unkind remarks from the proprietor of the local mower shop regarding the definition of ‘regular’ when applied to maintenance, I decided to go electric.

Not being overly knowledgeable about such things, I purchased a very low-cost unit. I didn’t want to make a big financial commitment to something which may not have been terribly effective. I got what I paid for.

It was like walking along my driveway and gently caressing the kikuyu with a strand of used dental floss.

But I could see the potential. I didn’t have to pull-start the thing, there was no fuel to mix, and it

was fairly quiet.

It didn’t damage the garden hose during an accidental entanglement, and, after all, I had a battery now.

So back I went to the hardware store and bought the next-level-up trimmer. A weed-whacking 36volt unit I dubbed ‘The Edgeterminator’.

I had to buy another battery because it ran two, but that seemed reasonable.

It was okay – better than the first one, but I knew I hadn’t yet uncovered the object of my crusade. Finally, eyes downcast and trying to seem like I didn’t feel guilty or humiliated, I went back to the mower shop and asked if there were any cordless line trimmers in stock.

Were there ever!

I walked out clutching a 60-volt monster which I was almost certain would be the fulfilment of my search. The Lord Of The Ring had gone. This one, I was sure, was The Precious. It was the one to rule them all.

At the first touch of the trigger the damn thing was like high-powered boat outboard with the throttle stuck wide open hanging from my shoulder. It latched onto the first clump of Sir Walter Buffalo and near threw me over the fence.

As I tried to wrestle some level of control it shredded the toe of my Blundies, veered violently off in a shallow arc across the lawn and started to rip chips out of the edge driveway.

By the time I’d gathered the wit to release the trigger there was a sizable brown curve etched into the otherwise pristine yard and a serrated edge on the concrete.

I gazed in disbelief at the scene. My brain struggled to process what had just happened. I stared vacantly, totally overawed, drew a deep breath, then let out a primal howl of deep, visceral satisfaction. In those few seconds I was converted to cordless electric power.

My new internet name is Volt-emort.•

↑ The Precious carves through blades of grass as if they were Kiwi orc extras from the films.

TAKE

CHARGE with the Ramset™ FrameBoss™ XPM

Tradies who use powder-actuated tools have a few reasonable demands.

They want a tool that fires accurately, powerfully and quickly with little or no tinkering time to ruin the rhythm.

The Ramset™ FrameBoss™ XPM – sports a variety of features that set it apart from the competition, leaving a number of tradies singing its praises from atop their well-established projects.

The tool packs a wallop. Four hundred joules of impact energy and power adjustment ensure it brings its A-game to any framing, fixing or formwork job.

Working in tight spaces or awkward angles? The FrameBoss™ XPM has you covered with adjustable magazine angles allowing for a fit to suit your needs.

The FrameBoss™ XPM is capable of firing a single shot nail up to 100mm, but it truly stands out with its ability to fire 10 nails up to 75mm before needing a reload.

This feature has proven a massive game-changer for tradies in a wide variety of applications.

NIGHT-AND-DAY DIFFERENCE

For South Sydney-based carpentry service Aussie Decking Chippie, the FrameBoss™ XPM proved a massive advantage.

Operator Darren Brown had been a loyal user of Ramset’s J20 single-shot PA tool for years, but switching over to the FrameBoss™ XPM took his work to a whole new level.

“It was night and day when I got it,” said Darren. “It’s been a great addition to the kit.

“You virtually don’t have to cock it or reload it

When it comes to providing value via efficiency and power, there’s few who deliver like the Ramset™ FrameBoss™ XPM.

↑ The FrameBoss™ XPM is capable of firing a singleshot nail up to 100mm.

↗ Darren Brown said the packaging for the FrameBoss™ XPM was sleek and easy to fit in his trailer.

like a single-shot one, and it made things a lot easier and faster on site.

“The recoil on it is also great…it’s wellweighted and easy to use.”

Darren’s work mainly revolves around building outdoor spaces such as decking, pergolas or outdoor kitchens, but he also does plenty of feature or perimeter fencing, often needing to secure steel postings.

“What we’ll usually do is drill a steel post into the ground and do everything around it,” Darren explained. “That’s one of the things we use the FrameBoss™ for – it saves us from having to drill and screw everything. We shoot our frame to the steel posts. When we have steel framing in a deck at all, and we need to put timber plates in, we do the same thing.”

Darren and his subbies also do a lot of work with pool framing; he said the FrameBoss™ XPM made assembly a breeze when framing carcasses

10-shot magazine for 75mm nails

Single-shot capacity of 100mm Automatic piston with zero manual cycling

400J maximum impact energy Power adjustment dial

Cushioned rubber grip

Hand guard Trigger lock

are gonna land,” he said. “What we do is use the FrameBoss™ to tap the frame on to the pool carcass to get the height proper, and then we can screw it all off. It makes it so easy.”

NO MUSS, NO FUSS

Being able to fix 10 pins at a time also made a world of difference for Darren.

He added while the convenience of not having to reload every shot was amazing, there was a safety aspect as well.

“If you’re standing two or three metres up on a roof and you have to keep reloading the gun, other products require two hands free,” he said. “It’s a onehanded motion to reload the FrameBoss™ XPM.”

That 400J of power the FrameBoss™ punches was another feature Darren found to be a massive difference on the site, with he and his team finding the pins have a firmer grip on the timber compared to other guns.

“With the FrameBoss™ XPM, I find it has a lot more pull-down on it with the nail head compared to other models,” said Darren.

While users can load three different power charges into the FrameBoss™ XPM – weak (green), medium (yellow) and strong (red) – Darren found the tool’s power dial was on the mark when it came to depth nearly every time.

“I just buy the red charges for my work, it gives me the flexibility to wind down the power on it, so

you don’t have to change the charges out,” he said. “With other guns, it’s trial and error as to what depth you need. You’d be basically wasting a shot and charge.

“You could be looking at 10 shots before you get the depth right. With the FrameBoss XPM it’s a simple wind of the dial and it gives you the depth straight away.”

Another massive benefit Darren said the features list doesn’t tell you is the FrameBoss’ convenient packaging. It’s not something tradies always think of when getting gear, but Darren said the casing for the FrameBoss™ XPM was spacious enough to carry its fair share, while also being convenient enough to fit nicely in the cosiest of trailers.

“With the J20 it was a big box that took a lot of space in the trailer,” Darren said. “The FrameBoss™ XPM case is big in a sense, but it’s a very slimline box that packs into the trailer behind the nail guns. I’ve got room in the box to pack maybe 400 charges for 400 shots.

“Everyone who’s used it on site has been amazed when I’ve brought it out.”

BE THE BOSS

Tradies who handle stacks of tasks on the day-today worksite need a tool up for the task like the FrameBoss™ XPM.

↑ Adjusting the power is easy thanks to this simple dial at the rear of the gun.

↓ Brad Reeves has been a FrameBoss™ fan for about eight years, with the gun making light work of his hefty projects.

dozen racks of them and off he goes and it could only take 20 minutes to do a small townhouse ground floor, as opposed to a single-shot which slows everything down.

“It doesn’t sound like much, but over all those units, it adds up really quickly.

“We do a lot of work with multi-residential townhouses in sets of 50, 60 or 70 units, so speed was the number-one thing there.”

Brad said the ability to swap smoothly between pins was a must for his line of work, which routinely swaps between materials such as timber and mild-gauge steel.

“Sometimes you get a structure with steel posts and you might need to shoot a bit of timber with steel too,” he said. “Rather than pulling out screws and drills, you can shoot it with the FrameBoss™ XPM with their particular pin that’s designed to go into steel*

“That’s another added benefit – it’s less tools you need to pull out and it’s as easy as changing from one set of nails to another.”

BALANCE OF POWER

The FrameBoss™ XPM has you covered when it comes to delivering power with unparalleled convenience.

It comes in the standard Ramset™ orange decal, but a limited-edition camouflage variant is also available if you’re looking to jazz up your toolbox.

The Tradie readers will also have a chance to score a FrameBoss™ XPM of their own thanks to Ramset™. It’s easy to enter, simply scan the QR code above, enter your contact details and you’ll be in the draw to score a limited-edition Ramset™ FrameBoss™ XPM** •

For more information on the FrameBoss™ XPM, visit ramset.com.au.

BUILT FOR ANYTHING, ANYWHERE.

WHETHER FOR WORK OR THE WEEKEND - WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

remote

fishing working remote

LOCATION Remote Australia

Pro guide Tim O’Reilly discusses fishing in some of Australia’s most isolated, and beautiful, areas.

So many Australian workers residing in the far north find themselves living in remote localities while fulfilling various work contracts. Thousands of plumbers, concreters, electricians and other tradies criss-cross the top end of the country, often in remote Aboriginal communities or tiny townships. This article looks at making the most of remote travel from a fishing sense.

SEE FOOD

The willingness to take extra time to explore is key to reaching far-flung fishing destinations. The love of Google Earth and a healthy respect for being on other people’s country are contributing factors. If you really love fishing, taking the chance to visit pristine localities and cast where not too many others have done so can create life-changing experiences.

It is too difficult to delve into the complexities of access, so let’s look broadly at the regions of Cape York, the Top End of the Northern Territory and Kimberley regions. For travelling workers who find themselves in these far-flung destinations, a travelling fishing kit is a must. It is the difference between telling everyone you went to a place with brilliant fishing and actually experiencing it.

The strength of your commitment will determine what your fishing kit looks like. Mine looks like three travel rods and reels with lures stuffed amongst clothes. However, a simple pack consisting of a light three-piece spinning outfit and a small selection of lures can suffice. I prefer a reel loaded with 20lb-30lb braided line, and usually have a selection of leader in the 20lb-50lb range. A good pair of pliers and filleting knife are useful additions. Being on the lookout for fresh crustaceans and molluscs can also stimulate a crude diet.

Tonight in my room, very far away from any decent shop, I’m eating mud crab, a fillet of fingermark and four pieces of toast. It’s hardly a balanced diet, but it’s a delectable one.

ALL ALONE

There are a few scenarios likely to have you out fishing.

Being asked by locals to accompany them, driving or walking yourself out bush, or perhaps being asked on a boat to head out are all possibilities. Having your own little set-up is crucial to fish properly.

Never rely on anyone else for fishing gear, it rarely works out well. A couple of hooks and sinkers, floating lures, silver slices, vibes and soft plastics

will cover an extraordinary variety of fishing opportunities. Catching the dream barramundi, Saratoga or Sooty Grunter from a lily-fringed lagoon is possible in literally thousands of locations. Australia’s vast and mostly dry interior looks very different closer to the coastline which is punctuated by countless waterways that form pools in the dry season from April to November. Some of the country’s least-visited locations are often hard to reach and hostile. Crocs, snakes, spiders, mosquitos and heat are just some of the challenges.

Nothing quite compares to those gleaming eyes idling up behind a surface lure before unleashing white-knuckled terror. For that millisecond, the birds fall silent and a hush comes over the Australian bush as the fisherman subdues a truly wild fish.

PLAN TO SUCCEED

Land-based fishing is very different than from a boat. For starters, it usually involves some pretty heavy walking through scrub, bush and thick undergrowth.

That’s invariably where the best spots are. Having a good knowledge of the country you are entering and utilising modern technology as a tracking tool makes these adventures safer. Some of the new GPS units also have a texting and SOS function, which is a game changer for those travelling remote. Some key areas to look for when planning this type of adventure are swamps, pools and billabongs which fill in the wet season and shrinks in the dry.

These areas can provide hugely productive food chains and present some of the best fishing opportunities on foot. Most of your energy should

be focused on the head and tail of these locations - or in other words, where the water flows in and flows out in flood. For whatever reason, more fish tend to congregate in these spots.

When walking the longer reaches, choose access points based on structure and corners to increase success.

PLENTY OF FISH

At many coastal locations, it’s possible to walk down a beach or scramble across rocks to reach perhaps the two most reliable land-based locations. The first is a small creek mouth and the second a rocky point or headland.

These types of locations typify the northern Australian coastline. The silver-speedster brigade tends to hang out in areas of higher current flow. Queenfish and trevally species are the mainstay for those on foot in saltwater environs. They are often accompanied by blue salmon, tarpon, giant herring and barracuda. Joining in around many creek mouths will be barramundi, threadfin salmon, mangrove jack, cod and a myriad of other species. All can be targeted on lure and fly.

After the wet season, remote anglers will search out congregation points for barramundi as they feed in what is often called ‘the runoff’. The most common months to experience this exciting form of fishing are March through to May. All manner of prey species are washed from whatever home they were living in, with gravity providing the greatest feeding opportunity as water funnels from higher to lower ground. There are some famous examples across far northern Australia, however most river and wetland systems in healthy condition will offer up decent barra fishing during this run off.

HOOKED

I have fond memories of arriving in Kununurra in the west Kimberley 20 years ago, following my nose out to Ivanhoe Crossing and catching a couple of feisty barra at the back of the car. Like living dinosaurs, Saratoga are perhaps my most enjoyable quarry to chase. They are not by any means the hardest fishing fish, but hooking and then landing these things is crazy challenging. So many bites are missed or not converted as a bony jaw seems evercapable of tossing a hook almost immediately.

The far northern variety is very shiny, with a lovely tinge of gold punctuated by dazzling pink spots. They love chasing down a surface presentation, so strikes are usually visible and electric. Quick hands are needed, and once hooked, it’s best not to let the fight take too long.

SAFETY FIRST

Moving from land-based to boat-based fishing doesn’t change much with regard to the best kit to have. →

↑

Now that’s one whopping big riverbank giant trevally.

(top)

↑ (bottom) A few muddy barra (Ratjuk) taken off the bank.

This is what we call ‘fishing remote’.

Personally, the light spin rod is always a must, but I also enjoy the challenge of fly fishing. You never quite know when the opportunity might arise, so it pays to be ever prepared with a fly rod in the luggage. Flies don’t take up much space, so a travelling fly kit is quite practical. Finding places to throw flies and the difficulty of backcasting increases the challenge. It tends to be more suitable either casting from a boat or being dropped on clear land. Saltwater locations tend to dominate the fly scene in the north. Tiny freshwater creeks, rivers and billabongs tend to have intense vegetation along their banks, making casting challenging in all but the most wide-open spaces.

My travelling fly kit includes a nine-weight rod, a floating line, sink-tip line and a selection of clouser minnows, deceivers, shrimp and crab patterns. Some lighter leader in the 15lb-20lb range is often useful for tricking spookier fish.

A small boat is all that’s needed to reach small creek mouths, and even distant upstream pools and river reaches. Having enough freeboard is a crucial element in keeping man from croc, especially in some of the Territory and Kimberley rivers where snapping handbags tend to get a little friendly. Realistically, any boat around the 3.5m mark or larger should be fine, preferably powered by a minimum 15hp outboard. If jumping on an unknown boat, it pays to ask if lifejackets and an EPIRB are on board, and to triple check the water supply is adequate.

HEAVENLY SNACK

When working remote and fishing remote, try and broaden your horizons when it comes to eating the catch. Aussies are lucky to have such prolific seafood resources and we tend to become very close-minded about what constitutes an acceptable catch. Less-regarded northern species such as trevally, Queenfish, mullet, Blue Salmon,

bream and cod can all make a delicious meal if chilled and prepared with a little love. Try making a mixture of vinegar, chilli, pepper, sugar, diced onion, lemon-lime and shallots in a sealed container and throw it in the esky. Then, slice thin fish pieces and toss them into your mixture before chilling for an hour of so….it’s delicious on a hot day out in the sun.

Picking some shade on a riverbank, along the beach or at a creek mouth and waiting out that unproductive period in the middle of the day is a good call. A small fire and fish or crabs roasted on the coals is a winner. I like to find some scented leaves, wait for the fire to burn down to coals, let the leaves crackle and smoke a little, then place the fish on top.

A wet cloth or some type of cover over everything sealed with sand helps create a moist oven and produces tasty, condiment-free fish.

HAPPY SAILS

Remember that being asked along on someone’s boat is a privilege, and you need to keep a few things in mind.

Always be ready, always be on time, take your own water and food, offer to contribute to fuel cost and allow the boat owner to split the catch.

Oh yeah…don’t go if you have a deadline to return to the ramp. Fishing over neap (smallrange) tides is the best starting point and leads to cleaner, clearer water for navigation and fishing. A keen fisherman or woman will always find local knowledge purely by asking local people.

Without prying too much, it’s amazing what information spills out with a few well-directed and well-meaning questions. Are there this and that around here? What tide tends to work best? Who knows the most about fishing these parts? Does the wind change direction in the afternoon?

I consider fishing gear survival tools and make no excuses about loving fishing when travelling remote. There will always be knockers and naysayers ready to sit in their rooms and complain about others going fishing. Life’s too short to give these people importance. When work is over get amongst it.

The chance to get out and enjoy the great outdoors is beckoning.

Listen to its call. •

↑ Around the Tip of Cape York.

↓ These redclaw came from a couple of pots in a remote lagoon.

GEN III

The Ultimate 115HP & 140HP Outboard Motor Range

Suzuki’s third generation 115hp & 140hp outboard motors boast more torque, quicker acceleration, and improved top speed thanks to revising the cylinder head and piston design and increasing the compression ratio to 10.6:1. The new cowling and semi-direct air intake greatly reduce intake noise resulting in quieter operation. Lean Burn fuel efficiency has also been significantly improved by as much as 10% across mid-range to high-end cruising speeds. Available in both Suzuki Precision Control (Drive-by-wire) and mechanical-drive variants and backed by Suzuki’s 3+3-year recreational warranty.

a thriller from Miller

from MillerJack is back

Aussie Moto GP phenom Jack Miller made another star-studded appearance at the ASBK final round in South Australia.

The thundering engines and fanfare of the Australian Superbike Championships rolled into The Bend Motorpark in South Australian to cap off its 2022 season.

But it was the roar of one particular bike – and its rider – that drew the most attention.

Once again, Australian Moto GP superstar Jack Miller made his return to Superbikes for the final round for a second year in a row.

And like 2021, he did it representing the Cat® brand in a highly visual way.

This year upped the ante in every regard, however, with Jack riding a singular all black and yellow Ducati Panigale V4 S, emblazoned with Cat decals.

“It’s awesome to have this sort of freedom and play around a bit with the bike, the leathers and what not to really make it how you want to envision it,” he said.

“We dipped our feet in the water last year a little bit, and this year it’s come up tops.

“It’s nice to be able to have that freedom to make it look cool, that’s a big part of it. It’s also about being proud of it too.”

For Caterpillar Marketing Manager Cameron Balzat, having the multi-year partnership with Jack take another step further like it did was fantastic to see. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase the Miller and Caterpillar partnership to our customers in a very different way,” Cameron said.

“We know many Cat owners are machinery enthusiasts, for one thing, but being enthusiasts, that translates over to motorsports, in any form.”

Jack’s ride for the Superbikes was well and truly one of a kind.

The bike rocks a hexagonal grill mesh detailing and a colour palette akin to other Cat machinery.

It even sports ‘JM43T’ – Jack’s team and

↑ Jack still managed to race competitively despite not being allowed to have some technical functions installed in his bike per Moto GP regulations.

number in the make/model design you’d find on other Cat machinery. It’s practically part of the fleet, except it can go about 200km/h faster.

“When we designed that bike in conjunction with Jack’s team, we wanted it to represent a Cat machine on the track,” Cameron said.

“Obviously, we don’t make two-wheeled bikes, but we wanted it to look like it came from our Cat factories, so to speak, even down to Cat Bolt-head decals to complete the impression of a Cat machine.”

TWO-WAY FANDOM

The partnership between Jack and Cat didn’t start like your typical sponsorship signing.

It was Jack’s love for Cat machinery that had him enquiring about buying some earthmovers for his property near Townsville.

“Jack approached Cat dealer Hastings Deering, wanting to buy a new machine,” Cameron said. “That started the discussions, he ended up buying a D3 dozer.

“He’s got that working on his property up at Townsville … a year later he bought a second Cat machine, a 259D3 Compact Track Loader”

When he’s not dominating the track for MotoGP or Superbikes, Jack’s roaming his land aboard his collection of Cat machines.

“I love having those machines there, if we do need to make some drastic changes then we get out the D3 and push around some serious dirt,” Jack added.

“It’s awesome to have that Cat machinery there to work with at home, it’s something I’ve dreamed of. It’s pretty hot up there, so that aircon definitely comes in handy.”

Cameron said this connection made the partnership all the more deeper and translated well in the pits and on the track.

“It’s not just Jack representing Cat, he owns our machines and he loves what they do for him and what his Cat dealer Hastings Deering does for him,” he said. →

1 Jack teamed up with Cat again in 2022 for the ASBK Championship final round, after doing the same in 2021.

2 Jack’s team consisted of childhood mates of his from Townsville.

MATE’S RATES

There was also something special about Jack’s pit crew during the weekend, with many of his mates from Townsville making the trek to lend a hand. This included Neil Roelofs, who brought plenty to the table having raced against Jack in motocross growing up.

He said things on the track were a little busier than when Jack raced last year in the Superbikes, with three other riders joining Jack’s team in 2022.

Neil was nonetheless loving every minute of being back amongst the madness for a long-time mate. “You’re only focusing on one bike, while others are focussed on their on bikes,” he said.

“Once you do something for the first time in the pits, you’re nervous. But the second time you do it, you’re good because you know where you stuffed up, and you can change it.”

There’s nothing quite like helping out a mate, especially when they happen to be a Moto GP sensation. Jack had Neil on back wheel patrol during pitstops, as well as being the lap time board holder during his practice laps.

He would flash the card for Jack at the end of his laps, with the top row indicating the fastest lap time and Jack’s position in the race.

“He’s got a dash on his bike that has his lap time, but if that’s not working I can put his time on the bottom row too,” Neil said.

“It lets him know when he’s got to pump it up a bit more and what not.”

THE RIGHT FIT

Like many of Jack’s mates, Neil is a tradie through and through.

The 32-year-old does fitting for Beltech Engineering, conducting fifo work between Townsville and the Northern Territory.

At the Top End he does plant fitting for Beltech, doing jobs that included fixing pipes, conveyors and filters among other plant infrastructure.

“In 2021, I quit my job old job then did the race here with Jack, before starting my new job for Beltech,” Neil said.

The fitting lifestyle fits Neil like a glove, he even wanders into the Townsville sites on his days off to clock in a few hours when needed.

“My old man is a fitter and we were always pulling my bike apart, putting it back together,” he said. Standing about 6’3, Neil said the fifo life could get cramped on regular flights, but overall he loved varied lifestyle.

“It’s not bad, I’m a taller bloke and my legs bump up against the seat in front of me, it’s better than driving,” he said.

Neil would return to Townsville to work on building his home, but for one weekend he was an integral Australian Superbikes crew member for team Miller.

“It’s great getting the call-up, it’s a hectic weekend but it’s fun. That’s what we looked for in this weekend: have a bit of seriousness but also have a bit of fun as well,” he concluded.•

↑ The Cat decal on the bike had Jack feeling like he was on the worksite!

↓ Jack certainly had his hands full against ASBK pros during the weekend.

DIG IN

So much to see at Diesel Dirt & Turf

There’s a lesson to be learned from our local restaurant strips and night spots. It’s no surprise people tend to gather where there’s a choice of bars, eateries and music venues.

People enjoy being in the company of others seeking similar experiences or sharing the fun. As well as the social aspect, this proximity enables quick comparisons of what is being offered.

It’s the same with industry events, expos and other occasions where competitive offerings are located in an easily accessible location. This concentration of choices makes it easy for visitors to check out all the options.

A one-stop shop

At the National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo (DDT) visitors can compare technology, equipment and services, and the buzz of mixing with like-minded people is a huge attraction of this major event.

Large crowds of people who come from the earthmoving, construction, grounds maintenance, safety, financial services, asset-management, transport and material-handling industries visit the expo to make informed purchasing decisions. When there are so many suppliers in the one place, it makes a lot of sense to visit Australia’s largest construction expo.

For contractors, trade suppliers, or those just wanting to know what equipment and productivity solutions are out there, the expo allows comparing the value of offerings at your own pace.

What type of companies exhibit at DDT?

Associate sponsor Pickles Auctions has been a major supporter of the event for many years and stages a huge Saturday afternoon auction which draws big crowds who eagerly snap up the lots on offer.

Another example is Delta Equipment, supplier of the Italian-made FEMAC S5 Hydraulic Skid Steer

↓ Whether it’s earthmoving equipment, trucks, other work vehicles or all the accessories that come with them, Diesel Dirt & Turf brings the goods.

Mulcher

Delta also has the Probst Round Pipe Grab RG75125 SAFELOCK attachment which allows large concrete pipes to be safely and efficiently moved, placed and set.

Norm Engineering is a foundation exhibitor and has seen successful growth through its presence. The Norm Engineering four-in-one bucket has been built to withstand tough local conditions. It will help to scoop and carry soil, with wide-opening jaws allowing easy dumping. The buckets have been designed with an extra heavy-duty flat floor, making them stronger, and easier to fill and empty, compared to the conventional tip floor design.

Every productivity solution

There are financial and insurance leaders such as Credit One Finance, Finlease Australia, SatisFinance, Shannons and AEI Insurance brokers on site, and the event is also well represented by exhibitors specialising in fleet management and maintenance, industry recruitment and specialised lubricants suppliers such as Anglomoil and Prolube.

Other exhibitors offer solutions in material handling, safety, equipment hire, equipment trailers, trucks and hydraulics, haul trucks and specialised road equipment. There are professional tools from suppliers such as Repco Commercial, and plenty of tyres, equipment tracks and surface protection, access platforms, couplers and tilt rotators. Adding to the list are agricultural and open-space management equipment, mowers, trenchers and slashers.

Expo Manager Marti Zivkovich said, “Sponsors like gold sponsor Komatsu, Earthmovers & Excavators and Trade Earthmovers magazine gold media sponsorship have played a major role in the development of the expo.

“Associate sponsors are Norm Engineering, Pickles, Earthmoving Equipment Magazine, XCMG, What-If and Record TIME.”•

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

The dates for the 2023 National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo are April 21 to 23. Entry is just $10.00 per adult and children under 16 are admitted free. To enquire, or to secure your exhibitor site, contact the Expo manager, Marti, on 0411 648 465, or apply online at dieseldirtandturf.com.au

↑ Diesel Dirt & Turf is back and ready for crowds to share in their love for construction equipment.

attachment designed for standard and high-flow skid steers and tracked loaders to clear firebreaks, brush, trails, road edges, park maintenance and tall vegetation.

BRIGHTSpark

Fourth Phase electrics upgrades with Isuzu.

Trading-up to a truck from a ute ‘makes life significantly easier’ for Fourth Phase Electrics Owner and Managing Director, Casey Landman.

Casey, who has been an electrical contractor for the best part of a decade, decided to expand Fourth Phase Electrics with a ute-to-truck upgrade. Casey selected an Isuzu NPR 45-155 AMT SWB Tradepack as it could accommodate the fourperson strong Fourth Phase Electrics team. Having driven a mate’s Isuzu truck in the past, Casey was aware of the reliability of the vehicles as well as the simplicity of piloting one.

“Before I got the truck, I’d drive one car to tow the excavator and I’d get one of my employees to drive another car towing a trailer full of gear,” Casey said. “Now I can tow my excavator and all the cables and conduits and stuff in the truck. I can fit three times as much and I’m not pushing my GVM limits.”

Based in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Fourth Phase Electrics provides industrial, commercial and residential electrical services throughout Victoria.

As well as the cost effectiveness of having one vehicle doing fewer trips, the intelligent safety features of the updated N Series were a drawcard for Casey, who travels an average of 700 kilometres a week on Melbourne’s busy roads.

Casey’s 2022 NPR comes with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), a network of active safety features that includes forward collision warning (FCW), the distance warning system (DWS) and lane departure warning (LDW).

The ease of use of the Fourth Phase Electrics crew was also front of mind when it came to customising the Tradepack, which Casey did with two large toolboxes fitted with adjustable cable holders, drawers and shelving.

“There’s also an extra battery, a fridge, an inverter and a microwave so I can actually have a nice warm lunch when working in rural areas and still have plenty of room to carry all the stuff we need,” he said.

Customising trucks this way really improves the work day, and with everything at Casey’s fingertips →

← Recognising his business

was on the rise, Casey Landman decided to make the move from a ute to a truck.

1 With features such as ADAS, LDW, DWS and an extra battery, Casey’s Isuzu NPR 45-155 AMT SWB Tradepack has made his day-to-day much more efficient.

2 Casey has big plans for the upcoming year, with more work with commercial clients in renewables on the agenda.

3 Having needed to pack all his equipment in a trailer previously, Casey was relieved to be able to fit his immense load of work essentials into the back of his NPR.

his NPR 45-155 is the tool shed, the transport, the lunchroom, the office – with nothing out of place or unaccounted for.

“It’s got built-in central locking and LED lighting as well.”

Toolboxes built on to trucks can create blind spots when not carefully planned, but the Tradepack range is designed to avoid this issue with split mirrors, which the NPR 45-155 sports, creating excellent visibility.

The versatility of the truck suits the wide variety of work that Casey and his team does, from rewiring rural airports to installing residential solar panels.

“One week I might have a pallet of solar panels on the back and the next week I’ll have half-a-dozen lengths of cable tray and half-atonne of thick cables on the back,” he said.

Featuring a GVM of 4500 kg and a GCM of 9000kg, the NPR also has towing capacity of 4500kg, which makes light work of Casey’s professional and recreational pursuits. It’s also a boon for the weekend task of renovating his house.

“Being able to carry timber and cement sheet and just general building materials is always handy,” he said.

Powered by Isuzu’s extremely popular fourcylinder 4HK1-TCN engine, the NPR has plenty of grunt at 114kW (155 horsepower) @ 2600 rpm and 419Nm of torque @ 1600pm – 2600rpm. The eyecatching wrap on the Fourth Phase Electrics Isuzu means Casey and his team are always behind the wheel of a mobile billboard, advertising wherever the team drives or parks. The future is sparkling for Fourth Phase Electrics, with Casey keen to do more work with commercial clients in the fields of renewable energy and the efficiencies that come with power factor correction.

The Fourth Phase Electrics team recently finished a power-factor correction installation at the True Foods manufacturing facility in Maryborough in the Central Goldfields of Victoria. After a site analysis, the team designed and installed an SVG unit in the food factory’s main switchboard. Casey estimated the work would lower the company’s power bill by $50,000 or more a year.

“It’s a decent investment but overall a very good return,” he said. “Typically, they pay themselves off in of 18 to 24 months.”

Casey is more than happy with his decision to upgrade from a ute to a truck. Another expansion of his business would see him skip a ute altogether and go straight for a truck designed for the work a tradie does.

The reliability and peace of mind of a light-duty truck like Isuzu’s N Series range means Casey won’t exceed the GCM and be overloaded, a worrying issue many tradies face when driving utes.

“I’d get the same model,” Casey concluded. “It works really well for Fourth Phase Electrics needs.”•

Sweet

connection

What do plumbing and starring in reality TV have in common?

They’re both about finding the right fit, as Tom Calleja discovered.

The 2022 The Block contestant never thought he’d become one of Australia’s more well-known plumbers, but being thrust into the limelight certainly changed that.

His first foray into tradie stardom took some getting used to, much like his journey to finding the right environment to pursue his love for plumbing, which started back in 2005 when Tom did year 10 work experience with a plumber.

“I asked him for an apprenticeship and he said, ‘mate, go back to school, finish year 12 and I’ll give you a job’,” Tom said. “Sure enough, he gave me a job and I stayed with him for five years before plumbing in London for a year.”

During his apprenticeship, Tom said the variety of work really appealed to him, and kept him invested in taking it up as a long-term career.

“I like the diversity of plumbing, I was lucky enough to do an apprenticeship that taught me everything there is to plumbing, whether it was hospitals from start to finish, high-end homes and roofing which is normally another apprenticeship,”

Tom explained. “I got a taste of everything and I liked that – as opposed to doing a roofing apprenticeship –I got to do all aspects of plumbing apart from cooling.

“You’re at a build from start to finish, so you can learn aspects of other trades too, and I think that was a key factor with us on The Block.”

Once he was back down under, Tom found himself working for a commercial outfit, but quickly found it wasn’t for him.

“I sorta got sick of just being a number on site and just having my skills go to waste, so I thought I’d go out and do my own thing,” he said.

For about a year and half, Tom operated his own service. However, he ran into a few blockages when it came to getting a home loan, so he decided to return to commercial work.

“The same thing happened. I just got sick of being a number. The commercial industry was so unstable and inconsistent,” Tom said.

“I thought I’d give being out on my own a red-hot crack again, and I haven’t looked back. It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made.”

Tom’s business – TRC Plumbing and Roofing –operates out of north-west Melbourne, and consists of himself as owner along with an apprentice and two subbies.

Tom from The Block talks plumbing and TV.

DYNAMIC DUO

Tom knew of The Block, but never really considered being on the show, despite his mates encouraging him to sign up.

“It never really appealed to me – the idea of working in crowded rooms with small timeframes with high pressure,” he said.

It was when Tom’s partner Sarah-Jane was looking to sign up for quiz show The Chase that the application for The Block presented itself.

“We saw the season would be set in Gisbourne. We love Gisbourne and have always wanted to move there for a few years – [so we thought] let’s give it a crack,” he said.

“I thought we had Buckley’s chance of getting on. We’re no different from the average Joe Bloggs person. We did the video at home and handed it in on the very last day…one thing led to another and we got called up to an interview, then we got called up to another interview and another. Then, a few months later we got called up to be on the show.”

While their time on the show provided plenty of challenges, Tom said he and Sarah-Jane had a blast.

The couple won a car one round, and Tom

1 Tom and Sarah-Jane have been married for about three years and together more than seven.

2 Loud, but loving, Tom and Sarah-Jane were one of the more lively couples on The Block last season.

3 The living room was one of Tom’s favourite areas to work on during the show, as it connected the whole house.

4 Tom operates TRC Plumbing which operates in Melbourne’s north west.

even found the demanding workload to be part of the fun more than anything.

“You get into this weird routine fuelled by adrenaline. Provided you have really good and happy tradies, you can keep a good and clean worksite,” he said.

“A lot on the show came easy to us. We never really hit a point where we were going to pull the pin or argued with the tradies.”

One highlight that had Tom feeling nostalgic was working with legendary tradie TV personality Scotty Cam, along with other Aussie personalities such as Shelley Craft.

“I grew up as a kid watching Scotty on Backyard Blitz so being able to have a beer with him was cool,” Tom said.

“The whole experience was awesome. We wouldn’t do it any different if we did it again.”

For now, Tom’s back at TRC Plumbing and Roofing and getting some rest from a hectic 2022, with plans to grow his business gradually heading into 2023. •

Repairs Heart

Dating-app tips for tradies.

February brings with it Valentine’s Day, which, for many, is a pain-in-the-arse reminder that some of us are sad and single once again.

Many will be doing the annual re-install of the dating apps in order to try and scurry for a special someone, but scoring a date can often be harder than balancing more than four drinks at the footy.

Whether you’re after that special someone, or swiping right for a good night, we have the tools to help you.

PICS

For dating apps such as Bumble, it’s always a case of the more pictures of you the merrier.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but having at least six pics ensures all those new additions to profiles (prompts, quizzes etc) have room to spread out. “The number one tip is to make sure the first photo is just you,” Bumble’s Asia Pacific Communications Director Lucille McCart said. “Save the group photos for further down your profile. No one likes playing the guessing game with group shots.

“Smiling photos also do better than a Zoolander pose or a mirror selfie.”

You heard right, folks: blue-steel pics at the gym mirror while randoms wait behind you to use the free weights ain’t gonna cut it.

The Tradie’s advice for blokes is to also avoid fishing photos at all costs.

We all love to fish, but there’s an overwhelming consensus among the e-dating community that pics of people throttling fish are a big turn off.

Other outdoors pics - like 4x4ing, camping or just chilling on a boat - are your friend here, because they convey the same message without the fish guts.

Take them to the next level by adding in pics of you with animals, especially dogs.

“Your photo selection will also tell a story about your personality, so use this as an opportunity to communicate your interests to your potential matches,” Lucille said.

ABOUT U

On Bumble, women have to make the first move. That may seem a godsend for many shy lads out there, but they’re not going to message you if you have nothing interesting to prompt them.

“Keep it positive and humorous and you can’t go wrong,” said Lucille. “Focus on what you are looking for rather than what you aren’t. For example, ‘looking for something meaningful’ will be better understood than, ‘if you aren’t looking for commitment, keep swiping’.

The Tradie thinks something like ‘not here to f*** spiders’ can be a bit too confrontational for most swipers as well, and is such a basic bio. Mentioning you’re a tradie, and what kind of work you do, might be as popular as ever. The continued rise of the ‘trendy tradie’ is finally getting the credit it’s due in the dating world.

“It’s also a good idea to include details that can help your potential matches understand what you might have in common – like taste in music, passion for travel or a favourite movie,” Lucille said.

“If you find it really hard to talk about yourself, it can be a fun idea to ask a trusted friend to write one for you.”

Good luck and happy swiping, tradies! Our fingers are crossed for you for a successful Valentine’s Day and beyond.•

↑ Dating apps can be stressful, but one of the most important steps is keeping positive.

DOTS Connect the

Optimising your field service workflow.

Workflow optimisation. It’s a phrase thrown around regularly in businesses, especially in those that rely on a structured process of jobs to be completed by multiple people. But take away the smooth business speak and what does it actually mean?

Imagine each part of your business is represented by a domino – the lines of communications, customer leads, jobs –everything. If one of those parts of your business is not working as it should, that domino will wobble. If you leave it too long, it’s going to topple over, and in turn, impact every other part of your business. That’s why having smooth and efficient business processes is key.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR FIELDWORK?

The first step in optimising field-service workflows is to take an audit of what you already have and how it’s working, and then identify how it can be improved. While doing this, it’s important to make sure you don’t miss any software, paper processes, or spreadsheets you use. This audit can easily be done by mapping your workflows from customer interaction to final payment.

BENEFITS OF AUTOMATING YOUR FIELD WORKFLOW

Better customer service

Keep the customers happy! That’s the main aim of the game! Not only do customers need to have a great experience while you’re on site with

them, they also need to be kept informed of any changes or updates before or after the job. While this may seem easy, it’s something that can be forgotten in the busy world of a trade business. Automation can help you quickly follow up on new leads, track communication details so you’re always in the know and send texts to keep customers informed.

Automate scheduling and dispatching

Juggling jobs and schedules shouldn’t be a headache these days! Whether it’s a simple break-fix job or a mammoth project, a lot of data, customer information and business processes need to be considered. The good news is software takes the juggling act out of scheduling and can often automate the different processes that go into creating job orders and getting staff on-site as soon as possible.

Faster invoice processing

Invoicing doesn’t just have to happen in the office. Using automated software and an app in the field, your staff can track time on the job, equipment and stock used, all while they’re on site. They can also invoice and collect payment while they’re there. Additionally, most software can support the management of recurring maintenance schedules and even set up automatic recurring invoices, eliminating the need to manually create new paperwork every time a maintenance check occurs. Simple!•

Ready to make your days less hectic, more organised and have that time to grow your business?

Chat with us today at simprogroup.com/au/contact-us about your options with simPRO.

↑ The team at simPRO can help optimise your business to give you and your clients the best experience.

The smart CHOICE

Why Aussie tradies might consider business insurance.

From customers to suppliers, you’re meeting people every day, and with that interaction comes the risk an accident could happen. All it takes is a misplaced tool for someone to trip over or a hammer slipping through your hands and falling on some delicate tiles, and you could be faced with a costly claim against you. But it’s not going to happen to you, right? You know your trade like the back of your hand and accidents are for amateurs. But what the following example shows is that it does happen to Aussie tradies like you, and it’s crucial to have tradie insurance in place when it does.

A tradie was tasked with changing a hotwater storage tank to two external heaters and then reconnecting to the existing

pipework*. After the job, a weld on the copper line developed a drip. The dripping water leaked onto the ceiling of the entertainment room below causing damage. Thankfully, they had Public Liability insurance*, designed to protect tradies against claims resulting from third-party injury or property damage due to your negligent business activities. The insurer paid $4972 for repair costs and the tradie went on to trade for another day. This is a good news story. An accident happened and the tradie remained in business due to having the right protections. But imagine how the story might’ve ended if they hadn’t sorted out their business insurance?

Don’t wait any longer. BizCover provides a stress-free experience when it comes to getting your business insurance sorted.•

It only takes a couple of minutes, so give BizCover a burl. Visit bizcover.com.au to compare quotes from a whole toolbox of tradie insurance options.

← Tradies need to be prepared for anything, and that includes appropriate insurance.

*This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. The provision of the claims examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be seen as an indication as to how any potential claim will be assessed or accepted. Coverage for claims on the policy will be determined by the insurer, not BizCover, and will depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. © 2022 BizCover Pty Limited, all rights reserved. ABN 68 127 707 975; AFSL 501769

Cash flowtips

Keeping the green in your pockets.

The year is well and truly in full swing and keeping on top of your financials is starting to become more complicated by the day.

Monitoring your expenses, from supply chains to payroll, can be a headache at times.

Whether it’s financial lightwork or heavy lifting, the team at Oracle Accounting has you covered.

For tradies who’d rather be out on the tools rather than crunching the numbers, Oracle Accounting can help with a number of areas including bookkeeping, tax planning, asset protection and other business advice to help your operation run as smoothly as possible.

Oracle Accounting can provide specialised services to help improve your business, including specific tips to benefit cashflow.

There’s plenty of cash to be saved through invoicing, and below are some tips from Oracle Accounting on how you might do this:

Many tradies are so busy doing the work that their customers want done, that they forget or don’t make time to send the customer a bill.

If not already done, tradies need to get into the cloud and get a good cloud accounting software like Xero which will allow invoicing as soon as jobs are completed.

Using the cloud means keeping an audit trail of transactions; this is helpful if emails need to be sent to delinquent accounts or to a collection agency.

In Xero, automatic reminders can be sent for invoices that remain unpaid.

Prompt invoice = prompt payment. Time needs to be set aside to invoice; it should be as soon as the job is done.

Ditch paper - paper invoices get lost. Paper invoices create excuses for slow payers.

• Take payment on the day by offering multiple payment options, such as EFT, Credit Card, BPay, Stripe, eWAY, Afterpay, PayID, etc.

•

For more information on Oracle Accounting and its services, visit www.oracleaccounting.com.au

HARD AS

Cement Australia’s Brickies’ Own Concentrated Mortar Plasticiser

BRAND

Cement Australia

Cement Australia Brickies’

Cement Australia has created Brickies’ Own (an engineered, multi surfactant system) to improve the flexibility and durability of in mortar and render mixes, which in the Australian summer heat is a huge bonus - a time and money saver. Brickies’ Own adds significant longevity and strength to mixes while reducing the weakening effects of thermal expansion and contraction. With 1L of brickies own making up 20L of ready to use product, which lasts up to 12 months. Or you can simply add water to the concentrate as we have today in our testing. Being PH neutral makes it safe to handle as opposed to some other products on the market.

In a nutshell this Australian made product helps mortar mixes last longer before needing to have a little water added, which can weaken a mix. It can also prevent a mix being thrown out for starting to go off while sitting for too long in the heat.

While other plasticiser products come in a powder-based form, Cement Australia’s Brickies’ Own comes in a liquid, making it easier to measure and dilute. Once mixed the product lasts up to 12 months and reduces the risk of dust and powder inhalation of other products.

We teamed up with carpenter Pat Jacobs, who is working with Mitch Smith on a great job at North Curl Curl, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where a pile of stone and timber work finish a project.

↑ (top) The team from Mitch Smith Building has done a stunning job.

↑ Between its ease of use and strength, Pat had a blast using the Brickies’ Own Concentrated Mortar Plasticiser.

EASE OF USE

The product has been designed with ease-of-use in mind and is as simple as diluting one litre of Brickies’ Own with 19 litres of clean water in a clean container of at least 20-litre capacity and mixing well.

Then all that’s required is to mix 12ml-25ml of the diluted Brickies’ Own mix to 20kg of cement in a typical M3 mortar mix and allowing it to mix as normal. The Brickies’ Own will make the mix easier to use as its air-entraining properties will increase the smoothness of the mix while adding strength, adhesion, and workability to the mortar.

Pat shared, “The Brickies’ Own is a great product. It’s easy to mix and use and brings out the best in mortar and render mixes. It produces fluffy mixes which last longer with reduced shrinkage”.

Own unique concentrated formula brings out the best qualities in any sand/cement and sand/lime/cement mixes.

u Use in both sand/cement and sand/lime/ cement mixes

u Improves flexibility and durability

u Reduces cracking and thermal effects

WORKABILITY AND STRENGTH

“Anyone who has worked with mortar in the heat of summer and frosts of winter knows the challenges that environmental conditions can have on the quality and longevity of a mix.,” said Pat. “So it was very apt we tested our Brickies’ Own with our Cement Australia General Purpose Cement in the heat of a January sun.”

The resulting mix looked great, right from the initial mix, and its improved workability and strength was evident straight away. It created a very good, fluffy mix which really impressed with the way it lasted in the heat, which will suit both tradies working alone, – because they won’t have to worry as much about how long the mix is going to last – as well as being

1 Clear amber-coloured liquid is easier to measure.

2 Pat enjoying a fluffier mix with improved smoothness and strength.

3 Perfect for laying bricks, blocks, render or any mortar applications.

smooth and great to work with for teams looking to lay as many bricks as possible in a single day.

In our testing we were laying sandstone flagging around a home and BBQ area. We needed the strength of the mix as it will be a high-traffic area, and the Brickies’ Own delivered.

THE WRAP UP

The quality of this product, as well as the added safety features of being a liquid as opposed to a breathable dust or powder, is a big box to tick, and any tradie will more than appreciate the improved qualities of their mix when using this product, particularly in the summer heat and winter frosts.•

LOCKit in

Gainsborough’s Quick Fix Avant door handles

Gainsborough door handles, deadbolts and door locks are designed to suit the needs of everyday Australians. This includes Gainsborough’s QuickFix (time-saving installation technology) and its 15- year mechanical warranty.

QuickFix technology has been cleverly engineered to simplify the installation of door hardware by reducing the number of parts required for assembly. It also simplifies the mechanism for installation, a massive feature for both DIYers and professional installers like Wade Lazich from Laz Doors.

The Avant range consists of thoughtfully designed levers combined with premium on-trend finishes and includes three stylish designs and five finishes: Satin Brass, Brushed Satin Chrome, Bright Chrome, Satin Graphite and Matt Black, options which ensure the range suites a wide variety of interior-design styles for both locking and nonlocking internal doors. The three styles include: the Alba Lever, which is a straight, slimline profile with rounded edges which slightly softens its look; the Rivera Lever, a more modern design which meets more practical solutions and has an ergonomic finger cutout for unparalleled comfort; and lastly, the Sierra Lever features a front-profile taper and wide surface, which makes it comfortable to use while creating a contemporary look with a designer feel.

BRAND Gainsborough

EASE OF INSTALLATION

Each box holds the lever of choice, one latch, along with the template and instructions.

The template is easy to follow for both experienced tradies and DIYers. Watching our pro door-installer Wade prepare the door for the furniture installations was smooth and effortless. After marking out the required elements and drilling out areas for both the latch and face of the door to house the QuickFix furniture, a bit of quick chisel work had Wade fitting the preinstalled studs and screws. The QuickFix bezel simply rotates to lock the lever in place and is then covered by the rose cover once the screws have been tightened.

“Essentially, if you are replacing door levers, you can be done in less than a minute if the tasks of latch and strike installation has already been completed,” jambed Wade.

LOOK AND FEEL

The completed Alba lever installation looks impressive and sets the scene for a clean, modern presentation with its elegant thin profile. It creates a modern look which will perfectly suit most

minimalist interior designs. The lever and rose are constructed out of high-purity zinc alloy, and the optional ‘passage’, non-locking function means it can be used throughout the home in areas such as living or bedrooms.

THE WRAP UP

Built for speed, Gainsborough’s latest QuickFix technology revolutionises the fixing mechanism, allowing for significantly faster hardware installations with reduced costs and labour time – all while adding stylish design and premium quality. With solid, high-quality construction and built for timber doors with a 60mm backset, it’s not surprising Gainsborough was a Good Design Award winner in 2019 for its Outstanding Design and Innovation.

The inclusion of five on-trend finishes is a perfect final touch for any home.

The Gainsborough website – gainsboroughhardware. com.au – has plenty of additional info available on QuickFix technology, as well as a vast collection of other products, including electrical and mechanical access control solutions.•

u Built for speed of installation

u 15-year mechanical warranty

u Trusted for over 50 years

1 Wade from Laz Doors was more than impressed with the speed of the QuikFix technology.

2 Wade installing the latch after chiselling out the recess.

3 With a simple twist while tightening the screws your lever is locked in place in 30 seconds.

4 The Avant Range has some fantastic style options.

On-trend style

Lightweight safety

SAFE and SOUND

Blundstone’s ROTOFLEX #8561

UNISEX Black Safety Boots

Turning up to clients’ homes and worksites looking sharp in your work outfit while being protected from head to toe is very important for most trades. Blundstone’s black Rotoflex® #8561 Safety boot not only adds to your safety while working but adds a look of professionalism and a feel of absolute stability and comfort.

Many tradies, such as plumbers and sparkies, prefer a consistent, uniform-style look-these 150mm black water-resistant, leather-upper safety boots definitely deliver.

With metal-free, unique, seven-eyelet lace-up, friction-resistant lace rings, and laces made from PPE, these boots are jam-packed with technology and features to ensure your feet feel fresh and have remain safe and protected across your day’s work activities.

Blundstone has been working tirelessly to develop awesome new features, like its new Griptek® Sole (optimum grip and comfort),

BRAND Blundstone

Composite toe

↑ The RotoFlex #8561 features some of Blundstone’s best, cutting-edge technology, including Fortalite, Softcell, Aircell and a Griptek sole.

← Pete the Speedy Sparky gave the 8561s the big thumbs up.

u Griptek sole

u Aircell

u Fortalite

u Softcell

u Infinergy

Aircell (airflow footbed), Fortalite® (compressionresistant composite safety toe cap), Softcell® (comfort system) and Infinergy® an E-TPU super elastic energy foam by BASF. It’s safe to say there’s been no lazing around for the R&D team at Blundstone. The boots are biomechanically engineered for all-day comfort and safety for busy tradies on the go. The black #8561 is airportfriendly due to its lightweight Fortalite composite toe, which provides long-lasting protection when and where it counts.

Our sparky putting the ROTOFLEX #8561 150mm UNISEX Safety Boots through their paces is Pete Lamb, the Speedy Sparky.

TEST #1 STABILITY, COMFORT AND WEARABILITY

Electricians like Pete will appreciate all of the features, but in particular the Griptek HD biomechanically designed TPU outsole. As well as being designed for optimum grip and stability, it’s abrasion-resistant and heat-resistant to 140°C. It’s highly resistant to hydrolysis and microbial attack, and it’s oil, acid and organic-fat resistant.

Catching up with Pete after he had settled into

the #8561’s he shared, “It’s been great coming back to the Blundstones as I’ve owned several pairs over the years.

“In recent times I’ve tried several other types of boots, but after pulling these new Rotoflex’s on and wearing these boots over the last week or so, I have to say the stability, comfort and wearability are all excellent. Worksites are often challenging environments with rain, mud, materials on the ground and sometimes excavations being undertaken. I felt completely sure-footed and steady in these boots, and at the end of the day my feet still felt relaxed and comfortable.”

TEST #2 SAFETY & PROTECTION

Achieving comfort while offering premium protection can be a hard balancing act, but Blundstone seems to have nailed that combo in these #8561s. With the Fortalite composite toe offering up to 200 joules of impact protection, as well as the support and padding that keeps ankles from rolling and feeling strong and supported on uneven ground.

Pete told us, “There are some excellent things happening in the boot when it comes to the cushioning and impact resistance of the inner sole. It’s soft under my foot, but it also feels cradled and well balanced.”

It’s the combination of E-TPU material called ‘Infinergy’, a super-elastic energy foam, along with another technology called ‘Softcell’ which is the overarching comfort system Pete was experiencing, and that delivered the impressive comfort, balance, stability and manoeuvrability.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

For tradies looking to impress their feet as much as their customers when they arrive on site looking ultra-sharp, and for that extra level of professionalism, comfort and safety, you can’t go past the ROTOFLEX #8561 UNISEX 150mm Black Safety Boots. •

1 Even the worksite dog, Baloo, knew the Blundstones were too good to chew.

2 Sparky Pete experienced excellent comfort in a range of positions.

3 It was all smiles with the comfort and stability offered by Blundstone’s Rotoflex 8561s.

DEEP

HEAT

BOC’s EWM Tetrix XQ 230 puls VRD TIG welder

BOC’s EWM Tetrix XQ puls VRD has state-of-the-art technology

The EWM Tetrix XQ 230 is small enough to work as a portable machine but functions equally as well in workshop setups. It’s been designed to make life as easy as possible for assembly work, repairs or maintenance, and is ideal for a wide range of welding applications and materials. It has a long duty cycle with welding currents up to 230A from single-phase 230V mains to enable uninterrupted welding, even with peak power grids, long leads or when using a generator.

The new seven-inch colour display has been set up for intuitive use, which makes setting parameters easier than ever, allowing welding tasks to be individually programmed and accessed again any time.

WHAT COMES IN THE BOX?

You can take the EWM Tetrix XQ 230 puls VRD anywhere. The package comes with a TIG torch, gas hose, regulator and work return lead. There is an additional cooling unit (Cool XQ 40) available as an optional extra, which would suit workshop configurations. Also optional is a RTF1 foot control pedal and trolley (purchased separately). The unit also comes with an ergonomic and robust casing for those tough jobs, plus an inbuilt voltage reduction device (VRD) that is fully Australian Standards-compliant to AS 1674-2 Category

that has significantly improved user-friendliness and helps achieve optimal welding results with near-perfect weld seams – regardless of whether you prefer to use manual or automatic settings.

BRAND EWM

VARIOUS SWAT APPLICATIONS

James had several detailed projects on the go and was able to put the EWM unit, with its new, userfriendly control panel and variety of pulse settings, to some serious work.

With the choice of average-value pulsing, thermal pulsing, automatic pulsing and AC special pulsing all on offer, Jimmy had some sheet-metal welding and a marine bow rail all set up and ready. Each job required a strong, yet controlled and precise, finish, and the machine’s performance was spectacular.

“The great thing about this welder is its ability to produce precise and controlled welds through all ranges of thick and thin-gauge material,” TIGged James. “This allows us to cover all exotic metals as we find ourselves working across marine, architectural, structural fabrication and engineering jobs. This machine has the ability for us to easily switch between AC and DC modes, with a wide variety of pulse functions allowing us to easily

complete the complex tasks involved with welding.

“I found the digital interface really engaging and very user friendly for switching between all the functions this machine has to offer. We’re constantly switching between different metals, and this machine (with its portability and singlephase capabilities) is the perfect solution for our workshop and worksites.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY

The EWM Tetrix XQ 230 puls VRD will suit users of mixed skill levels, thanks to its state-of-the-art technology, including a variety of pulse versions available and less work required for repetitive tack welding with its Spotmatic function. But it will be its ability to deliver precise and detailed work on a wide range of metals that will suit many users.

BOC ‘s conditional three-year warranty is great to see, and EWM XQ series machines are Xnet ready for Welding 4.0. All you need is your gateway license and software. •

For more information go to www.boc.com.au or www.boc.co.nz

1 The EWM Tetrix XQ 230 has a wide range of applications and provides peak convenience for users.

2 The intuitive seven-inch colour display is where you will find the state-of-theart technologies.

3 A portable yet powerful machine which also produces precise and detailed welds.

4 All smiles after enjoying the improved ease of use of the EWM Tetrix XQ 230 Puls VRD.

5 James from SWAT Fabrications is renowned for amazing marine work. It’s an area in which EWM excels.

C Environment. James Sullman from SWAT Fabrications offered to give the XQ 230 a run for us, and reminded us he’s a big fan of the EWM range for marine and general fabrication projects.

SharpWORK

Warren & Brown Tools’ Chisel Impact Scraper Range

Warren & Brown has produced an impressive range of stainless-steel Chisel Impact Scrapers for the removal of mixed debris from a range of material. The strong, thick blades are designed for easy use, either held in your hand or by using a hammer or mallet on the metal strike cap.

The scraper is often a multipurpose product suited to a wide range of applications, and the Warren & Brown Chisel Impact Scrapers are a heavier built chisel scraper than your traditional scraper which usually have a thinner blade. The W&B chisel scrapers sport a thicker, 2.5mm stainless blade that, as the name suggests, lends itself to heavy-duty chisel style applications as well as scraping.

The ergonomic handle and grip have been well-designed to fit comfortably into the hand for

a wide range of varied uses. The inclusion of bent blades offers great leverage for the removal of trims, sheeting and flooring.

While the blade edge doesn’t sport an ultrasharp edge like a traditional chisel, it still operates well in scraping applications involving the removal of glues, sealants, fillers and adhesives. The thicker blades also lend themselves to the clean up and removal of plasters, cement renders and concrete, and it’s for these types of applications the strike cap has been added.

BRAND

Warren & Brown Tools

↓ Warren and Brown has an impressive range of chisels.

For our testing we caught up with carpenter Beau Ireland from LVD Builders. Beau was nice enough to come in while on holidays and put the Warren & Brown Impact Chisels through their paces.

TEST #1 SCRAPING

We grabbed a handful of sealants, glues and fillers to test the scraping prowess of the Chisel Scrapers.

After allowing 24 hours for the materials to dry, Beau started ripping into the test material with impressive results.

“Even though these are made for heavier-duty applications,” said Beau, “we still wanted to test the scraping abilities on glues and even flaking paint. And it’s done a great job.

“We’ve tested it on both hard and soft glues and fillers. The blades ripped through the harddrying fillers, shattering them into submission as it lifted and separated them from our test timber, while the sealants and glues were sliced through in one cleanly cut piece.”

TEST #2 REMOVING CEMENT AND PLASTER

For this more chiselling-style use we swung into a friend’s build that had been sheeted and set, but not finished or cleaned up. There was still plenty of dried plaster on the concrete slab, as well as lumps of dried concrete that had been spilled in some places.

Armed with a collection of the chisel scrapers, Beau used his hammer and a mallet to clean the dried spillages up off the floor and surrounds.

“These W&B Chisel Scrapers feel strong and sturdy when giving them a knock with the hammer,” he thundered. “The dried plaster popped up straight away, but as you would expect from the dried cement, I had to give it a good tap to break it up from the slab. But I think it’s this type of heavier-duty use where these chisel scrapers really come into their own.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY Warren & Brown has designed a good multipurpose product. You can feel the strength and quality of the build and materials used. The stainless-steel 2.5mm blades will last and do a great job at cleaning up a wide range of mixed debris.•

1 Beau found the W&B impact chisels perfect for removing trim and other similar uses.

2 The quality stainless-steel blade and ergonomic handle combine for great control.

3 The metal strike end cap allows for use with mallets and hammers.

4 A very handy bag for chisels and plenty of other hand tools.

CHARGED FULLY

DEWALT’s 18V POWERSTACK XR Brushless Twin Kit

BRAND DEWALT

1 With big increases across the board, the DEWALT 18V POWERSTACK XR Brushless Twin Kit packs a punch!

2 DEWALT’s new 18V POWERSTACK battery system produces 2x the power, runtime and lifespan than its previous 5Ah battery (DCD184).

3 Let the timber fly. DEWALT’s DCD805 Hammer Drill showing off its 90Nm of torque.

4 Beau was loving the extra power of the DCF850 Impact Driver, DEWALT’s most powerful Impact Driver to date.

Never has a 18V XR Brushless Twin Kit produced so much power and runtime, thanks to the ground-breaking 5Ah POWERSTACK battery technology. Producing up to 50% more power, and up to 50% more work, per charge, allowing DEWALT’s DCF850 Impact Driver (205Nm torque) and DCD805 Hammer Drill Driver (up to 90Nm of torque) to reach new levels of performance.

DEWALT users are going to be extremely happy with the improved benefits and performance the 5Ah 18V POWERSTACK battery system brings to both this new offering and all their other existing 18V XR tools. Tradies working off other platforms will be forced to sit up and pay attention to the results being achieved by DEWALT’s use of POWERSTACK battery technology through revolutionary Pouch Cell Technology. Being specifically designed for pros in the construction industry, and being the most powerful offering in its battery line up, DEWALT’s 5Ah not only delivers more power and more work per charge, it has up to 2X the lifespan when compared to DEWALT’s own DCB184 battery 18V 5Ah XR Li-Ion battery.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

As impressive as the POWERSTACK battery system is, the twin kit comes with two impressive tools. The first is the DCF850 Impact Driver – DEWALT’s most compact and powerful 18V impact driver ever, offering three modes and weighing in at 0.9kg without the battery).

Also included is the DCD805 Hammer Drill Driver, delivering up to 90Nm of torque in a compact, 177mm body, and offering two speed settings and 15 torque settings for complete control. A 4-amp charger and two 5AH POWERSTACK batteries are housed in the TSTAK kit box, a durable and compatible carrier compatible with all products in the TSTAK range.

5 The DEWALT hammer drill made short work of hole sawing into the ceramic tile.

Carpenter Beau Ireland from LVD Builders jumped onboard to help with this review, and being a DEWALT man through and through, he was the perfect tradie for the review.

It’s mind boggling to hold the DCF850 Impact Driver in the hand, and to know all that power comes from such a compact tool. But a squeeze of the wellplaced and comfortable trigger soon exposes the epic power of this very impressive equipment from DEWALT. Beau drove various sized screws into a range of materials, from a temporary constructed pine staircase to hardwood decking and a concrete slab, to test the tool and its power really shone through.

“It simply didn’t miss a beat,” Beau, blurted. “The comfort of the grip and ergonomics were perfect, which is important to ensure control when working with a more powerful tool.

Next up was the DCD805 Hammer Drill, which again, with its substantial power, made drilling into our test materials effortless. Hardwoods, metal, and masonry all produced clean and crisp test holes across our range of testing. You could hear the motor was showing zero signs of strain, and the batteries were still showing a full three bars after an hour of drilling and fixing.

“I have to say this gear was fantastic across our testing,” drilled Beau. “The jump up in power and performance of these two units is pretty epic.”

u 5Ah POWERSTACK produces up to 50% more power and efficiency

u POWERSTACK has up to 2x lifespan

u Durable design

THE WRAP UP

It’s awesome to see DEWALT building on ground-breaking pouch-cell technology with the inclusion of this 5Ah battery. Attached to these two tools it impressed even the most critical tradies. The significant increases in power and the amount of charge will increase efficiency and reduce downtime, while the added lifespan further provides more overall investment value.

When all these things are combined they mean more profitability, and that’s all any business owner and tradie are looking for from any tool. •

Bosch Expert Accessories Range

For tradies looking to get the best out of any tool, a Bosch Expert blade or bit, is an absolute necessity for premium performance. Which is why we are stoked to see that the team at Bosch Power Tools & Accessories has produced an “EXPERT” range of accessories which can mix it with best tools in the market.

For talented tradies looking for a selection of quality accessories, there’s limitless potential with this range that includes:

• SDS max-8X drill bits

• SDS plus-7X drill bits

• EXPERT SelfCut Speed Spade Bits

• EXPERT Hex-9 HardCeramic bits

• EXPERT Hex-9 MultiConstruction Bits

• EXPERT Hole Saw (and Hole Saw Systems)

• EXPERT Recip Saw Blades

• EXPERT Jig Saw Blades

• EXPERT Starlock and, last but not least

• EXPERT Diamond Multi-Material Cutting Disc.

On the drilling front, the Bosch Expert SDS max-8X and SDS plus-7X drill bits have been designed for high-stress and heat resistance, with long-lasting welded bonding between the steel body and the carbide head of the drill bit. Welded bonding is always more resistant than a brazed bonding, which is what you want when drilling into concrete and rebar.

Using Bosch Carbide Technology, made for professionals who need to process some of the toughest materials daily, the Bosch SDS range offers hammer-drill bits with full carbide-head technology from 3.5mm (SDS-plus) up to 32mm (SDS-max) we figured this would be a pretty good place to start our testing.

BRAND Bosch Accessories

u Significantly increased lifespan

u Bosch Carbide Technology

u Save time and effort

u Improved efficiency and productivity

TEST #1 EXPERT SDS PLUS-7X HAMMER BIT

Our test site had a large section of an old ground slab which was due to ripped up and made the perfect test slab due to its thickness, hardness and being loaded with rebar.

The 16mm bit with 4 cutter head was slicing into the slab with ease and it took a couple of goes before we hit the rebar in the slab. The bit spun in place for no more than 10-15 seconds before it had sliced through the steel and finished the hole. After picking up numerous sections of rebar in our test drilling, the 16mm SDS Plus Expert Drill bit was still sharp and powering along. Bosch is claiming up to 3x longer life due to its exceptionally durable carbide drill-bit tip with 4-cutter head, and after experiencing it firsthand, I don’t doubt this claim at all. The 90-degree pyramid tip also makes for precision placement and accuracy.

TEST #2 RECIPRO AND HOLE SAW

Next in line for testing was the Expert Wood with Metal Demolition Recipro Blade. We sliced through nail-embedded timber with ease, and the teeth still looked and felt sharp and in perfect condition after our two-dozen or so cuts. The tapered tip reached deeper into tight spaces producing easy-to-control, clean cuts. Bosch have

produced this blade to take cutting through nail embedded timber in its stride.Last on our to-test list was the Expert Tough Material Hole Saw and Fast Arbor.

This combo was exceptional in terms of both the quality of the cuts as well as the ease and speed of the Arbor. The excellent design made removing the plug very easy, and produced great results with the Bosch Carbide Technology, with the individual teeth being made from fine, superhard carbide. You will feel and see the improved cutting performance of this hole saw.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY Bosch has pulled out all the stops to produce amazing results by going above and beyond with its application of carbide in the manufacturing processes, and even though you may pay a little more initially when purchasing accessories of this quality, you will end up coming out miles in front due to the increased lifespan of these carbide loaded accessories. •

Learn More: www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/ knowledge-innovation/the-best-your-toolcan-get/

1 The Bosch Accessories range covers a wide range of industries, while maintaining the highest quality throughout.

2 The recipro blade didn’t show any signs of slowing down, even after plenty of testing.

3 The Bosch Accessories range covers a wide range of industries, while maintaining the highest quality throughout.

4 The SDS plus-7X Hammer Bit had little trouble getting through concrete with its full carbide head.

ST240+ RCD Socket Tester

Features

Fast visual identification of 6 wiring conditions

The ST240+ has three bright, easy-to-see LED indicators.This lets you see,at a glance, one of six wiring scenarios:

• Correct installation

• Earth fault

• Neutral fault

• Live fault

• Live & neutral reversed

• Live & earth reversed

RCD OUTLETS

With an integrated RCD test, you can feel secure knowing that your RCD equipped outlets are functioning properly

KNOW MORE, FASTER

With the handy chart, quickly identify one of six wiring conditions for the outlet

HEAR THE RESULTS

The audible beeper lets you know anytime voltage is detected

FULL STOP

Bocar Nudge Bars: Protection Where it Matters Most.

Whether you’re a tiler, plumber, chippie, sparky or any other tradie for that matter, there’s nothing more important than a reliable, high-performing workhorse that can get you and your gear to and from the jobsite with ease.

However, no matter how careful and cautious you might be on or off-road, minor collisions, accidents and even animal strikes can occur when you least expect it. And the result can range from minor dents, scratches and a damaged front bumper to a completely inoperable, written-off ute.

The best way to avoid potential damage is with a Bocar Nudge Bar.

For years, Bocar has been providing tradies all across Australia with the protection and safety they need to ensure the backbone of their profession can withstand anything.

With a habit for setting new benchmarks for the industry, Bocar has done it again, building on its impressive nudgebar range with the newly released Deluxe & Ultimate Series Low Loop Nudge Bars. Easily bolting directly to your vehicle’s chassis, the second you fit one of these nudge bars to your rig you’re met with one of the strongest, most durable and functional nudge bars on the market today.

And it’s largely thanks to its innovative design on full display.

Aussie product

Constructed from a tough yet lightweight ø76mm alloy tube, perfect if you’re conscious about not adding too much weight to your vehicle, it packs a serious punch with impressive impact strength, virtually eliminating dents and scratches from

occurring in the first place.

These Australian-designed and engineered nudge bars have also been rigorously tested in the harshest environments found in the Outback, easily meeting ADR compliance and both series are air-bag compatible for instant peace of mind.

On top of next-level protection is the multitude of customisation and accessory options available, thanks to built-in accessory tabs for helpful auxiliary lighting, and number plate repositioning mounts to remain compliant on the road.

Style? It’s got that in spades.

The sophisticated matt-black aesthetic hides the seriously tough alloy-tube body, while a vehicle-specific mounting system positions itself perfectly to ensure badge, lights and more continue to impress and turn heads.

However, positioning itself firmly in a class of its own is the Ultimate Series.

Reinforced with an additional lower-level crossbar for extra strength, this low-loop nudge bar makes carrying timber, piping or ladders almost effortless, thanks to additional mounting holes up top that allow you to add an H-Rack to your ute in seconds.

And the best part, this 50kg-load-capacity-rated H-Rack is easy to remove and reinstall whenever you need to carry more to get the job done quicker.

Whether you’re building homes in Townsville or installing hot water systems across Victoria, no matter the job, no matter the worksite, you can’t be without the ultimate protection and safety offered by the Deluxe & Ultimate Series Low Loop Nudge Bars.•

→ The Bocar Nudge Bar provides your ute with the protection it needs on the worksite.

Firing Up

Boost your sales with Hot Devil!

If you hadn’t already heard, Hot Devil has the hottest blow torches in town. And the latest addition to its arsenal, the all new HD033 Trade Map Twin Turbo Torch Kit is no exception! As the name suggests, this torch kit features twin turbo burner tubes, with a heat transfer rate around 25% faster than other leading turbo blow torches! This great feature gives you the ability to braze, silver solder, pre-heat metals for welding and complete other high-heat based work, in a fraction of the time it would take with even a leading turbo blow torch.

But the market-leading features don’t end there. This great new blow torch can be used with both burner tubes, or just one burner tube by simply adjusting the secondary burner tube valve! It’s that easy! And with a swivel burner tube and solid brass fittings, the list of features is seemingly endless!!

To support the launch of this exciting new product, the team at Hot Devil will be promoting the HD033 Trade Map Twin Turbo Torch Kit in various consumer magazines, as well as a national online marketing campaign and social media promotions including influencer reviews & recommendations.•

Don’t get left behind, to find out how you can get involved with the launch of this hot new product from Hot Devil, get in touch with their sales team or your local representative today!

Phone: (03) 9775 0713; Email: sales@lnmarketing.com.au

Or visit www.hotdevil.com.au

INSPIRATION

TO BUILD BETTER

As shapers of COLORBOND® steel we’re inspired to make products that help you build better. Whether it’s a residential, commercial or industrial construction project, the aesthetics, performance and versatility of LYSAGHT® steel roofing and walling products have been trusted by generations of builders to help bring inspired building designs to life.

AS YOU TOUGH

DEWALT Toner work boots.

The DEWALT Toner is designed for all-day comfort & extreme durability. Featuring the industry-leading DEWALT PROComfort system, the Toner has three innovative full-length cushioning and support layers to provide the ultimate comfort when you are on your feet for long periods of time.

Including an injection moulded high rebound Polyurethane midsole and insole and state of the art memory foam offers optimal foot and arch support and cushioning.

The PU/Rubber out-sole is non-slip to the highest Slip Resistance C rating as with a 300°C high heat resistant rating, making the Toner versatile for all situations. Featuring a heavy duty YKK side zip, providing hassle-free fastening and removal of the boot.

The Toner’s upper is made from water resistant premium full grain nubuck leather, scalloped padded ankle for support and

flexibility, abrasion resistant toe cap bumper and a wide fit ergonomic steel toe cap this boot truly delivers all-day comfort, breathability, and supportive fit.

DEWALT PROComfort Toner Extreme Duty

Leather Work Boot is one of the most protective work boots, including the impact and abrasionresistant toe cap bumper will aid in extending the life of the safety footwear.

• Premium Nubuck leather and TPU toe guard for durability

Ergonomic fit steel toe cap and PROComfort

3-layer build foot bed for extreme comfort

New scalloped back for extended range of movement and increased agility

Heavy duty side zip (YKK) for easy on/off

Outsole rated to 300°c and SRC slip rated to the highest level for versatility•

Available at Bunnings Warehouse, RRP $218.00.

↓ Wearing DEWALT Toner Work Boots all day is a blessing for your feet thanks to the PROComfort system.

↑ With a Slip Resistance C rating and a high heat rating of 300°C, the DEWALT Toner can handle the harshest environments.

Steel savvy

LYSAGHT’s one-stop resource for building professionals.

The Lysaght Professionals website offers building practitioners the product, technical and compliance information they need to confidently specify, install and support the complete LYSAGHT® steel building products range.

Through the Lysaght Professionals website builders can view and download a complete range of LYSAGHT® product brochures to assist client discussions, and to provide broader referencing when selecting Lysaght steel building materials.

As well as offering detailed product information, the site also presents case studies showcasing the use of LYSAGHT® steel building products across a range of residential, commercial and industrial projects, giving added insight and valuable feedback rom real end users. Another key feature of the website is the comprehensive technical information it houses. This suite of materials includes design and installation manuals

for all the products in the LYSAGHT® steel products range, as well as providing access to easy-to-read fact sheets covering specification, design and installation topics. Importantly, the website can also assist building professionals stay abreast of industry regulatory requirements, by providing access to a suite of National Construction Code (NCC) compliance bulletins covering the complete LYSAGHT® product range. NCC details the minimum necessary requirements for safety, health, amenity and sustainability that need to be met in the design and construction of new buildings (and new building work in existing buildings) throughout Australia.•

↑ Builders will have all they need at their fingertips when reviewing Lysaght products with the Lysaght Professionals website. For more on the Lysaght’s resources for building professionals visit: professionals.lysaght.com

Worklocker is one of Australia’s leading workwear and safety destinations.

You’ll find all the best workwear and safety brands under one roof - Bisley, FXD, Steel Blue, Hard Yakka, CAT, KingGee, Mongrel, Blundstone, SafeStyle, Tradie, Bolle Safety, Unit, and so many more. With 22 store locations across Australia, Worklocker is the one-stop shop for all your workwear, safety, and PPE needs.

Need your company logos on your uniforms? Worklocker stores offer a professional end-to-end service for all your uniform needs. We can help you select your uniforms and are equipped for Visit worklocker.com.au for more!

custom embroidery or digital printing. Worklocker stores carry everything you require for the job site, including workwear, work boots, hi-vis, protective headwear, eyewear, hand and hearing protection, wet weather gear, fire-resistant gear, accessories, underwear, drink bottles, and even sunscreen and hydration products. No matter what’s on your list, Worklocker has the product you’re looking for, from your favourite brands, at a competitive price. •

↑ From Hard Yakka, Blundstone, Tradie or Steel Blue, Worklocker has the right brand for you.

All aboard

Suzuki Marine launches distributor-first pricing model and ‘sail away’ price.

Suzuki Marine is now open for business 24 hours a day, following the launch of an all-new virtual showroom on its website which includes a groundbreaking ‘pricing widget’.

The widget, or pricing calculator, is the first for an outboard distributor in Australia. It not only adds a layer of transparency with Suzuki Marine pricing, but also provides the basis for a seamless transaction to purchase a new Suzuki Outboard Motor (OBM) on suzukimarine.com.au – as well as offering a new ‘Sail Away’ price on the 2.5 to 30hp tiller-steer OBMs.

The widget is activated after customers select the ‘Pricing & Options’ tab under any OBM listed on the Suzuki website. At that juncture, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is clearly displayed, which begins a simple step-by-step process for customers to select the spec level of their OBM, which will include choices in the Suzuki control kit and gauges range.

When the configuration process is complete, a

summary page will clearly outline an instant quote for the new Suzuki OBM. Customers can then request a callback from their nearest dealer if, for example, they may require additional information about finance, insurance and/or trade-in options. No transaction has yet taken place.

Moreover, customers looking to purchase an OBM from the 2.5 to 30hp family will also be able to pay a $1000 holding deposit to reserve their outboard, available for a ‘Sail Away’ price which also includes all pre-delivery charges. Their nominated dealer will then be in touch to complete the required paperwork before collecting the new motor in-store.

Of course, 2.5-30hp customers can also take the ‘callback’ route if they are still undecided or require additional information.•

↑ The virtual showroom features a step-bystep process to select spec level and gauges among other features.

Suzuki’s virtual showroom makes OBM shopping easy! Visit suzukimarine.com.au to configure your next Suzuki OBM or to locate your nearest dealer.

ension-Set rings are designed to secure a diamond in place making it appear to be floating in mid-air, while Mokume Gane rings are made from a Japanese metal layering art that was originally used to make

special touch

Stunning diamonds and fine metal-working are also on full display through MDTdesign’s range of tension-set and Mokume

The business has been operating since 1981, with its jewellery workshop situated behind its boutique in the heart of Melbourne.

Founder Nicholas Theocari’s care for craftsmanship is carried throughout the MDTdesign team with his son’s and daughter also working within the business, keeping everything in-house from metalworking, stone setting, design and more.

Tailor-made care

In a saturated industry, MDTdesign doesn’t take any shortcuts when it comes to bringing its best to every piece it crafts.

All jewellery is entirely handmade with no use of mass production moulds, making for singular, work hardened pieces.

With its rings, MDTdesign uses traditional methods to craft the piece from a solid bar of metal, which is then worked into shape by jewellers to be as strong (and unique) as it can be.

Just like your most trusted tools, the superior jewellery from MDTdesign is meant to stand the test of time.

If you’re after a special piece of jewellery designed by you, MDTdesign is the place to go. The team of experienced inhouse designers will have no trouble collaborating to bring your creation to life whether it’s a diamond ring or other jewellery. MDTdesign provides consultations completely free of charge

The care and expertise taken into each ring means you’ll be repping the best in the business or taking home the ‘top partner’ award every time.

Speaking of awards, MDTdesign are Australia’s Leading Jewellers, sporting the title of Most Awarded.

Gold standard confidence

Unlike other jewellers, MDTdesign doesn’t leave you high and dry.

Your purchase is backed by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, which means you can swing by the boutique every 6-12 months for a refurbishment and check completely free.

If the ring doesn’t quite fit right within the first year, you are also able to get it re-sized twice for free.

But their dedication to the right fit goes even further, with MDTdesign providing a ‘love at first sight’ guarantee.

This means if your partner says that magic word (yes), but isn’t totally on board with the ring, you can have it changed, modified or remade to the same value at no extra cost.•

For more information on the quality of service you’ll find at MDTdesign, visit www.mdtdesign.com.au or call 03 9654 6805.

SUPERIOR LINE inspection technology

RIDGID® SeeSnake® microReel™ APX™ with TruSense® Technology.

RIDGID Australia has recently launched the microReel™ APX™ with TruSense as part of RIDGID’s commitment to continual development of technological precision products.

Designed with a lightweight compact profile for easy portability, the APX uses bright LED lights and auto-flip imagery to provide clear in-line images. The APX’s mid-flex push cable is ideal for small-diameter (1½” to 4”) and tight-turn radius inspections up to 100’ (30m). The APX has TruSense technology with an HDR image sensor for superior in-pipe viewing and on-camera TiltSense inclinometer to give the angle of the camera head in the line.

Key features and benefits of the microReel

APX:

• Enhanced camera functionality – APX camera reels offer TruSense technology with an HDR image sensor for superior in-pipe viewing and on-camera TiltSense inclinometer

Auto-image flip – Rotates camera image without any moving parts

Visibility – the camera head features longlasting high-efficiency LEDs that deliver

better in-pipe visibility and higher colour accuracy

• Durability – hardened stainless-steel camera head-spring assembly is durable and reliable for a long service life

Portable – lightweight and compact carryingcase design is one-half the size of popular inspection systems, easily stowed in a truck and carried onto the jobsite

Versatility – kickstand offers improved stability and usage with CSX Via Traceability – integrated 512Hz sonde allows for easy line tracing and locating

Easy navigation – mid-flex push cable ideal for small diameter (1½” to 4”) and tight-turn radius inspections up to 100’ (30m)

The Ridge Tool Company is a world leading manufacturer of professional-quality pipe and tube working tools serving the plumbing, mechanical, construction, HVAC, location, electrical and facility maintenance industries.

The RIDGID® trademark is recognised by professional tradespersons and engineers for uncompromising product quality, performance, durability and service.•

Scan this code to request a demo or learn more*

↓ With features like auto-image flip and enhanced TruSense camera technology, the APX is a cut above the rest. Versa monitor pictured not included.

Boys in blue

The

In case you didn’t get the picture from the ad…Kincrome is a family-owned Australian tool company.

Yep, four generations of Burgoines have donned on the blue uniform and lead the business in servicing the country’s trades for over 40 years. With an international footprint across Australia and New Zealand, the Burgoine family has built Kincrome to become the brand of choice for professionals looking for the best quality tools around.

While you’re here, we might as well give you a little catch-up on how this all kicked off and explain a little about why Australians across the country keep choosing Kincrome.

In the mid-seventies, the first Kincrome-branded products landed in Australia under the Cozens manufacturing agents. Late in the 1970s the Cozens manufacturing agents contracted Massay Holden to import and distribute Kincrome tools. Approximately two years later, cash-flow problems caused Massey Holden to relinquish the agency. It was at that stage Patterson Cheney took on the agency and distribution of Kincrome tools alongside its large range of holden parts and accessories.

In late 1986, Ron Burgoine negotiated with the Cozens manufacturing agents to purchase the Kincrome name outright for Australia. And that’s how it all started.

The name ‘Kincrome’ was acquired by Ron Burgoine in 1987 and since then, has grown into Australia’s leading supplier of tools and equipment. From humble beginnings, one container at a time, word of the reliable products and quality

service spread, gaining Kincrome a reputation for excellence as the brand expanded across Australia.

Over the years, Kincrome has continued to evolve and grow, driven by the company’s key brand values around producing authentic Australian innovations professional trades rely on. These values have not only helped the company build strong relationships with its customers, but have also inspired the development of innovative and reliable tools that have become essential for many tradesmen and women across the country.

Day-to-day special service

Clearly, Kincrome believes in authenticity. That’s why, this article was written by someone who actually works at Kincrome. So let’s peel back the curtain a little and tell you what it’s really like working for a family-owned business like Kincrome.

To this day, you would not think Ron Burgoine is 83 years old. He’s still running around the Kincrome head office and working with everyone as if it were day one. He knows everyone’s name, has a laugh with everyone from the finance team to the warehouse, and is still as driven as ever to turn Kincrome into the best possible brand it can be. With his two sons, Paul and Justin, at the helm, the company is made up of loyal, passionate individuals who consider the place to be like family, and it all comes from the Burgoines. Many people have decades under their belts, which is why the people here literally ‘bleed blue’.

At the heart of the company is a focus on quality. We believe the tools you use every day

Kincrome difference.

↑ Sockets, spanners, wrenches and screwdrivers are among the many quality products Kincrome produces.

should be reliable and built to last. That’s why Kincrome takes great care in the design and manufacturing of its products, ensuring they meet the highest standards of durability and performance.

Today, Kincrome offers a wide range of products suitable for all trades. With a focus on quality, reliability, and innovative design, Kincrome has become a trusted name, and as a leading brand in the industry, we are driven by our passion for excellence and our commitment to providing the best possible products to our customers.

Building the future

But Kincrome doesn’t just stop at providing highquality tools. We are also committed to innovation. A team of dedicated individuals who form the research-and-development department are constantly looking for ways to improve products, and to develop new tools that can help customers work more efficiently and effectively. Whether it’s a new design for a toolbox or a more ergonomic grip on a screwdriver, Kincrome is always pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of hand tools and equipment. We believe the key to our success has been our focus on customer service and our commitment to meeting the needs of automotive, hardware, industrial and agricultural trade professionals. From the moment you engage with Kincrome or any of our distributers, we

strive to provide you with the best possible experience and the best possible tools. As the company looks back on its history, the Burgoine family remains committed to continuing the legacy of excellence it has built over the years. With a strong emphasis on customer service and a commitment to providing the best tools and equipment on the market, Kincrome is poised to continue its growth and success into the future. We remain dedicated to our core values of quality, innovation, and customer service. Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting out in the automotive industry, we are here to provide you with the tools you need to succeed. •

↑ Kincrome founder Ron Burgoine and his sons Justin and Paul have ensured the quality and innovation of the brand is carried throughout each day.

TOP standard

Expert by name, expert by nature.

Tradies understand the importance of exacting details and workmanship. ‘Measure twice and do it once’, as they say! PEUGEOT Expert is designed and built with the same commitment to meticulous standards, and with all the versatility tradies need to get the job done.

To kick off the new work year, PEUGEOT is making it even easier to step up to any new Expert Van with the gift of a $1500 deposit contribution when you finance your purchase with PEUGEOT Financial Services before 31 March 20231

It’s easy to get behind the wheel of a new PEUGEOT Expert too, with a range of streamlined finance options available from the experienced PEUGEOT Financial Services team. Plus, because everyday living costs are rising, you can now choose the convenience and savings of PEUGEOT’s new Three-year and Five-year Pre-Paid Service plans2. So you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your van’s scheduled services are paid for upfront for a full three or five years, and at today’s prices2

As a great all-rounder, PEUGEOT Expert is a tradie favourite that boasts easy accessibility with 180-degree dual swing rear doors and three standard models including the City, Pro or Premium – all delivering flexibility and style. The cargo area delivers maximum space use for all your gear and

Disclaimers:

can handle a 1.4 tonne payload.

Jump behind the wheel and you’ll discover the ergonomically designed i-CockpitTM with an intuitive dashboard layout and a compact steering wheel. Up front there are three seats, air conditioning, cruise control and a steel bulkhead with a window. The Pro and Premium variants feature an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. Step up to the Premium variant and get the MODUWORK versatile cabin complete with additional under-seat storage and a flip-down workstation.

Cabin comfort is matched with advanced technology, safety, and a robust, responsive performance from the PEUGEOT 2.0L HDi turbo diesel engine. Nimble handling and zippy manoeuvrability make light work of city driving, along with the six-speed manual transmission or effortless eight-speed automatic, depending on which variant you choose.

Plus, all PEUGEOT Expert Vans come with a 5-year/200,000 KM Warranty3 + 5-year Roadside Assist4 •

To learn more about PEUGEOT Expert Van, contact your participating Peugeot Professional dealership.

↑ With features like a 1.4-tonne payload and a 2.0L HDi turbo diesel engine, PEUGEOT’s Expert has what the tradie needs.

1. Offer available at participating PEUGEOT Professional dealers on new MY22 Peugeot Vans sold between 27/12/22 and 31/03/23 and delivered by 31/03/22 or while stock lasts. Offer excludes fleet, government and rental buyers. PEUGEOT Australia reserves the right to change, supersede or extend this offer at its discretion.

2. Subject to terms and conditions, visit https://www.peugeot.com.au/owners/peugeot-servicing/service-plans.html.

3. 5-year warranty on PEUGEOT new vehicles. Subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions. Visit https://www.peugeot.com.au/owners/warranty.html.

4. 5-year roadside assist on PEUGEOT new vehicles. Subject to terms, conditions, and exclusions. Visit https://www.peugeot.com.au/owners/peugeot-roadside-assistance.html.

*Overseas model shown

WORLD-LEADING BIOMECHANICAL DESIGN BY BLUNDSTONE

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AVAILABLE NOW AT LEADING RETAILERS