Foreman Convicted After Trench Collapse Kills 22 Year Old Construction Worker

November 9, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Every year, an average of 35 construction workers are killed by trench collapses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. With proper shoring, benching, or sloping, each of these deaths is easily preventable. Generally, any trench that exceeds 5 feet in height needs to be properly protected, as the weight of soil can reach up to 3,000 pounds per cubic yard. For more on OSHA's trench safety guidelines, click here.

Makita Just Released the Lightest, Most Compact 18V Tools on the Market

November 8, 2016 Shane Hedmond

As tools are continuing to drop the cords and move more towards battery power, the race is on to not only have the battery with the biggest runtime and most power, but also the lightest and most compact. Milwaukee and DeWalt seem to be battling it out at the top for the power and runtime category with the release of DeWalt’s 20V/60V FLEXVOLT battery and Milwaukee’s 9.0Ah 18V battery, but Makita has recently emerged as the company to beat in the light and compact 18V competition.

In the past, the compact tool market was dominated by 12V tools, offering a lot of convenience, but less power than some of your tougher jobs may require. With Makita now creating a new class of compact and utilizing their 18V batteries while doing it, tool users will get the benefit of using the same 18V battery that their other favorite Makita tools use, but the size and convenience of the 12V tools. That reduces the need for different batteries, different chargers, and even a different size of the same tool.

The first two tools released in Makita’s new LXT Sub-Compact Brushless tools, as they are calling them, are the 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless ½” Driver-Drill (XFD11ZB) and the 18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless Impact Driver (XDT15ZB). Here’s the quick specs:

18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless ½” Driver-Drill (XFD11ZB)

Weight: 2.8 lbs with 2.0 battery
6-3/8” long
0-500 & 0-1,700 RPM
350 in-lbs of Max Torque

18V LXT Sub-Compact Brushless Impact Driver (XDT15ZB).

Weight: 2.6 lbs with 2.0 battery
5-5/16” long
0-1,300/0-3,000 RPM & 0-1,600/0-3,900 IPM
1,240 in-lbs of Max Torque

Compared to the 12V versions, you’ll get roughly the same tool specs, but in a new black color. Makita currently only offers a 3/8” Drill/Driver in the Brushless 12V variety, so it’s not quite an apples-to-apples comparison. The tool lengths are roughly the same (18V drill/driver is 5/16” longer, impact driver is the same) and the 18V are a tad heavier (18V driver-drill and impact driver are each ½ lb heavier). The 18V driver-drill does have a higher RPM (0-450 & 0-1,500 vs. 0-500 & 0-1,700) and more torque (280 in-lbs vs. 350 in-lbs). Utilizing the 18V system will definitely increase the wattage of the tool, however.

The cost of the new tools falls between the 12V line and the full size 18V line. The combo kit, which includes the drill-driver, the impact driver, (2) 2.0Ah batteries, charger, and bag retails for $229 (you can get it here on Amazon). It also appears to have replaced Makita’s 18V compact line, which came in white, as they are shown to be discontinued on Makita’s website.

While you may not be able to toss your current full-size 18V drill-driver and impact to the side just yet, these new sub-compact tools are a step in the right direction, especially since it can eliminate the need for the 12V battery platform.

What do you think? Will you be investing in Makita’s new sub-compact tool class?

Featured

Jun 15, 2021

Hilti Officially Releases EXO-01 Exoskeleton, Names Price

Jun 15, 2021

Last summer, Hilti announced that they had developed their first exoskeleton designed for construction tradespeople in a partnership with Ottobuck, a prosthetics, orthotics, and exoskeleton provider. Earlier this month, Hilti officially released the exoskeleton, announced more details, and published its retail price on their website.

Jun 15, 2021

Jun 7, 2021

The CAT S62 Pro Rugged Smartphone Unleashes the Power of Thermal Imaging

Jun 7, 2021

Cat Phones is known to make some pretty rugged smartphones, the kind of phone you don’t have to worry about on the jobsite – even without a case. Licensed by the construction equipment giant, Caterpillar, the phones are made by the UK-based Bullitt Group. The company recently announced the release of their new flagship smartphone model, the CAT S62 Pro.

Jun 7, 2021

construction father's day gift guide 2021.jpg

Jun 1, 2021

The Ultimate Construction Father's Day Gift Guide 2021

Jun 1, 2021

Father’s Day 2021 is June 20, so you better get started on gift ideas if you want to impress dad this year. Whether your father is contractor, handyman, or DIYer, we’ve got a lot of great ideas for him this year.

For more more gift ideas, be sure to check out our past Father's Day Gift Guides from 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 or our Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guides from 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020

Jun 1, 2021

May 17, 2021

DeWalt Announces 15 Amp Hour Battery for Larger, More Powerful Tools

May 17, 2021

Lithium battery technology is being pushed to new heights in the tool world seemingly every month, as more power hungry tools continue to drop the cord and join the battery revolution. DeWalt is the latest in the game to up the ante with the release of the first 15 am hour 18V battery on the market.

May 17, 2021

Apr 28, 2021

[VIDEO] Baubot, the Robot That Wants to Be Every Trade on the Jobsite

Apr 28, 2021

While still new in the construction industries, robots are typically designed to perform a specific task in a highly precise and efficient way, like the rebar tying robot, Tybot or the brick-laying robot Hadrian X. More recently, though, robots are being imagined as platforms for 3rd party companies to develop hardware and accessories to attach to the base robot, like the Boston Dynamics robotic dog, Spot. I recently came across a new robot, called Baubot, which hopes to one day perform tasks using every tool on a typical jobsite.

Apr 28, 2021

Apr 1, 2021

Makita Announces Release of New 40V, 80V XGT Tool Lineup for US Market

Apr 1, 2021

Those that follow tool news may have heard about a new Makita tool platform that launched in several other countries a few months ago and have been waiting for the news of it finally being released in the United States. Well, the wait is over, as the teal tool brand has finally announced the release of their 40V and 80V XGT system in the US.

Apr 1, 2021

Mar 15, 2021

Doosan Announces Industry First “Transparent Bucket” to Wheel Loader to Eliminate Blind Spots

Mar 15, 2021

“You make a better door than a window!” is what I imagine loader operators constantly yell at the bucket in front of them (or maybe I’m just projecting based on my experience of having the habit of sitting right in front of the TV as a kid). Either way, operators may not be yelling that in the future, as equipment manufacturer, Doosan, has introduced what they claim is an industry first “transparent” bucket.

Mar 15, 2021

Mar 8, 2021

Cool Tools: World’s First Dry Cut 7-1/2” Portable Tile Saw

Mar 8, 2021

Reducing dust when cutting tile is important for many reasons (including safety and cleanliness), but wet tile saws can be a pain to use, with the slurry created spraying all around the work station and cold weather making the saw much more difficult to use outside. iQ Power Tools has a solution for that: the world’s first 7” portable dry table saw with integrated dust control.

Mar 8, 2021

Mar 1, 2021

[VIDEO] SkyTy is the Drone That Ties Rebar From the Sky

Mar 1, 2021

Just over a year ago, I was introduced to an early prototype of the SkyMul SkyTy, which is a robotic drone with a rebar tying attachment designed to autonomously locate and tie rebar on the jobsite. After a year of tweaks and advancements, SkyMul is now on their third prototype and they showed off those improvements in a new video.

Mar 1, 2021

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Feb 22, 2021

[VIDEO] Volvo Announces Mid-Size Electric Excavator, the EX03

Feb 22, 2021

Like most of the other electric machines that have been announced previously, Volvo promises that this midsized, 14 metric ton excavator will have the same performance as a similarly sized diesel version. The X03 is currently in the concept stage, so Volvo does not have immediate plans to bring it to market, but it shows the possibilities that electronics on heavy machinery can allow for.

Feb 22, 2021

[VIDEO] Watch Massive Five-Alarm Fire Engulf an Oakland Construction Site

November 7, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Imagine working on a building for an entire year, only to come to your jobsite and find that it had burned to the ground. That was the reality for a construction crew in Oakland last week, when a massive five-alarm fire started overnight and completely destroyed all of their hard work.

[VIDEO] Finally, a Wrecking Ball Demolition Video in 2016

November 4, 2016 Shane Hedmond

We here at Construction Junkie headquarters enjoy a good demolition video. We’ve shared implosion videos, timelapse videos, and even demolition fails, but since our inception, we have yet to share a wrecking ball demolition video. Growing up, I thought my adult life was going to be littered with wrecking balls (and anvils, for that matter), because of all the cartoons I watched, but as our industry’s heavy machinery and explosives have become more precise, the need for wrecking balls has slowly diminished.

The Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guide 2016

November 3, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Now that we've got Halloween out of the way, it's time to start eating some turkey and buying gifts for your favorite people. Historically, construction professionals can be difficult to buy for, so we've compiled a list of products that we think would be home runs for that special person on your list or even help you decide what you'd like to ask for. We've got hands-on experience with many of these products and we like some so much that they also showed up on our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide! The list is broken up into four categories: stocking stuffers (small and inexpensive), apparel, tools, and kids.

Construction Industry Groups Successfully Delay 3 New OSHA, DOL Rulings

November 2, 2016 Shane Hedmond

It’s been a strenuous year for leading construction industry groups and American government agencies. Three controversial new rules, that were supposed to have been in effect at this point, have ignited a heated battle, including some lawsuits. New overtime pay rules, a ‘blacklisting’ rule, and an injury illness record keeping and reporting rule have been successfully delayed by leading construction industry groups. Below is a summary of the recent developments:

SKILSAW Announces Release of Revolutionary Concrete Cutting Saw

November 1, 2016 Shane Hedmond

SKILSAW, the brand name synonymous with wood cutting circular saws, is branching into new territory and it has concrete shaking in its boots. In the past, the user of a concrete saw would be responsible for finding third party attachments in order to make accurate concrete cuts, but SKILSAW’s new tool has several important features already incorporated, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars and tons of time.

[VIDEO] Some Genius Built an RC Version of the Massive Chinese Bridge Girder Machine

October 28, 2016 Shane Hedmond

The SLJ900 was the 580 ton Chinese bridge girder erection machine that almost broke the internet in 2015. Videos of the massive piece of equipment have been viewed millions of times and the process has mesmerized viewers from across the globe. Now, the video has even prompted someone to build a working model of the machine.

4 Ways Fleet Management Systems Can Help Your Construction Business

October 27, 2016 Shane Hedmond

photo by the Oregon Department of Transportation, CC BY 2.0

Construction companies rely on two main assets to get their jobs done every day: their people and their equipment. Without either component, you will not be able to serve your customers well. You wouldn't think of sending your people to a site without proper insurance coverage and safety gear, yet if you are operating your fleet without fleet tracking, then you are putting those valuable vehicles at risk. Here are some ways that fleet management systems protect your assets, and therefore your business, from serious financial loss.

Tips For Filing Workers Compensation For Construction Workers

October 26, 2016 Shane Hedmond

Working in the construction industry, especially at construction sites, involves a high risk of injury. Some of the most common injuries that construction workers are exposed to may result from falls, falling objects, building collapses, and fires or explosions. Some injuries result in burns, amputation, lacerations, cuts, eye injuries, and broken bones among other things. Considering the high risk of injuries in this line of work, worrying about finances is the last thing you need if an injury occurs that could keep you away from work for a while. Salary loss and medical bills pile up very quickly during such times. Workers compensation is designed to address such eventualities. In the US, the program currently covers over 130 million people. The average wages paid to covered people are in excess of $ 6 Trillion per year.

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