What Tradies Want June - July 2022

*

Guarantee*

2,200 RPM

150Nm TORQUE

84Nm SOFT TORQUE

KICKBACK CONTROL WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRONIC ANGLE DETECTION

Harnessing the full potential of our ProCORE18V Batteries, BITURBO Brushless Technology provides Corded Equivalent power from just one 18V battery. No new battery platform, no need for multiple batteries.

Search for Bosch BITURBO

“The distinctive underwater sound produced by a barramundi suddenly changing direction: ‘WHOOMPH!’.”

Tough tests

66. Blundstone #243 work boots

68. Diablo Nailkiller auger and Speedemon spade bits

70. Makita XGT 80V Max (40Vx2) Brushless 355mm Power Cut

72: Cement Australia General Purpose cement

74: KINCROME lifting range

76: AEG Fusion 184mm & 165mm circular saws

78. BOC Weld Guard Quickfire mask

80: Paslode Trimmaster

82: Kango Diamond Pro hole saws

Luke Kennedy, Bigstock, Shutterstock, Mason Mashon/Red Bull Content Pool

– page 32 56

VERSATILITY MATTERS.

When it comes to storage, we know that not everyone wants the same solution. That’s why the PRO-STACK™ interlocking, stackable, storage system can be configured to exactly how you want it - because versatility matters.

THE MEASURE OF A PRO™ STANLEYTOOLS.COM.AU

Tool on my trade

Tom Foster – Editor

I’m often in awe of the high-tech tools available to tradesmen and I’m often frustrated when I bust my ’nads to attempt a job, only to make a hash of it, give up and call a tradesman.

So often the tradie comes in with a specialised tool or set of equipment I didn’t even know existed and does the job in about a quarter of the time I spent not doing it, and produces a really sharp, good-looking result that leaves me in absolutely no doubt the repair or task has been done thoroughly and reliably.

I’m envious of those professionals.

But then I look at my desk and realise I have a few tools of the trade as well. It’s just that my trade is different.

One of my most precious favourites is an old copy of the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary

In my field of endeavour having an unarguable reference for spelling and grammar is important. People who love to

read have an intense dislike of words being spelled differently within the same publication. ‘Barbeque’ is a good example. It might be ‘barbecue’. It’s not always easy to remember which of several possible spellings has been used. By accepting the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary as my irrefutable reference there’s no uncertainty or ambiguity.

What Tradies Want is interesting from an editor’s point of view because there are so many brand and model names throughout the mag, and they’re not subject to normal spelling or rules of grammar. But in the same way a good tradesman can use a tool not specific to his task, or use his professional skill and knowledge, to improvise and overcome on a job, I have to do that too.

But a while ago my good old dictionary began to fall apart, as all books in heavy use do, and because it’d been with me for such a long time I decided to have it refurbished.

I tracked down a bookbinder who turned out to be a master of his craft, and now my Oxford Concise is pretty much an heirloom. It’s covered in Penland goat leather and English hand-marbled archival paper, and the lettering on the spine is done in 23-karat gold. There’s so much about that thrills me. Not only is that well-used tool of my trade ready for another lifetime of service, but talking to that bookbinder and listening to the love he had for his craft was special.

Remember there are people like me who turn to people like you to solve problems and do specific and skilful work. Even though it may seem an ordinary task to you, if it’s done really well, everyone involved will feel good about for a very long time to come.

ALWAYS ON GUARD.

STOCKADE SERIES BULL BARS

BUILT TO LAST IN TOUGH AUSTRALIAN CONDITIONS

The Bocar Stockade series bull bars combine style and functionality, making this bull bar the perfect frontal protection system for your 4x4. Featuring a strong steel construction and 63mmø tubing, this bull bar is always on guard for anything you can throw at it.

Bocar bullbars are covered by a 2-year 40,000km warranty, giving you piece of mind to get on with the job.

Mountain

Hurling a 230kg snowmobile skyward is all in a day’s work for Logan Pehota. He’s got his little backpack on –probably with his lunch in it, we just don’t know – and he’s fair got that sled cranked over and bound for glory.

Loges likes a bit of snow action. He’s competed in alpine skiing, halfpipe and other wintery disciplines, and is now on the Freestyle

Word Tour for snowmobiles.

We’re not sure what ‘freestyle’ means when snowmobiling. If it includes sending the massive, unwieldy machine full-throttle over scary AF ridgelines and squealing like little girls with the eyes clamped tight shut and our last Big Mac squirting into our duds…well, hell. We’re all freestylers, eh?

Images: Mason Mashon/Red Bull Content Pool

REWIND

REWIND REWIND

RATIO 6:1 3:1 1:1 RATIO RATIO

BE BOLD WITH LONGLINE

Building on the Lysaght heritage of 100 years of manufacturing in Australia, LYSAGHT LONGLINE 305® cladding delivers a stunning visual statement on any home thanks to its slender, high ribs and broad flat pans. Available in a range of COLORBOND® steel colours and finishes, LONGLINE 305® is just one of Lysaght’s striking range of inspirational profiles.

DESIGNED FOR AUSTRALIA. SHAPED BY LYSAGHT.

GADGETS

RAY BAN WAYFARER STORIES SUNGLASSES

If you’re one of those people who tells boring yarns of how great the 1980s were and how everything’s been shit ever since, you probably had a pair of Wayfarers.

These top-class sunnies were the dog’s bollocks for posers who thought the specs made them look hard-edged and cool.

That situation was mostly brought about by Ray Ban paying $50,000 to a promotions company which specialised in getting the glasses worn in movies like The Blues Brothers and the one good movie Tom Cruise ever did, Risky Business. It was the 1980s, so $50K was a lot of money back then – not the price of a tank of premium unleaded like it is today (FFS).

As happens with most fashion items, everyone woke up one day and decided Wayfarers were for wankers and started wearing Oakley instead. Ray Ban’s parent company in Italy chucked its toys out of the cot, sold Ray Ban and moved on.

Now Ray Ban’s current owner has decided the go is to put cameras in the frames. Instead of everyone looking at you, everyone can look at whatever you look at.

There’s all kinds of high-tech gadgetry built in. Bluetooth naturally, speakers, a 5MP camera, a Facebook app and a whole heap more. Dark, polarised lenses, of course. We nearly forgot to mention those.

Grab a pair from the nearest OPSM or Myer and expect to pay $449.

No. You don’t need a pair of prescription Wayfarers. That’s really the price.

LEGO TECHNIC APP-CONTROLLED TRANSFORMATION VEHICLE

How cool is this!

Not only do you get to build a ripping Lego tank-thing, but when it flips over it becomes an aerodynamic tracked racer. It’s got suspension, a cockpit and tracks on both vehicles, plus a truck bed on the exploration truck. An app on the phone works as a controller and switches screens when the model flips.

It must be the best Lego ever! That Hamish bloke on the Lego TV show should stop messing about with Sophie Spunk and The Prickman and get down to Big W with $169 and get himself one of these.

For crying out loud. Millions of kids around the world play with Lego for fun. Suddenly when TV ‘celebrities’ do it it’s supposed to be an intense and life-changing experience? FFS.

CUSHCLOUD PRESSURE RELIEF CUSHION

Apparently there are people lucky enough to sit around all day. They don’t have to build or dig or do cable runs or anything. They just sit there in air-conditioned comfort watching live broadcasts of song contests and run a magazine.

And those poor folks have it tough. Their tender little bums get all fat and wobbly and they have to ask staff members to bring them tissues because the Ukraine won Eurovision and it was ‘SO justice!’. FFS!

For those people there’s the BeyondCushion pressure relief cushion.

The shape supposedly instantly relieves sitting muscles – whatever they are. ‘Sitting muscles’? FFS! – and encourages good posture.

If editors were out pushing barrowloads of concrete at a fast pour they wouldn’t have to worry about ‘sitting muscles’.

The split-arse cushions are available under several brand names from different websites. We couldn’t find one with any kind of medical or therapeutic credibility. All sellers seem to go long on reviews which looked like they’d been written by uni students after hours for a couple of dollars per review.

Try beyondcushion.com and expect to pay about $60. Don’t send any to the Liberal Party. They all lost their seats, so a cushion’s no use to them.

KOMINE DOMES

Storage is often at a premium at the WTW office. It seems like there’s just never enough room.

The editor recently discovered the Komine AK-103 Motorcycle Dome and kindly put one in the parking lot. You should’ve seen his happy little face when he flipped the Dome open, rolled his bike in and wandered off to his desk, free from worry about the weather or abrasive dust from nearby building sites.

The Komini Domes come in lots of sizes, are portable, can be fixed to the ground, or, so they stay portable, are supplied with a plate which lets the bike’s front wheel hold the whole thing in place.

We love how easy it is to use. Even with the ed’s bike inside there was heaps of space. While he was at his desk we found room for a few tools, some smelly chemical drums that have been hanging around for months and we couldn’t remember what they were for, and a roll of high-tensile barbed wire that’s been a real pest in the stairwell since someone’s cousin asked us to look after it for him (that poxy wire has ruined more T-shirts than an apprentice doing oil changes on the work vehicles. FFS).

And we haven’t even started hanging stuff from the supports yet!

These Domes are brilliant.

Check out the sizes and order from Zarkie.com.au. Prices run from $470 to $590, depending on size.

RECALDENT

Recaldent is a teeth-cleaning gum the publicity material claims ‘…delivers calcium and phosphate ions into the tooth, repairing and strengthening areas of enamel previously damaged by the action of bacteria’. FFS.

The blurb goes on to say it’s ‘…based on a protein discovered in dairy milk’.

That’s one of our favourite chocolates! We wanted a couple of boxes of that glass-anda-half goodness straight away!

But then we found out it wasn’t a cleverly disguised confectionary at all.

According to brainy scientists on the web, products containing Recaldent have reduced dental treatment costs worldwide

by minimising tooth decay and a range of conditions including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and pregnancy complications linked to poor oral hygiene.

Geez. We can’t imagine pregnancy complications caused by oral activity. Quite the reverse, really.

And that just shows how little we know of such things.

The gear is sold as chewie or tooth mousse, and it looks like it’s mostly available from dentists. We did find one Aussie website offering stock to the general public. Log on to thehouseofmouth.com.au and expect to pay around $28.

COLE HAAN GENERATION ZEROGRAND II

The Generation ZERØGRAND II sneaker puts the ‘mental’ in ‘environmental’. Made using materials ‘from nature’, the ZERØGRAND II has a patentpending FlowerFoam™ sole made with a product derived from dandelions.

Yes, fricken dandelions.

FFS.

According to the PR material – no doubt sourced from sustainable, recycled marketing professionals – the soles are made from ‘a minimum of 25% natural dandelion rubber and provide all the lightweight cushioning to keep you going and growing all day, every day’.

But the amazingness of the shoe doesn’t end there. Oh, no.

‘A thoughtfully considered upper design includes vegan microfibre suede made with 21% recycled content and reconstructed felt fabric made with 85% recycled plastic bottles’ says the product info.

‘Where do plastic bottles occur in nature?’ we ask in our never-ending search for the truth. We saw one tied to a crab pot and the rope had wrapped around a dolphin one time, so maybe that’s it.

About the only thing we could see needed to complete the close-to-nature experience would be to stomp the ZERØGRAND II into a fresh, unseen dingo turd on a bushwalk.

The shoes are available from colehaan.com.au. Prices vary a little, but expect to pay around $250 plus postage.

GLO BALL V2 LED GOLF BALLS

Does anyone else have trouble finding their balls in the dark?

Or is that just us?

If you find yourself out on the back nine and the light’s getting a little iffy, or perhaps the putt putt facility isn’t as well lit as it could be, the Glo Ball V2 is the go.

Once hit, an in-built timer inside the golf ball activates the LED lights and causes the ball to glow a bright colour. The ball will stay lit for 8 minutes, or until hit again, when the timer will reset itself back to zero.

We were pretty excited by all this, as you can imagine. But then we saw the fine print: ‘batteries inside the golf ball are sealed and cannot be replaced. Life of the batteries is approximately 35 hours’.

It took us longer than to get the cart out of a bunker at the last staff Christmas tournament, FFS.

It looks like website glowaustralia.com is the only place to get your balls lit up, and the asking price is $14.95 plus shipping per ball.

PETSAFE AUTOMATIC BALL LAUNCHER

As much as your four-legged pal deserves to have the Ash Barty signature model Wilson hurled to the far corners of the quarter-acre, sometimes it’s just not practical. With a cleansing ale in one hand and the barbie tongs in the other, no one can be expected to down tools and chuck a bloody tennis ball. FFS!

But there’s no need for the dish licker to miss out.

If he can get his shit together to drop the pill in the PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher he can run his huge heart out without any companionship or sign of affection from his owner.

The water-resistant launcher can be used indoors or out – if the odd smashed vase and tennis-ball marks on the walls don’t bother anyone in the house – and the jigger has nine distance settings with multiple built-in safety features, including an automatic ‘rest’ mode.

As we wrote this the launcher was available at Pet Barn for $300 and PETstock for $269.94.

That $30.06 could buy the little feller a bit of polished stainless to stick on the side of the launcher. At least his slobbering reflection might make him feel someone cared about him.

From building sites to Callum

In his first year on the elite CT surfing circuit, the former carpentry apprentice has made a huge impact.

Callum surprised a lot of people with his stunning performance at Bells Beach.

surfing s big leagues Robson

Words: Luke Kennedy. Images: Ed Sloane, Matt Dunbar, Beatrice Ryder and Aaron Hughes

Ifirst met Callum Robson back in 2019 on a boat charter that saw us roaming the Indonesian archipelago in a time before COVID. Callum was part of a crew of aspiring young surfers on the boat who all wanted their piece of the pro-surfing dream. He was 19, transitioning to the big leagues after a distinguished junior career. Reflecting back on that trip there is a tendency to think about what might have stood out about the good-natured kid from Evans Head on the NSW north coast; if there was a clue that in three years the solidly built natural footer would be standing on the podium at Bells, clanging the runner-up trophy, nipping at the winged heels of Filipe Toledo.

HIT HARD

As we plundered Indonesia’s wave playground a couple of things were certainly evident. Despite being one of the best junior graduates in Australia and having the promise of a bright surfing future, Callum already well understood the meaning of a hard day’s work. His dad was a builder and had taken him on as an apprentice carpenter, both father and son conceding it was a good idea to have a back up rather than put all your stocks into a notoriously volatile pro-surfing scene. The experience had obviously helped eliminate any sense of entitlement or complacency he may have possessed.

Meanwhile, out in the water Callum’s surfing had a distinct level of intensity. Sometimes he approached sections so hard and fast you cringed a little when board and body collided with the lip. His powerful frame hinted at the once promising career as a rugby league centre. He’d given away the game to pursue

surfing but retained some of the muscularity synonymous with the sport. Callum hit the lip like a hard-running centre trying to break the defense – the line had to be right and the force explosive. When both came together the results were devastating.

HEAD ON

Callum’s first experience as a fully-fledged member of the elite CT tour was Pipeline in Hawaii earlier this year. The WSL had flipped the schedule, meaning the welcome party for the rookies was being hosted at

one of the world’s scariest surfing venues. While prepping for their maiden contest the newbies would also have to mingle with Pipe’s menacing crowd.

Prior to the event Callum expressed an intelligent perspective. “I love surfing in Hawaii. I love surfing Sunset and Pipe and all those spots…it’s always like, Pipe’s uncomfortable and most of the spots in the lineup it’s all pretty uncomfortable, but you’ve kind of just got to get comfortable in that situation and embrace it.”

As it happened, the contest was blessed with glorious conditions and as sky-tickling west swells wrapped around Kaena Point and marched towards the reef at Pipeline, things very quickly got real for the rookieclass of 2022.

Callum remembers struggling to contain his excitement. “I was super nervous before my first day, but as soon as I got in the water for my first heat and the waves were as good as they were it was more so the excitement and the thrill of actually being able to surf Pipe with two other people and potentially getting the wave of my life.

“I was just hungry to get the best wave I could.”

Watching live it was evident Callum wasn’t going to sit on the shoulder at twelve-foot Pipe and die wondering. As he donned a helmet and hurled himself at the folding violence the phrase, “My, he’s having a dig,” came to mind. However, judges are less interested in heroics, they need ‘completed rides’ to make their scorecards tick over. Midway through the heat, Callum had to check himself.

Callum rings the runners-up bell after being edged out by Filipe Toledo from Brazil.

Power turn at the Margaret River Pro.

“I almost forgot about competing a little bit and I was like, ‘I’m just pulling into big closeouts (dumpers). Put your competitive head back on Callum, and make the heat.’ Because you never want to end up in that elimination round.”

ANALYSE THIS

Callum slipped through in second and then in the round of 32 claimed his first major scalp of the year, Ethan Ewing. Many fans and pundits have pegged Ewing as the style-king most likely to lead the charge as an Australian world-title contender. It might have been midway through the first event, but Callum’s

win sent a clear message that Ewing wasn’t the only surfer from Down Under to watch. By the time the CT aimed at Bells for the fourth CT event, Callum was in a solid position on the rankings but was yet to have a real breakout performance.

Determined to make the most of the opportunity, Callum headed to Bells early and took part in a training camp with veteran Victorian coaches Adam Roberston and Cahill Bell-Warren, alongside fellow elite competitors Connor O’Leary, Owen Wright and Molly Picklum.

Coaching had in fact become a pillar in Callum’s pro-surfing act. He’d worked

closely with his cousin, Peter Duncan, an experienced coach, and throughout 2021 he’d even donned the coach’s hat himself, joining the team at Surfing Australia’s High Performance Centre. He found analysing the surfing of high-flying prodigies helped with his own surfing.

“It gave me a different understanding and made me think a lot deeper about what I was doing with my own surfing. Just by breaking other people’s surfing down and then going home and studying it and just trying to come up with different ways to relay the information in the best way.”

POSITIVE

So when it came to Bells, Callum was more than ready to take a few pointers from Adam Robertson and Cahill Bell-Warren. A key focus of those sessions was on approaching Bells with a positive mindset.

“We mainly just worked on reframing the negatives into opportunities,” explains Callum. “Bells has so many opportunities; you’ve just got to know how to surf it right. And you’ve just gotta know what turns work out there and how to see it.”

Putting a positive spin on Bells immediately paid dividends for Callum as he marched through his early round heats, dusting Ryan Callinan and Seth Moniz (round one) and Frederico Morais (round three) en route to a career-defining clash with three-times world champion Mick Fanning in the round of 16.

Callum’s aerial attack is right up there with the best in the business.

SCRAPER RANGE

WBT provides a wide range of high quality scrapers for a variety of uses. These scrapers are ideal for scraping labels and decals from glass and windshields. Scrapers vary in thicknesses and features depending on the specific need.

20MM

CHISEL

Use

QUALITY TOOLS FROM TORQUE SETTING EQUIPMENT TO VARIOUS HAND TOOLS

QUICK LOCK RAZOR SCRAPER

QUICK LOCK

Australian owned since 1921 FOR FULL PRODUCT DETAILS VISIT

HERO

Fanning is a four-times Bells champion and despite his extended absence from full-time competition had shown glimpses of his best in the earlier rounds. There was also huge

sentimental support for Mick among the Bells crowd who were eager to see to their snowy-haired world champion whip some of the new, young faces.

Mick reminded the passionate Bells crowd of a time when fans Down Under had a world champion to cheer for, meanwhile Callum was trying to become a contender in an era in which Australian surfing was struggling to maintain a presence in the upper-tier of pro surfing. For Callum it was also a classic case of being asked to prove yourself by toppling your hero.

“Growing up Mick Fanning’s been my favorite surfer, someone I looked up to in terms of his training and just full stop in life,” he insists.

BIG RESULT

The clash went down in classic, five- to sixfoot Bells conditions.

For much of the heat Mick seemed to have Callum’s measure, but as the heat wound down Callum was still just within striking distance. After Mick slayed a 7.5 he kicked off with a confident grin and the crowd roared. The commentators were pencilling him into the next round when Callum took a wave moments later. There was a minute and 35 seconds remaining as the former chippy hauled into a stretched ribbon of southern ocean that invited him to conjure something that would reign in a world champ making a stirring cameo.

Victory at Snapper Rocks.

Callum getting some tips at Margaret River from local legend and former pro Taj Burrow.

Callum can get very deep sometimes.

In numerical terms Callum was chasing a 7.54. He stayed cool and made the rail of his board cut through the clean faces like a well-measured saw stroke and then double-slammed the lip through the inside with a couple of sledge-hammer snaps. It was clutch surfing at its best and the judges rewarded him with a 7.77, enough to give him a famous win in his first ever match-up with Mick Fanning.

“It was something I’ll remember forever for sure,” says Callum.

GOOD PEOPLE

The victory was made a little sweeter when Mick gave him a big hug post-heat and encouraged Callum to ‘smash’ the next competitor. Later Fanning sent Callum a note of encouragement offering more considered words.

“He sent me a message saying: ‘Well done and I hope you can take it all the way’.”

As it was, Callum almost did take it all the way, crafting a path to the final, where he was eclipsed by the light-footed Filipe Toledo.

After the final, Robson celebrated with his Australian friends on tour and is quick to point out there is a collective push from the Australian camp.

“I’m like a massive believer in that group, and just being surrounded by people that really genuinely support you, especially when they’re the people who you’re competing against like your peers. We’ve got a great thing going on at the moment.”

FULL THROTTLE

In the wake of his stunning Bells performance, Callum still didn’t have the support of a major sponsor. Rather than expend energy chasing deals he’s entrusted a manager to take care of his financial backing so he can focus on competing with minimal distractions. Asked whether or not there was any significance in his success on a blank board he responds confidently.

“I guess it just shows that I back myself, I guess. Yeah, that I trusted myself to do well, which is why I chose to do that.”

Callum is well aware one good result does not cement his future, but with a spot on the CT secured for the back end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023, he can afford to set his sights on loftier goals. He has real faith in his working relationship with shaper Adam Fletcher from Sparrow surfboards, and like good mate and inspiration Morgan Cibilic, he’d desperately love to haul his way into the top five in his rookie year. He also admits he has one eye on qualifying for the 2024 Olympics.

For the time being, Callum will be approaching every heat the only way he knows how: “I just value just putting everything in, like not taking my foot off the throttle. So that’s where my head’s at.”

Full throttle lip-bashing at Bells.

THE FUTURE

Further validation for Callum’s zesty, no-nonsense approach came with his recent victory in the Challenger Series event at Snapper Rocks. Under the current WSL system the top tier ‘CT’ or ‘Dream Tour’ competitors are encouraged to take part in the Challenger Series (tier two) events, meaning they are often just as competitive as the elite contests. The Snapper Rocks Challenger Series contest attracted an illustrious field, including eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater and a host of other elite tour competitors.

This time Callum found himself in the final alongside local Snapper Rocks specialist, Sheldon Simkus. As the final kicked off, heavy winds and rain descended upon the Coolangatta setting and the swell

jacked-up considerably. While the thick, barrelling waves imploded over shallow sand, the two natural footers engaged in a dramatic wave-for-wave duel. As the seconds ticked down Simkus held the lead. However, Callum again proved his capacity to keep a cool head and perform under pressure. He claimed a late wave and reeled in the wiry-limbed local.

Arriving on the sand a victor, Callum was chaired up the beach by his Evans Head brethren who had travelled up the coast to cheer on their favourite sporting son.

The win at Snapper proved to Callum and everyone else his break-out performance at Bells was no fluke. Instead it reaffirmed the young surfer with the untamed attack had worked hard to refine his approach, adding new degrees of control and refinement without losing any of the raw power that

gives his act its potency.

At the time of writing, Callum is ranked number eight in the world and headed for a jungle-fringed left-hander in East Java known in surfing circles as G-land. The grinding wave stretches gloriously along a reef several football fields in length. G-land shimmers and sparkles beneath the Indonesian sun like a coiling jewel. It is hollow and heavy and shallow and fierce, but for a gifted professional like Callum, having the opportunity to ride the majestic wave with only a single guy out is one of the best perks of the job. There is no doubt he will embrace the challenge the only way he knows how – at full throttle.

Meanwhile, his new legion of fans will be glued to their screens, hoping this bold new force can spearhead a revival of Australian surfing in the competitive arena.

Callum loves to throw out a line between surfs. Slotted.

Smoko With Hendo

HENDO’S NOT SHORT OF MATES

You may have missed the story, but back in May it was revealed NSW government ministers were told during a ‘Respect At Work’ training session they should cease using the word ‘mate’ in the office.

Apparently those who ran the training course believed the most dinky-di of Aussie terms could be offensive to some people. Naturally there was a collective outcry at the ‘PC insanity’ that caused one MP to complain in the Daily Telegraph, “I use ‘mate’ all the time – it’s as Australian as you can get! How can it be offensive?”

‘How indeed?’ I agreed.

The story sank without a trace the following day because obviously no one was ever going to take such a stupid directive seriously, let alone implement and enforce it. ‘Maaate’ lives on in all its true-blue glory, unhindered by political correctness in a world gone mad.

I gave it no more thought.

A few weeks later however, I was standing in the self-checkout line at Woolies. I was looking at my phone and failed to notice one of the machines was free.

“Hey, mate!” a reedy voice piped up from behind me. I turned around and clocked a local schoolboy of 14 or 15 motioning at the empty checkout with his index finger. “You’re up, mate!” he said.

Now, the kid had every right to let me know a checkout was free and I was holding up everyone else in the line by gawking at my phone. But what sort of smart-arsed upstart teenage punk thinks it’s okay to call someone four times his age ‘mate’? Twice!

I bristled but let it slide because, you know, he was a kid and, really, who gives a shit? But by the time I got back to my car I realised I had most definitely been offended by being called ‘mate’ in that context.

On the drive home I recalled a time in the 1980s when, as an 18-year-old copyboy on a Sydney newspaper, I was called to the editor’s office. Back then journalists and executives only had to holler “Copy!” and one of half a dozen teenage hopefuls would appear to fulfil their needs, be it fetching files from the library, collecting pictures from the photographic department, making coffee or getting their lunch.

When the editor called out ‘Copy!’ on this occasion he’d wanted someone get him a pack of smokes from the shop across the street. I was the one who answered the call. I scurried over to his office, stuck my head inside and said, “Yes, mate?”

I might as well have summoned Satan.

“What in the fuck did you just say to me?” he bellowed as the blood drained from my face. “I’m not your fucking mate, boyo! You can call me Mr Allen, and if you can’t manage that you can address me as ‘sir’. Call me mate again and you can look for another career.”

The entire newsroom heard it and I slunk out to buy his durries feeling two feet tall.

Mr Allen had been downright offended by a harmless little ‘mate’ and it was then I realised you can’t just go around deploying the m-word whenever and to whomever you like. I wondered if the MP who whined to the Telegraph would be cool with office juniors calling him ‘mate’.

Words: Craig Henderson

When I got home from Woolies I thought I’d test the waters of mateship with my wife, Lizzy. “Here ya go, mate,” I said, plonking the groceries on the kitchen counter.

She looked at me with a bemused smile for a few long seconds before speaking. “Why are you talking to me like that?” she asked, a hint of hurt in her voice.

“Like what?” I replied, feigning surprise.

“Why am I ‘mate’ all of a sudden?”

“We’re Australians Lizzy! It’s actually the most Aussie thing I can call you. Why, are you offended?”

Her smile faded, replaced by a look you’d give someone who’d shat in their pants. “What’s gotten into you?” she said and left the room.

Just like me and Mr Allen, my lovely missus can clearly have her nose put out of joint by being called ‘mate’.

Look, I’m not saying mate isn’t great. Christ, I use it 50 times a day, like most blokes, I suspect. And I certainly prefer being called ‘mate’ over ‘dude’ or ‘man’ as quite a few young hipsters running the cafes in my town are wont to do.

All I’m saying is that the m-word – just like our flesh-and-blood mates – can sometimes be better in small doses, and certainly at the right time and place. If I were to ever meet Queen Elizabeth, for example, I doubt I’d call her ‘mate’ and justify it by saying, “It’s as Australian as you can get!” like the Liberal MP did. After all, I’ve tried it out on my own Queen Lizzy with no joy.

Having said all that, I hope you and I can still be mates.

‘WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?’

‘RESPECT AT WORK’ TRAINING SESSION NO ‘MATES’ ALLOWED

Sight casting wild barramundi

Pro fishing guide Tim O’Reilly takes a shallow dive into sight casting for wild barramundi.

The barramundi has been at the forefront of Australian sportfishing for decades. Lure and fly fisherman in particular love their aggressive nature and the ability to catch large specimens in shallow water.

Barra have a tendency to stay at or near the surface as they drift with the tide or current, and they also sit high in the water column at times, making spotting them easier when anglers have the advantage of elevation.

For fisherman in a boat, on a riverbank or even a beach, sight casting for barra is one of the greatest sportfishing experiences on offer in northern Australia. It can take years of practice to consistently decipher the image of a barramundi in your surroundings. Once proficient and in the right circumstances, visual cast-andcaptures become a regular thing.

These 3 chrome-plated barra came from a school travelling down the beach.

casting for barramundi

Words and images Tim O’Reilly/ wildrivercompany.com.au

DIRTY LOOKS

Inspiration for this article came from a great little session I had with clients, slowly idling into the current with the electric motor, picking off little barra under the mangrove line. The fish were easily visible in the clean green water, nose into a gentle current. Finally, my two clients could understand the calls I had been making every day. Slow down…pause…pause…twitch, twitch, pause….BOOFA. Got him ooooonnnnn!

Casting had to be super accurate, as any casts falling behind or too far away from the fish were ignored.

The cleaner the water, the greater the sight-casting opportunities. Sighting barra cruising along a beach is near impossible without clean water. Finding beach cruisers normally involves fishing the top quarter of the tide, where clearer water laps against the

shore and gutters or shallow rock provide ambush points. Early Autumn and late Spring tend to be the best times of year for finding barramundi out along the beaches.

Throughout northern Queensland, Cape York, the Northern Territory and some parts of the northern Kimberley coast, smaller tidal ranges allow for cleaner water, particularly around the neap tides or quarter-moon periods. Larger tidal flows associated with spring tides and areas with greater than 4m of tidal run can be tricky places to sight cast barramundi, in large part due to the level of sediment and tainted water clarity.

A keen eye should still be kept when fishing in slightly dirty or discoloured water as a yellow or dark barra tail will stand out against most backgrounds. Fisherman who are blindcasting can still be rewarded if they keep their eyes attuned and on the lookout for tell-tale

signs. An example might include dirty water being flushed out of a tiny creek or drain with a dropping tide. A barra tail slowly undulating amid other debris, such as mangrove leaves and flotsam, is often enough to make a pinpoint cast just downstream and draw a strike.

STRIKE!

Understanding how barramundi move is crucial to the artform of spotting them. They will regularly travel in groups and take up station at feeding points before moving again to find a comfortable hold. Quite often they will spread out to feed on the incoming tide and recongregate as the tide or current recedes. Although most moving barramundi will never be seen by anglers, opportunities usually present under favourable light and conditions.

Sight casting barra can work in pretty

average weather, however any kind of wind on the water’s surface renders the whole process almost pointless. Being lucky enough to find tailing fish might be the only exception. To actively sight cast barra, anglers will usually require warm, breezeless conditions, and will often hunt fish a long way upstream, in estuarine lakes, billabongs and lagoons – anywhere calmer water allows fish to comfortably sit at or near the surface. Those easy-to-spot fish on the surface can be wary at times, often spooking or being fussy eaters. When right up on top, they are usually cruising or sunning themselves rather than feeding. If casting a surface presentation, make the cast long and in front of the fish. As the retrieve comes close, most barra will submerge before re-emerging directly under the lure. Slow down or dead stop it for a moment. Some of the best barra strikes come this way. A huge surface implosion on a stationary lure!

KEEP TRYING

The image of a barra slightly underwater is very different from a fish right up on the surface. Sometimes it is the glimpse of an undulating yellow tail or simply a deep shape. These fish are usually a sucker for a surface lure or fly cast just ahead of them, as barramundi like to rise in the water column to feed. They will usually move around a metre or two before pouncing, using that huge

suction-mouth to envelop prey.

As mentioned, it’s very important to have pauses and stops during a retrieve if sight casting barramundi. Any refusal should be followed up with another handful of casts. If there is one barra, there are usually more fish close by. Unless they feel the hook, a barra can often be annoyed into striking again. Repetition and persistence are needed when the fish can no longer be sighted.

WILD LIFE

Just as important as understanding where barra might be sighted is understanding where they won’t. Fish holding around rocks, reef and deeper structures are unlikely to rise to the surface. Fish holding in deeper, dirtier

water are unlikely to be seen on top, nor if the surface water temperature is too high. However, when temperatures are high and current or tide is strong, loads of fish might drift and cruise near the surface. Accurate casting at cruising fish is crucial to success. A huge proportion of sighted fish will be found on a shaded bank. Conversely, few fish will sit high in fully sunlit conditions. This means lower sun angles often lead to better sight-casting opportunities. The best times of day in my experience tend to be from around 8.00am to 11.00am and again from 3.00pm and 6.00pm. The smaller the system, the more this factor will play a part.

Fishing stealthily from the bank in the farthest reaches of remote creeks is my fishing nirvana. Usually places where you are just as likely to see a snake, spider, croc or a wild bull.

A chopper can make sighting them easier!

Casting at swirls and boils in shallow water on a windless morning.

SOUND BITES

It might sound ridiculous to some readers, but listening for barramundi plays a huge part in sighting the fish. That distinctive ‘boof’; the sound of water and baitfish being imploded, can be sensed a long way off if hearing is attuned – being able to sense the direction of noise travel the instant it happens and focus on the spot with your eyes.

Another example is the distinctive underwater sound produced by a barramundi suddenly changing direction under the boat or expelling air from the swim bladder in a failed attempt at eating your lure. The best way to describe this sound is a ‘WHOOMPH!’ Keen barra fishers, especially those trying to sight cast fish, will seldom listen to music while fishing.

TRY IT

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to score unbelievable conditions for barramundi sight fishing along the far northwest coast of the Cape. Barras were cruising along the beach in packs of similar size, happy to be outside the main river which was flowing fresh to the mouth. A huge number of tell-tale signs helped distinguish barramundi from other fish in the semi-clean water.

A mixture of yellow-tipped and deep brown tails could be made out with polaroid sunnies, slowly swimming a beat along the outside

of a gutter around 30m from the beach. At times, only swirls could be made out, with characteristic oily-circular patterns forming just behind moving fish. Occasionally the forked tail of a threadfin salmon and the rounded tail of a barra chasing prawns and baitfish on the receding tide would cut through the knee-deep water.

Over a few mornings with both spinning rods and fly rods, we caught and dropped too many barra to count. Despite how plentiful the fish were, a few patterns to success were obvious. Spotting fish, visualising fish and understanding their movements was a huge part in catching them. Simply blind casting and staying in one spot was nowhere near as productive as actively walking and wading, casting at sighted fish.

Casting only at sighted fish might seem farfetched to many serious barra anglers, but if I am fishing by myself in the right conditions, I will often spend more time staring at the water then actually throwing casts. There is nothing worse than having your lure 20 metres away when a big fan-tail slowly slips out of view in the other direction. Even some of the impoundment guys are getting good at sight casting giant barra in the right conditions on breezeless days around weed beds.

This is a seriously addictive form of fishing, and on those magical moments when it all comes together – conditions, clean water, steady or no current and hungry feeding fish – it is a recipe for rapture.

Next time you give barramundi fishing a go, consider spending more time moving slowly and trying to spot fish to cast at.

You just never know your luck!

A healthy pair sight-casted on flies.

Over 90cm of sight-cast barra on the beach.

Bosch and Jed team up for the ever jump on an

Sitting on a bike at the top of a run-in and contemplating an epic jump is something Jed Mildon has done many times before, but never on an eBike –and never on such a huge jump.

Pro BMX rider Jed flew 24.37 metres on his Bosch-powered eBike.

Mildon the longest an eBike

In collaboration with Bosch, a leading supplier of technology and services, Pro BMX rider Jed Mildon flew 24.37 metres on his Bosch-powered eBike at a bespoke site just south of Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island.

Understandably, Jed was thrilled to have ticked off this amazing achievement.

“Going big – and this was big – on a bike is something I’ve always wanted to do,” grinned Jed, “but it creates a whole different set of challenges. It was great to have the team from Bosch behind the concept. We got to work and were able to put a great plan in place to make this jump happen.”

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

Jed, best known for his exploits on BMX bikes, was the first person in the world to land a triple, and then a quadruple, backflip on a BMX bike. He now travels the world like a modern-day Evel Knievel, pushing the limits of what can be done on two wheels. Before this, Jed worked as a fabricator and has used his skills to master the art of building take-off ramps many times.

Supported by Bosch Professional Tools & Accessories, Measuring Tools, and eBike Systems, Jed had the perfect partner for planning and executing the jump. From selecting and setting up an eBike that can handle the rigours of this huge jump, to using precision laser measures to find the right site and having the tools to build the perfect launch ramp – Bosch was with Jed every step of the way.

THE SET-UP

Dirt World, on SH5 just south of Rotorua, was the ideal location.

It’s a private farm with a large hill that allowed Jed to reach 91.8kph on the run-in, a flat valley to set up the 13-metre-long by 3.5m-high take-off ramp, and an adjacent hill that allowed for safe landings.

THE BUILD

Once the site was chosen, Jed worked with Jeff Carter from South Star Trails and Casey King from the Rotorua Trails Trust to

Dirt World, on SH5 just south of Rotorua on New Zealand’s north island, was the ideal location.

“It was great to have the team from Bosch behind the concept.”

The perfect partner: Bosch Professional Tools & Accessories, Measuring Tools, and eBike Systems.

Jed travels the world like a modernday Evel Knievel, pushing the limits of what can be done on two wheels.

undertake the earthworks, creating a 300mlong by 2m-wide run-in to the take-off, and to shape a massive landing area. Bosch measuring tools enabled every detail to be lined up and precise.

Using a suite of Bosch Professional Power Tools, Jed then got to work on building the massive take-off ramp that would later launch him over 24 metres horizontally.

THE BIKE

Jed is used to nimble BMX bikes that can be flipped and spun with (relative) ease. But for this jump he chose a Trek Rail 9 eBike with a powerful Bosch Performance Line CX motor, set up ‘mullet style’ with a 29-inch wheel in the front and a 27.5 in the rear.

Jed worked with Jono Church from The

Suspension Lab to perfect the set-up for this unique jump – changing out and tuning the forks and the rear shock to handle the impact of landing and selecting fastrolling tyres to maximise speed and survive repeated impacts.

THE JUMP

Jed started by steadily increasing his speed on the jump, and therefore the distance. Over three attempts, he progressed from 20.7 metres to 22.6 metres and finally 24.37 metres, with each jump confirmed by registered surveyor Rupert Hasting.

During the final attempt Jed crashed, but was uninjured, on the run out of the jump.

“Whoa,” said Jed. “That was a rush, but I’m stoked to have pulled it off.

“I’ve been working on this idea for nine months, so I’m really happy. Who knew an eBike could fly so well, eh?”

The team behind the event understands this is the longest horizontal distance ever jumped on an eBike and will seek formal ratification of an official world record.

Tools used to make the ramp:

• GDX 18V-200C Cordless Impact Driver/Wrench

• GKS 18V-68 EC Cordless Circular Saw BITURBO

• 18V ProCORE Battery system

• L-Boxx Solutions

• GLM 150 C Laser Measure

• Impact Tough Screwdriver Bits Modular Set

Jed worked as a fabricator and has used his skills to master the art of building take-off ramps.

Impact Tough Screwdriver Bits Modular Set.

GDX 18V-200C Cordless Impact Driver/Wrench.

A 300m-long by 2m-wide run-in to the take-off.

LATEST POWER tools

NO-SQUEEZE RIVETING

AEG continues to expand its range of innovative tools with the introduction of an 18V Compact Rivet Tool (BPN18-0), available just after tax time.

Roofers, plumbers, metal fabricators, panel beaters and other trades will all benefit from this lightweight tool that uses the same AEG 18V batteries as other power tools and garden equipment.

This compact riveter delivers an impressive 11kN pull force and has a rivet capacity of 2.4mm-4.8mm for aluminium, steel, and stainless-steel rivets.

The removable mandrel catcher holds up to 300 1/8" mandrels and has an inbuilt wrench. When the mandrel catcher is removed, the ultra-compact power-screw mechanism is one of the shortest in the market, with a width of only 156mm.

A built-in lanyard hook provides a safe option for hanging this tool when working at heights, while the LED sight light illuminates poorly lit work pieces.

At a glance, the features are:

• Compact brushed motor that delivers 11kN in pull force

• Holds up to 300 1/8" mandrels

• Removable mandrel catcher with inbuilt wrench

• Inbuilt lanyard hook and LED sight light.

You’ll be able to grab one from Bunnings or TKD, or get it delivered direct to your site through the AEG Onsite team. Pre-order yours now by calling 1300 AEG ONSITE or visit www.aegonsite.com.au

Fast, efficient and cost-effective. It’s a power-tool world. Have a look at some of the best…

UNLEASHING THE NEXT DIMENSION IN POWER

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

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

manoeuvrability, high precision and reduced fatigue when used in tight workspaces, and

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

In addition, the battery has an LED fuel gauge that displays the battery’s state-ofcharge, and is designed with a durable, non-marring rubber overmold that provides impact resistance while helping protect finished surfaces. The battery is ideal for cutting, drilling and fastening applications, precision and finishing tasks, and when working in tight spaces.

The D e WALT POWERSTACK ™ 18V

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

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

1 vs. DCB183 Battery, not in application

2 Footprint vs. DCB183 Battery

3 vs. DeWALT 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.

A ground-breaking, dependable, lithium-ion battery pack.

WORK FASTER, NOT HARDER WITH THE BOSCH GO!

Looking for a gift or simply want to treat yourself? Look no further than the Bosch Professional Bosch GO Cordless Screwdriver! A must-have in every toolbox.

Perfect for those repetitive installations and fixings – ready, set, GO! The Bosch GO Cordless Screwdriver is easy-touse 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 designed to insert and swap clips, as desired. Tough like the screwdriver bits, this case is built with rubber bumpers and a strong latch – ready to take on any worksite and keep your accessories safe.

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

Learn more: www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/products/ bosch-go-06019H2140

R255SMS+ EVOLUTION MITRE SAW

The R255SMS+ Evolution Mitre Saw is built for accurate crosscut, bevel, mitre and trench cuts in wood, wood composite, plastics, and metal.

Powered by a 2000W motor, the R255SMS+ comes with a 255mm tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) Multi-Material blade and has a 300mm x 80mm crosscut capacity. It also has the ability to deliver cut accuracy within +/- 0.5˚, a 0° - 45° bevel tilt and 50˚ - 50˚ mitre angles.

Trade rated and approved, the R255SMS+ compound mitre saw is the ultimate tool with its integrated carry handles allowing it to be comfortably picked up and safely transported around the workshop or on site. Accuracy, power and reliability are at the forefront of its design, and the 255mm compound sliding mitre saw is equipped to power through 6mm-thick mild steel, and cut hardwood, laminate and even nail-embedded wood with precision. All this while keeping your work environment clean and safe with the added dust bag which catches debris fed through the rear dust port (attach for wood only).

The R255SMS+ compound mitre saw is a true workhorse with a max cross cut of 300mm x 80mm. It’s backed by a 3-year guarantee and is available for purchase at your local Total Tools store now.

See more at www.evolutionpowertools.com

MAKITA 40V MAX XGT BRUSHLESS 185MM (7-1/48 1/4”) METAL CUT SAW – CS002G

The 40V Max XGT range from Makita continues to expand with the newly released 40V Max XGT Brushless 185mm (7-1/4") Metal Cut Saw (CS002G).

Providing a cordless solution for cutting common metal materials, the Makita-built brushless motor delivers up to two times faster cutting performance than the AC equivalent model (4131).

Engineered with Active Feedback-Sensing Technology (AFT), a system that electronically turns off the motor if the rotation of the blade is suddenly forced to a stop, it has a large 67mm cutting capacity that can handle various metal materials including pipe, stud, channel, strut, conduit, angle, square tubing, sheet metal, and more. It also has a built-in electric brake for maximum productivity.

Convenience features include an LED light that operates with pre-glow and afterglow to illuminate the workspace, a rubberised soft-grip handle and a trigger switch with a two-stage lock off for added user safety. The side-load battery provides an ergonomic design at only 350mm long for easier use in constrained spaces.

Features:

• High-power brushless motor allows for a massive 67mm cutting depth

• Active feedback sensors shut down the tool in the event of a kickback

• Constant speed control maintains blade speed under load for rapid cutting

• Safety protection with electric brake and soft start for user safety

• Quick-release chip collector captures debris produced while cutting.

RRP: $749 (tool only)

www.makita.com.au

MAKITA 40V MAX XGT BRUSHLESS 260MM (10- 1/4”) REAR HANDLE SAW – RS002G

The 40V Max XGT Brushless 260mm (10-1/4") Rear Handle Saw (RS002G) provides cordless convenience while taking on high-demand applications.

The Makita-built brushless motor delivers 4000RPM for high-speed cutting performance, twice as fast as the 260mm 240V AC equivalent (HS0600).

With a massive cutting capacity of 95mm, this saw is ideal for framers, builders, landscapers, roofers, form workers and more. The saw offers a large bevel capacity of 0°- 56° with positive stops at 22.5°, 45°, & 56°, while also featuring an electric brake for maximum productivity and Automatic Torque Drive Technology which adjusts cutting speed under load for optimum cutting performance. The saw is also equipped with Makita’s Extreme Protection Technology (XPT), designed to improve a tool’s operation and durability in harsh conditions.

Features:

• Massive cutting capacity with 95mm cutting depth

• Innovative technology with Automatic Torque Drive optimising cutting speed and torque

• Safety protection with electric brake and soft start for user safety

• Lightweight design and optimised balance, improving the tool’s maneuverability

• Compatible with AWS* for wireless connectivity with compatible dust extraction. RRP: $579 (tool only – RS002GZ)

Also available in kit form – RS002GT101, including 1x 40V Max XGT 5.0Ah battery (BL4050F) and 1x 40V Max XGT Single Port Rapid Charger (DC40RA) for RRP $879. www.makita.com.au

*Requires optional wireless transmitter sold separately (198901-5)

Top 3 mods for your rig before going inland

Whether you’ve purchased a brand new 4x4 or grabbed a tried and true offroader from a dealer, chances are you’re chomping at the bit to get out there and explore the great outdoors.

Before you load up your new rig with camping gear, an esky full of tinnies and a rod or two, there’s a few modifications and some equipment you’ll need to avoid potential disaster.

Tackling deserts, crossing treacherous waterways, scaling mountain ranges or barrelling through a forest is all part and parcel of exploring Australia’s outback. There’s mystery and beauty around every corner, but danger awaits for those underprepared for what the Australian landscape has to offer. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve outlined the top 3 mods your 4x4 needs for treks through the outback.

for before

A suspension upgrade adds travel and flex, along with extra ground clearance.

SUSPENSION

If you’ve bought yourself a new 4x4 from a dealership, chances are it’s been designed for the tarmac, not the Aussie bush.

Why?

It all comes down to the suspension. Standard suspension simply isn’t going to cut it if you want to have a fair-dinkum good look around and see what this land has to offer. Getting yourself a suspension upgrade gives you the ability to add travel and flex, along with extra ground clearance and, most importantly, keep your tyres on the ground so they can do the job they’re designed to do.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how good your tyres are, if they’re constantly off the ground and spinning in the air, you’ll compromise your safety and have a mighty hard time trying to climb that rocky hill.

Suspension is crucial to your vehicle’s ability to tow and carry loads, while it will also dictate how your 4WD responds while braking, accelerating, and cornering.

AIR INTAKE (SNORKEL)

No matter where you go in Australia, the second you leave the asphalt you’re met with acres of dusty tracks and water crossings that could wreak havoc on your engine. The best way to combat this is to get yourself a snorkel, pronto.

A snorkel is a device that fits onto your engine’s air intake and takes air from close to the roof level. The air quality up there is cleaner and cooler than air travelling through and around the bonnet, which means better fuel efficiency and less clogging of air filters when a snorkel is fitted. It also allows your vehicle to continue to ‘breathe’, even as you’re passing through creeks and rivers that may be up to the doors.

And if you get water into your engine bay, consider it buggered.

BULL BAR

When you’re trekking about the bush, there’s quite a few vital accessories that could be placed right here in our number 3 spot. But when it comes to safety, nothing quite compares to the benefits offered by an allsteel bull bar.

Fitting a bull bar to the front of your 4x4 means you’re immediately protecting your vehicle’s vital components at the front from potential animal strikes, as well as providing your vehicle with rated recovery points to get you out of strife. It also allows you to mount important 4x4 accessories such as driving lights, fog lights, a winch and an aerial for a UHF radio (vital if you’re away from service or travelling in a convoy) to warn others or call for help from nearby travellers.

Fitting a bull bar protects the vehicle’s front from potential animal strikes, as well as providing rated recovery points.

Tackling deserts, crossing treacherous waterways, scaling mountain ranges or barrelling through a forest is all part and parcel of exploring Australia’s outback.

TOOLS DELIVERED AND TRANSACTED ONSITE.

Be inspired to build better with Lysaght Zenith

Inspired by the best in European design, the six profiles in Lysaght’s ZENITH ® range each offer a distinctive character which makes their own dramatic and stylish statement. These innovative steel profiles have even greater design flexibility when you consider the wide variety of colours that can be selected. These include the Classic and Contemporary COLORBOND® steel colour ranges, or for something more subtle there is the COLORBOND® steel Matt colour range. For more information on Lysaght’s ZENITH™ cladding range or their complete range of roofing, walling, structural, rainwater and fencing products, visit www. lysaght.com

LONGLINE 305®

A striking cladding that combines slender, high ribs and broad, flat pans for a bold and beautiful visual, LONGLINE 305 ® is available with plain or fluted pans to suit

The bold impact of LONGLINE 305® was used to great effect on the winning entry in the Residential Category of last year’s Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards. The Kenny Street house showed here proved to be a superb example of what can be achieved.

DOMINION®

With raised panels and recessed, ‘channellike’ joins, DOMINION® cladding has a sleek and contemporary character which will suit any modern architecture. DOMINION ® can be used in long lengths vertically or horizontally on a structure, or in shorter lengths for a ‘block-like’ effect, making unique patterns and designs possible.

IMPERIAL™

Powerful yet elegant, IMPERIAL™ cladding allows the creation of strong visual designs. Featuring broad, flat pans and slender, well-defined ribs, this cladding profile

is incredibly versatile and the perfect complement to any building design.

BAROQUE™

A timeless profile, BAROQUE ™ cladding is reminiscent of heritage roofs and pairs well with any building style. No matter the application, BAROQUE ™ cladding has a stylish linear visual thanks to its wide, flat pans and rounded ribs.

ENSEAM®

Effortlessly stylish and structurally sound, ENSEAM ® is a versatile modern cladding solution. Combining broad flat pans and a lower, yet substantial, rib to create another distinct visual dynamic in a cladding –perfect for your next home renovation.

SNAPSEAM™

SNAPSEAM ™ features the pan and rib profile of ENSEAM ® while offering greater design flexibility.

CASE STUDY

KENNY STREET HOUSE

When clients talk about ‘sustainable design’, not everyone is on the same page. For some, it’s about reducing their impact on the environment over the longer term. Others have more immediate goals in mind.

That was the case for the owners of this home in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn North, winner in the Residential Projects category in the most recent Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards. Director of Chan Architecture, Anthony Chan, says thermal comfort was the driving force behind their interest in sustainable design.

“It was not so much that they were solely focused on sustainability, but they did want to be comfortable without the need for mechanical heating and cooling,” he says. “It was all about a well-performing house that would save them money in the longer term.”

Chan designed a two-storey home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms plus a more private living space on the upper floor featuring a skylight. A guest bedroom and ensuite on the ground floor is off to one side of the entranceway, but

central to the design is a spacious, openplan kitchen and dining living space, characterised by a double-height void. To the eastern side of the building, a slender full-length window offers views of the Dandenong ranges.

A simple palette of concrete, timber and steel creates a rhythm for the internal spaces that is at once contemporary and warm, while the masculine angles of the spaces are broken up with more feminine curves for the walls of the bathroom and living space upstairs.

To ensure the house performed well, Chan positioned the structure on the 2000sqm block so the main living areas faced north, allowing the polished concrete slab to passively regulate temperatures, keeping the house naturally cooler in summer when the sun is higher and warmer in winter as the slab releases heat into the evening.

A thermal chimney directs hot air up and out of the house via windows on the top floor and the entire house has been heavily insulated, with the ceiling insulated to R7, the highest insulation

batts available on the Australian market right now.

Outside, LONGLINE 305® cladding was the obvious choice, thanks to its versatility, flexibility and reflective qualities.

Shaped from COLORBOND ® steel in colour Surfmist ®, the cladding also reflects, rather than absorbs, the heat. The sloping roof also allowed plenty of space for a substantial photovoltaic system, providing more than enough power for the family.

Timber cladding and stacked stone break up the facade, while recessed reveals on the upper windows add depth and a sense of permanence to the home.

“The advantage of using LYSAGHT ® products is that we’re assured that it’s all shaped from COLORBOND ® steel. So the flashings are the same colour as the cladding so that it looks like it is wrapping,” says Chan.

For more information on Lysaght’s ZENITH™ cladding range or their complete range of roofing, walling, structural, rainwater and fencing products visit www.lysaght.com

Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be

Yamaha’s XSR Heritage Sport models take styling cues from the past, but performance is bang up to date.

Nostalgia is all the rage nowadays. Hipsters are pulled in by the lure of the past and everything old is new again. Beard trimmers, microbrewery workers and coffee roasters all know this and market accordingly. The motorcycle industry is no different.

Some brands go right for the jugular. Think of the Triumph twins styled on their 1960s counterparts, right down to fuel-injection systems designed to look like vintage Amal carburettors. Royal Enfield’s Interceptor is also visually remarkably close to the 1960s model of the same name. BSA is reborn and is offering a modern version of its classic Gold Star. These models look the part and offer an ownership experience with

Yamaha plays the retro game differently.

The new XSR700 has a colour scheme that early-1980s boy racers will remember from the all-conquering RDLC.

all the style and feelgood vibes of vintage motorcycling, but without the oil leaks and breakdowns.

Yamaha, on the other hand, plays the retro game differently. Instead of re-creating a classic model from yesteryear, the tuning fork engineers have used the modern MT twin- and triple-cylinder platforms to create the XSR range. Instead of full-blown retro, Yamaha terms these ‘neo-classic design’, focuses on performance and bundles them under its Sport Heritage umbrella.

C’EST SI BON!

The latest XSRs tip the hat to previous Yamaha models, but it is just a subtle acknowledgement. The new XSR700 has a colour scheme that early-1980s boy racers will remember from the all-conquering RDLC or RZ street-bike range. Top riders back in the day knew nothing could pass a well ridden RD350LC two-stroke, a model that rightly deserves cult status.

Meanwhile, the 2022 XSR900 references a race bike – Yamaha’s Deltabox chassisframed YZR500 GP machine from the late 1980s. Frenchman Christian Sarron competed in blue-and-yellow Gauloises

RENAULT MASTER

“I have a fleet of Renault Masters. I started my business in 2002 with 5 Renault Masters. I now have more than 40 across Australia. They look great on the road and they are great for business. There’s loads of storage throughout and tech keeps us connected. Both rear doors open and you can load a pallet straight in. We love the way our signage looks on the van. You can’t miss us on the road!”

Peter, Cowan Restoration Services

The round LED headlight, humped seat and drilled aluminium headlight mounts of the XSR900 all echo an era when privateers could build and tune a race bike in their garages with success.

Styling is the main talking point, but performance is leading edge.

it’s my business it’s my van

“They look great on the road and they are great for business”

colours on this model, and despite being more obscure than an RD350LC it’s as cool as cigs and coffee in a Parisian cafe.

MODERN CLASSIC

Unlike the slightly ponderous Triumph and Royal Enfield twins, the XSR900 is specced to really blow your hair back, with an 889cc triple-cylinder engine housed in a new Deltabox chassis running on lightweight, spinforged aluminium wheels. The new for 2022 model features the latest rider control technologies such as traction, slide, brake and lift control – all governed by a six-axis IMU offering a level of refinement that would spin the flat cap of a vintage rider.

XSR900 owners are also treated to highspec adjustable suspension for precise handling, a quickshifter for seamless up and down gear shifts, cruise control, and assist and slipper clutch for added refinement. But like any good heritage model, it’s the styling that’s the main talking point. The

A level of refinement that would spin the flat cap of a vintage rider.

round LED headlight, humped seat and drilled aluminium headlight mounts all echo an era when privateers could build and tune a race bike in their home garages with a fair bit of success.

LEAD THE WAY

So while XSR styling cues are up to 40 years old, the ride experience is very much 2022. That means owners can enjoy the nostalgia trip at the front of the pack and not get left at the café.

Yamaha’s

is available in Legend Blue and Midnight Black priced at $17,299 including GST ride away, while the MY22 XSR700 is available in Heritage White and Heritage Black, priced at $13,699 including GST ride away.

MY22 XSR900

XSR700.

Yamaha calls it ‘neo-classic design’ and focuses on performance.

Frenchman Christian Sarron competed in blue-and-yellow Gauloises colours on the YZR500 GP machine.

Kincrome Tool Armour

The Tool Armour range of industrial-grade storage and tool kits provides the ultimate level of quality and strength. With 1.5mm-gauge steel construction and 100kg load-rated ball-bearing slides, these boxes are built to last.

Tool Armour includes a host of features such as LED lighting, soft-

close drawers, suspension castors and magnetic power boards, as well as a modular design allowing the addition of storage units when even more space is needed.

A full range of custom-made Tool Armour EVA trays and complete tool-kit options are also available to complete the ultimate workshop tool system.

TOOL ARMOUR FEATURES

• Soft -close drawers: Slow and controlled drawer closure to avoid jarring of contents

• Drawer grip locks: Drawers stay safely closed and only open when you want them to

• Magnetic power board: Four-outlet, dual-USB power board with magnetic holder for all your changing needs

• Suspension castors: Industrial grade suspension swivel castor load rated to 1000kg for easy movement

• Industrial grade construction: Main body components made from heavy 1.5mm gauge steel for strength and reliability

• Programable key: Kwikset Key and lock system allows you to re-program your locks, so they are keyed alike

• 100kg-load-capacity drawers: Maximise tool content in each drawer without overloading

• LED Lighting: Dual LED strip lighting in the hutch to illuminate you work surface

• Modular Storage: Additional storage bolt on models so you can expand your storage needs

• Power access ports: Hutch and lockers include rubber grommet power access ports for routing power cables

• Gas struts: Gas-strut-assisted hutch door to safely open and close

Kincrome’s Tool Armour range of industrialgrade storage and tool kits provide the ultimate level of quality and strength.

K77820 Top locker. 1450mm. Suits K77805 hutch.

K77830 side locker. 700mm. 1 fixed shelf, 4 ball-bearing slide-out shelves. Suits K77800 trolley & K77805 hutch.

K77800 trolley. 1500mm. Suits K77805 hutch.

Suspension castors.

Soft-close drawer (raise & release latch).

Industrial-grade construction using 1.5mm-gauge steel.

Magnetic power board (x4 outlet with USB).

Hot Devil Trade Map Twin Turbo Torch Kit

Hot Devil has gone turbo with its new Trade Map Gas Twin Turbo Torch. Thanks to dual burners, the new torch runs up to 25% hotter temperatures, and gets to those temperatures even quicker than ever.

If the second burner isn’t needed for a job, Hot Devil has included a secondary adjustment knob allowing the use of just a single burner, making it the only torch on the market with this option.

An auto-ignition button and a 360-degree

swivel head makes the torch easy to use and very versatile, and quality brass components mean it’s tough. It’s so tough Hot Devil gives a whopping 5-year warranty.

SPARK ’ER UP

Connect the torch head to the Trade Map gas cylinder, turn on the top gas-adjustment valve all the way so you can hear the gas coming through, then click the auto ignition. You’re instantly set up with circular-wrapping heat performance.

It’s extremely quick to get even 40mm copper up to the right temperatures for silver soldering and is ideal for any tradie needing high performance for quick jobs or where access is a problem.

Get ready for serious heat with twin turbo delivery.

Turn the trade map gas fully on for maximum performance.

The whole rig has a substantial build quality and great features, and it makes this a go-to product for tradies needing the flexibility and versatility of a truly professional, portable, high-performance torch system.

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

MULTI-MATERIAL CUTTING TECHNOLOGY

CLEAN, ACCURATE CUTS THROUGH WOOD (EVEN WITH EMBEDDED NAILS!)

COOL TO THE TOUCH CUTS THROUGH METAL WITH NO BURRS OR SPARKS

QUICK AND CLEAN CUTS THROUGH PVC, COMPOSITES, PLASTIC AND MUCH MORE!

ALL WITH ONE SAW, ONE BLADE.

GET YOURS NOW AT

Playtime is over

Trading up from a ute to a truck

When it comes to the transport needs of small businesses, particularly in the trades, the classic conundrum that often arises is, ‘truck or ute?’

Both have their place, and you should tailor this very important decision to the operating needs of your business – as best as possible.

That said, with recent changes to Chain of Responsibility (CoR) compliance laws coming to the forefront, making sure your vehicle is fit for purpose is more important than ever.

PAYLOAD

No matter what your trade or service, payload will be near the top of your considerations, from both a practical and safety point of view. Light trucks, in some cases, are as compact and easily manoeuvrable as utes, and are specifically engineered to handle heavier payloads than their smaller cousins. This makes trucks a sensible fit for a multitude of trades, from carpentry, concreting and plumbing through to landscaping or field service.

A truck with payload to spare can provide extra peace of mind, ensuring compliance with CoR obligations, and minimising the risks of potentially overloading your vehicle and copping a fine.

TOWING CAPACITY

While some 4×4 utes are advertised as being able to tow up to 3500kg, loading any vehicle to its highest tolerance point for extended periods will wear down parts and components rapidly, while putting

additional strain on the engine. And this is all before considering the unintended cost of increased fuel usage while performing any towing tasks.

And it’s all too easy to overestimate towing capacity, given an attractive advertised towing capacity doesn’t always equal the real on-the-job capacity.

CHAIN OF RESPONSIBILITY

On to one of the less-fun elements of vehicle ownership: compliance.

Going forward, businesses large and small can all expect to hear much more about the Chain of Responsibility (CoR).

The road transport industry is placing a greater focus on the CoR and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) is doubling down on efforts to prosecute breaches of legislation governing this.

This poses a significant threat to many businesses, though studies show small fleets

are in a particularly vulnerable position. As per Isuzu’s Future of Trucking report, 35 per cent of small fleets are completely unprepared for, or unaware of, their CoR requirements.

THE ISSUE WITH OVERLOADING

A huge area of focus in this space is mass loading, and this is where we often see smaller companies drawing the unwanted attention of regulatory bodies.

Many small companies are drastically overloading utes that are simply not fit for purpose.

Often we see these regulators targeting utes towing overloaded trailers, or which are themselves dangerously laden. These fines can run between $50,000 and a whopping $500,000, so complying with regulations could quickly become an essential business expense. In fact, 16 per cent of businesses surveyed have called compliance with CoR ‘an essential business expense’.

Ute owners already see the value in adding capacity and pulling power to their vehicles, but for many, upgrading to a bigger and more

practical truck is the start of the next stage for their business.

AN APPRENTICE’S BEST FRIEND

With many trucks able to be driven on a standard passenger-car licence, they can even be operated by someone on probationary plates. This is often a revelation for ute owners who can now send apprentices, and anyone else mind you, off on the Bunnings run.

Many are seeing the value and benefit of trading up to a truck, though some would feel the loss of their ute when it comes to weekend activities.

Whatever direction you choose, remember that with vehicles, you always buy nice, or you buy twice.

Handy links:

A guide to CoR: http://content.isuzu.com. au/news-media/chain-of-responsibiltylets-get-back-to-the-basics/

Isuzu’s Future of Trucking report: https:// www.isuzu.com.au/news/future-oftrucking-report/

Many trucks able to be driven on a standard passenger-car licence.

A truck with payload to spare can provide extra peace of mind, ensuring compliance with CoR obligations.

Many businesses are seeing the value and benefit of trading up to a truck.

Recent changes to Chain of Responsibility (CoR) compliance laws mean making sure your vehicle is fit for purpose is more important than ever.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED Blundstone #243 work boots

It’d be difficult to find a more comfortable and well-rounded boot for an entire crew or team than the new Blundstone #243. These 135mm mid-height work boots are so comfortable they already feel broken in from the first wear, thanks to the SPS Max Comfort XRD technologies. The removable

• Wide fit

• Water-resistant upper

• SPS max comfort

• Steel toe cap with TPU toe guard

• Slip resistant

• 140°C resistant

and washable Comfort Arch footbed with XRD Extreme Impact Protection provides impressive real-world comfort, while the wheat nubuck water-resistant leather upper provides excellent protection from wet, soggy, and cold toes on rainy days.

They look great, and the side zip allows getting the boots on and off very quickly, just what’s needed when working in client’s homes.

Other features that really stood out were the padding around the collar and the tongue, great ankle stability, and a broad-fitting type-1 steel toe cap with TPU toe-guard protection.

To further extend the life of the boot, the double reinforced stitching and generally impressive construction will see it stand up to the toughest of worksite situations.

BUILDER TESTED

Benny Dibley has been a builder for 20 years, and in recent times has been focussing on remedial projects around Sydney’s north.

Ben shared, “My initial response after pulling on the boot was the comfort. My foot just settled in instantly.

“I do have a narrow foot, so after adjusting the laces just a little to tighten up the fit it was perfect. The Comfort Arch footbed does a great job of making these boots feel like you have been wearing them for a week and they have already moulded to your foot from the very first wear.”

Ben was working on a residential apartmentblock where he and his team had to get a bit of gear from the street up to the rooftop.

“The ankle support and stability is huge

It’d be difficult to find a more comfortable and well-rounded boot for an entire crew or team than the new Blundstone #243.

when you’re carrying gear and tackling stairs,” Benny said. “I could really feel the support of the boot. The steel toe cap with the TPU toe guard also added additional confidence and peace of mind in various situations over the course of the day.”

TEST #1: FLEXIBILITY AND GENERAL COMFORT

Ben had various tasks that required crouching. That meant the boot had to flex and bend without being uncomfortable and

putting pressure on the foot. The internal steel shank provided excellent flex while still providing support and tortional stability. Ben offered, “I have had boots that just weren’t comfortable when crouching to perform tasks like fixing timbers, grinding and the like. The 243s did a great job in this area, something tradies will appreciate.

“My feet at the end of the day still felt fresh with no pressure points or areas of discomfort.”

TEST #2: SAFETY AND BUILD QUALITY

It’s the depth of features that impress with Blundstone. The #243s continue this sophistication and the safety features just keep coming. The slip-resistant TPU outer sole is rated to 140°C and highly resistant to hydrolysis. The nubuck wheat leather is soft yet tough, the side zip is heavy-duty and the steel toe cap is rated to resist a 200joule impact.

When asking Ben about the build quality he bared his sole: “The fact the Blundstones have a 30-day comfort guarantee and a 6-month manufacturer’s warranty goes to show the confidence and belief Blundstone has in its product, and having owned several pairs of Blundstones I know they will stand up to Australian work-site conditions and provide all the safety and comfort I require.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The 243s are perfect for companies to deck out an entire team or crew in the same boot, from the master to the apprentice. You will appreciate the safety features and comfort technologies the Blundstone team has brought to the table with the #243 boot. Visit: www.blundstone.com.au

Great flex, comfort and tortional stability.

You would think Benny could have found a better site for us.

The steel toe cap with TPU guard gives impressive protection.

All the safety and comfort required.

The heavy-duty side zip makes for quick and easy removal.

A non-slip outer soul is rated to 140°C.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

SPADE FEATURES

• Optimised curved paddle design

• Impact Strong™

• Angled spur cutting edge

• Speed-tip

AUGER FEATURES

• 2-step cutter

• Dura-Tip™

• Dual cutting-edge design

• Deep flutes

The NEW Diablo Nailkiller Auger Bits and Speedemon Spade Bits

Diablo has accurately named its Auger Bits ‘NailKiller’ due to their impressive ability to rip through nailembedded timber like a hot knife through butter! Plus minimal tear-out, for cleaner holes

Diablo claims its Auger Bits are standing up to 10x more nail hits than the competition due to a range of factors, but primarily

due to the Dura-Tip technology; which is the same dura carbide technology that is producing amazing lifespan and quality on Diablo’s saw blades.

Other features on the Auger Bits include: a 2-step cutter for precise, clean holes; deep flutes for fast chip removal; a dual cuttingedge design for effortless, smooth, drilling in nail-embedded timber; and a quick-change shank for increased stability and durability in impact drivers and impact wrenches.

On the Spade Bit front Diablo has focused on fast and clog-free drilling in both hardwood and softwood.

You can tell just by looking at the Spade Bits how well they are going to perform, and when you squeeze the trigger on the drill you certainly aren’t disappointed. Features include an optimised, curved-paddle design which quickly removes chip build up, a selffeed speed tip which effortlessly pulls the bit through the timber, an angled-spur cutting edge which scores the wood for cleaner holes and reduced blowout, and an Impact Strong™ hex shank to deliver impressive strength.

Punching through some serious timber with the Diablo 22mmx445mm auger bit.

Ultra-sharp spade bits cut through nogs in a few seconds.

The quality of both the Diablo Auger Bits and Spade Bits is undeniable.

TEST #1: DIABLO NAILKILLER AUGER BITS

Diablo Nailkiller Auger Bits have been designed to perform in both clean and nailembedded timber.

From our very first test the instant pull from the Dura-Tip was impressive. The bit really pulls in hard, then the two-step cutting action just slices its way through, producing stunning, clean holes.

The results were equally impressive in our nail-embedded test.

Auger Bits and nails generally don’t mix so well, and to be able to slice through the nails in our test piece of timber was a real eyeopener. I didn’t slow down on the trigger at all. I just let the Nailkiller rip through – which it did with ease.

But the really impressive thing was inspecting the bit after going through the nails. After ripping through 3 or 4 nail-embedded test pieces which were solidly stacked with 3 or 4 nails per test hole, the auger still looked good and worked well.

There were even slices of nail stuck to the blade edge!

I probably did go a little overboard with the number of nails I put in, but the auger did impressively well.

TEST #2: DIABLO SPEEDEMON SPADE BITS

The Spade Bits were a joy to use. The way they sliced through the pine we used for our testing was beautiful.

The process was kind of therapeutic, it cut through so well. All edges were crisp and clean, and the time and effort which has gone into the R&D for these bits was well spent. As you can see from the images, chip removal is as impressive as the cutting capabilities of these bits.

We tested various sizes ranging from 18mm up to 30mm and enjoyed stunning results with every one we used.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The quality of both the Diablo Auger Bits and Spade Bits is undeniable.

The only thing as impressive as the quality of the performance and cutting seems to

be the longevity of the cutting edges, which means these bits are going to have a long life on site – exactly what every tradie wants. So, if you have nail-embedded timber you need to penetrate for roughing in cables, conduits or other elements, the Diablo Nail Killer Auger Bits are the go. For those more refined holes in either softwoods or hardwoods, the Diablo Speedemon Spade Bits will get you out of trouble for sure, and will do it without clogging.

With a huge range of sizes in both these products you will have a pile of options for the perfect timber-drilling application.

Visit: www.diablotools.com.au

Speedemon Spade Bit sets are an excellent addition to your kit.

For roughing in cables, conduits or other elements, especially in nail-embedded timber, Diablo augers are the go.

A strip of nail on the cutting edge of the auger after making 3 or 4 cuts.

The Diablo range has you covered for all your Wood Drilling needs.

The 16mm auger ripping through nail-embedded timber.

XGT 80V Max (40Vx2) Brushless 355mm Power Cut Makita TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Makita has combined massive cutting capacity and with an innovative battery to make the XGT 80V Max (40Vx2) Brushless 355mm (14") Power Cut a big hitter for a range of heavy-duty, highperformance, fume-free cutting scenarios.

This beast of a demo saw is perfect for a wide range of heavy-duty cutting applications, and it pairs up perfectly with an impressive range of 355mm Makita blades for cutting concrete, brick or steel. We had 3 different blades on hand: an abrasive wheel for metal & steel materials; a Quasar Segmented Diamond Blade suitable for reinforced concrete and multi-construction material –these are laminated for quieter cutting; and the E-12996 Segmented diamond blade, specifically designed for the XGT Power Cut, giving a longer runtime thanks to the narrow segment gullets creating less drag.

Also available is the Pressurized 10L Water Tank.

This portable water supply enables water suppression during masonry cuts to minimise

Tested By Jamie Gray

Power galore with the 40Vx2 brushless system.

A big hitter for a range of heavy-duty, highperformance, fume-free cutting scenarios.

dust without the restriction of proximity to a hose. Simply fill up the water tank and pump the handle to create pressure and provide a stream of water from the tank to the tool.

The XGT 80V Max is powered by an 80V Max (40Vx2) brushless motor, combining cordless mobility with powerful performance which eliminates fumes and noise – both health issues for users operating traditional petrol-powered power cuts.

Active Feedback-sensing Technology automatically shuts down the tool as soon as the rotation speed suddenly slows or kickback is sensed, increasing safety, and an ingress-protection rating IPx4 provides enhanced protection against water, allowing the tool to be used when wet and ensuring longevity.

Makita’s internal testing compared the Makita 4-Stroke Petrol saw (EK7651H) to the 80V Max. Both cut continuously at a depth of 50mm and the time required to cut across a 300mm wide section was measured. The results consistently showed the 80V Max produced up to 25% more power than its petrol equivalent.

An Anti-Vibration Housing and a spring absorption system reduce transferred vibration to directly improve usability and operator comfort.

TEST #1: POWER

When I dropped this saw off to Ben from FOX & CO I could tell by his expression he had his doubts about a battery demo saw and wasn’t immediately impressed.

After leaving the saw with him for 3 or 4 days, it was clear he had been won over by the XGT 80V Max Power Cut.

“This is one impressive saw,” he demolished. “The power delivered by the brushless motor and the 2x40V batteries has actually blown me away.

“Over the past 4 days we have cut through a slab and plenty of brickwork with the Quasar blade. The saw-and-blade combo just ate it all up with ease.”

TEST #2: HANDLING

Ben hardly drew a breath before continuing…

“The handling of this saw was as impressive as the power,” he raved. “Holding it above your head to cut brick and block work is so much easier than with other petrol saws I have used. The saw cuts straight and beautifully and made clean cuts very easy. Safety features like the kickback control, electric brake, overload-indicator lamp and IPx4 all contribute to making this a safe and great product to use.”

He was clearly very impressed.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Working with water-fed demo saws with this level of power you really want features that bring usability and safety to the fore. This saw has plenty of both. But it’s the ease of cutting and impressive power that really make the Makita stand out. Then, when you factor in the huge power delivery, low vibration and fact there are no fumes when working in confined spaces, you have yourself one very impressive power tool.

Visit www.makita.com.au

The 40-volt batteries are all muscle.

Clean up is a no issue thanks to IPx4-enhanced water protection.

When you really need to knuckle down, Makita has you covered.

Working indoors and in confined spaces is now fume-free.

Benny was completely won over by the end of the job.

Tested By Jamie Gray

• Consistently high-performance general-purpose cement

• Tested to suit Australian conditions

• Made in Australia

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

• Big range of bulk and pre-mixed products

• Perfect for projects of all sizes

• Range is continually developed and optimised

An Australian-made, high-quality product.

Cement Australia General Purpose cement

Cement Australia is well known for its high-quality pre-mixed products –cements, cement blends, mortars, renders and just-add-water mixes. But a lot of tradies on bigger projects prefer a more bulk-order approach, having sand delivered which they then add to their cement.

Cement Australia has this option more than covered with its consistently highperformance General Purpose cement and General Blended cement, including customised blends for special applications.

Cement Australia maintains a Product Performance and Technology (PP&T) team providing oversight and support for varied cement and cementitious materials. Customers can utilise the company’s technical knowledge for guidance on mix design, compliance and despatched materials specifications and performance.

Cement Australia also maintains an independent construction-materials testing laboratory accredited with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA)

Australia. Cement Australia recognises the value in supporting its customers with technical knowledge, enabling them to achieve maximum performance with the least waste. Along with sales and technical specialists, PP&T provides national support to bulk customers.

One of the things I love about Cement Australia is the fact it’s made right here in Australia, and when you buy its products, you’re supporting Aussie jobs!

To help out with this tough test we caught up with Blake Cooper from Northern Beaches Stone. Blake specialises in all types of stone construction and restoration, including pressure-cleaning sandstone and re-pointing cracked mortar joints. But for this test he and his team were laying a large area of stone perfect for putting Cement Australia’s General Purpose cement to the test.

TEST #1: THE MIX

Working on big projects requires everything to be scaled up, but Blake and his team decided to operate with smaller half-bag mixes into a barrow for this site. Blake’s thoughts on the quality of the mix are interesting.

“The Cement Australia product has come up great,” he floated. “It’s fluffy and has a really nice level of stick to it without being hard to work with.

“The consistency is really nice. It feels a bit more rustic than some other products we have used, so it will work very well with the heavier sections of stone we deal with, day in, day out.

“The boys all seemed to really like it, which is great news”

TEST #2: WORKABILITY

Getting the mix perfect with cement products is a must. The right consistency allows the team to work efficiently and smoothly and get the most work completed with the best possible finish.

It was amazing to watch these boys work

so well with each other, but knowing the quality of of Blakey’s previous work I wasn’t surprised. The product mix was epic, and the team absolutely smashed it.

Blake summed up the Cement Australia gear: “It seems to have that really nice balance of being easy to work with, but at the same time offering great support to the stone. One of the boys mentioned it didn’t feel as gluey as some other products, but it still had plenty of stick. The last thing masons want is an overly firm product that wrecks wrists, forearms and hands by the end of the day.

“The Cement Australia General Purpose cement has ticked all the boxes for us, so we are pretty happy”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The excellent quality of the work produced by Blake and his team, along with the positive feedback about the mix, spoke for itself.

If the mix isn’t right or the cement isn’t behaving as expected it’ll be obvious pretty quickly with a team of 6. But it was all smiles on this day as the product produced excellent results.

With such great feedback from Blake and his team it’s no wonder more and more tradies are deciding to move over to an Australian-made, high-quality product like Cement Australia General Purpose cement, along with its epic range of other prepackaged products.

Visit: www.cementaustralia.com.au

The bird’s-eye view shows how nice this project is going to come up. There’s no fish fingers on these boys.

Blakey, owner of Northern Beaches Stone, is happy with the product’s adhesion.

The team enjoyed working with the Cement Australia General Purpose cement.

Getting the mix ready to start the day’s first batch.

The perfect balance of fluffy workability and support is the key.

Tested By Jamie Gray

KINCROME lifting range

KINCROME’s range of industrialquality lifting equipment has more than impressed in our Tradie Tough Tests. The build, smoothness and lifting power of the range are features both professionals and tradies working in home workshops will immediately notice – not to mention the equipment being backed by the best industrial warranty and spare parts in the business.

Safety is a massive feature of the KINCROME range of jacks, and we had a great selection, including the Hydraulic Garage Jack, Jack Stands, Bottle Jacks and Vehicle Positioning Jack Set. These products would suit a fairly wide range of users, from auto-servicing pros through to DIYers and pro-enthusiasts.

The KINCROME team prides itself on supplying the best range of Australian

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Standards-compliant, industrial-quality lifting equipment, and that’s the result of rigorous testing. KINCROME ensures 100% inspection and testing on all jacks, stands and lifts. It’s not done by third-party inspectors doing random checks, but by KINCROME itself. That’s why KINCROME can offer such an impressive two-year trade warranty on all its garage jacks, stands and many other items in its premium range.

Rodney and Andrew from Superior Automotive in Mona Vale put the products through their paces for us in their workshop, and they’re definitely hard-working pros.

TEST #1: BUILD AND PERFORMANCE

The Hydraulic Garage Jack we tested was a beast. Its steel castors, twin pistons (for rapid lifting) protective handle sleeve and built-in parts’ tray are really well designed and solidly built. It has high-quality seals and the materials used have been designed so the Jack can stand up to professional use. Rodney from Superior Automotive said it well.

“The build quality, strength and smoothness of this jack has been quite a surprise, to tell you the truth,” he pumped. “I wasn’t expecting this level of quality.

• Accredited Kincrome QC inspection team

• Dedicated Australian engineering facility

• Highest quality components

• Ensured quality and toughness

The KINCROME lifting range means business, with a build quality and innovation that will impress.

A Jack Stand and Bottle Jack are a perfect purchase combination.

“We work on regular cars for servicing and repairs as well as running our own race team, and we work with around 20 privateer race teams, preparing and running their cars. This would be perfect for a workshop, home workshop or racing environment.”

TEST #2: EASE OF USE

The Bottle Jack range and Vehicle Positioning Jack Set are a great example of innovative design to simplify ease of use. The Bottle Jacks’ exclusive design gives

greater stability, optimum performance, unrivalled durability and features unseen on any other jacks of this nature, while the Vehicle Positioning Jack Set makes 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 hydraulicfluid replacement, does not blow seals, will not leak and can be stored on its side without the risk of airlock.

“The Vehicle Positioning Jack Set was a bit of a surprise as well,” lifted Rodney. “I wasn’t too sure about how the castor wheels and build quality were going to go under weight, going over bumps or ground that wasn’t perfectly flat and smooth, but I easily managed to move the Cobra around on my own. I wasn’t expecting it to be that easy a process.”

“It’s an impressive range for the price,” chipped in Andrew.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

KINCROME has a strong commitment to working with its manufacturers to ensure they are adding as much safety and value as they can to each and every product, and it is paying dividends. If Kincrome continues to push forward whenever possible, improving its products even further while producing competitively priced products, the company will be well on the way to being recognised as offering one of the best ranges of jacks available in Australia.

Visit: www.kincrome.com.au

KINCROME offers an impressive two-year trade warranty on all its garage jacks, stands and many other items in its premium range.

• Australian-standards compliant

• Industrial-quality lifting equipment

• The best industrial warranty in spare parts

The Bottle Jack had plenty of pressure and height to lift the 2-tonne Cross8 Crewman.

The Hydraulic Garage Jack surprised Rodney with its performance and smoothness.

Cranking up and down the Vehicle Positioning System was a quick and easy process.

This range would suit professional garages as well as home workshops.

Rodney single-handedly pushed the Cobra around on the Vehicle Positioning Jack Set.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

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!

AEG’s 184mm & 165mm FUSION circular saws raise the bar when it comes to power, versatility and durability.

AEG FUSION 184mm & 165mm circular saws

AEG’s range of FUSION power tools is getting bigger and better by the day, and the addition of 184mm & 165mm FUSION circular saws is going to raise the bar even higher when it comes to power, versatility and durability.

The two new offerings are designed to perform heavy-duty crosscuts for general framing, but will also make ripping and a pile of other tasks a breeze.

At the heart of the saws is, of course, the high-performance AEG FUSION Brushless motor, which for our testing was being driven by the AEG FORCE 4Ah battery. It’s a solid combo which produces up to 30% more power than the BKS18BR-0.

• Powerful FUSION brushless motor

• All-metal guarding system

• Inbuilt heavy-duty rafter hook

Ready for action.

The 184mm saw has a maximum cutting depth of 65mm at 90° and 44.5mm at 45°, providing a pile of versatility for framing applications. There’s an anti-jam fin designed to provide a smooth retraction of the aluminium guard and to prevent jams, and an optional dust-port adaptor so it can be connected to a vac. Changing the blade is quick thanks to the on-tool blade wrench, an LED sight light provides plenty of light in dark workspaces, and, last but not least, a heavy-duty rafter hook can be folded out when needed and then folded back away when not in use.

We hooked up with Glen, a subbie working with FOX & CO, to put the 184mm variation through its paces.

TEST #1: POWER AND PERFORMANCE

Being primarily designed for framing use, we did a pile of cross cuts through 90mmx45mm pine. Glen did some ripping – which was effortless – and we had some rafter notching to cut out of LVLs. That involved making 4 or 5 cuts side-by-side to chisel out later.

The 184mm circular saw performed exceptionally well in all the cutting tests.

Glen’s thoughts on the performance of the saw?

“I was really impressed by the power,” he ripped.

“The saw itself weighs in at only 4.0kg without the battery and produces a no-load

•

speed of 5400rpm,” he carpented, “so it didn’t even come close to struggling at any stage. The cross cuts were effortless and even the notching on the LVL was a dream.

“This is a great 184mm circular saw, and carpenters are going to enjoy framing with it.”

TEST #2: COMFORT AND ERGOS

Like a good pair of shoes, a power tool needs to feel right and be comfortable to use.

The balance, grip and trigger of the AEG are all well-designed and it feels like a wellbuilt power tool. The line of sight when cutting, along with trigger position and pressure, feels just right, allowing the user to achieve both comfortable use and precise and straight cuts.

Glen pined, “From the very first cut the saw felt excellent and produced great cuts. The grip felt awesome, and the overall cutting

experience was above and beyond what I was expecting. The lightweight aluminium guard performed well, and the included TCT timber blade produced crisp and clean cuts.

“I’ve owned and used a wide range of circular saws in my time, and this option from AEG was up there with the best of them.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The combined performance, ergonomics and features of the AEG FUSION circular saws is set to impress even the most discerning user. Matched with the lightweight and powerful 4Ah FORCE battery the system gets even better.

Either the 184mm or the 165mm circular saw would make a great addition to carpenters’ tool sets, or to the kit of any tradie looking to make cross cuts, rips or other cuts up to 65mm in depth.

There is no denying the AEG range has come ahead in leaps and bounds and is head-to-head competitive with more expensive brands.

Visit www.aegpowertools.com.au

• Dust port

• On board blade wrench

LED sight light

Glen from FOX & CO gave the AEG a glowing report.

The 4Ah FORCE battery did an amazing job powering the 184mm saw.

For all your varied circular-saw needs, from cutting and ripping to notching.

Rubberised grip and ergonomic design make for next-level comfort.

Tested By Jamie Gray

APPROVED

BOC Weld Guard Quickfire mask

BOC’s light and narrow Weld Guard Quickfire welding mask offers excellent protection in a slim design that allows getting into confined spaces where a traditional welding mask just won’t fit.

The new Quickfire mask, along with its significantly reduced size, offers great protection if you need to MIG, TIG, stick, gas weld or cut in tight work areas, all while staying true to the quality of the Weld Guard brand. The wide, auto-darkening lens offers shades 3, 5 and 9-12, and welders will appreciate the TRUECOLOUR lens technology that removes the colour cast other masks produce.

The combined features make the Quickfire ideal for car restorations, onsite installations, artworks/sculptures and other light industrial work in tight and awkward positions. For our testing we caught up with Jimmy Sullman from S.W.A.T Fabrication.

Jimmy getting up close and personal with the BOC Weld Guard Quickfire welding mask.

Excellent protection in a slim design.

TOUGHTRADIETEST

•

•

•

•

•

“When welding on site, particularly on our marine, commercial and residential jobs making repairs and customisations, we end up welding in some challenging positions,” squeezed Jimmy. “Our work environments are often in engine bays on marine vessels and other similar situations where the lack of space and welding angles mean a normal helmet simply won’t fit. We often end up being showered in sparks.”

Comfortable and quick to put on, this welding mask comes with a bump cap and fire-retardant cotton hood for extra protection. There are no sparks making their way down the back of the neck or shirt if you are laying in challenging welding positions. 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.

TEST #1: ACCESS

Jimmy had some TIG welding to complete on a marine bow rail that needed a 360degree round weld. There were some awkward angles in tight spaces his normal mask wouldn’t allow, so it was a good test for the Quickfire, which allowed Jimmy to get into a significantly better position due to its compact size and design.

“We had the Quickfire mask last week and had two perfect situations where it saved our day,” he swarfed. “The first situation we were on a boat welding in new engine mounts between cooling tubes and a stainless-steel exhaust system. Our regular mask was creating more problems than solutions due to its size. The Quickfire allowed us to work safely and professionally to produce strong and longlasting welds in the challenging situation.

“The other site where the Quickfire was worth its weight in gold was when we were working on a residential site installing a custom steel staircase. Due to the small risers, getting access to weld the pins and gussets was impossible with a regular welding mask. The Quickfire allowed us the extra room to get into position to have the access and the view to complete the welds.”

TEST #2: TRUECOLOUR LENS

Weld Guard products offer the optimum protection for welders and metal fabricators. The helmet has an easy-to-use control panel, and the wide auto-darkening lens offers shades 3, 5 and 9-12, but in addition to that, welders will appreciate the TRUECOLOUR lens technology that gives the welder a better feel for where they’re at when welding. If you haven’t used the TRUECOLOUR lens before it will change the way you work! It gives more detail and a truer colour than ever before.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The Weld Guard Quickfire auto-darkening welding mask from BOC is not recommended for overhead MIG or stick welding because of excess spatter, but when it’s needed it will be the perfect solution to challenging welding conditions.

As Jimmy from S.W.A.T Fabrications said, “This is the type of product I may only need to use once or twice a week, but it’s an awesome product that solves specific problems and allows for premium quality solutions to challenging welding conditions.”

Visit: www.boc.com

• Suits all welding processes

TRUECOLOUR lens with two sensors

Lightweight and compact protection

Can be worn with a hard hat

Kit comes with fire-retardant hood, bump cap and drawstring carry bag

2-year conditional warranty

Designed for getting into tight and restricted work spaces.

The Quickfire kit comes with a fire-retardant hood, bump cap and drawstring carry bag.

TRUECOLOUR lens with two sensors.

The bump cap includes foam padding for comfort and protection.

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

Paslode Trimmaster

Paslode’s latest TrimMaster is built from the ground up with performance and reliability at its core. The end result is an impressive, redesigned tool that offers greater reliability, precise nail placement and depth of drive, and better ergonomics.

The internals have been redesigned for even better durability and a longer fan cycle improves rapid-fire performance. On the off chance there is a jam, a new quick-release nose-plate has you back to work in next to no time at all, while a redesigned nose eliminates work-surface damage and proud nails. A new nail lip allows for easier, fast, one-handed loading, and the improved nail thumb wheel gives a great level of control and precision.

The features just keep on coming with the Trimmaster, from the slip-proof head cover, improved rubberised grip and new magazine channel, right through to the wear plate. There’s also a new fuel-delivery system which provides consistent power and depth of drive

across a wider range of temperatures and substrates, and Impulse technology gives best-in-class weight, power and balance. All of this is packaged up as the most compact and light weight tool in its class.

For our testing we caught up with subbie John, working with FOX+KO, who was finishing off with architraves around several new windows and bi-fold doors.

TEST #1: RELIABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

As you would expect and hope with a brandnew gun, the Trimmaster performed brilliantly with no jams – just perfectly placed nails and amazing control.

The sound of the new gun is an indication

• No-mar tip

• Improved battery notch

• Impulse technology

• New thumb wheel

Tested By Jamie Gray

Improved battery notch for easy insertion and ejection.

An impressive, redesigned tool with less jams, more control, precision of nail depth and even better ergonomics and line of sight.

•

•

of its power. Its not loud by any means, but it just has a ‘crack’ sound as you squeeze the trigger. Then, when you look at the nail placements and depth, it shows just how consistent the Paslode actually is.

I spoke to several tradies who all owned previous editions of the Trimmaster, and all had commented on the guns having some jamming issues, so it’s great to see Paslode has redesigned the tool for improved durability.

John chatted about his experience with the new Trimmaster: “The Paslode worked brilliantly over our day of testing. Its power

and depth was consistent and perfect from shot to shot. The new nail-depth well has been significantly improved, making it so easy to get that perfect depth. Then you can set and forget.”

TEST #2: ERGONOMICS & USABILITY

The new Trimmaster looks slicker and the ergonomics have been refined.

First, the contours on the top of the gun have improved the line of sight, while the feel of the rubberised grip and trigger makes handling the gun a very comfortable and easy experience.

“It’s light and extremely well balanced,” gripped John, “making it very easy to use with excellent pinpoint placement. The No Mar tip and redesigned nose doesn’t mark the material you’re working, and the tool-rest

feature means I can quickly and easily place the gun down with it standing up, ready to grab again when I’m ready to go.”

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Impulse technology is still delivering the bestin-class weight, power and balance, and the all new Trimmaster is going to set new levels of performance and reliability. Nail loading can be completed with a single hand, fast and effortless, with the By-pass follower, and changing the battery is now easier than ever. That all adds up to less downtime.

All in all, it’s great to see and experience the new additions and improvements in this Trimmaster, and I know tradies are going to appreciate the extra reliability when getting through a pile of finishing.

Visit: www.paslode.com.au

• New fuel delivery system

• By-pass follower

Redesigned internal parts

New longer fan runtime

A new nail-depth wheel for easier and quicker adjustment.

New fuel technology improves performance and reliability.

Lightweight design makes for easy overhead positioning and firing over long periods.

Rotating rafter-belt hook for left or right positioning.

The tool-rest feature makes for easy put down and pick up.

Tested By Jamie Gray

TOUGHTRADIETEST APPROVED

• Rapid removal slots

• Drill & angle grinder compatible

• Unmatched diamond retention

Kango Diamond Pro hole saws

The hole saw is one of those products that can either make or break your day, particularly when using a masonry variation on materials like tiles, porcelain and stone. An inferior product won’t have the cutting power due to not enough diamond material on the teeth, producing dull and time-consuming cuts.

The Kango range of Diamond Pro hole saws features rapid removal slots, with an abundance of leverage points for fast plug removal, increasing productivity. In fact, in all our testing we didn’t experience a single stuck plug. The plug literally fell out on its own or came out with a single poke.

Even though we tested the hole saws with our 18V AEG hammer drill, you can opt for drill- or grinder-compatible arbors, giving great options in how you use the product. Other features include the ability for either dry or wet cutting and a thin kerf design, which produces faster cuts and more of them per battery charge.

A high-quality alloy steel backer enhances durability and Kango’s world-leading diamond-retention techniques are said to produce unmatched saw lifespan.

TEST #1: DRY CUTTING TRAVERTINE TILES

Choosing to wet cut will definitely extend the life of a hole saw, but a dry cut will really test cutting quality and performance.

Our first cut was with the biggest of the hole saws: the 64mm.

This big bruiser did an exceptional job at the dry cuts through the 25mm Travertine tiles we sourced for the test. The cuts all looked great. Let’s be clear: I’m not a professional when it comes to cutting stone and tiles, so I was impressed with the results.

Our next dry cut was with the smallest option, the 29mm hole saw. For this test we dropped down to a 10mm tile and again the results were excellent, with quick, clean and precise cuts.

TEST #2: WET CUTTING PORCELAIN TILES

We selected a mid-range sized hole saw for the harder porcelain tile, a considerably tougher test than the previous Travertine, and added the water and slowed down the cut. We chose to take our time with this test, and it showed in the stunning results. The water worked to lubricate the cut as well as clean out the dust while keeping the saw teeth cool, and it produced crisp, clean-cut edges

and really showed the potential and ability of this range. It’s great to know that if you need to dry cut you can, but to prolong saw life and reduce the abrasion and friction on the diamond teeth I would say wet cutting is the way to go.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

The only ugly on this test was probably my terrible stone-cutting technique.

It’s been a long while since I’ve used a masonry hole saw. If I can get decent results, you tradies who really know what you’re doing and cut stone regularly will appreciate the features Kango has built into the Diamond Pro hole-saw range. The rapid removal slots worked well, and the design meant the plugs seemed to come out on their own. There was no wrestling trying to remove the plugs and the thin kerf didn’t overwork the drill, so there’ll be no burning through batteries while using the hole saws.

The diamond retention on the hole saw was evident on inspection after our testing. You could easily see and feel there was still plenty of bite left on the hole saws to rip through a pile more cuts.

Nice job on the new product range, Kango. Visit: www.kangotools.com.au

• Wet & dry cutting

• Thin Kerf design

• Maximum lifespan

Plenty of options with sizes from 25mm to 64mm.

Drill- or grinder-compatible arbors are available.

Performance and speed of the Kango was great.

The diamond retention on the used blades looked excellent.

Isuzu and Gotcha4Life

Isuzu Australia has joined forces with Gotcha4Life to raffle a one-of-a-kind, custom-built NNR 45-150 Traypack Crew valued at over $150,000.

The Gotcha4Life Foundation has a straightforward vision: zero suicides.

The Australian not-for-profit organisation established in 2017 delivers mental fitness programs that engage, educate, and empower local communities. Gotcha4Life focuses on the creation

of meaningful mateship, along with strengthening social and emotional connections in local communities. Early intervention is key, and through connection, communities become stronger together!

THE ROAD TO MENTAL FITNESS

“Isuzu is in full support of Gotcha4Life’s goal of zero suicides,” stated Sam Gangemi, IAL’s Marketing and Advertising Manager.

“Australians have been hit hard by natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic over the past few years. With extra stress placed on regional communities along with our hard-working truck drivers who have kept Australians fed, clothed, entertained, and supported.

“In support of Gotcha4Life and the broader cause, we’ve partnered with some of our trusted suppliers to build this unique NNR Traypack Crew, which is being raffled off and the proceeds donated to Gotcha4Life.

“It’s our mission to help Gotcha4Life do

what it does best: reach out to communities, educate on mental fitness, and provide a supportive hand for those doing it tough.”

MATESHIP MILES

The NNR’s first major outing came in April during the Mateship Miles roadshow, which visited key regional communities in Victoria, the ACT and New South Wales. It was an epic week-long event promoting and educating on mental fitness and the importance of mateship in some of Australia’s most impacted regional cities.

“To raise awareness of what Gotcha4Life does, key team members from IAL, Channel Nine’s Today show, along with Gus Worland, Gotcha4Life’s founder, participated in the event, which was a huge success,” Mr Gangemi said.

“Some of our own staff went along on this once-in-a-lifetime roadshow to get firsthand experience seeing Gotcha4Life in action and to show Isuzu backs this worthy cause all the way.”

Isuzu

Australia Limited (IAL)

has joined forces with Gotcha4Life to support the much-needed cause of mental fitness and strong communities through raffling a one-of-a-kind, custom-built NNR 45-150 Traypack

Crew valued at over $150,000.

NNR EXTRAS

With multiple brands contributing to this one-off custom truck, the NNR comes decked out with the following goodies…

• Two Weber BBQs

• A commercial-grade Nespresso coffee machine

• Two 130-litre Bushman fridges

• A weatherproof Samsung 43" crystal UHD 4K smart TV and soundbar

• A unique solar-energy power source and distribution set-up made possible by Redarc Electronics

• The robust Servicepack body build and internal shelving provided by the unstoppable team at Service Bodies Australia

SWISS ARMY TRUCK

Up for grabs in the raffle is a one-of-a-kind Isuzu NNR 45-150 Crew TC-AMT.

The intent behind the unique body design and build, executed by Isuzu’s friends at Service Bodies Australia, is for the truck to serve as a mobile community hub for Gotcha4Life’s on-the-road activities.

Following the raffle, the NNR Crew would be the perfect truck for all manner of sporting teams, with fridges packed with cold drinks and BBQs for those post-game meals.

Scout groups and Girl Guide groups would also be an excellent fit, with the NNR well equipped to be the centerpiece of camping trips in the Aussie bush.

For those community groups or hobbyist clubs, the truck would be a great option too, able to be put to use by bringing everything needed for a sausage sizzle and a hot cup of coffee.

With its solar-equipped battery set-up, those

in regional communities could find endless uses for this versatile yet powerful truck.

“Whether you’re a small-business owner or in the paddocks working the land, the NNR is a workhorse of a truck, capable of all manner of work missions great and small.

“Finally, we can’t forget the potential of this set-up as a campervan or mobile home. With a host of cooking facilities, two fridges and a Nespresso coffee machine, it will bring the average grey-nomad experience to the next level!” Mr. Gamgemi added.

RAFFLE ON

“If you are looking for a way to support your fellow Australians, purchase a raffle ticket for the Gotcha4Life NNR,” Mr Gangemi stated.

The NNR showcases the latest technological advancements Isuzu has to offer, including its Advanced Driver Assistance System. ADAS covers the full suite of safety technology including…

• Advanced Emergency Braking system (AEB)

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)

• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

• Traffic Movement Warning (TMW)

• Distance Warning System (DWS)

• Auto Lighting System (ALS)

“Not only could you end up with this brilliant truck as your very own, but the full amount of money raised goes to the Gotcha4Life Foundation to bring support to communities and increase its capacity to aid in suicide prevention.”

Do not miss out on entering to win this one-of-a-kind truck that provides not only the capabilities of a high-end Isuzu product, but also the unique ability to entertain and cook on the road, in the park, in the campgrounds, or in the field!

For more information on how to purchase tickets for this amazing prize visit: https://www.raffletix.com.au/ gotcha4lifeisuzuraffle

A unique solar-energy power source and distribution set-up.

Two 130-litre Bushman fridges.

Two Weber BBQs.

A commercial-grade Nespresso coffee machine.

A weatherproof Samsung 43" crystal UHD 4K smart TV and soundbar.

NEWS & VIEWS

AEG HAS GONE BIG (AND MAD) THIS TAX TIME

There’s probably no crazier deal at tax time than this one from AEG.

Purchase the 18V 6.0Ah 9-Piece FUSION/Brushless Heavy-Duty Mega Kit (A18FX9B163B) for only $1999 and you get a FUSION Hammer Drill, FUSION 6-Mode Impact Driver, FUSION SDS+ Rotary Hammer Drill, FUSION 125mm Paddle Switch Grinder, FUSION 184mm Circ Saw, FUSION Recip Saw, Brushless 4-Mode mid-torque Wrench, Brushless Multi-tool, Hybrid Panel Light, 3 x 18V

6.0Ah FORCE Batteries, a Smart Charger and a Heavy-Duty Roller Bag.

This kit would cost over $3,500 if items were purchased separately. Crazy!

But there’s even more madness…buy the kit and you’ll also receive an 18V 4.0Ah F-RAPIDFIRE 30°–34° Framing Nailer Kit (A18FNF1042C) valued at $899 (via online redemption)!

That’s right. Not a skin, a full kit with batteries, a charger and heavy-duty carry case.

Obviously, with insane prices like these, stocks are limited – and so is the time. You’ve only got until 30 June, 2022, to grab the 9-piece kit and register it by 10 July at MYAEG ( www.aegpowertools. com.au/register ) to get your Framing Nailer kit.

If you can’t get into Bunnings or TKD, don’t panic. The AEG Onsite Team can bring the kit to you, and you can transact on site. Just call 1300 AEG ONSITE or get in touch online at www.aegonsite.com.au

ALEMLUBE KEEPS YOU ON TRACK

Alemlube has actively supported the automotive industry, in particular the vehicle-servicing sector, for decades, resulting in a solid reputation for providing reliable well-known and robust vehicle hoists, tyre changers, wheel balancers, wheel aligners and general workshop equipment sourced from the world’s foremost automotive-equipment manufacturers.

Presenting vast options, the range comprises top-shelf equipment when only the best will do, and equally reliable Alemlube Automotive workshop equipment gives opportunities to align with a wide scope of budgets.

Clearly, regular vehicle maintenance is important for reliability, a major contributor and expectation in keeping you on the road and the wheels of business turning.

Alemlube specialises in the supply, installation and maintenance of essential automotive workshop equipment and the design, equipment supply and fitout of workshops, be they small independent

or large dealership workshops.

The range & diversity of vehicle hoists, wheel-service equipment, greasing equipment, drum pumps, hose reels, lubrication systems, wasteoil management equipment, spillcontainment products and general workshop equipment is not only vast but reliable, dependable and fully backed by Alemlube project managers, service technicians and qualified tradesmen who have extensive experience in the automotive industry.

It’s one thing to supply equipment to the automotive-service industry, it’s another to provide back-up service, maintenance and repairs for your capital investment to ensure maximum productivity.

That ongoing support is as important to Alemlube as is the initial supply and installation of your equipment, and it comes with a commitment to support your servicing functions by providing:

• A complete site audit of all your equipment with a recommended service schedule for each component

to suit your needs

• A full warranty for all works carried out on equipment in your facility, irrespective of type or brand

• Qualified and courteous technicians to carry out any works needed on site

• Detailed records of all works carried out with recommendations of any improvements identified.

The Alemlube team delivers unequalled product service and certainly offers an industry-leading approach to product knowledge, advice and after-sales support.

Complying with both International and Australian certification standards, the workshop-equipment ranges available from Alemlube not only represent benchmark quality, they provide many years of accurate, reliable service, are investments in efficiency and value for money.

Take time to visit alemlube.com.au for further information, and remember, when it comes to vehicle-workshop servicing equipment, Alemlube has you covered.

ARMOUR FOR YOUR EYES

On the worksite your most valuable tools are your eyes and you need to protect them. But it’s hard to find a pair of comfortable, form-fitting safety glasses that won’t break the bank. Enter Ugly Fish Armour, the safety eyewear that protects your eyes like you would the rest of your body.

Built for comfort and durability, the Armour range from Ugly Fish is perfect for all workers no matter how ugly a job. With shatterproof lenses and an anti-fog/antiscratch coating, these glasses are certified to Australian Safety Standards. Featuring polycarbonate decentered safety lenses, the Armour glasses eliminate distortion and prevent distracting magnification, reducing the chance of making a mistake and causing injury. They are also available in polarised and photochromic lenses.

One of the most popular and versatile products in the extensive safety range from Ugly Fish, the Armour comes with a detachable ventilated positive seal, which has the ability to shelter your eyes from harsh winds, dust and other airborne particles on the worksite, making them a no brainer for Aussie workers.

Not only are the lenses tough, but so are the frames. Armour frames come with a TR-90 wraparound sports frame that is highly flexible, stress-resistant and lightweight. And much like the lenses, the frames are designed for maximum impact resistance and any harsh environment.

The Ugly Fish safety range is ideal for all industrial and trade environments, including all construction, manufacturing, landscaping, mechanical, automotive and mining applications.

• Armour RRP: $49.95

• Armour Polarised RRP: $109.95

• Armour Photochromic RRP: $129.95

To find your nearest stockist, or for more information on the Armour range, please visit uglyfish.com.au

BLUNDSTONE – STABILITY MEETS THE FREEDOM TO MOVE WITH ROTOFLEX

Iconic Australian footwear brand Blundstone continues to be at the forefront of safety footwear with the launch of its new RotoFlex® Range. This world-leading biomechanical design is a result of years of research and development into the needs of workers in the trades, mining and construction industries. The airportfriendly range includes four unisex styles and two women’s-specific styles crafted for the ever-growing female market.

All six styles feature a water-resistant

upper, lightweight, compression-resistant composite toe cap, and an all-new zoned airflow footbed to activate ventilation and provide moisture control—no more sweaty feet. The overarching comfort system, SoftCell®, utilises a combination of specialist materials and a unique biomechanical foot-cradling design to increase stability, balance, comfort and manoeuvrability, while reducing ankleslip risk and fatigue.

Every single component used in the construction of the RotoFlex range has been researched, tested and

trialled to ensure Blundstone delivers truly innovative, better-performing safety footwear. The dedicated design team looked at multiple options for each element and selected the bestperforming, most-appropriate product— and if the team couldn’t find the perfect piece, it created it.

Launching in September 2022, RotoFlex delivers a strong foundation from the ground up, providing unbeatable fit and unrivalled comfort—perfect from day one. Put Blundstone’s innovation to work at www.blundstone.com.au/rotoflex

RYCO OIL-FILTER SERVICE TOOLS

A simple oil change is essential maintenance on any vehicle.

While it can be relatively straightforward, changing your oil filter can prove quite the speedhump. This may be caused by the filter’s location, making it hard to get to, or if it was spun on just a little bit too tight at the last change.

We’ve all seen the different tips and tricks to removing a stubborn oil filter, whether it be the hit-or-miss oil filter strap or the dreaded screwdriver ‘trick’ (we do not recommend this). However, nothing beats having the right tools for a smooth, stress-free oil-filter change.

Most modern vehicles utilise a spin-on or cartridgetype oil filter. Ryco spin-on and cartridge oil filters are designed with several flutes on the top of the filter housing. Ryco Spin-On and Cartridge Filter Removal

Cups are made from high-quality cast aluminium, and the removal cups form to the filter’s flutes, acting as a socket for the filter. Ryco also has filters that feature unique flutes (eg Z9, Z89A, Z516 and Z416) that other generic tools struggle to remove, making our cups a must-have. Ryco Spin-On and Cartridge Filter Removal

Cups also feature a ½"-drive fitting and hex fitting, allowing the attachment of a socket wrench or spanner for added leverage.

For the DIY enthusiast, Ryco’s RST200 Filter Removal kit is the perfect addition to the tool chest. The RST200 Filter Removal kit features eight ½"-drive removal cups designed specifically to suit all Ryco unique fluted spin-on filters and spin-on can sizes from 65mm to 101mm diameter, including two exclusive sizes to the kit: a 3/8"-drive adjustable removal tool and a hex wrench, all of which come housed in a durable purpose-molded carry case. With the RST200 Filter Removal kit, you ensure you always have the right oil-filter removal tool at hand.

Individual tools are also sold seperately.

Ryco Spin-On and Cartridge Filter Removal Cups come available in an assortment of sizes to suit a wide range of oil filters. To match your vehicle’s oil filter to one of your removal cups, simply visit www.rycofilters. com.au and enter your oil-filter part number into the handy Cup Search function.

Watch more at www.youtube.com/c/RycofiltersAus

RIDGID® SEESNAKE® COMPACT C40 CAMERA REEL WITH TRUSENSE®

Ridge Tool Australia has announced the RIDGID ® SeeSnake ® Compact C40 camera reel with TruSense as part of RIDGID’s commitment to continual development of technological precision products.

The RIDIGID Compact C40 camera reel delivers big performance in a small package, and is compatible with the new SeeSnake CS6x Versa digital reporting monitor for fast set-up and easy viewing. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth make live streaming and inspection to an iOS™ or Android™ device simple with the free HQx Live app. The 25mm self-leveling camera head provides a crisp image that is always upright. It has a 40m push cable with a minimum bend radius of 64mm. TruSense™ technology features two-way

communication between the camera and a CSx series Wi-Fi-enabled monitor, and a high dynamic range image sensor provides a bright, saturated image, even in difficult lighting conditions. The TiltSense inclinometer displays the camera’s degree of tilt inside the pipe when used with a CSx series monitor and is equipped with the high-power FleXmitter 512Hz sonde which is compatible with all RIDGID locators. Use with the SeeSnake CS6x Versa to create the optimal viewing angle and for fast, efficient job setup.

The CS6x Versa monitor pictured is not included but is available separately.

For more information contact Ridge Tool Australia on Ph: 1800 743 443 or e: ridgid.australia@emerson.com or visit www.ridgid.com.au

NEW PEUGEOT VAN RANGE – READY FOR THE DAY, AND YEARS, AHEAD

range of PEUGEOT vans.

Designed to deliver outstanding productivity and efficiency, this new generation teams advanced technology, safety and driving pleasure with uncompromising style.

PEUGEOT also melds practicality with car-like cabin comfort, athletic handling and renowned drivability. Choose your workhorse from short and long body models, flexible payloads, modular cargo configurations and a range of dooropening options.

While there’s three van models across the range, the new PEUGEOT Expert Van is a tradie favourite with everything you need to get the job done. Now more versatile than ever, this van delivers

flexibility. Choose from the innovative City, Pro or Premium models, while there is also a limited Special Edition Sport model.

Building on its award-winning history, the new Expert Van is a super capable workhorse with a fuel-efficient, yet responsive, PEUGEOT 2.0L HDi turbo diesel engine that boasts lots of pulling power. Jump behind the wheel and you’ll discover the ergonomically designed i-CockpitTM, seamless technology and advanced safety features, including a wide-view reverse camera & sensors.

A mid-size van with a big heart, the Expert Van boasts a 1.4-tonne payload and a practical design that delivers maximum productivity. Expert Van comes

180-degree opening swing doors at the back and dual sliding doors on most models. Short-body models feature 5.3 cubic metres of load space and longbody models take up to 6.1 cubic metres of cargo. Plus, Expert Vans feature the clever Moduwork mobile office system, allowing for flexible cargo configurations – including carrying items up to 4024mm long.

All PEUGEOT vans feature a 5-year/200,000km warranty and 5 years roadside assist, while Peugeot Financial Services offers a range of flexible finance offerings to suit your business.

For more information visit https:// www.peugeot.com.au/peugeotprofessional/commercial-vans/

HOW TO PROVE YOU OWN YOUR TOOLS

As a tradie, your tools are essential to getting the job done and losing them would be a disaster.

Thankfully, Portable Equipment insurance* is there to cover you for loss and damage to your tools and stock due to theft, fire and other perils listed in your policy wording.

But did you know your insurer will request proof of ownership before they accept your claim?

Even if you’re a stickler for your tool itinerary, equipment accumulates over time, and it’s hard to keep every receipt along the way.

Whether it’s a second-hand spanner from your apprenticeship days or an auger passed down from your parents’ shed, some equipment won’t have an invoice to verify its value or purchase.

Luckily, our Portable Equipment insurers generally accept other forms of evidence, such as:

• Valuations

• Owners’ or operating manuals, and

• Photographs.

So next time you buy a piece of equipment, remember to take a photo of the invoice and the equipment.

Keep in mind you will need to send them over before you make a claim. These photos should be stored and used as evidence of ownership of your portable equipment. From there, your claim will be processed and you could get back the tools you need to get the job done in no time. Visit www.bizcover.com.au

* This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. ã2022 BizCover Pty Limited, all rights reserved. ABN 68 127 707 975; AFSL 501769

WARREN & BROWN TOOLS OF THE MONTH: STAINLESS-STEEL SCRAPERS

Warren & Brown Tools offers a quality range of hand tools and accessories suitable for use in automotive, industrial, and trade industries. The range is constantly expanding and includes Impact Scrapers, Bend Impact Scrapers and Quick Lock Razor Scrapers in a variety of sizes ranging from 20mm to 32mm, an indispensable tool for work or your home DIY projects.

Made from stainless steel 420 J2, these scrapers are ideal for scraping labels and decals from glass and windshields. The ergonomic handle is designed for maximum grip and comfort, and WB Tools scrapers include one extra-heavy duty .020-inch razor blade, which is twice as thick as a standard razor blade.

For more information, to view the product range, or to find your local distributor, go to wbtools.com.au

Other Warren & Brown Tools gear includes:

• Torque-setting equipment

• Hand tools & accessories

• Soldering equipment

• Workshop, garage & service equipment

• Wheel-torque-setting equipment, and

• Cylinder-head-reconditioning equipment. Purchases are delivered fast, right across Australia. Use Promocode WTW2022 at checkout for 10% off your next purchase! Valid until July 31, 2022.

KINCROME TOOL ARMOUR

Kincrome’s Tool Armour range of storage and tool kits is serious professionalgrade equipment. With 1.5mm-gauge steel construction and 100kg load-rated ball-bearing slides, the boxes are built to last and include a host of features like LED lighting, soft-close drawers, suspension castors and magnetic power boards. A modular design means Tool Armour units can be added or used to build larger, or specific-purpose, work areas when needed.

A full range of custom-made Tool Armour EVA trays and complete tool-kit options are available and can help present the ultimate workshop tool system. Learn more at www.kincrome.com.au

BETTER INFORMATION RESULTS IN FASTER PAYMENT APPROVALS

It might be hard to draw the connection between the quality of information you provide to your builder and how it can affect your cashflow.

A builder can receive thousands of progress payments a month, often via email or on paper. Invariably, claims are formatted differently, and information and compliance documentation can be missing or incorrect.

The ensuing back and forth between you and your builder to correct the information wastes time and could lead to unwanted disputes. Ultimately, it’s you who is most affected, either through the time spent rectifying the issues or because of delayed payment.

Subcontractors also tend to use spreadsheets, making it hard to reconcile outstanding claims with previously approved claims. Tracking which claims have been submitted is difficult, as is knowing which ones have been approved and expected payments to help manage cashflow.

Unfortunately, the process for submitting and approving claims isn’t standardised across the industry, which is where Payapps comes in.

IT GOES BOTH WAYS

Consistency and speed of information are fundamental challenges Payapps solves for everyone involved in the construction process.

It centralises claim information and provides transparency by ensuring accurate documentation is readily available. The entire approvals process is accelerated, and importantly for subcontractors, ensures faster approvals and improves cashflow visibility.

Most subcontractors who use Payapps find the main benefit is the way it helps them manage retention.

Payapps gives visibility across all contracts, including retention balances and approved balances of variations, and automatically reconciles your data from one month to the next.

On top of the tangible benefits, you can streamline your contracts by using Payapps across all projects you’re working on, regardless of whether your head contractor uses the system or not.

The best thing to do is see for yourself – learn you how much time and money you could be saving. Book in at Payapps.com/WTW

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.