What Tradies Want April - May 2022

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“We used the engine and cradle, and the rest of the bike was scrapped or sold off for parts. That’s just how far we’re going with this build

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Tom Foster – Editor

Irecently had a concrete slab laid in my yard.

It was nothing tricky as these things go. Six metres by three metres and 150mm deep. But due to several varying factors – the biggest being I didn’t want to do it myself – I hired a pro to get the job done.

I haven’t been involved in pouring a concrete slab since I was a kid. I grew up in western Sydney and it was almost a social occasion to help mates and neighbours when the concrete truck arrived. The western suburbs were growing fast and there was a lot of concrete being poured, especially by amateurs, so we all had a pair of gumboots and knew basically what needed to be done.

But since I’ve settled in the rural backblocks of northern NSW I don’t have any neighbours and I don’t see a lot of farmers laying driveways or garage floors. Anyhoo, it was fascinating to watch the concrete crew at work. Formwork was in

place in what seemed like no time, the reo was up on little stands, and everything was square and ready for the pour before I wandered out at smoko to see how things were going.

Everyone was looking relaxed, standing around waiting for the truck’s arrival. The dog was fascinated by the doof-doof music coming from the worksite speaker on the driveway and was doing laps trying to understand what was going on.

The truck arrived, I took the dog inside and got back to work.

I wondered if I’d chosen the wrong career in publishing.

Putting magazines together can sometimes be very stressful. Everything starts out well, but then something unexpected happens and suddenly everything turns to shit and I end up working stupidly long days and weekends frantically trying to catch up before the inevitable deadlines.

I considered my work life as I watched the concrete guys apparently enjoying themselves with a small concrete helicopter and then, almost as if it were a pleasurable thing to do, floating off the edges and putting on a smooth finish.

I wondered why my work couldn’t be like that.

Then the dog burst from the house and pissbolted across the perfectly finished slab, scrabbling its claws in the shining, smooth surface, and disappeared over behind the camphor laurel tree determined to teach the cows not to stick their dopey heads through the fence.

I retreated quietly back into the house and to my desk.

Maybe magazines and concreting have more in common than I thought.

Image: Marty Blake

JOB DONE.

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Coco nuts!

This here’s Francisco ‘Coco’ Zurita, a BMX rider from Santiago, Chile, in South America.

As BMX bandits go, he’s no Nicole Skidman, but he’s still pretty frigging good and competes in those X-men Games and does okay. Not being much of a one for slums and industrial quantities of cocaine – that we know of

– he left South America and wandered over to the US in 2018 and decided to stay there, teaching BMX and whooping serious freckle in something called ‘vert’. Oh yes. Coco pops up everywhere. He’s a cereal competitor. He’s also very good at halfpipe. Maybe he could do full pipe if stopped setting fire to the buggers.

Images:

GADGETS

Technology to suit the modern lifestyle.

ONE WHEEL XR UNIT BOOT-WASH STAND

Here we have a one-wheeled skateboard arrangement.

It’s from a company called, cleverly, One Wheel, and, as you can see, it’s a bit of board with a wheel in it.

That’ll be $3k, thanks. Ka-chingggggggg!

Okay, there’s more to it than just the plank and the roller. The XR model shown here is a ‘self-balancing and remote-less electric board that will make you call any daily journey an adventure!’

That’s according to the website.

There’s also an integrated lightbar in the front footpad for sensepad simple-stop dismount technology, ride alerts, and battery monitoring.

Of course it has an app, and this model, the XR, is the hot-rod one. It’ll go 30kph and has a maximum range of 29km, so a run to the nearest medical centre for Betadine and Band-Aids should be a breeze.

Check out your local skate shop to see the One Wheel range –there’s a smaller one that costs a fair bit less – or have a look at online stores like crooze.com.au.

Is it just us or does it look like something out of The Flintstones? Did anyone else think Betty Rubble was hot?

Another of the editor’s purchases. We thought it was one of those kneeling-down frames the old folks use – which would make sense with the editor – but then we realised we’ve never seen him kneel down to do any work.

We’ve never seen him do any work at all.

Apparently the idea is to flip dirty boots upside-down on the little curved bits so they can be washed without getting wet inside, and we have to admit we thought that wasn’t such a silly idea after all.

There’s a little handle arrangement so the wet boots on the stand can be picked up and moved into the sun or somewhere to dry, and we were just warming to the idea when the ed said he got his from a local motorcycle dealership for $49.95.

We nearly choked on our lightly seasoned chicken-and-camembert on sourdough! Wouldn’t anyone with half a brain just bend a bit of reo for the job?

Anyone with half a brain would, and that explained why the editor had forked over the $50.

American bike company Arevo, based in California, is offering 3D-printed bikes made to suit the customer.

Log on, select how much flex the frame should have, intended use, which type of wheels will do and a huge shed load of other parameters, and Arevo will knock out a made-toorder Superstrata – that’s the brand name of these high-end head turners.

Instead of building a bike from parts joined together like other companies, the Superstrata frame is a single piece of carbon fibre. Thanks to the 3D printing there’s no seams or welding.

There’s a few different electric and

old-fashioned, non-electric models available, but we couldn’t find anyone in Australia selling them yet. We started to go through the process of ordering one to see what the delivery time and cost was to Aussie, but we got bored at around the time it began probing our preferences for support – something about whether we wore boxers or briefs – and we decided youse could work it out for yourselves.

Expect to pay anywhere from $3500 or so on up, plus handling and delivery. Log on to superstrata.bike and see how you go.

HIKMICRO PANTHER PQ50L THERMAL SCOPE

Thermal scopes are cool (get that! Thermal? Cool? Ha!)

The PQ50L thermal sight features a 640px × 512px 12um core with a NETD of <35mk (the most sensitive on the market) coupled with a 1024px × 768px OLED display, a high-quality fast F1.0 50mm lens and a laser rangefinder accurate to 600m. The Panther is designed to ensure a clear image in harsh environmental conditions such as darkness, fog, smoke, dust, rain, snow and forest, making it the best choice for hunting large game at longer distances, or small game at medium distances.

This one is available from Aussie hunting-andweapons stores and websites. They normally sell for around $7500, but as we were looking around, nightvision.com.au had them on special for $7124 plus the usual postage and handling.

That’s a chunk of Johnny Cash. We tried aiming one at the editor’s arse after he’d woofed into a handful of jalapeños, but the scope didn’t show a

GOODNATURE

Goodnature is a mob specialising in rodent-eradication gear, and nut butter, despite what you thought, is actually a pre-feed lure which encourages rats and mice toward the trap and away from any competing food sources. It supposedly makes the trap irresistible whenever a pest shows up to check it out.

The stuff is toxin-free, so there’s no-risk of secondary poisoning, making it safe to use around pets, wildlife and children.

Pre-feeding around the trap also gives resident rodents a taste of the lure inside the trap,

encouraging them to stick their ratty noggins in and end your rodent problem in a spectacular, splattery way.

It doesn’t sound very Goodnatured to us, but there it is.

The company also has a chocolateflavoured one – for sorting out editors who wog Iced VoVos they didn’t pay for from the tea room, presumably.

Get some from goodnature.com.au . Pouches start at $10.90 plus shipping.

If the stuff’s not poison, why not just chuck down some crumbled up Dairy Milk?

AUSTRALIA TREATED PINE DOMED TIMBER BOLLARDS PLANET FISKA KUBB

Also known as Viking Chess, Kubb is an outdoor game from Sweden, and it’s supposedly ‘a perfect way to deliver laughs and entertainment at your next outdoor get together’. The promo material also says, ‘Kubb is easy to learn, and with each team having between one and six Vikings, it can happily entertain a larger group’.

Half-a-dozen Vikings rampaging around the barbie ravaging and pillaging would certainly liven up any of our outdoor gatherings, that’s for sure.

The Planet Fiska Kubb set is crafted from eco-friendly birch (a shockresistant durable hardwood the Nordic folks often use to make whippy sticks for a little self-flagellation after a sauna) and comes in a durable nylon carrybag. All timber pieces and edges are sanded smooth and made in the Nordic tradition. Over time, the Kubb will enjoy a light rub with oil…but wouldn’t we all?

We couldn’t find any information on how to actually play the game, but the maker reckons it’s ecological and little hard to understand. That’s the same marketing strategy the Swedes used with the Volvo, and it seemed to sell okay.

Games go for about $74.95 and are available at the nearest Australian Geographic store.

Australian Treated Pine bollards are crafted from perfectly rounded poles to create a consistent diameter for their entire length. They’re also treated to H4 standard and ideal for preventing vehicle intrusion, acting as marker posts and defining property boundaries. Available in 125mm, 150mm and 200mm diameter, and 1.2m, 1.5m, 1.8m and 2.4m lengths, treatment type is ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quarternary), CCA Chromated Copper Arsenate), so they’ll last ages.

Domed bollards are ideally paired with Australian Treated Pine galvanised removable bollard sleeves for quick and easy installation.

Just get your pole up to the hole and drive it in.

To get the good ones you’ll need to visit Australia Treated Pine Pty Ltd in Somerton, Victoria, and prices start at $28.95.

UNISEX MERINO 200 OASIS GLOVE LINERS

We’re feeling a bit foolish because we thought these were glove liners for champion merino sheep. We thought how tough our woolly chums have it out in the freezing cold of regional Victoria and NSW, and we thought it was nice someone came up with some comfortwear for the poor little dinnersto-be.

But then we realised: they’re gloves for us. Made from merino wool.

We were left feeling very sheepish indeed.

As it turns out, the Oasis liners are simple, lightweight merino wool gloves for winter layering, featuring 200gm jersey fabric with added LYCRA® for a stretchy, secure fit.

Grab a pair from an outdoor shop like Paddy Pallins or go straight to the icebreaker.com website. A pair of Oasis liners will cost $44.99 plus postage.

We reckon Ice Breaker should do a female giftpack called ‘For Ewe’ and a box of undies for blokes called a ‘Ram set’.

Northern chopper safaris

The Kimberley, the Top End and Cape York have a number of locations where land-based fishing using helicopters is possible. There are always logistical challenges involved and choppers are very expensive, but the rewards of truly remote fishing can be unforgettable. Tim O’Reilly has some insights.

Words and images: Tim O’Reilly (wildrivercompany@gmail.com)

Our chopper touched down on a stretch of beach adjacent to a clear creek mouth, the pilot careful not to fly directly over the fishing hole at the front. A snaggy bank on the opposite side had water and baitfish filing past. Tarpon were rolling and a few prawns scattered from a muddy little drain just upstream a short distance from the bank. A giant, white-bellied sea eagle surveyed the scene from a dead tree close by.

The first lure touched down with a hefty splash and pop! Pop! Pop! A bow wave swum over to inspect the intruder and a large queenfish began tail walking across the pool, the lure flailing from its bony mouth.

A second lure was stopped after a few twitches and a yellowtailed silver flash boiled underneath. Moments slipped by before suddenly ‘boof!’ The lure imploded on the surface. First one dancing barra then two then three, before a couple of mangrove jacks showed up to the party.

These scenes typify a good day’s heli fishing when tide, conditions and hungry fish combine.

CAST AWAY

The first thing apparent from a chopper, missed from ground level, is just how vast the landscape and seascape are. Every second spent flying along the coast is a missed opportunity at fish seen scurrying below. Flying down shallow creeks and rivers gives ample opportunity to see places unreachable by boats – the home of rainforest, crocodiles, isolated fishing holes and impenetrable sand bars.

Throughout most of northern Australia, the least explored areas by fisherman remain the upstream reaches of creeks and rivers. Lagoons, swamps and billabongs hold some of the leastpressured fisheries. So much biomass exists beyond the reach of boats and 4WDs – places where poppers, fizzers, surface walkers and hungry fish have never met. Backwaters, where a plastic frog wound back at high speed might disappear forever, the powerful jaws of a red predator suddenly halting its retrieve. Keen eyes are always on the lookout for permanent swamps and beach lagoons. Places where fish and bait has washed in at some stage and significant rains or cyclones will be needed for them to make it out again. These are often dark or murky waters and probably some of the most likely to hold crocodiles. Great care is needed not to become a bankside target for a hungry croc.

Casting surface lures into these foreboding pools is done with slow, intentional bloops of a popper, the sideways taptap-tap of a surface walker or the wind-tweak-pause of a fizzer. Barra can and will hit a lure right at the rod tip, so anticipation and steady hands are needed when the action happens. There are plenty of misses with this type of fishing, but the strikes alone are worth it.

How’s this for a stunning coral cay?

The golden sheen of a freshwater barra or the yellow-tailed acrobatics of a saltwater fish are on display in these backwaters. It seems important to fish the isolated pools early and late in the day, where shade increases and the sun is not shining directly on the water’s surface. Putting in multiple casts in particularly likely spots is often required to get barra started and feeding, attracting other fish to the commotion.

HOT STUFF

Heading east of Darwin from Kakadu into Arnhem Land and then throughout the Gulf of Carpentaria, a pink-spotted and deeply bronzed fish is a favourite of heli fishers. Hiding

in brackish waters, near-coastal lagoons and right into flooded billabongs, saratoga are a prehistoric link to past monsters.

Difficult to pursue, ’togas are a fantastic quarry, mainly due to their habitat. Places inaccessible both by boat and vehicle are usually those farthest upstream. Landing spots for a chopper are usually scarce, but can sometimes found in clear floodways. That first cast into the tail end of a secluded lagoon is always full of anticipation. Both barra and saratoga hate to see a free surface meal escape them.

Finding places where a rock bar is dividing sections of a river can be very productive while heli fishing. Baitfish congregate around

these places as either the tide retreats or again starts to build. A change of tide often produces the hottest bite. The true pleasure of heli fishing involves staying if the fish are biting and leaving if they are not. A quiet day can sometimes be turned around in a short, inspirational bite. Being in the right spot as fish are transitioning is key.

These same rock bars and tiny causeways also separate freshwater pools from one another during the dry season. The downstream end of a pool especially will often hold examples of whatever predatory fish abound. Sooty grunter, saratoga, barramundi, tarpon and catfish are some of the more common. Most will be that little hungrier with isolation and warmer temperatures later in the dry.

WHEN AND WHERE

Wherever possible, try not to leave fish to find fish.

Just like any fishing scenario, they are unlikely to bite everywhere all day. After

Checking out an estuary to fish.

Choppers provide a visual spectacle, even en route.

A lovely little snagdwelling ’toga.

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an initial hot bite at any spot, the temptation can be to pack up and charge to the next spot. But if you really fish a location well, the numbers will add up and more consistency will be achieved.

As a guide on heli fish charters, the most challenging scenarios involve deciding on how long to give a location and when to leave a likely area on the fly-over. If you fished everything that looked good, you usually wouldn’t get very far. Sometimes this works. Sometimes you’ve gotta do the miles to get the smiles. It’s normally an ongoing discussion between the pilot and the guide for each location visited.

Only certain choppers are equipped with landing floats and the ability to fly distances over water. Visiting some of the remote islands and cays littered along the coast can be a spectacular addition to a heli trip if the pilot is able to land. Certain zoning, plus land and sea tenure will keep many places off the list, but the opportunities are there.

Combining a swim with the chance to cast a line off a little stretch of paradise usually sticks in people’s minds. Fishing these sorts of locations is best on a rising tide as fish transition in over the shallows. Whether it is sand, mud or reef flats, predators will come in and hunt shallow, especially in low light conditions. A range of trevally species and queenfish are often the targets in these scenarios, but a huge array of other possibilities exist. Giant herring, barracuda, coral trout, red bass, mangrove jack…it all depends on the stretch of coast and distance offshore.

DOWN AND OUT

So many fishing scenarios can be achieved with a chopper across the far north. But the greatest challenge is always landing and proximity to fishing spots. Anglers with a sense of adventure will have far more success than those who only fish within 50m of the chopper. A hand-held GPS is

crucial and short walks to access remote pools, ponds and billabongs can really pay dividends. Fishing in pairs is advisable in these scenarios and tick-tacking along the bank until someone finds fish allows efforts to be quickly doubled. Remember, fish always attract other fish!

Discovering spots where floodplains, channels and drains bring plentiful food back into the main system has become famous in the Northern Territory as ‘The Runoff’. Thousands of likely spots combine with the end of the wet season to produce champagne fishing, usually where clean and murkier waters combine. Some coastal spots also work from around February

Putting the bird down on a remote stretch of river sand.

Casting a snaggy bank for barra and saratoga.

Punk-sized GTs tousle well in small creek mouths.

A nice blue spot taken from a cay.

RENAULT TRAFIC

it’s my van it’s my business

“We rely on Renault Trafic to deliver freight safely. There’s loads of room for bulky items and plenty of anchor points for securing cargo. We’ve got plenty of tech inside and it keeps the drivers comfortable. They’re really fuel efficient, and we get plenty of k’s out of a tank. When you need a van to deliver its top notch.”

Daniel, Team Tank Logistics

“When you need a van to deliver its top notch.”

through until May as saltmarshes and floodplains drain away, carrying baitfish and crustaceans with the flow.

A few scenic things really stick out when heli fishing. They normally come about traversing the coast and flying just high enough for safety. The amount and diversity of stingray and shark activity is awe inspiring. Huge rays in

groups of two and three are often patrolling the sand flats just offshore. Sometimes these groupings have GTs and queenies hanging off the back, and on occasion cobia. Landing the chopper and intercepting these roving packs is possible in calm, clear conditions.

PLENTY TO CHOOSE FROM

Sadly, flying at this height also truly highlights the amount of shit littered along the coast. There is a scary biomass of plastic, bottles, lights, floats, thongs and various Asian haberdashery. It provides a very interesting focal point when traversing and pilots have always got an eye out for interesting stuff. Glass floats are getting hard to come across. There’s a huge diversity and array of coastal headlands right across the north Australian coastline. Often shrouded in vine thicket, rainforest, mangrove or dense vegetation,

these are some of the least visited places. Even boats find it challenging to access many headlands, so it leaves choppers with some fantastic land-based game opportunities. Mackerel, trevally, queenfish and a host of reef species exist across rocky headlands the coast over.

ADVENTURE

While heli fishing isn’t for everyone, travellers with plenty of money and not much time can find real value in it. I think every fisherman dreams of reaching farflung places in search of their quarry. This type of fishing requires experienced pilots, well-cared-for choppers and the right mix of cowboy and professionalism. Mustering pilots find their way into this style of flying, so strapping in with a healthy sense of adventure is a must.

A big GT ready for a beach release.

A popper-caught jack on the last of the run-out.

The pilot hooked up solid!

Sight casting over a shallow reef nabbed these two.

Wild child

Harley Davidson

child Davidson Sportster S

Fast and furious, Harley’s Sportster S more than fulfilled the promise it made on our first ride.

We had a short blast on the new Sportster S last issue and came away very impressed. The bike looked like something out of a Batman movie, had muscle to match the looks and, a little surprisingly we admit, performance to match the muscle and the look.

It was a short, supervised ride through inner-city Sydney and we were left with the impression the bike was a very strong marker of a new era for H-D, and an exciting, bloodpumper to ride.

The ride was too short. We wanted more.

“You want it?” said Harley. “Take it.” And life was good.

Perfect for wandering through mountain villages looking for small coffee shops and hidden destinations.

REFRESHER

Just to recap a few important points… There’s been a Sportser in the HarleyDavidson line up since the late 1950s, and it was always considered by the hardcore Harley set to be ‘not quite’ a real Harley. Sportsters packed 883cc and 1200cc motors where real Harleys lumped

around 1700cc power plants, and where a previous-generation Sporty weighed in at around 220kg, a ‘proper’ Harley – like a Wide Glide – would roll off the showroom floor at around 310kg.

In the later years of last century many diehard Harley owners referred to the Sportsters as ‘Skirtsers’, meaning they were

good for female owners because they were light and didn’t have a lot of grunt. In general, the bikes weren’t taken too seriously. It was a generalisation that wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny, of course. The lighter, leaner Sportsters made good platforms for those chasing performance, and outfits like H-D’s performance arm, Screamin’ Eagle, offered plenty of wild upgrades.

There would be very few companies which value history like Harley, and the new Sportser S hasn’t abandoned its heritage. It’s certainly not a budget-priced bike, nor is it a lightweight. But still, there’s little things here and there that that will have a knowledgeable rider raising an eyebrow in appreciation of a subtle nod to ancestry.

GENTLY DOES IT

With all that in mind we gazed in appreciation as the pristine White Sand Pearl bike sat like a wildcat ready to pounce on the WTW driveway.

We honestly wonder if we’ve ever seen a stock, street-legal bike look so bloody intimidating and threatening.

Unfortunately, NSW was in the middle of the dreaded East Coast Low that decimated the state for some time, and a great deal

A tough-looking, high-performance bike to commute, cruise highways and prowl urban landscapes.

Scrrraaaaappppe! Ground clearance is a little tight.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER S

of riding was done in bucketing rain and near darkness.

The weather highlighted a few things about the bike we wouldn’t normally have noticed, us being more inclined to wait for a sunny day and warm weather.

The first thing which hit us hard was the very short mudguards, fundamental to the bike’s striking looks, not being very effective on a wet road. Water sprays up from both front and rear wheels like that fountain in the middle of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Helping deal with that is some very extraordinary lighting. That little LED headlight punches out serious lumens and vision at night, even in ‘normal’ rain, was excellent. Those huge tyres, unfortunately, didn’t lend themselves to good handling in the wet. The editor’s still trying to get the stains out of his undies

Electronics on the Sportster are quite advanced.

A joy to push hard on a twisting mountain road.

Harley’s new Revolution Max 1250T V-twin is one sensational motor.

from the first aquaplaning episode. But those were very exceptional and unusual circumstances, and it’s important to remember the electronics on the Sportster are quite advanced. Because it rained for so frigging long we were able to tune the throttle response, traction control and various other parameters to end up with a wellbehaved, manageable chunk of shredding performance machinery that could be ridden with real enjoyment.

It was a bit like an angry grizzly bear that’d been hit with a tranquiliser dart.

FRICKEN GO!

When things dried out we set the beast loose. We selected Sport mode with the whole 120odd horsepower on tap, some ABS to keep things safe, and cracked open the throttle.

Lawks-a-lordy!

Doesn’t this bike have some snort!

As we found on the first ride, the bike’s performance and handling is a bit of a surprise. The chopped look would have a casual observer assuming it probably wouldn’t handle too well, but that casual observer would be wrong. The Sportster S is a joy to push hard on a twisting mountain road, and with the traction control off rear tyres can be shredded without a great deal of effort.

The very low seat height and short ground clearance is a limiting factor for cornering. Things will start scraping early in the cornerentry phase, and if the rider insists on hitting an apex at speed it sounds and feels as though the whole bottom of the bike is dragging on the asphalt.

Maybe it is! We weren’t game to check. It sure was fun, though. What a hoot of a bike to ride.

Our rider certainly seemed to enjoy himself on the private road made available for the photo session. He was grinning like a loon as he handed back the bike and wandered off, a strong smell of burning rubber wafting in the air behind him.

MASTER OF ITS DOMAIN

Harley’s new Revolution Max 1250T V-twin motor is the heart of the Sportser S, and it’s one sensational motor. There’s none of the lumpiness of ‘old-fashioned’ Harley motors, and we reckon it’ll hold its own in any match up with similar machinery. It’s smooth, torquey and has oodles of usable power. The suspension and ground clearance

Bags of fun, great performance and killer looks. The Sportster S has it all.

The unmistakable look of a chopped, custom-built roadster. Beautiful.

That little LED headlight punches out serious lumens. Vision at night was excellent.

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HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER S

will cause a few potential owners to stop and think. Lots of bikes will scrape ’pegs in turns, but the Sportser S is really short on ground clearance. We even found a couple of speed humps that needed to be taken at an angle to avoid brushing the bellypan.

The suspension works well in an urban environment, but when we hit country backroads, admittedly not the Sportster’s normal stomping ground, it lacked a little comfort. Choppy bitumen rippled by subsidence or tree roots, or worse, accidentally slamming into a pothole, made

things very uncomfortable for the rider. More generously sprung bikes would’ve glided over some of those hazards unnoticed. But no bike will do it all, and we reckon for those wanting a tough-looking, highperformance bike to commute, cruise the highways and urban landscapes, and occasionally deal out a whipping to unsuspecting sportsbike riders, the Sportster S could well be the weapon of choice. Especially those riders who want to look…well…awesome. The Sportster S would be nearly unbeatable among

stock bikes for snarling, threatening and intimidating good looks.

Girls were swooning every time they saw us on the bike (we reckoned).

The electronics and rider modes allow an incredible amount of tuning and personalisation, Harley has a big swag of accessories like screen, pillion seat, mid controls, luggage and lord knows what else available, starting ride-away price is $26,495 and there’s bikes on dealer floors now.

And of course, it’s a Harley.

There’s not much more needs to be said.

A getaway machine, for sure.

Huge, fat tyres look awesome but don’t lend themselves to good handling in the wet.

It’ll hold its own in any match up with similar machinery.

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How

the Newcastle surfer overcame a family tragedy to claim a spot on surfing’s biggest stage.

Jackson Baker doing a little tunnel work, in the tropics. The same wave earned him the cover of prestigious surf magazine, Tracks

Baker back

Words: Wiley Thomas. Images: Swilly and Bosko.

Back in 2016 things were looking promising for Jackson Baker. This was a pre-COVID world when international travel was taken for granted and roaming the globe in search of adventure was the birthright of every young man and woman.

Jackson was on a trip to the Mentawai region in Indonesia alongside a group of professional surfers who were there to make a surf movie and shoot photos. The Mentawai chain is frequently referred to as ‘Disneyland for surfers’. The region plays host to hundreds of different waves and every kind of ride imaginable. Several of the breaks in the Mentawai are rated among the best in the world. Jackson and the crew travelled from wave to wave aboard the Mangalui, a storied yacht that has been performing charters around the islands for over two decades. Aboard the Mangalui, the only interruptions to the long sessions in the surf were the elaborate meals prepared by the ship’s Indonesian cook who had a talent for performing culinary miracles in the small galley below deck.

BEST OF THE BEST

The trip was blessed with an abundance of swell and the crew scored hollow, tubing waves at a handful of breaks – Greenbush, Macaroni’s, Hollow Trees and the ominously named Meat Locker. When the talented posse of surfers lucked into a swell at a roping left-hander that tubed and walled for hundreds of metres, it was Jackson who claimed the wave of the trip. On a lurching, green wall that was double-overhead he dropped in late, hanging onto the board by his toenails as the wave bent violently over the shallow reef below. Jackson barely made it under the curling lip, which dropped like a guillotine from above. For the next hundred or so metres he was encased in a green tomb, the wave’s internal foam ball nipping at his heels, doing its best to buck him off. However, Jacko held on, and emerged from the spitting barrel in a hail of spray and glory, the photographer and filmer cheering his heroic effort. The single wave capped off an amazing trip and Jackson arrived home on a high. He’d secured great footage and photos, while professionally he was

JACKSON BAKER BOUNCES BACK

on track to qualify for surfing’s Championship Tour – the elite ranks where 34 surfers compete in the best waves in the world.

HIGHS AND LOWS

Unfortunately the triumph was soon followed by tragedy.

Shortly after Jackson returned home his mother passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. As it transpired, Jackson’s heroic ride on the recent trip was selected as the cover shot for surfing magazine Tracks, a prestigious accolade for any surfer. However, it was difficult to enjoy the fanfare in light of his mother’s death.

While Jackson’s mum had been ill for some

time, he readily concedes her passing made it hard to stay focused on competing.

“I struggled with it for a long time, especially those first few years on the QS (second-tier Qualifying Series),” he revealed.

Jackson initially tried to channel the emotional turmoil directly into competition.

“I would bottle my emotion up and think that I could use that emotion in heats and that it would help, and it just wouldn’t. And when things wouldn’t go your way then all that emotion would come out after a loss and it just wasn’t a nice feeling…I felt I was just pushing myself down.”

WAITING GAME

It wasn’t until he figured out how to frame his motivation that his results started to improve.

“I really figured out why I was doing it,” remembered Jackson, “and who I’m actually doing it for. I’m doing it for me, but in memory of my mum. Like, I think for a long time there, I really think I thought I was doing it for her. But I just don’t think you can do sport or professional sport for someone else. It’s got to be for you. And you’ve got to want it.”

With his refreshed mental approach, Jackson began to peg his way back to top form, and by the end of 2021 he was in contention to qualify for the elite Championship Tour. It came right down to the wire as he entered the final event of the year at Haleiwa in Hawaii. In order to qualify, Jackson needed to finish the year ranked in the top 10 of the Qualifying Series. At the

Jackson will need his aerial arsenal if he wants to match the Brazilian fliers on surfing’s elite CT tour.

‘Jacko’ with his hometown, Newcastle in the background.

Layback jam with dramatic fin release.

JACKSON BAKER BOUNCES BACK

end of each season the top 10 surfers from the Qualifying Series replace the bottom ten surfers on the elite CT tour.

Going into the event at Haleiwa there were dozens of surfers in contention to claim a top 10 finish on the Qualifying Series. Jackson needed a good result if he wanted to earn enough points to guarantee his slot on the Championship Tour. The Hawaiian waves can be treacherous and fickle and the local competitors are notoriously tough on travelling surfers. It didn’t quite go to plan. Jackson made a couple of bad decisions in a heat and was bundled out of the event in the early rounds. Subsequently his qualification hinged on the failings of other surfers. There

was little he could do but sit back and hope the other contenders for a top slot also lost their heats.

JUST

With dozens of scenarios in play Jacko was forced to spend the next couple of days in limbo while he waited around for other CT hopefuls to get knocked out.

“I just felt like I’d let the dream slip through my fingers,” reflects Jacko. “I thought at that point it was over.”

However, as the event progressed the equation became more optimistic for the affable Novocastrian natural footer.

“Every day it kind of got better and better.

And people just started dropping off like flies. And I just thought, ‘Holy hell! I’ve never seen this before. And then yeah, I think my mum was definitely looking over me and definitely helping me out somehow. That was a weird feeling. Things kind of just kept going my way.”

When the Haleiwa event finished the points revealed Jackson had done just enough to make the Championship Tour.

ON THE MARK

In the end it had been the result of several years of hard work, overcoming setbacks, psychological adjustments and physical conditioning.

While Jackson was obviously ecstatic when his position on the Championship Tour was confirmed, it really hit home when he bumped into fellow Novocastrian Mark Richards back in Australia. Richards won the world title four times (1979-1981) and is still the most successful male surfer ever after Kelly Slater. “There’d been a little wave out the front of MR’s (Mark Richards) house and I actually ran into him,” explained Jacko. “We had a little chat and he said congratulations and that he was super proud of me. He said that when I lost (at Haleiwa) he thought I was kinda done. And then when finals day came around he looked at the results and he realised I was on. He called my old boy straightaway…”

Jackson combining black cat spring with slob-grab steeze on a hefty closeout section.

JACKSON BAKER BOUNCES BACK

ALL IN

When surfers reach the Championship Tour they are invited to select the number they wear on their competition jersey. Jackson wasted little time coming up with his digits. To honour the memory of his mum and the impact she had on his life, Jacko chose to wear the number 61 on his jersey when he competes on the CT. “Mum was born in ’61 and funnily enough it’s how old she would have been this year,” explained Jacko, enjoying the sentimental symmetry of his chosen number. “I think I’ve got a bit of her fire in me. I feel like she’s with me all the time.

That’s a really cool feeling.” When we spoke to Jacko he was determined to solidify his position on the Championship Tour and carve out a career that sets him up for life.

“It’s exciting that I’ve achieved the goal and only a minority get to say they’ve qualified for the CT. But I don’t want to be that oneyear guy. I want to be there for a long time. There’ll be a lot of learning this year with my training and my eating and vitamins and stuff like that. So I’m going to try a couple of new things to really make sure that I’m on top of my health and really taking advantage of the

opportunity that I’ve made for myself.”

Jacko is taking plenty of inspiration from fellow Newcastle-based surfer Morgan Cibilic, who surprised everyone last year by finishing number five in the world in his rookie season on tour. He’ll also be surfing alongside another Novocastrian, Ryan Callinan, who has several years of experience on the Championship Tour.

“Ryan and I are both on tour together and we’re competitors, but he’s been really helpful, giving me tips about how to get ready for stuff,” explained Jacko. “That’s been really cool, and then I’ve been on the phone to Morgs (Morga Cibilic) and stuff. It is an individual sport, but the boys do get around each other and we do have such a good community that everyone’s there to help.”

CHALLENGE

In order to preserve his position in the elite ranks Jackson will first have to survive the mid-year cut off, which has been

Jacko riding with style on the face and beyond the lip.

“I don’t want to be that one-year guy. I want to be there for a long time.”

reintroduced by the WSL. After five events the number of surfers on tour for the back end of the year will be reduced from 34 to 22.

“I mean, I try not to think about the cut off,” stated Jacko. “I don’t have that as an emphasis. I want to be there for the whole year. I want to plan for the whole year.”

At the time of writing, after two events –Pipeline and Sunset – Jackson is sitting at number 27, which means he is in the danger zone. In his first event at Pipeline he was matched against John John Florence, the former world champion widely regarded as the best surfer in the world at Pipe and who lives right on the fabled wave. It was a big moment for Jackson, who performed admirably, but was ultimately overpowered by the more favoured opposition.

Jackson will have to perform well in the remaining three events before the mid-year cut off kicks in. However, he is confident he can get the job done whatever the scenario. “If I have to come out at Margies (the last event before the cut off) and have to think about getting a result there, or if I’m in a good spot, I’ll be ready regardless.”

LOOKING GOOD

Fans at home are crossing their fingers that Jacko survives a ruthless WSL system that doesn’t even guarantee competitors a full year on the Championship Tour. There is certainly something quintessentially Australian and endearing about the stocky, blonde surfer with the bushy moustache. However, even if he does fall victim to the

mid-year cut, he has still made a hero’s journey, overcoming family tragedy and adversity to climb into the elite ranks of an incredibly competitive individual sport. We can all take a little bit of inspiration from Jacko.

God’s-eye view of a scything turn.

Gold-plated flight facilities.

Whirling beyond the green face.

There’ something endearing about the stocky, blonde surfer with the bushy moustache.

PROTECTION WITH ATTITUDE.

SUNGLASSES FOR WORK AND PLAY

The Purpose Built Moto guide:

moto mods Tooling up for

For its latest YouTube release, the Purpose Built Moto team is getting its hands dirty with taking a tired and beat-up Yamaha XS650, cutting it in half, then rebuilding it as a slim, sleek and lightweight street chopper. Principal Tom Gilroy is looking forward to watching the tools and workshop perform.

The tick list of major mods on this project include:

• A 700cc race engine

• A lightweight, chromoly hard tail

• Upgraded front suspension and brakes, AND

• A suspended rider seat.

The Yamaha 650 twin is a much-used and highly regarded engine, with excellent reliability and great potential for power output. With these mods we’re aiming to drop 20kg-30kg off the bike’s weight, which will ultimately provide a lively ride.

THE TEARDOWN

After moving into our new space (see issue #74 – Ed ), we had seriously tooled up. With a huge delivery of SP Tools roller cabs and toolkits the week before, we were itching to get to work. Our motorcycle bays have been kitted out with the SP Tools Custom Series roller cabs with lockers and the tool kits to suit. The toolboxes also left us a bunch of room for the Makita cordless grinders, drills and chargers.

Because we’re not an in-and-out oil-change shop, most of our projects require some form of fabrication or modification.

Words: Tom Gilroy

TOOLING UP FOR MOTO MODS

That means we need workbench space. The SP Tools low-line cabinet is perfect with its tool storage underneath and a huge workbench on top to work with. The set up for us is a lot better than the top-box set up most mechanics use.

Our tools were broken out, the bike stripped bare and an engine jig fabricated to make sure nothing critical moved when the frame was chopped. We used the engine and engine cradle, and the rest of the bike was scrapped or sold off for parts. That’s just how far we’re going with this build process.

FRAME FAB

The bike went into the fabrication room to start its surgery.

We’ve fabricated a frame jig of sorts to hold the frame and rear axle in place. This was built to sit on top of our steel-fabrication jig table, an epic addition to any workshop. We’ve custom built this set up so it can be rolled around the shop and used for everything from sissy bars to fender mounts. This time around it’s frame fabrication.

You’ll notice our fabrication bay isn’t some sprawling open space. Room is always tight at the shop so we try to use it wisely. We’ve managed it pretty well, and all our key tools are within arm’s reach. Having two of us working on

the same bike definitely gets a bit tight for space, and using cordless tools saves a lot of crossed leads on the floor. The Makita kit is stashed under our fabrication table and a few charged batteries kept on hand. With our donor frame mounted securely in the frame jig, Dylan and I got busy making measurements and planning out our hard tail.

Shortening the wheelbase slightly and reducing the tube size would really bring out the short, sharp, look I was after, and we used a 2mm-wall, 19mm-diameter, 4130 chromoly tube for the frame. With our static points set and the new wheel/ suspension sizes mapped out, we started designing how the frame would look, linking the existing frame to the new axle location.

GETTING IT RIGHT

For this project we’d upgraded our bending set up, too.

We do a lot of solid-bar and tube bending through our custom projects. For the solid bar we have a very simple and very cheap ‘tube’ bender. It comes with dies that range from 8mm up to 25mm in various radii, and although we never use it for tube bending it’s perfect to bend our smaller round bar. The big upgrade we’ve just got is a Speedwerx mandrel tube bender.

Australian made, and with dies made to order, this was by far our best investment after moving to the new workshop. The ratchet-style linkage makes it easy to bend the super-strong chromoly tube we use in sizes well above what we will ever need.

A welcome return to Burleigh Brewing – an afternoon surrounded by mates, a few beers and some epic bikes.

There’s a lot of solid-bar and tube bending for the custom projects.

Tacking in place before it’s finish-welded.

TOOLING UP FOR MOTO MODS

A lot of guys use these to build roll cages for cars, so you can bet it will do the job on our custom bikes.

A few more measurements were needed before we started bending.

Once the hard tail gets mapped out with filler rod to make sure it looks right, we sketch and mirror it out on our large steel-fab table, making sure to include critical details like the backbone width, axle width, overall length and tyre size. This helps to visualise the frame from the top and side before making any cuts, ensuring we get it right the first time.

The tube is cut and one side completely made first, marking down our bend angles and distances along the way. Once that’s check fitted, we mirror it for the opposite side and tack it in place with our SWS Alumtig 200 welder before it’s finish-welded.

The SWS Alumtig gets put to work on our heavier

frame sections, but a motorcycle fab doesn’t often deal with heavy-gauge materials. This little welder does everything we need it to do perfectly, especially with the AC/aluminium welding side of things. It’s a dream to use.

Once the major fab is done on that frame, I leave PBM’s fabricator, Dylan, to finish it off and move on with another project: a show event with Purpose Built Moto and Burleigh Brewing.

STAY IN TOUCH

The bikes on show are two of our latest and greatest.

Any motorcycle in our Signature Series is a very special machine, with the badge only given to our top-shelf motorcycles that have been under our creative control and had all the stops pulled out during the build.

The first is an XS650 café racer featuring a nickelplated frame, freshly built race engine and handmade exhaust. Pretty much everything else on the bike is hand-made too. The paintwork is a handmixed silver-and-candy teal, offset by a number of polished stainless and nickel-plated parts.

The second bike is a 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster, part of our ADV Sportster group.

We build these bikes to take a beating off road, which is a far cry from their usual highway-only use. The Harley has been upgraded with dirtbike suspension, offroad wheels and aluminium body work, dropping nearly 50kg off the standard bike. A specially fabricated airbox has been included to make sure the Harley doesn’t get choked with dust, and the process includes 3D modelling and printing of a carbonfibre filament intake with a mix of aluminium and stainlesssteel parts to link it to the performance carburettor.

This bike will showcase our work in the metal, with no photoshop or studio lighting. It’s raw and unfiltered, just how we like our bikes.

After months in COVID lockdowns it’s a welcome return to in-person events for us and our mates at Burleigh Brewing –an afternoon surrounded by mates, a few beers and some epic bikes.

If you want to find out more about Purpose Built Moto, the bikes we build and the parts we make, head to purposebuiltmoto.com

Two of our latest and greatest in the Signature Series: an XS650 café racer featuring a nickel-plated frame, freshly built race engine and hand-made exhaust, and a 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster, part of the ADV Sportster group.

SP Tools Custom Series roller cabs with lockers have a bunch of room for the Makita cordless grinders, drills and chargers.

Unleashing the next

Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) brand and leader in total jobsite solutions, D e WALT, has announced the global launch of the DeWALT POWERSTACK ™ 18V compact battery, a next-generation technological breakthrough that marks a new era of performance for DeWALT cordless power tools.

This revolutionary design delivers the lightest and most powerful† compact battery from DeWALT3

Features and benefits include:

• 50% more power 1 – enables broad application capabilities and fast performance with cordless tools

• 25% more compact 2 – provides tool maneuverability, high precision and reduced fatigue when used in tight

workspaces, and

• Twice the lifespan5 – provides the benefit of more overall investment value.

BREAKTHROUGH

“D e WALT POWERSTACK ™ 18V compact battery technology represents a breakthrough battery innovation in the power-tools industry,” said Jaime Ramirez, Executive Vice President & President of Global Tools & Storage for Stanley Black & Decker. “Our ground-breaking, dependable, lithium-ion battery pack represents a new threshold of cordless power-tool performance, helping to further realise the full potential of the cordless jobsite of the future.

“The DeWALT POWERSTACK™ battery is a significant feat of engineering that reflects

a long history of innovative leadership from DeWALT, as well as our relentless pursuit to provide our customers with the best cordless power-tool experience on the market.”

FITS ALL 18V XR

In addition, the battery includes several features to optimise functionality. The battery pack has an LED fuel gauge that displays the battery’s state-of-charge, helping the end user avoid unplanned work stoppages, and is designed with a durable, non-marring rubber overmold that provides impact resistance while helping to protect finished surfaces. The battery is ideal for cutting, drilling and fastening applications, precision and finishing tasks, and when working in tight spaces.

The DeWALT POWERSTACK™ 18V compact

next dimension in power

An LED fuel gauge displays the battery’s state-of-charge.

battery is compatible with all DeWALT 18V XR tools and chargers in the 18V XR system.

The DeWALT POWERSTACK™ 18V compact battery will begin to roll out to Australian and New Zealand DeWALT distributors, retailers, and e-commerce channels from May 2022.

To learn more about the D e WALT POWERSTACK ™ 18V compact battery, please visit: https://www.D e WALT.com. au/powerstack

1 vs. DCB183 Battery, not in application

2 Footprint vs. DCB183 Battery

3 vs. D e WALT 18V XR Batteries 2Ah or lower; †not in application.

5 Charge cycles vs. DCB183 Battery

The Bluetooth ® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by DeWALT is under license.

Left: Revolutionary design delivers DeWALT’s lightest and most powerful† compact battery.

Right: DeWALT® is the world’s first major power-tool brand to use pouch-cell batteries designed for the construction industry.

Isuzu Trucks light-duty

Australian truck buyers can now enjoy the famous reliability of Isuzu’s light-duty product hand-in-hand with the next generation of trucking safety.

Isuzu Trucks has released safest Isuzu truck ever developed for the Australian market. The next level of truck safety comes in the form of a significant update to the best-selling N Series light-duty range. On sale now, the latest incarnation of Isuzu’s perennially popular 4x2 N Series trucks offers operators not only the brand’s famous promise of reliability, but the next generation of truck safety with the introduction of Isuzu Intelligent Safety.

Combined with improved cabin appointments, unbeatable breadth-of-range and the class-leading engine and driveline componentry customers have cherished for over 35 years, Isuzu’s new N Series range is designed to keep Isuzu truck drivers, as well as other road users, safe and secure on Australian roads.

NEXT-GENERATION SAFETY

Complementing the existing safety suite found in all Isuzu N Series 4x2 trucks, the brand has introduced a new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS).

Isuzu’s clever new ADAS has been carefully designed to observe changing traffic conditions and assist drivers in

maintaining a safe distance from other road users, pedestrians, cyclists, and objects. It’s designed to help avoid collisions with a combination of warning alerts and automations that activate when an imminent crash or potentially dangerous change in driving environment is detected.

Isuzu’s ADAS features include:

• Advanced Emergency Braking system (AEB) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

• Lane Departure Warning system (LDW)

• Traffic Movement Warning (TMW)

• Distance Warning System (DWS)

• Auto Lighting System (ALS).

light-duty update

Reversing camera for allaround vision and safety.

Main: The next level of truck safety comes in the form of a significant update to Isuzu’s bestselling N Series light-duty range.

Below: The dual-lens Hitachi camera is inside the cabin in a central dashboard position that does not obstruct driver view and is not attached to the windscreen.

EAGLE EYES

Behind Isuzu’s new ADAS is the highly effective Hitachi Stereo 3D camera, proven to be incredibly accurate in object detection as well as speed and depth perception regardless of day or night operation. Unlike other trucks which offer a single camera attached to the windscreen, usually at the top, and a radar sensor mounted lower on the cabin face or bumper, Isuzu has

mounted the dual-lens Hitachi camera inside the cabin in a central dashboard position that does not obstruct driver view and is not attached to the windscreen. This gives the camera a superior field of vision to detect lower-height objects while in motion (small children for example)—a critical advantage for those working in established and built-up areas.

NEW INDUSTRY BENCHMARK

No strangers to the Australian truck market, emergency braking and lane departure warning systems have become an accepted and well-received addition to safety suites.

Isuzu’s Advanced Emergency Braking system with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) works by way of the dual optical-sensor camera which monitors the environment in front of the truck. It can detect and determine the distance of three-dimensional objects such as vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles and other objects.

If the FCW system determines a collision is likely, and depending on the circumstances and severity of the situation, it will respond with either audible and visual alerts, or autonomous activation of the vehicle’s brakes.

Under normal operating conditions the system is designed to avoid a collision with a speed difference up to 50kph, and can reduce the risk of a collision impact for higher speed differentials, even at night.

Similar to systems found in many modern passenger cars, Isuzu’s Lane Departure Warning works via sensors that detect and monitor the vehicle’s trajectory in relation to lane markings on roads or the road edge itself, providing audible and visual alarms for the driver if the vehicle begins to wander out of the lane marking or over the road edge.

SAFETY IN SPADES

Going further down the road to improved safety, Isuzu has introduced a unique feature, the Distance Warning System (DWS), designed to ensure the truck operator is travelling at a safe distance from the vehicle ahead.

Allowing drivers to pre-set a desired minimum distance (depending on application or environment), the DWS will alert drivers with a subtle visual warning on the dash when an unsafe distance is detected. The system has been intuitively programmed to only activate when speeds exceed 30kph, which is particularly useful for highway driving and prevents spurious warnings in situations such as traffic jams.

Operators who do face those unavoidable traffic conditions, or who are operating in metro settings, will also appreciate the Traffic Movement Warning (TMW) system, another

feature unique to Isuzu’s N Series ADAS.

The TMW system monitors stationary vehicles ahead and will alert the driver with a clear but subtle warning sound when forward traffic movement is detected more than five metres from a truck’s stopped position.

Rounding-out the Isuzu Intelligent Safety suite in the new N Series 4x2 range is an Auto Lighting System (ALS).

The ALS functions automatically when selected by the driver, adjusting headlight and taillight brightness to meet changing outside lighting conditions, providing drivers with optimum lighting for safe driving and road use.

Lane Departure Warning system (LDW).

Improved cabin appointments.

URBAN SAFETY BOOST

Isuzu Australia Limited National Sales Manager, Les Spaltman, noted new N Series trucks were built to support operators across a gamut of applications, but that urban operators would find particular benefit in Isuzu’s ADAS.

“Linked to the dual-camera placed for optimal visibility of low-height objects, our ADAS is designed to be an extra set of eyes on the road, helping the driver monitor everything from other road users, pedestrians and cyclists, through to changing traffic conditions,” Mr Spaltman said.

FORWARD THINKING

Complementary to these sweeping safety enhancements comes a host of additional updates to the new N Series, including an interior revamp in seat-cover material and cabin appointments, and a new exterior lamp assembly with prominent foglamps. Behind the dashboard is a new CAN converter circuit and connector, making it a simple exercise to fit a fleet-management or telematics system. All new N Series trucks receive at least 500kg increases in towing capacity. Matching this increase, Isuzu dealerships offer genuine towbars as an optional

Protect your workforce against respiratory hazards

accessory, available at extra cost. Other additions (model dependent) include a customisable speed limiter (set at the dealership), new cab-tilt warning device, and long-awaited suspension seats in selected narrow-cab models. Customers can also expect to see new product hitting Isuzu’s

Ready-to-Work range, with Tipper and Tradepack line-ups expanded, plus additional models slated for 2022 release.

“With confidence, we can say these are the safest, most advanced, diesel-powered light-duty Japanese trucks in the Australian market,” said Mr Spaltman.

Give them confidence to do their best

Choose the right respiratory protection for your employees. A good fit means the respirator will seal to your skin. We, at 3M, understand the importance of a good fit and the need to safeguard your employees.

We also have exclusive offers on respiratory protection available on:

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• Upgrade Your Gear (Reusable Respirator)

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• Free prepaid badge monitors for qualified customers

• S&SL software training

Long-awaited suspension seats in selected narrow-cab models.

A new exterior lamp assembly with prominent foglamps.

A reroof is the perfect time for VENT-A-ROOF® installation

Following ongoing water-leaking issues with their tiled roof, the owners of this home in Moorooka, Queensland, decided to address the problem by upgrading and replacing their tiles with CUSTOM ORB® steel roofing.

The reroofing work was undertaken by IRT roofing, with the owners deciding, as part of the process, they would take the opportunity to also install the innovative VENT-A-ROOF® ventilation system.

A GOOD IDEA

Having sound ventilation is an important consideration in every home, as it provides many benefits for occupants: in warmer months the hot air escapes the home more freely keeping living spaces cooler, while in colder temperatures humid air can more easily escape, minimising the chance of condensation and reducing the likelihood of mould and other issues.

VENT-A-ROOF ® is a concealed and passive system that uses the power of natural airflow to ventilate ceiling cavities. It’s suitable for use in domestic, commercial and light-industrial buildings with metal roofs, and is installed under traditional

ridges, hips and barges, resulting in a sleek and clutter-free roofline.

Along with providing superior performance, the aesthetic benefits of the VENT-A-ROOF® system were particularly important to the homeowners, according to VENT-A-ROOF Sales Manager, Chris Cuschieri.

“The home sits on a sloping block and as a result the entire roofline is visible from the street,” Chris said.

“Given that every part of the roof is on display, the owners wanted to avoid the obtrusive ‘bolt-on’ appearance of traditional systems such as wind-driven rotary ventilation systems. VENT-A-ROOF® is completely concealed, so it maintains the roof’s clean look and the home’s street appeal.”

COMPLETE VENTILATION SOLUTION

On this project, VENT-A-ROOF ® was installed across three of the roof’s ridges, providing a complete ventilation solution for the entire home. To have achieved similar ventilation performance from traditional systems would have required fitment of

multiple devices, which, according to Chris, could have caused inherent problems.

“One of the other many benefits of VENTA-ROOF® is that the system doesn’t require any penetration of the roof. This avoids leaks and the potential of having ongoing maintenance issues,” he said.

“Installed across three ridge sections over approximately 15 metres of roofline, the owners of this house will benefit by having a complete ventilation solution for the entire home; to have achieved a similar outcome using wind-driven rotary ventilation system, multiple units would have been needed which is impractical and costly.”

QUIET ACHIEVER

Another drawback of wind-driven systems is that they can be quite noisy – as a passive system with no moving parts, VENT-AROOF® is completely silent.

Chris said that a growing number of customers, particularly those who were reroofing their homes, were choosing to install VENT-A-ROOF ® as part of their renovation project.

“If a homeowner is considering reroofing, this is the perfect time to install VENT-AROOF ® as either a replacement to their previous traditional ventilation system, or as their first-time ventilation solution,” Chris said.

“While the system is already cost effective compared to traditional systems, if the installation occurs during a reroof, the process becomes even more efficient.”

VENT-A-ROOF® is fully compatible with both ZINCALUME® steel and COLORBOND® steel, proven performers in the harsh Australian climate. The system is also BAL and Cyclone-rated, meets ‘Form 15’ compliance and is compliant with 2019 NCC ventilation requirements.

VENT-A-ROOF® is available nationally from Lysaght branches and resellers. For more information visit www.lysaght.com/venta-roof

Reroofing is the perfect time to install VENT-A-ROOF® as either a replacement to a previous traditional ventilation system, or as a first-time ventilation solution.

VENT-A-ROOF® is a concealed and passive system that uses the power of natural airflow to ventilate ceiling cavities.

• Aluminium housing powder coated black

• Tempered glass lens

• Low profile design

• Surge protected 4kV Line-Line

• High efficiency SMD chip 150Lm/w

• Operating Temp: -30ºC to +50ºC

• 1.5m flex & plug 3 pin

• IP65 rated IK08

• Multi-wattage 100/120/150/200W (available on 200W model only)

• Plug-and-play microwave and Lux sensor with remote control option

- 12m mounting height @ 1-8m diameter detection range

- Lux level adjustment

- Sensitivity adjustment

- Time on/off adjustment up to 30min

- Light harvesting

LATEST HAND TOOLS

Hand tools are bread’n’butter for the hardworking tradie. Here’s a few good’ns that’ll help earn a crust.

NEW CHALK REELS FROM CRESCENT LUFKIN RELIEVE PAIN POINTS FOR PRO USERS

Crescent Lufkin is launching its new line of chalk reels, designed to erase the most common problems with the competition’s products. With the latest developments, Crescent Lufkin chalk reels offer the professional tradesperson the ultimate in quality and innovation. From 6:1 rewind ratio Professional Reels to 3:1 & 1:1 rewind-ratio Compact Reels, every product is designed and engineered to provide superior performance with features that make it both easy to use and exceptionally dependable. Add the new offering of high-visibility chalk and a tradesperson has an unbeatable chalk and chalk-reel performance combination.

The revolutionary new 30m Professional Chalk Reel (CLO100) has three innovative features that put it ahead of any other reel on the market: a one-way valve makes refilling quick and clean, a locking hub makes snaps neat and fast, and a nesting end hook ends tool-bag tangle.

The reel also has a 6:1 rewind ratio for faster retraction and braided line for better chalk retention. Use it with the new Crescent Lufkin chalk and get sharp, accurate lines on every snap.

Crescent Lufkin also introduced new Hard Mark Blue Chalk, a high-brightness chalk that is 3X more visible than normal chalk. The full chalk line-up includes three colours (226g/8oz and 1.15kg/2.5oz options) for a variety of user needs.

Visit www.crescenttool.com.au

AUTOMOTIVE AND INDUSTRIAL MECHANICS WILL HAVE A NEW BEST FRIEND IN PITBULL PLIERS FROM GEARWRENCH

Pliers are among the hand tools automotive and industrial mechanics use every day. That doesn’t mean they have to be mundane. Instead, GEARWRENCH is proud to unleash its new line of PitBull Pliers, designed with features and functionality that will quickly turn them into a mechanic’s best friend.

“Professional technicians we talked to said that the most important things they looked for in their pliers are grip and cutting ability,” said Steven Tokouzis, product manager for GEARWRENCH. “We know they’re cutting day in and day out and we know that grip is critical to getting the job done. Those two goals are at the core of everything we put into our PitBull Pliers.”

TONGUE-&-GROOVE PLIERS

The PitBull K9 Tongue & Groove Pliers with dipped handles feature the innovative K9 jaw system with teeth that can grip and turn with up to a 35-degree offset angle. The narrow profile provides 40% greater access than the competition.

SOLID-JOINT PLIERS

Professional technicians can now cut with 35% less force, thanks to the pivot-forward design and laser-hardened cutting edges of all four GEARWRENCH PitBull Solid-Joint Pliers (linesman, long-nose, universal and diagonal). The innovative designs also translate to 50% longer cutting life, meaning techs aren’t replacing their pliers over and over once they’ve gone dull. All four styles are available in dipped handles for easy cleaning. All PitBull Pliers feature pinch-stop design to prevent blood blisters brought on by pinching handles. For more information, visit www.gearwrench.com.au

WÖLF TOOLS RANGE

In only four short years, WöLF Tools has changed the hand-tool landscape in Australia. WöLF’s premium-quality tools are designed specifically for Australian tradies and the range has now grown to over 200 products.

WöLF’s mantra is ‘efficiency, durability, performance, quality’ and that’s what the Aussie trade expect from its hand tools. Since its recent launch, WöLF’s Long

Handled Nut Riveter has been a huge hit with Australian tradies. This versatile tool allows for the creation of a threaded fixing point in a huge range of flat metal surfaces. Along with the nut riveter, it comes with 7 different size mandrels and 70 rivet nuts, so it’s a onebox solution for in the work van or ute. Another favourite in the WöLF range is the Camo folding knife. It’s a great

all-round knife, handy at work and on the weekend. It’s got a sharp, 95mm, stainless-steel blade with black finish, and a camo wrapped handle. The blade is kept safely in place with its locking mechanism and can be easily secured onto a belt or in a pocket with its clip. Check out the entire WöLF Tools range exclusively at Total Tools; either online at TotalTools.com.au or in store.

WORK FASTER, NOT HARDER WITH THE BOSCH GO!

Send a subtle hint to the family for this great gift idea (for you)! Perfect for those repetitive installations and fixings – ready, set, GO! The Bosch GO Cordless Screwdriver is easy-to-use and compact, enabling great working results in a variety of applications. The dual-activation mode allows the user to simply push forward on the tool or press the ‘on’ button to activate the tool’s function. The mechanical clutch has 5 torque settings up to ‘maximum performance mode’, offering precise control to screw into each material type safely. Stay powered with easy, portable USB charging for on-the-go jobs.

Pair it with the Bosch 24-piece Impact Tough Screwdriver Bit set, available in a Custom Case System, and designed to insert and swap clips as desired. Tough like the screwdriver bits, the case is built with rubber bumpers and a strong latch, ready to take on any worksite and keep accessories safe.

Available in-store and online at Bosch stockists – visit www. bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/products/bosch-go-06019H2140 for more information.

THINGS ARE REALLY HEATING UP AT HOT DEVIL

If you hadn’t already heard, Hot Devil has the hottest soldering irons & blow torches in town. And the all-new HD1971K 10 Piece Butane Soldering Iron & Blow Torch is no exception. This torch has been specifically designed to give you the ability to solder & heat shrink, loosen off rusted nuts & bolts, strip paint, as well as complete auto work, or even circuitry soldering and other more delicate jobs, all packed into an ergonomic and comfortable design.

With electroplated brass accessories and a handy safety cap all included in the kit, you know this is a serious tool. And with the in-built, easy-start auto ignition and integrated stand, using this torch makes any job a breeze.

Operating on high-quality purified butane gas, the HD1971K 10 Piece Butane Soldering Iron & Blow Torch provides an easy-tocontrol flame with a burn temperature of over 1300°C, and soldering tips which will heat up to an impressive 400°C surprisingly quickly. All this makes it ideal for the jobsite or workshop, and a must-have tool for the trades. Incredibly user friendly, there is no job this hot new torch from Hot Devil cannot handle.

Visit www.hotdevil.com.au for more information.

LIFT YOUR GAME WITH THE KINCROME LIFTING RANGE

KINCROME offers the best range of Australian Standards-compliant, industrial-quality lifting equipment, backed by the best industrial warranty and spare parts in the business. This comprehensive range includes…

GARAGE JACKS & TROLLEY JACKS

KINCROME garage & trolley jacks cover a huge range of sizes and weight ratings to suit just about every professional or DIY lifting application, from low-profile racing cars to heavy-duty 4WDs and SUVs.

BOTTLE JACKS

KINCROME has raised the bar with the range of industrial-quality bottle jacks. The exclusive design gives the user greater stability, optimum performance, unrivalled durability and features unseen on any other jacks of this nature.

JACK STANDS

KINCROME’s range of Jack stands feature a precision machine-welded design, ensuring increased strength and stability under load. Jack stands come in both pin and ratchet types, ranging from 1350kg – 5000kg.

VEHICLE POSITIONING JACKS

KINCROME vehicle positioning jacks make manoeuvring vehicles around the workshop quick, safe and easy. The ratcheting design is superior to hydraulic systems as it is significantly more durable, does not require annual hydraulic fluid replacement, does not blow seals, will not leak, and they can be stored on their side without the risk of airlock.

Visit www.kincrome.com.au/lifting

UNIT CONVERSION AT THE PRESS OF A BUTTON: BOSCH GLM 400

If there is one tool you cannot work without, it’s the Bosch GLM 400 Professional Laser Measure.

Thanks to the GLM 400 Professional rangefinder, measuring distances is no longer time-consuming and inaccurate guesswork. It is a compact, robust and intuitive rangefinder that offers up to 40 metres of measurement range with innovative colour-screen, HMI design, ISO certification and an IP 54-rated protection standard, and ‘conversion at one press’ – an instantaneous solution to convert measurement units at the single press of a button.

Professional workers such as wall painters, floor layers, carpenters, architects and property agents are strongly suggested to work with a GLM Professional in their day-to-day job. Not only does it provide greater convenience, it also saves time and effort compared to traditional measurement methods.

WHY DO I NEED THE GLM 400?

It’s all about convenience and greater confidence, saving tradies time and money. Forget the saying, “Measure twice, cut once.” Accuracy the first time round has never been a safer bet. There’s no more bending and flexing of tape measures or anticipating the violent pull-back on the tape catching your fingers – the GLM 400 is easy to use and provides accurate read-outs. This tool is durable, all while being super light and a tool-belt companion. Let’s get into the technical stuff:

• The GLM 400 has a measurement range of 0.05m – 40.00m

• Colour display

• Measurement accuracy, typical: + /- 1.5mm (plus use dependant deviation)

• Powered by 2 x 1.5V LR03 (AAA batteries)

• Automatic switch off after no use of 5 minutes

• Light and compact, weighing a mere 0.1kg

• Versatile measurements recorded in: m/cm/mm/ft/inch/ ft-inch for meeting daily measuring needs

• IP 54 rated for protection against splash and dust

• Compatible with tripod mount thread ¼", allowing for a wider variety of applications.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE BOSCH GLM 40 v GLM 400

Both rangefinders measure up to 40 metres, however the GLM 400 has the added benefits of a unit-conversion button, colour display, tripod mount (1/4"), and improved memory capacity of up to 15 measurements.

The GLM 400 is also eligible for Bosch’s extended 6-year warranty (through online registration), as part of all Professional Tools, Batteries and Chargers. Knowing Bosch Professional products are backed by 6 years warranty gives peace of mind knowing the GLM 400 does not compromise on reliability and quality and is built for endurance.

Learn more: https://www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/ products/glm-400-0601072RK0

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

• Robust design with 2 speed settings

• Individual tool settings

• Human Machine Interface

• Protection from motor and battery overheating

Bosch GSB 18V-150 C hammer drill

• World’s strongest drill

• World first with Electronic Angle Detection

• Switchable Kickback Control

• Precise screw driving

Bosch’s BITURBO range has been making waves with its brushless motor allowing tools to draw maximum power from one 18V battery, so there is no need for dual or multiple batteries on one tool. Bosch BITURBO can achieve up to 2000W corded equivalent power from one ProCORE18V battery. It’s optimised for ProCORE18V batteries, but compatible with all 18V tools running on the existing Bosch Professional 18V battery platform.

For unleashing the maximum power of BITURBO tools, use a ProCORE18V 8.0Ah or 12.0Ah battery.

This new GSB 18V-150 C hammer drill has been independently tested by DERKA and certified as the world’s strongest hammer drill in its category. Punching out a massive 150Nm of torque and 2200rpm, this hammer

With 150Nm of torque, this the world’s most powerful hammer drill.

The GSB 18V-150 C punches out massive torque. Bosch really has thrown everything at this impressive offering.

drill doesn’t rely on just its world-leading power. Bosch really has thrown everything at it, with another world-first: Electronic Angle Detection – a system which ensures the right angle of long screws. There’s also Switchable Kickback Control to reduce the risk of sudden rotational torque reaction and offer excellent tool control. That becomes vital as the tool’s power increases, but the fact the system can be switched off for certain tasks is equally important.

TEST #1: HMI – HUMAN MACHINE INTERFACE

I’d better start with explaining the HMI set up. On the foot of the drill, above the battery, is the menu for HMI which shows important info. A red colour bar indicates the tool and/or battery is overheated or empty, for instance, or kickback control has been activated. If the bar turns yellow, the tool-and-battery temperature is critical or Switchable Kickback Control is turned off. If the bar turns green it’s an indication the tool is good to go. The blue

bar shows the GSB 18V-150 C is connected via Bluetooth to a smart phone, and other features like Electronic Angle Detection are also controlled from there.

TEST #2: 150NM!

The next test was all about the power and I visited one of my good mates, Benny Fox, of Fox & Co.

Ben was working on an extension where a slab had just gone down, and he was putting up the metal structure and framework. The slab needed 12mm starter bars and various other drill holes.

The normal choice of tool for this type of work would be a dedicated rotary hammer drill. A normal drill would just scream at you, not go anywhere and burn out the drill tip.

The Bosch GSB 18V-150 C hammer drill proved to be a vastly different experience.

“I could feel the power instantly,” explained Ben. “But also, I could feel a different motion or mechanism with the Bosch. It felt and sounded different, and the difference was

evident in its performance as the 12mm bit sunk easily into the slab.

“The drill didn’t feel like it was being overworked, either. When I fired up the spade bit, 25mm auger and hole saw, I was just blown away with the all-round power and performance.”

TEST #3: KICKBACK CONTROL AND ELECTRONIC ANGLE DETECTION

Kickback Control is an excellent feature to reduce the risk of sudden twisting, possibly injuring the operator and probably risking damaging the job. But there are times using certain tools and accessories – like hole saws – where you want to be able to turn off this safety feature. The switching is easy to find on the HMI and automatically turns back on after the drill has been inactive for five minutes.

Electronic Angle Detection is an exciting new technology whereby you tell the drill what angle you want to drill via the HMI, then sit the drill on the rafter or timber you’re planning to drill. This process sets the angle or pitch of the work area. From there you are ready to drill, and the tool will give you a yellow light at the back of the drill that turns green when you find the pre-set angle selected, guiding your screw in at the correct angle.

The drill is pre-set to 90 degrees with the choice of 90, 60 or 45 degrees, but through the Bosch Toolbox app you can choose any angle.

Roofers in particular will love this feature.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

With more features and review-worthy standouts than I have space to include on these pages, all I can say is this is possibly one of the best hammer drills I have ever tested.

Be sure to check it out next time you’re in store or online.

Visit: www.bosch-pt.com.au

Benny from Fox & Co absolutely loved being able to turn off the Switchable Kickback Control to use the hole saw.

This hammer drill has a great sound and action to it.

Even fitted with a 25mm auger bit the Bosch destroyed this pine sleeper in seconds.

Even when drilling into a slab the Bosch performed above expectations.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

• Australia’s best-selling lead-free flashing

• 4 colours to choose

Wakaflex lead free flashing

Wakaflex is a significant lead-free product for Australian roofers and has been sold in Australia for over 20 years. Its unique characteristics allow it to not only chemically bond with itself to create a watertight seal, but also to provide a threedimensional stretch (up to 50% in length and 15% in width). Along with its amazing strength and longevity, these things truly make it a standout product.

It quickly becomes clear why so many roofers rely on Wakaflex product for both new build applications like abutments, stepflashing, chimneys and Dutch gables, as well as replacing similar features on existing structures. Embedded in the extruded polymer rubber – called polyisobutylene – is an internal aluminium mesh that provides the rigidity and a lasting memory when dressed to the roof surface. Lengths are cut with a pair of quality trade scissors or snips, making it quick and easy to use.

There is also a 3-piece HDPE protective backing, and of course the hero of the

•

Unique butyl strips allow independent movement.

It’s clear why so many roofers rely on Wakaflex product.

from

Two unique butyl strips allow independent movement of the roof

product is that it is lead-free. Scientists have confirmed there is no safe level of lead in the body, so, in general, avoiding lead products is recommended. Unfortunately, lead is still found in many old houses in paint, pipes and roof flashings, and today many tradies are still using lead as their material of choice. After a few comparisons of lead versus Wakaflex, it’s clear why Wakaflex is such an awesome product.

Wakaflex comes in a 5m roll, lead only comes in 3m rolls. The minimum overlap required with Wakaflex is 50mm, where lead is 150mm. Waka has a butyl strip, lead doesn’t. Waka is water-harvesting safe, lead isn’t. Waka has a 10-year warranty, lead does not.

TEST #1: EASE OF USE

I caught up with Tony from AB Roofing to put this product to the test.

Tony has been a roofing specialist for 30 years and has worked on everything from modern residential housing to high-end commercial and heritage buildings. I found Tony working on site at Sydney University and he shared, “This big site at Sydney Uni is an existing structure we are re-tiling. There are various protrusions, like dormers, chimneys, and exhaust fans, that all required use of the Wakaflex product.

“Wakaflex allows for independent movement of all these various elements. For my team to easily carry the 5m roles, cut in-situ on the roof, and complete a flashing in 5 minutes to 10 minutes shows the ease and flexibility of the Wakaflex product.

“The fact it also allows any water to easily drain past the two butyl strips rather than having nowhere to go and being forced out the sides is a big plus.”

TEST #2: COLOUR MATCHING AND WIDTH

One of the other key benefits of the Wakaflex product is it being available in 4 colours: Lead Grey, black, brown and terracotta, providing an instant colour match to a wide range of most roof tiles. The rolls come in a range of widths including 280mm, 370mm and 560mm. Chatting with Tony after filming his team of 15 roofers working hard on a huge roof Tony commented, “Being lead-free is the big obvious bonus of the Wakaflex product, but there are plenty of other aspects we love that make this such a good product.

“My company has a reputation for being able to tile an entire residential roof in a single day, so we are regularly working with a mix of

• Lead free

• Ease of use

• Top-quality German-made product

• 20 years proven track record in Australia

tile colours. The fact Wakaflex has so many options that work perfectly with the most popular roof-tile colours keeps a lot of our clients really happy.

“For me and my roofers the product is extremely easy and quick to work with and allows my team to produce top-quality results with minimal fuss or time wasted”.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

After chatting with Tony about the many benefits of this product, including the fact it’s lead-free, it’s clear Wakaflex is the perfect flashing to use on homes with water tanks for water harvesting. Along with the 10-year guarantee and awesome colour choices, I can totally understand why Wakaflex is his go-to product and the best-selling lead-free flashing in Australia.

Visit www.wakaflex.com.au

When the tiles are going down fast you need a flashing product that won’t slow the team down.

Plenty of options in width and colour.

Ease of use and speed of application are impressive.

On-roof cutting and fitting is a breeze.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

The Crescent Lufkin chalk reel has gone through multiple rounds of R&D, fine tuning, new developments and additions, with direct feedback from tradies.

Crescent Lufkin

30

METRE (100FT) Professional chalk reels

After chatting with the Crescent Lufkin team, it sounds like the trusty chalk reel has gone through multiple rounds of R&D, fine tuning, new developments and additions, all with direct feedback from tradies. The result is a range of new professional reels with features which include longer and stronger lines from 15-45M, and with faster rewinds of up to 6x with the 6:1 gear ratio. The process of filling/refilling chalk was previously a slightly awkward affair involving removal of caps or seals, so Crescent Lufkin has created a clever,

one-way chalk valve for quick, no-mess refills. For those who prefer the traditional method of filling you can still remove the end cap if you wish.

The shape and design of the reels have also come under review, with the creation of a new ergonomic case designed to fit better in the hand for easier use with less fatigue. A variant with a full aluminium case has also been included.

To improve the actual process and quality of the marked chalk line, a thumb-activated hub lock has been designed and added

• Range of extra-long lines from 15-45M

• Fold-away rotating hub with 6:1 gear ratio

• Nesting end hook with 3x grip

Dave enjoying the ergonomics of the teardrop shape and rubberised design.

•

•

which holds the line securely in place to make the snapping process easier, cleaner and faster.

Finally, a nesting end hook has been added which retracts into the case itself and locks in place, preventing tool-bag snags.

To help with our testing we enlisted the talented Martin and Dave from Beaches Carpentry. The pair have been building quality homes around Sydney for over 20 years.

TEST #1: ERGONOMICS

Chatting with Dave about his experience with the 30m professional chalk reel he shared, “There’s no denying the new shape fits really well into the hand. The teardropstyle shape provides excellent grip, and the

thumb-activated hub lock gives the perfect tension and pressure to snap a precise and crisp line. It makes you wonder why this hasn’t been introduced sooner.

“The locking dial has a textured, rubberised edge, making it perfect to slide into the locking position easily. But it’s also the larger and toothier end hook that made for exact placement at the other end of the line which added to the ease and precision of the chalk reel.”

TEST #2: CHALK LINE AND REWIND SPEED

Watching Martin and Dave very quickly adapt to the new features of the chalk reel and then inspecting the quality of the chalk lines it’s clear tradies are going to love these new features.

“I really liked the ‘hard mark blue chalk’ that was included with the chalk reel in one of the packages,” said Dave. “It produced a brighter blue line which was clear and

easy to see on both indoor and outdoor applications with mixed lighting.

“The 6:1 gear ratio made for a very fast rewinding process. This is something tradies will love, as a slow rewind will put a lot of tradies off a chalk reel pretty much straight away, as will cheap plastic construction.

“I have used both the heavy-duty red & black unit as well as the aluminium version and both have stood up to a couple of solid drop tests with impressive results.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

All in all, it’s awesome to see the trusty chalk line get some love and attention. Even better is to see features combine to produce a tool which is going to allow tradies to achieve more accurate and precise results easier and in less time.

I can’t think of a single tradie who wouldn’t be happy with that.

Visit: www.crescenttool.com.au

• Thumb-activated hub lock

One-way chalk valve

Ergonomic heavy-duty case

The 6:1 rewind ratio saves a pile of time over the course of a busy day.

An oversized end hook gives optimum performance and bite.

A unique locking dial allows for a super tight line and crisp markings.

Enjoy clear and precise chalk lines of up to 30m.

Dave from Beaches Carpentry prepares to release the chalk line.

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

DeWalt 18V XR Brushless 3-speed impact driver

DeWALT has decided to go compact in the best possible way with its new 18V XR Brushless 3 Speed Impact Driver. A super-compact design –the head length is 100mm – allows access to workspaces that previously would have been out of reach.

This little pocket rocket is able to deliver real power when and where it’s needed, delivering an impressive 205Nm of torque. It’s a perfect choice for tasks that need serious grunt in tight spaces. A 3-mode

• New super-compact design: 100mm tool length

• 205Nm fastening torque

• 3-mode switch

switch on the foot provides excellent control and allows selecting the right amount of power and torque for specific tasks, while the inclusion of the brand-new D e WALT POWERSTACK 18V battery system –an industry-first use of 18V pouch-cell technology – has really allowed this impact driver to reach its full potential.

Flat-stacked pouch cells allow for higher current draw and performance compared to traditional cylindrical cells, and the POWERSTACK charges in 30 minutes and

• LED light ring

• Improved ¼" bit holder

• Ergonomic grip design

• POWERSTACK battery

offers twice the lifespan of comparable 18V XR batteries.

Other welcomed features on the 18V XR Brushless 3 Speed Impact Driver include a nice, bright LED light ring, optimised impact mechanism, improved ¼" bit holder, variable-speed trigger and an ergonomic grip design.

TEST #1: COMPACT SIZE

This tool is going to prove itself very useful across a wide range of trades, from kitchen installers and cabinetmakers through to window and door specialists, and any other tradie needing this very useful combination of compact size and power.

For the first test I visited SWAT Fabrications where my mate Jimmy Sullman had a mill

Tested By Jamie Gray

This compact impact driver will allow access to areas previously too tight to work in.

which needed some attention. The 100mm impact driver length was the perfect solution to access the bolts which needed to be removed. The size allowed enough room to position the tool to complete the task as well as providing the power to remove the tough, tight fixings. A regular impact driver simply would not have fit in the available space.

TEST #2: POWER

The brushless motor is capable of a no-load speed of 3250rpm and fastening torque of 205Nm, and to test this I grabbed a pine sleeper and some 200mm x 5mm structuraltimber connector screws. These screws were the biggest I had available, and the 18V XR Brushless 3 Speed Impact Driver drove them in cleanly and effortlessly the full depth of the sleeper.

Several other tests into decking and hardwood all proved this tool is small and compact, but offers substantial power and torque. It’s a great option which will tick many boxes for many tradies.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

DeWALT’s little impact driver is going to be like the Mike Tyson of this range of tools, beating out many of its bigger competitors with its superior power.

The inclusion of the POWERSTACK battery is only going to further impress. DeWALT’s internal testing has shown a drill fitted with the POWERSTACK battery drilled double the number of holes, and across various tools the POWERSTACK battery has provided significantly more power than the 2Ah 18V XR battery.

All in all, it’s great to see both this new tool and new battery system. If compact size and substantial power are on your list of requirements, be sure to check out these new offerings from DeWALT.

Visit: www.DeWALT.com.au

The Mike Tyson of this range of tools, beating out many of its bigger competitors with its superior power.

New POWERSTACK 18V technology offers 2x life and 50% more power than a similar XR compact battery.

Class-leading head length at 100mm.

You will feel the power and torque from this little performer straight away!

Three mode settings allow selecting the right amount of power and torque for specific tasks.

Tested By Jamie Gray

Diablo Rebar Demon head hammer bits

Diablo is a premium brand of cutting tools, abrasives and sanding products, and in an exciting move the company has launched its first range of drilling tools in Australia.

The new Diablo Rebar Demon is the industry’s only complete range of 4-cutter, full carbide head hammer bits, and will redefine drilling into slabs and rebar for ever more!

Ranging in size from 5mm to 32mm in SDS Plus, SDS MAX 4-Cutter Full Carbide Head and 4-Cutter Carbide Tipped SDS MAX. The carbide range from Diablo is significantly larger in both length and width than the 3 other major competitors.

Another impressive and interesting fact is

Diablo produces its own Dura Carbide to the highest certified standards. Dura Carbide withstands impact & high-heat applications, dramatically extending life over standard bits by up to 2x, and Diablo’s control of production allows innovative designs catered to specific cutting applications for the highest quality finishes and the longest cutting life.

Diablo Rebar Demon bits use tri-metal bonding to create a stress- and heatresistant bond between the carbide heat and the flute, damping the high-stress peaks to avoid cracks and extend lifespan with a robust yet flexible bond. Large channels provide faster dust removal and drilling – by up to 35% compared to competitors. As an

added advantage this also reduces wear and improves cordless efficiency.

The precision centring tip stops the tip from skating and makes for precise, true-to-size hole drilling while the pyramid-shaped tip attacks the material more aggressively.

TEST #1: PERFORMANCE AND ACCURACY

The team at Fox & Co had a great site available where we could test several Diablo Rebar Demon bits, ranging in size from 6.5mm up to 16mm. We were expecting good results, but the way the Diablo Rebar Demon cut through the steel rebar and slab was an eye-opener.

The new Diablo Rebar Demon is the industry’s only complete range of 4-cutter, full carbide head hammer bits.

Word spread around the site of just how well the Diablo Rebar Demon bits were performing and we soon had several tradies lining up for a go. Our tradie, Glen, had been in the industry for over 20 years.

“I’ve been a big fan of the Diablo brand for my circular saws and drop saws for many years now,” said Glen, “so I had fairly high expectations for this this range as well.

“When I saw the full range of bits laid out, I was really impressed with the commitment Diablo has made to this space. I haven’t seen any other manufacturer produce these many lengths and widths of full carbide bits before. It’s quite impressive.”

Glen continued, “When it came to physically drilling the slab and punching through the rebar things really got serious, and in my mind these products went up to the next level. I have never in my career experienced any drill bit break through concrete and rebar as quickly, cleanly and effortlessly as these Diablo bits. The precision tip stayed exactly where I wanted

• Optimised four-flute design

• Tri-metal diffusion bonding technology

• Up to 2x more carbide

• Up to 3x stronger weld

it to be and the Dura Carbide tore through the slab.

“When we hit the rebar, it just bashed its way through in 10 or 12 seconds, even when using the 16mm bits.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

We tested 6.5mm all the way through to the chunkier 16mm bits and we were amazed at the condition of the bit head after punching through the rebar. Both Glen and I were expecting the bit to come out looking a little beaten up, but each looked particularly fresh and showed minimal, if any, signs of the task just completed.

It was a pointer to the ultimate strength and durability of the bits themselves.

The optimised flute design also did a great job at removing dust and clearing out the hole while drilling.

Diablo Rebar Demon bits are going to set a new level in quality and performance for masonry and rebar drilling.

Pure and simple.

Visit: www.diablotools.com.au

• Diablo-made Dura Carbide

• Precision tip

• Biggest range available

The optimised four-flute design does a great job of removing material.

This 12mm bit hit rebar and tore it away in seconds to complete the hole in amazing time.

You won’t find a larger range in terms of both volume, length and width.

Glen ripped through the rebar in seconds where other drill bits would have taken minutes, or in some cases not broken through at all.

Holes were completed in 10-15 seconds with the 10mm,12mm & 16mm Diablo Rebar Demon bits.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

AEG

The common recipro saw has always been a bit of an allrounder for tradies and has a wider variety of use than any tool out of the various saw types. AEG’s new Sub Compact Reciprocating Saw Skin belongs in that group, but its compact

• 25% smaller than A18FRSO

• 40% lighter than A18FRSO

• Compact and powerful brushless motor

• Extreme 22mm stroke length

18V Brushless Sub Compact Reciprocating Saw skin

design and powerful performance open it up to even broader use in areas which exclude a traditional recipro.

For things like making fast cuts for demo work, cutting timber, PVC pipes or even tree branches, the power on this sub-compact tool means it punches well above its weight. Another great feature is its ergonomics, which open up the awesome flexibility of one-handed use. Combined with the LED light and sub-compact size, it means great usability working under benches or cabinets, in roofs or under houses.

AEG’s Sub Compact Range is powered by

AEG’s 18V-battery line up, meaning you can use all existing batteries when you purchase any of the Sub Compact Range, and if you are buying into the AEG range for the first time your 18V batteries will run everything from work tools, radios and high-pressure tyre inflators to leaf blowers, line trimmers and lawnmowers.

TEST #1: POWER VS SIZE

Don’t think just because the Sub Compact range is small in size it’s not made up of serious tradies’ tools. The saw is powered by a sub-compact brushless motor that

There’s plenty of good reasons to add AEG’s 18V Brushless Sub Compact Reciprocating Saw to your existing kit.

generates a maximum speed of 3200rpm with a stroke length of 22mm. Another benefit of the Sub Compact recipro I wasn’t expecting was the ultra-low vibration cuts being smoother and more accurate than the recipro’s bigger brother. This saw will have an even greater range of use.

In our testing we cut sections of 90mmx45mm pine, fascia board, 240mm pine and even LVL to really test the thing out. The cuts were clean and precise, and the saw performed to a level I wasn’t expecting from such a small tool.

TEST #2: COMFORT AND PRECISION

The ergonomics and grip of the Sub Compact recipro were excellent. The grip felt perfectly moulded into my hand and offered great control. I used the saw to cut both rugged tree branches and for finer, detailed cuts on plywood to really test the precision and control at both ends of the scale of use. The grip allowed total control, even when using one hand to operate the saw. It was particularly handy cutting branches as I could use one hand to hold the branch in position and the other hand to operate the saw.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

This offering from AEG is a great addition to its Sub Compact Range. It’s going to be well suited to a wide range

• Ultra-low vibration design

• Tool-free blade change

• LED sight light

of tradies due to its small size and excellent performance. We partnered up the recipro with some great performing Kango blades and found the combo worked very well with clean and precise cuts. The Sub Compact tools enjoying the full 18V power of AEG’s FORCE Batteries mean run time and performance is going to impress even the most demanding user. When you factor in AEG’s excellent warranty program and the availability of purchasing through the AEG Onsite team who will come to you on-site, there’s plenty of good reasons to add this tool to your existing kit.

Visit www.aegpowertools.com.au

AEG ONSITE

Reach out to AEG Onsite via www.aegpowertools.com.au/onsite or give Matt a call on 0438 110 636. AEG Onsite can do transactions and deliver tools direct to your site!

Jaz from Beaches Carpentry was loving the light weight and impressive power of the Sub Compact recipro.

Balance and ergonomics are top shelf.

Just by looking at this grip you can see how comfortable the tool will be to use.

Even on thicker sections the hefty torque shone through.

The Sub Compact size and light weight make for easy one-handed use.

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Hot Devil Trade Map Twin Turbo Torch Kit

Hot Devil has gone turbo with its new Trade Map Gas Twin Turbo Torch. With the inclusion of dual burners this torch is producing hotter temperatures up to 25% quicker than even Hot Devil’s own other top-shelf torch.

There are 101 uses for a torch of this nature, but if you don’t necessarily need the dual burner for all applications, Hot Devil has included a secondary adjustment knob to give the choice of one or two burners, making it the only torch on the market with this option. Ignition has never been easier, with an autoignition button on the base of the burner tubes. Ease of use is right up there, and the inclusion of a 360-degree swivel head adds to the torch’s versatility.

The inclusion of quality brass components means the torch will last on tough worksites and, to give complete peace of mind, Hot Devil has included an impressive 5-year warranty.

TEST #1: SET UP AND IGNITION

There isn’t really an easier set up than with this product. The torch head easily screws onto the trade map gas cylinder – make sure it’s secured nice and tight and you won’t have any dramas – turn on the top gas-adjustment nozzle all the way so you can hear the gas coming through, click the auto ignition and you are away, with twin turbo flames for circular-wrapping heat performance.

The second adjustment nozzle for the second burner is again extremely straightforward to turn on and off.

TEST #2: SILVER SOLDERING COPPER PIPE

For this test I caught up with my old school mate Bill Spoljaric from BSP Plumbing, a plumber and gas fitter for three decades. Bill had various sizes of copper pipe to test the heat of the Hot Devil, right up to 40mm.

Bill shared, “The heat produced from this Twin Turbo Torch is impressive. You can instantly feel the torch’s power. It’s extremely quick to get even 40mm copper up to the right temperatures for silver soldering.

“I do actually own an existing portable

Tested By Jamie Gray

Hot Devil has gone turbo with its new Trade Map Gas Twin Turbo Torch.

system like this one,” said Bill, “but it isn’t close to achieving the heat and speed of this Twin Turbo Torch.

“This would be perfect for any tradie requiring substantial performance for quick jobs or tasks where access is an issue, or where the much larger and time-consuming set up of an oxy either isn’t possible or just not worth the set-up time.

“I personally would use this for multi-level apartments, or in tight spaces like under sinks or houses. The 360-degree swivel head is also a great feature for working comfortably in awkward conditions.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The Hot Devil Trade Map Twin Turbo Torch Kit has smashed our testing with excellent results, and Bill’s comment that it was the most powerful portable system he had ever used was the perfect summary of the torch.

The fact this performance is matched by substantial build quality, and the added feature of dual burners that can be reduced to a single burner, makes this a go-to product for tradies needing the flexibility and versatility of a truly professional, portable, high-performance torch system.

I can see this torch being perfect for any tradie, DIY guy, or even artist or craftsperson with the need for substantial portable performance and an extremely quick set-up time.

The 5-year warranty and solid brass assembly speaks volumes to Hot Devil’s quality construction and confidence in its product.

Visit: www.hotdevil.com.au

• Twin burner

• Solid brass assembly

• Super turbo flame

• Auto ignition

• Burner tube swivels 360 degrees

• 5-year warranty

Turn the trade map gas fully on for maximum performance.

To really test the power and heat we melt tested the Hot Devil with copper pipe.

Get ready for serious heat with Twin Turbo delivery.

Bill from BSP agreed it was the most powerful portable system he had used.

This torch will be a clear standout performer against the competition.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Kango range of plastering tools

There’s a new player in the market for plasterers who love quality hand tools.

Kango’s range consists of 18 hand tools which have good ergonomics, high build quality and top-shelf stainless-steel construction.

The new range from Kango consists of corner tools, bucket scoops, stainless plaster trowels, an aluminium hawk, a stainless mud pan with a magnetic grip, a stainless multiuse joint knife, a stainless taping knife and a stainless joint knife, most of which come in multiple widths.

The consistent theme across the range is the improved grip, gold stainless steel and a limited lifetime warranty, showing the belief Kango has in its R&D and the resulting equipment.

To help with this review we grabbed Leo

from Level 8 Interiors. Leo has been a plasterer for over 40 years and can recall the days before screw guns, nail guns and paper tape. To say he’s seen a few changes in the industry in his time is an understatement.

TEST #1: 355MM

STAINLESS MUD PAN WITH MAGNETIC GRIP

Constructed from gold stainless steel with curved interior corners and easy-scoop edges, this mud pan is designed to allow the taping knife (300mm or smaller) to cleanly scrape out as much mud as possible. Leo’s thoughts on the tool were interesting.

“This mud pan has been a bit of a surprise package for me, as I would normally use a Hawke,” he scraped. “But after experiencing the versatility of this mud pan, I must say, I really like it. The magnetic grip wraps

There’s a new player in the market for plasterers who love quality hand tools: Kango.

Leo has seen some massive changes over 40 years of plastering.

around the underside of the pan, providing a comfortable grip free from cold in winter, and stopping heat transferring into the pan and compounds setting too quickly.

“You can easily scoop a good amount of material. It’s easy to clean and I’ll be using one of these for sure in the future.”

Leo ain’t lyin’

TEST #2: 250MM STAINLESS TAPING KNIFE

A 250mm taping knife would traditionally be used for applying base and topcoats, but the flexible, tapered drywall blade is perfect for scraping off flaky paint and dried compound, and filling architrave gaps and nail indents. The rust-resistant stainless-steel blades provide a 25% longer blade life and up to 2x faster cleaning. Leo had some great feedback after using the tool.

“I loved the handle and grip of this taping knife,” he said. “It felt excellent in the hand and its non-slip handle provided excellent control. The fact it has no rivets means it won’t get compound build up.

“This 250mm taping knife worked very well with the mud pan,” Leo roared.

TEST #3: 150MM STAINLESS JOINT KNIFE

The versatile joint knife is a great all-rounder, making it perfect for applying the base coat

• Gold stainless steel

• Easy to clean

• Lightweight and durable

of compound onto plasterboard. The flexible tapered blade can fill in nail indents and architrave gaps, even in tight spaces, and swiftly scrape away dried compound and flaky paint. Each knife has a metal strike cap for tapping in exposed nails, and the 150mm knife is ideal for internal corners.

Leo had some favourite features on this, his favourite hand tool of the range.

“I really enjoyed the feel of this tool,” he growled. “It had the perfect balance on the blade flexibility: not too stiff and not to flexible, providing perfect control.

“Most of the time these joint knives rust and break where the blade and handle join, but it’s great to see Kango has addressed this with the rust-resistant, stainless-steel engineered blade to produce a 25% longer life span.”

That was Leo’s mane point.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

It is great to see Kango step into this sector of the construction industry, and the ergonomics, top-shelf design and excellent build quality will be greatly appreciated by plasterers who work for long hours with these hand tools. All layers of these features will enhance comfort and reduce fatigue. But it is also the impressive lifespan of these tools, with rust-resistant stainless steel being used across the majority of the range, that will make them a good choice for hard-working professionals.

Visit: www.kangotools.com.au

• More comfort

• Better grip

• Limited lifetime warranty

The 250mm Stainless Taping Knife is brilliant for applying base and top coat, as well as scraping flaky paint and dried compound.

Kango joint knives have rust-resistant stainless-steel blades. We focussed our testing on these babies!

The mud pan was a nice change from the Hawke.

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Bremick UltraFast timber & decking screws

Tested By Jamie Gray

UltraFast decking screws sat beautifully in the test Merbau deck board.

The 75mm stainless bugle battens were perfect for Mitch’s Ironbark deck.

Bremick’s UltraFast™ Timber & Decking screws reduce labour time while offering top-shelf quality.

Any product which can reduce labour time while offering top-shelf quality is going to be successful. Bremick’s UltraFast™ timber & decking screws are a great example.

There are 3 main features which make this range so unique. The first is a new-tothe-industry Spear Point, which eliminates timber splitting and the need to pre-drill hardwood timber. The second is an advanced Hi-Lo Sharks Tooth™ thread, engineered to drastically reduce driving torque and installation time (a feature that also prolongs battery life on the driver), and the third is the Precision Fit Torx Drive, which eliminates ‘cam out’ and facilitates one-handed fastening in awkward positions.

TIME IS MONEY

This range is aimed at carpenters, residential builders and deck builders looking to reduce installation time.

The new bugle batten range is designed and engineered to go in 2x faster than a traditional bugle batten screw, while removing the need to pre-drill.

The range includes the UltraFast Bugle

• Increased speed of application

• Close to edge fixing (without splitting)

• Removes need to pre-drill or countersink

• Professional clean finish

• Industry-first unique spear point

• Advanced Hi-Lo Sharks Tooth thread

• Precision-fit Torx drive

Batten screw and the UltraFast Decking screw. The Bugle Batten screw comes in either outdoor Armourcoat CLASS4 for general external use to provide enhanced corrosion protection in extreme environments, or, if you’re looking for an architectural finish & extreme corrosion protection in severe marine environments, there is the stainless steel 304 option.

The UltraFast decking screw has a stainless steel 304 bronze option, providing a very classy bronze look engineered to last the life of the deck, as well as a traditional stainless steel 304 option for extreme corrosion in severe marine environments.

TEST #1: BUGLE BATTEN SCREW

We were keen test the claim of 2x faster installation compared to a standard bugle screw. I caught up with builder Mitch Smith, who was halfway through a great decking project, and asked him to give the UltraFast bugles a solid run.

“I wish I had known about these bugle battens 3 months ago,” said Mitch. “They would have saved me a pile of time on this large deck, both for the framework and for the Ironbark decking boards. They look great,

and being so close to the ocean here the stainless steel 304 bugles are perfect.

“I haven’t seen a bugle pull in so quick before. I always choose to countersink and pre-drill on high-end projects like this one, particularly when working with Ironbark, but If I was working on a softer timber, I love that these screws don’t require pre-drilling or countersinking.

“But always test this first on harder timbers.”

TEST #2: DECKING SCREW RANGE

Mitch had already completed the Ironbark on the top-deck level and couldn’t switch decking screws halfway through the job, but he had plenty of Merbau around where we could test out the Ultrafast decking screws.

“I love the look of these Ultrafast decking screws,” he told us. “The small, low-profile head creates a great look. I found the perfect technique to really sink the head flush to the timber surface was to give the impact driver plenty of juice, then just back it off a smidge to the perfect height.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Given Mitch was already around 5000 screws deep into this project when we arrived, his reaction was fairly typical of how a change to UltraFast products will be for most tradies. The Spear Point, Hi-Lo Sharks Tooth thread and the T40 Torx drive combine to produce a fast installation process and impressive look and feel tradies will appreciate and customers will enjoy.

With the Ultrafast Decking screws available in a range of sizes from 10G x 50mm through to 12G x 65mm, and the UltraFast Bugle screws from 14G x 65mm through to 14G x 150mm, it’s a well-appointed range for highend framing and decking needs.

Visit: www.bremick.com.au

The speed at which the bugles performed impressed all onsite.

There’s a big range of width and length in bugle battens for construction work.

UltraFast Decking Screws provide a sleek, low-profile look.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

BizCover

Personal Accident and Illness insurance

If you are like me and my mates, 99% of injuries that stop you from going to work happen either on the weekend or before/ after work engaging in lifestyle activities and having fun – surfing with mates and getting injured, doing a shoulder at ju-jitsu, or even just mucking around in the backyard with the kids.

BizCover’s Personal Accident and Illness insurance has you covered but isn’t workers’ comp. It covers you for accidents that happen outside of work.

Nothing gives that sickly feeling in the stomach like an injury while having fun with your mates and the realisation you won’t be able to work for an extended amount of time. You aren’t covered by workers’ comp because you were on the mountainbike after work when the injury happened.

As a tradie, your physical strength and wellbeing are required to get the job done. You can’t afford to be out of action because those bills, wages and living expenses won’t pay themselves!

The BizCover website means you can arrange insurance from your smartphone or tablet.

WHAT IS TYPICALLY COVERED:

Personal Accident and Illness insurance can provide cover options for:

• Loss of income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury

• Benefits if a certain specified permanent injury causes disability

• Benefits due to death caused by an injury.

WHAT IS TYPICALLY NOT COVERED:

Typically not covered are an injury or illness that is the result of:

• Pre-existing conditions

• Pregnancy and childbirth

• An act which is intentional, criminal or caused by you

• Alcohol or drugs

• Professional sports

• Motorsports.

TEST #1: ACCIDENT WITH/ WITHOUT COVER

A good mate of mine, Coops, has had a couple of surfing accidents over the past few years with very different results.

After the first accident Cooper didn’t have any accident protection or injury coverage. It turned out to be a very stressful time for both him and his family when he injured his knee.

After that experience Cooper arranged Personal Accident and Illness coverage for his entire family, with the addition of income protection for himself. When he suffered a hamstring injury surfing 12 months or so later,

he found the entire process a significantly different, stress-free experience.

Cooper shared, “After experiencing the stress of that first injury on my knee and not being able to work or bring in any income over that period being so extremely stressful, the doctors’ bills and other daily expenses put a lot of pressure on the family.

“Then, after arranging Personal Accident and Illness insurance*, I had peace of mind knowing I was covered. When I had my second injury only a matter of 15 months later and required surgery, I knew I was covered and all I could think was, ‘Thank God I had made the smart move of arranging that cover!’”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Most tradies cringe at the thought of having to go through the process of arranging insurance of any kind, but the brilliant layout of the BizCover website means you can arrange various types of insurance from your smartphone or tablet at smoko while on the worksite. By simply visiting www. bizcover.com.au , after entering your key info, your screen will display a selection of top Australian insurers. Whatever price you are given onscreen is the amount you will pay.

BizCover is committed to offering the most competitive price it can for your Business Insurance. So, if you have just arranged your BizCover policy and find a cheaper quote, BizCover will offer to either beat the price on offer or cancel your policy with a full refund. This is what BizCover refers to as its ‘Price Promise’**. That’s a pretty impressive commitment to customer satisfaction.

So do yourself a fav and if you aren’t insured, or don’t have Personal Accident and Illness insurance in place, get onto www.bizcover. com.au today and create a more financially secure tomorrow.

Visit www.bizcover.com.au

* 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. Cover for a claim will depend on the specific circumstances around the loss and would be subject to the terms and conditions of the policy concerned.

As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. The information contained in this article is general only. Coverage for claims on the policy will be determined by the insurer, not BizCover, and will depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved.

** Price Promise applies within 7 days of purchasing an insurance policy through BizCover. Substantially comparable policy should be available from an Australian broker or online competitor. T&Cs apply. Visit bizcover. com.au/price-promise/

BizCover’s Personal Accident & Illness insurance means you’re covered after hours in the surf or on the mountainbike.

Ever been so crook you just can’t make it to work? BizCover has your back.

Enjoy your leisure time with mates knowing you’re financially covered.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

OX PRO Series Easy Start handsaw

The trusty old hand saw is still a go-to in plenty of situations for many tradies, and if, like me, you have had to reach for a saw only to find a blunt, rusty old blade that feels like you’re pulling through concrete, then the new OX Easy Start handsaw is for you.

I’ll start out by saying I’m a fan of the OX range.

I can remember when it first hit stores and you were lucky to find a few shelves of OX gear. Today you can find entire shopping aisles full of OX products. But it’s not just the size of the range that is impressive, it’s the quality of the equipment and innovations that stand out for me.

The new Easy Start handsaw is a prime

Designed for softwood applications like pine, the speed and accuracy from the superfine teeth, without slips or chips, is immediately obvious.

Cam slicing through a decent section.

example. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to achieve a clean, quality cut with a dull old blade. So, Ox has produced a top-quality, engineered, 8TPI and 65NM blade configuration that produces top-shelf performance with razor-sharp cutting capability.

But it’s the 13TPI at the very front and rear of the blade, along with the low-friction coating, that make this a true easy-start hand saw. The smaller, closer-together 13TPI teeth are easy to see and are perfect to get cuts started with precision and ease.

Designed for softwood applications like pine, the speed and accuracy from the superfine teeth, without slips or chips, is immediately obvious when it’s time to cut, and the concept behind the Tuff Coated Blade design is the same as a powered

circular saw: the coating reduces heat, drag, expansion, stick and friction for superior cutting efficiency. That means more superior cuts with less effort.

Finally, the saw features an ergonomically designed OX Grip handle for all-day comfort and control, hardened teeth for durability, and a protective TPR Insert.

TEST #1: EASY START

To really test this easy-start feature we grabbed 3 or 4 varied sections of pine, made a pencil line and ripped into some cutting. My preference was to sit the very front of the blade on the right of the pencil line and use an aggressive short series of push and pulls to initially stay on the 13TPI section of the saw, then open up into longer strokes using the entire length of the blade.

I also enlisted the help of carpenter Cam to rip through a few cuts. We both found the easy-start feature exactly that – very easy to start and cut.

TEST #2: COMFORT AND CUT QUALITY

When asking Cam about the ergonomics and grip of the saw he shared, “It feels really well moulded into the hand when gripping and really powering up with the saw. It didn’t stick or grab at any stage and allowed absolutely spot-on clean and straight cuts across all three sizes tested today, up to 240mm.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Every tradie has produced a couple of ugly handsaw cuts in their time, but there was absolutely none of that with the OX Easy Start handsaw. OX has done a great job at introducing various features which have combined to produce a handsaw with impressive results and cutting capabilities.

Visit: www.oxtools.com.au

Tradie Cam had nothing but great feedback on the performance of the blade and saw design.

Our test cuts were straight and clean.

It’s easy to see how the fine tooth design at the front and rear of the blade makes for an easier start to a cut.

Designed for various sized soft timbers.

The tool shop comes to you

There aren’t too many things more annoying than when you’re trying to run a business but you have to stop work to replace a dead or dying power tool. Or you or your workers need a new tool to fix a specific problem and you must go and hunt one down.

AEG knows how costly downtime can be, regardless of whether you’re running a small business or large, multi-site operation. That’s why years ago AEG created the Onsite team.

Staffed by tool experts (many ex-tradies) who’ve been in the industry for years, the Onsite team understands what you need and why you need it in a hurry. It delivers the right tools to wherever you need them, for free. There’s no mucking around. One phone call to your Onsite rep is all it takes.

ALL TRADES

Not only does the team sell all the latest AEG construction power tools and outdoor power equipment – many of which have class-leading specs – but the vans are also

stocked with Empire and Kango hand tools and accessories. It’s a real tool shop on wheels.

What’s more, you can transact on-site. Before you know it you’re back on the tools doing what you do best.

All vans are fully stocked to service every trade – sparkies, chippies, plumbers, cabinetmakers, metalworkers, even heavymachinery industries, agriculture and farming. AEG’s Onsite team tool specialists can also tailor a one-off kit to suit your needs.

Bulk-order pricing is available, too.

And don’t forget AEG brewery nights where

you get one-off specials, tool demos, have a chance to catch up with colleagues and chat with the Onsite team…and have a craft beer or two. Ask an Onsite team member for dates of an event near you.

SERVICE FOR ALL

All Onsite team trade customers get the same high level of service, regardless of the size of their operation. Every customer can order tools and batteries, check up on repairs and servicing, and any warranty issues can be handled directly.

So, if your business needs:

that

Staffed by tool experts, the Onsite team understands what you need and delivers, for free, the right tools to wherever you need them.

All vans are fully stocked to service every trade – sparkies, chippies, plumbers, cabinetmakers, metalworkers, even heavymachinery industries, agriculture and farming.

All Onsite team trade customers get the same high level of service, regardless of the size of their operation.

• VIP treatment

• Quality power tools delivered in a hurry,

• Free delivery where you need it,

• A single point of contact,

• The ability to transact onsite,

• Special kit pricing,

• New tool demos, or

• Invites to fun brewery nights, Matt from the Onsite team is there to help. Call 0438 110 636 or visit aegpowertools. com.au/onsite for more details.

PS: If we don’t get to see you onsite, check us out at AgFest, Diesel Dirt & Turf, Farm World, and other trade events.

At AEG brewery nights you get one-off specials, tool demos, have a chance to catch up with colleagues and can chat with the Onsite team.

New tool demos are part of the service.

NEWS & VIEWS

To help enhance worker safety and further aid in worker compliance, 3M has introduced the all-new 3M™ Secure Click™ half facepiece respirator platform, offering next-generation breathability, comfort, and simplicity. The new Secure Click connection works just like a seat belt, enabling workers to confidently connect filters and cartridges to the facepiece with a simple click.

The 3M™ Secure Click™ platform includes a half facepiece reusable respirator with the world’s first quad-flow cartridge system. Two dual-flow cartridges on each respirator combine to create four airflow paths for easier breathing.

The Secure Click™ platform introduces 3M’s first speaking diaphragm in a half facepiece. The speaking diaphragm is designed to help provide easier

SAFETY DIVISION

communication while working.

A one-touch user seal check gives workers increased confidence their respirator is worn properly. Additionally, the low-profile facepiece design features a silicone faceseal with a flex-joint nose bridge for greater comfort, a wide field of view and compatibility with certain welding and grinding shields.

The HF-800SD respirator may be used with 3M™ Secure Click™ D8000 Series gas and vapour cartridges and D3000/D7000/ D9000 Series particulate filters against a variety of gases, vapours and particulate hazards.

Inspection of 3M™ Reusable Respirators is recommended before each use to ensure good operating condition. The facepiece must be repaired or replaced if there are damaged or defective parts.

PLATFORM

The following inspection procedure is suggested:

1. Check facepiece for cracks, tears and dirt. Be certain the facepiece, especially the faceseal area, is not distorted.

2. Examine inhalation valves for signs of distortion, cracking or tearing.

3. Make sure head straps are intact and have good elasticity.

4. Examine all plastic parts for signs of cracking or fatiguing. Make sure filter gaskets or seal areas are in good condition.

5. Remove the exhalation valve cover and examine the exhalation valve and valve seat for signs of dirt, distortion, cracking or tearing. Replace exhalation valve cover.

6. Inspect the lens of full facepiece respirators for any damage that may impair its performance or vision.

3M™ PERSONAL

INTRODUCES THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN RESPIRATORY PROTECTION WITH THE ALL NEW 3M™ SECURE CLICK™ RESPIRATOR

FROM WORK TO THE WEEKEND, THE BLUNDSTONE #984 HAS YOU COVERED

Iconic Australian footwear brand, Blundstone, has the perfect boot to take you from the worksite to the camping site in comfort, safety and, most importantly, style.

The stone nubuck #984 is packed with all the benefits of Blundstone’s legendary safety and comfort features, to suit even the toughest of environments. These premium features include a water-resistant nubuck leather, heavy-duty zip and thermal-regulating bamboo lining for allday breathability. The #984 also leads the way in underfoot comfort with the inclusion of XRD® Technology for serious underfoot cushioning for every activity.

“The #984 has become an instant classic,” said Adrian Blandford, Global Work & Safety Range Manager, “with all the best-in-class features you know and love from Blundstone.

“On top of this, we’ve wrapped this boot in a sleek, stone-colour nubuck upper that discerning tradies will love. Suitable for almost any site, the #984 is sure to join our best-selling #992 and #997 as the boot of choice for those who know great boots never take a day off.”

Blundstone boots are available online and in-stores via select retailers throughout Australia, and are backed by a 30-day comfort and six-month manufacturing guarantee.

For further information, visit: www. blundstone.com.au/men-s-or-women-sstyle-984

BOCAR IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF AN ALL-NEW COLLECTION OF HIGH-QUALITY ALLOY NUDGE BARS

Bocar’s Deluxe and Ultimate Series nudge bars are built for strength, durability, style and functionality, featuring lightweight 76mm alloy-tube bodies, and a sleek, matt-black, textured powdercoat finish.

“Like all Bocar products, the new Nudge Bar Series is manufactured to the highest standard. We know our customers come to us for quality and reliability, and we’re confident our latest product range delivers,” said Matt Logan, Head of Customer Experience.

Both the Deluxe and Ultimate Nudge Bar Series ensure sturdy and dependable mounting by bolting directly onto your vehicle’s chassis.

What sets the Ultimate Nudge Bar Series apart from the Deluxe is the lower-level extra reinforcement crossbar. Built-in mounting holes also enable the new H-Rack to be securely attached.

The full Bocar Nudge Bar Series is widely compatible with leading vehicle makes and models, including the Toyota

Hilux, Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara,

Triton MR and MQ, and Holden Colorado. All Bocar nudge bars – including the alloy H-Rack – come with a two-year, 40,000km warranty for total peace of mind.

For an instant quote, please log on to www.bocar.com.au . If you have any questions or would like personalised advice, fill out the contact form or call the Bocar team on 1300 022 200.

Mitsubishi

Ryco’s 4x4 Filtration Upgrade Kits protect against contaminants that lead to engine damage and decreased performance, giving you the confidence to push your 4x4 to the limit.

So when your engine needs superior protection, be Ryco Ready.

Ask your mechanic for Ryco 4x4 upgrades.

BE RYCO READY

PEUGEOT EXPERT VAN DELIVERS ON ALL LEVELS

The new PEUGEOT Expert Van is built for business with everything you need to get the job done – no matter what the day ahead holds. Now more versatile than ever, Expert Van delivers cuttingedge tech, safety, comfort, flexibility, and uncompromising style. Choose from the advanced City, Pro or Premium models – or if you are looking for even more stand-out style there’s a limited Special Edition Sport model.

Building on its award-winning history, the new Expert Van is a reliable and highly capable workhorse with car-like driving dynamics. Getting around town is effortless due to the fuel-efficient, yet responsive, PEUGEOT 2.0L HDi turbo diesel engine that boasts lots of pulling power.

Nimble handling and zippy manoeuvrability make light work of city driving, with your choice of a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission. Jump behind the wheel and you’ll discover the ergonomically designed i-Cockpit™ with intuitive dashboard layout and compact steering wheel.

A mid-size van with a big heart, the Expert Van boasts a 1.4 tonne payload and a practical design that delivers maximum space use and productivity. Big enough to get all your jobs done, the Expert Van comes in both short and long body versions with 180-degreeopening swing doors at the back and dual sliding doors on most models. Short-body models feature 5.3 cubic metres of load space and long-body models have up to 6.1 cubic metres of cargo space. Plus, Expert Van models featuring the clever Moduwork mobile office system allow you to use unoccupied seats for flexible cargo configurations – including carrying items up to 4024mm long.

If your 4WD is seeing a lot of use off-road, the best thing you can do is give your air filter regular checks, especially after a hard day on a dusty track. Across most 4WDs this is a relatively simple process that should only take a couple of minutes. If it’s taken in enough dust, you’ll want to replace it with a fresh air filter. A clogged air filter chokes your engine of air and can lead to excessive fuel consumption and a lack of power.

If you’re out 4WDing in a convoy, you should also consider your driving style. 4WDs in front can create a much bigger dust cloud than what you might have to deal with if you were out on your own. It’s important to leave a sizeable gap from the vehicle in front to keep yourself from driving within that dust cloud.

Also consider fitting your 4WD with an intake snorkel. While these are usually associated with water crossings and keeping water from destroying your engine, they can also help preserve the life of your air filter by raising the intake height from the engine bay to your 4WD’s roof, enabling the engine to breathe in much cleaner air.

It’s vital you fit your 4WD with a high-quality air filter like one from Ryco. Ryco air filters are designed to meet or exceed OE specifications and feature excellent dust-holding capacity. Ryco air filters are available for a wide range of 4WDs. If you’re up for a new air filter for your 4WD, head to your nearest Ryco stockist today.

Find your 4WD air filter at rycofilters.com.au

*Overseas models shown.

*5-Year/200,000km warranty on all new PEUGEOT Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). Subject to terms, conditions and exclusions.

^5-Year roadside assist on all new PEUGEOT vehicles.

NINJA RAZR SLASHTEC GLOVES – THE HIGHEST CUT PROTECTION, GRIP, TOUCHSCREEN CAPABILITY & COMFORT ON THE MARKET

Although challenging to deliver, cut-resistant gloves should provide the highest standards of cut protection – without compromising comfort, durability, and grip performance.

Unlike other Cut F resistant gloves on the market, the Ninja Razr Slashtec range includes style variations which especially cater to different work tasks, including a glove specifically for both cut and impact protection, a style with extended wrist protection, and a full-dip version for added protection against exposure to liquid and oils.

Some of the unique features of the Cut F range include Kevlar ® liners to provide 360° cut protection, a nitrile NFT ™ (new foam technology™ ) coating which offers extreme breathability, as well as a superior grip in oily and wet conditions, touchscreen compatibility, thumb and forefinger reinforcement for improved durability and a Fit Smart™ design that makes the glove feel like a second skin.

Together, these unique features enhance wearer safety, performance, and compliance, especially for those users handling sharp and hazardous objects for long periods of time.

The Ninja Razr Slashtec range includes four Cut Protection F styles, tested to the highest EN388:2016 and AS/NZ 2161.1:2020 Cut Standards, as well as a premium Cut D version made from superior lightweight 18 Gauge para-aramid steel composite yarn and a Nitrile foam (NFT™) coating.

Visit www.ninjagloves.com/au/ or call 1800 967 573 for further information.

FOR WELDERS IN TIGHT SPACES

Welding in hard-to-reach places can be a challenge at the best of times, and keeping your eyes, face, and head safe from weld spatter even more challenging. Traditional welding helmets can sometimes stop access to the workpiece. That’s where welding masks are a good fit.

The new Weld Guard Quickfire mask is light and narrow and offers great protection if you need to MIG, TIG, stick, gas weld or cut in tight spaces. The wide auto-darkening lens offers shades 3, 5 and 9-12, but in addition to that, welders will appreciate the true-colour lens technology that gives the welder a better feel for where they’re at when welding. It’s ideal for car restorations and other light industrial work in tight and awkward positions.

Comfortable and quick to put on, this welding mask comes with a bump cap and fire-retardant cotton hood for extra protection. It’s also compact enough to be worn with a hard hat or prescription glasses.

The Weld Guard Quickfire auto-darkening welding mask fully complies to EN and Australian Standards and is covered by a two-year conditional warranty.

Available at your nearest BOC Gas and Gear store or online at www.boc.com.au or www. boc.co.nz

UGLY FISH EYEWEAR

Reducing the risk of dangerous accidents in the workplace is often one of the most important and challenging tasks for safety-conscious organisations today. Finding the right pair of safety glasses is the perfect place to start.

Ugly Fish Eyewear is an Aussie brand of quality safety eyewear made to withstand the harshest working environments and protect workers from potential eye injuries. The various styles and lens-colour options suit a variety of industries.

All models in the Ugly Fish range comply with the Australian Safety Standard AS NZS 1337.1 for Medium Impact as well as the Australian Standard AS NZS 1067-2016 for Sunglasses.

Other key features of the Ugly Fish safety eyewear range include:

• Highly flexible and high-heat tolerant TR-90 frames

• Impact-resistant and shatterproof polycarbonate decentred safety lenses

• Anti-fog and anti-scratch coating for guaranteed clarity and zero distortion

• Maximum UV protection (Category 3); and

• Frames suitable for prescription-lens fitting.

For info log on to www.uglyfisheyewear.com or call tollfree on 1300 369 574.

Two batteries mean more power! Makita-built brushless motors, along with two 40V Max XGT Batteries, deliver the power and performance required for heavy-load applications. By using two 40V Max XGT Batteries, you get 80V Max of power within one system. The increased power and performance allow XGT Cordless Equipment and Tools to rival corded tools and petrol equipment.

The 80V Max (40Vx2) XGT Brushless 13kg Demolition Hammer (HM002G) is a cordless concrete solution designed for heavy-load applications. Utilising 2x 40V Max XGT batteries to deliver 80V of power on the 40V Max XGT platform. The HM002G delivers the power, speed and run-time for corded demands, without the cord. The demolition hammer delivers up to 15% faster breaking than equivalent corded hammer (HM1213C). This breaker features Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT) for reduced vibration, with an internal counterbalance to actively reduce vibration. For added durability in harsh job site conditions the HM002G features Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) engineered for improved dust and water resistance. The HM002G is also equip with Auto-Start Wireless System (AWS) for wireless power-on and power-off communication between the equipped tool and compatible dust extractor. With finally constant speed control that automatically applies additional power to the motor to maintain speed under load to complete challenging jobs.

The 80V Max (40Vx2) XGT Brushless 52mm Rotary Hammer (HR006G) is a cordless concrete solution designed for heavy-load applications. Utilising 2x 40V Max XGT batteries to deliver 80V of power on the 40V Max XGT platform. The HR006G delivers the power, speed, and run-time for corded demands, without the cord. The HR006G features Active Feedback-Sensing Technology (AFT), which electronically turns off the motor if rotation of bit is suddenly forced to stop and Anti-Vibration Technology (AVT) for reduced vibration with an internal counterbalance to actively reduce vibration.

For added durability in harsh jobsite conditions the HR006G features Extreme Protection Technology (XPT) engineered for improved dust and water resistance. Also featuring constant speed control that automatically applies additional power under load to complete the most demanding jobs.