Recent promises of tariffs and impending trade wars over metals, softwood lumber, and other imports have had many wondering about the effects on construction material pricing. Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc (ABC) recently analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and it already shows a large increase in cost.
Read more[VIDEO] 5 Knots Every Construction Worker Should Know
Learning to tie several useful knots has been on my to-do list for a while now and I’m reminded of that every time I tie some insane knot that’s way too loose or nearly impossible to un-tie. I guess one of my my biggest hurdles is figuring out which knots would be most useful for me.
Read moreThe Top States to Work in Construction: #40 Arkansas
I used this phrase to describe South Carolina, as well, but Arkansas is also "consistently mediocre. Arkansas was consistently ranked higher than 40 in the raw wage data, but they were saved, at least in terms of this countdown, by the fact that they have the second lowest cost of living in the country. Adjusting for the cost of living raised the state's ranking 13 spots and kept it from being in the bottom 10.
Read moreThe Best Construction Podcast of 2018 [RESULTS]
Construction Junkie's 4th Annual Best Construction Podcast Competition has officially come to an end and the results have been tallied. It was a very exciting competition this year, with several very strong competitors pulling in tons of votes.
Read morePlanGrid Releases 7 New Updates to Make Life Easier
Tracking updates to construction software is uncharted territory for many contractors and very easy to miss. I’m going to be highlighting a lot more software updates and enhancements for several of the major project management and construction productivity software that many construction professionals are using in the future. Recently, PlanGrid announced 7 new updates that its users will most certainly find helpful.
Read moreLabor Shortages are Leading to Increased Pay, Bonuses for Construction Workers
As the demand for construction work has steadily grown, so too has the demand for skilled laborers to complete the work. After years of industry talk about needing to fill the gap, it’s become apparent that wage increases will be a way to drive more interest to those looking for work.
Read moreThe Ultimate Construction Father's Day Gift Guide 2018
Father's Day 2018 is fast approaching on June 17 and, lucky for you, we've put together a list of many of our favorite construction related items to hopefully help you give dad the best father's day gifts this year, whether he's a construction tradesman, a handyman, or a DIYer.
More more gift ideas, be sure to check out our past Father's Day Gift Guides from 2016 and 2017 or our Ultimate Construction Holiday Gift Guides from 2015, 2016, and 2017.
We’ve been lucky enough to be able to use many of the tools on this list throughout the year and there are others on the list that we’d love to try because they have been highly regarded in reviews. It should be assumed that the tool manufacturers have given us these tools for free to test out, but none of them have paid to be a part of this gift guide. All tools on this list have been chosen by our staff, because we think they would be great gifts.
This post contains affiliate links, which earn us a small commission for the things that you buy. The prices in the links are exactly the same as they would be normally!
Ultimate Construction Father's Day Gift Guide 2018
Under $50
Rite in the Rain All-Weather Top-Spiral Notebook
Construction workers don't have the luxury of working inside in perfect conditions. Rain, snow, grease, and mud make it extremely difficult to keep notes, which are a very important task in the industry. Rite in the Rain notebooks each contain 50 sheets and won't break down in tough jobsite conditions. It will even survive an accidental ride in the washing machine.
Be sure to also pick up an all-weather pen, like the Fisher Space Pen ($17.06 on Amazon), so you'll be able to write on the notebook in wet conditions, as well.
Post-it Extreme Notes
On a construction site, communication is key. Like we mentioned in the Rite in the Rain part above, jobsites don't treat traditional paper very kindly. Post-it notes are the lifeblood for some contractors, who use them to lay out schedules or leave notes throughout the site or on drawings. Post-it's Extreme Notes can stick to any type of construction material and can handle harsh weather conditions. For under $5, they're worth a shot!
Custom Handmade Felt Pennant
Some dads are extremely hard to buy for and you might not feel comfortable buying a tool for him. How about getting him a customized, handmade felt pennant for his work or home office? The pennants can be made in any shape or size, in many different colors, and with any words, which is great if you want a pennant for a business or just personal use.
My wife actually makes these and she's a very talented graphic designer. Check out the Uptown Heritage Company on etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/UptownHeritage
Custom Felt Pennant ($35+) | Uptown Heritage Company
The Chillbit
After a long days work, there's nothing better than coming home and cracking open an ice cold beverage. BUT WAIT?!?! You forgot to put it in the fridge when you brought it home!
SpinChill's ChillBit attaches to your favorite power drill, hooks to either a glass bottle or a can and spins your drink in ice until it's cold enough to enjoy. Just spin it in the ice for 1 to 2 minutes and enjoy, nothing can be easier than that!
Amazon has the Chillbit for $14.99 or you can get it straight from SpinChill's website here.
Klein Tradesman Pro Tough Box 9-Quart Cooler
Your dad works hard, so it's important that his lunch and drinks stay cool and protected on the jobsite. The new Klein Tools Pro Tough 9-Quart Cooler can fit 11 cans inside, keeps items cool for up to 30 hours, and has a reasonable price at less than $45. There usually aren't picnic tables on the job, either, so Klein designed the box to be used as a seat and holds up to 300 pounds.
If you need a bigger capacity than 9-quarts, Kelin also offers a 17-quart cooler with the same benefits. It's priced just a little bit higher, at around $54 on Amazon.
FeatherPro
Table saws are a must have tool for any carpenter or woodworker, but they can be pretty dangerous. The FeatherPro has hardened foam feathers, which keep your boards straight through the cut, greatly reducing the chance of kickback.
The FeatherPro can be used on the left or right side of the blade with it's reversible hardware. The feathers are non-marring and can be replaced if needed over time.
Diablo Carbide Tipped Pruning Blade
Carbide tipped blades have recently changed the game and Diablo is widely considered to be at the forefront of the revolution. Carbide blades are much more expensive than traditional bi-metal blades, but they cut through material much faster and last much longer.
One of the most handy blades they make is the new carbide tipped pruning reciprocating saw blade, which can not only assist in the demolition of structures, but are a great for knocking off pesky tree branches.
Over $50
ISOtunes PRO Bluetooth Hearing Protector
Hearing protection is one of those things that construction workers ignore until years later when they realize they have lost a significant amount of their hearing. OSHA has strict hearing protection requirements to avoid hearing loss in workers, ISOtunes PRO Bluetooth Hearing Protectors offer a 27db noise reduction rating and they also limit the audio playback to 85db, keeping your dad below the actionable noise level.
The headphones have a 10-hour playback and talk time and will hold a battery charge for 240 hours on standby. It's rated IPX4 for sweat and splash proofing. Right now, ISOtunes has a special offer for a FREE pair of wired ISOtunes headphones ($39.99 value) with the purchase of ISOtune PRO ($89.99), but you can only get that deal on their website.
Drill Bit Sharpener: Drill Doctor 750X
One of the most important things on any jobsite is having a sharp blade. Sharp blades make cleaner cuts, help your tools last longer, and are much safer to operate. The Drill Doctor 750X can take a dull carbide, cobalt, high-speed steel, black oxide, TiN-Coated, twist and Masonry bit and make it work like new again, which will help dad be more efficient and save some money by not having to constantly buy new bits.
Milwaukee String Trimmer with Free Hedge Trimmer, Blower, or Battery
I've been using the Milwukee String Trimmer for over a year now and it has performed very well for me. It's nicely sized, has good balance and power, and isn't a huge battery drain. New stock in 2018 also comes with an upgraded easy load head, which eliminates the hassle of manually wrapping the string.
Right now, if you grab a new Milwaukee String Trimmer kit (model 2725-21HD, $299.95), you can get a free Milwaukee blower, hedge trimmer, or 5.0XC battery from Ohio Power Tool or Tool Barn. I'd personally choose the blower, which was updated in 2018 to be lighter and more powerful.
Milwaukee M12 Drill/Driver Kit (2598-22)
Sometimes drilling and driving isn't all about power, it's about size and convenience. The 2nd generation of Milwaukee's M12 (12-volt) drill and driver has become an instant favorite for mechanics, HVAC techs, plumbers, and many other tradesmen for it's respectable power in relation to it's size. The 1st generation of the M12 drill and drivers were also a favorite of many, but the new tools knocked considerable size off of the body and helped ridge the gap between a 12 volt tool and an 18-volt tool. You can get both tools, 2 batteries, a charger, and contractor bag for under $230 on Ohio Power Tool.
You can also read our full review of the new kit here.
Ryobi 6 Gallon 18V Wet/Dry Vacuum
There were many battery powered wet or dry vacuums released in 2017 and Ryobi may just have the best of them all. The 6 galloon capacity is larger than any other cordless vacuum and it packs tons of power. The two large wheels on either side and the swivel casters on the front and back allow it to handle any terrain and turn 360 degrees.
Priced at $99 bare tool, it’s an inexpensive and convenient option for a home workshop or small cleanup jobs at the jobsite.
DEWALT DCE511B 11" Corded/Cordless Jobsite Fan
The DeWalt 20V jobsite fan is a super-efficient, powerful, and convenient option for the workshop or jobsite. Delivering up to 500 CFM of air, the fan can easily last a full day on one battery. If your battery runs out of juice, no worries, because it can also be plugged into an outlet through an extension cord. Rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, it’s ready to be put to work in tough conditions.
DeWalt 33 in. Folding Portable Workbench
With the ability to be opened or closed in less than three seconds, the DeWalt Folding Portable Workbench is a versatile worktop for a variety of different tasks. It’s equipped with clamping holes throughout to allow clamping of materials from any angle. The table is able to support up to 1,000 pound load capacity, so there won’t be many jobs it can’t handle.
Grab it for $69 on Tool Barn
MILWAUKEE M18 RADIUS LED COMPACT SITE LIGHT 2200 LUMENS 2144-20 (BARE TOOL)
Milwaukee Compact LED Radius and Flood Light 2144-20
When it comes to jobsite lighting, nobody tops Milwaukee's. They have so many different options for different applications and I've had a great experience with all of the M18 line. One of my favorite new lights of theirs is the M18 Compact LED Radius and Flood Light because it's very small, provides a lot of light (2,200 Lumens on high), and is extremely versatile.
Not only can it switch between a 360 degree area light to a directional flood light with a click of a button, it can also hang from many different materials overhead with the use of the on-board metal hook. The light doesn't have to run on an 18-volt battery, it can also be powered by an extension cord for long term use.
You can grab the light at Ohio Power Tool for $149.99
Bosch GSR12V-140FCB22 FlexiClick 5-in-1 Drill/Driver System
Tight and weirdly angled jobs can be a real pain in the butt. The Bosch Flexiclick Drill/Driver aims to eliminate those situations with its one-click system of changing heads to fit your need.
The 12V tool contains 4 attachments: a 3/8” keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right angle drill attachment and an offset angle attachment. The tool won’t have the same power as a full sized 18V version, but you’ll be happy you’ll have it in your tool bag when the time comes.
Featured
The Top States to Work in Construction: #41 New Hampshire
New Hampshire is the 4th Northeast state ranked in the bottom 10 of our countdown. Like most of the states in that region, the cost of living is higher than the national average (New Hampshire is 12% above the average).
Read more[VIDEO] Watch A Window Fall 500 Feet to the Ground After Cable Snaps
Construction crews were preparing to replace window glazing on the 47-story tall Wellhouse na Leninskom tower in Moscow, Russia, when a cable snapped just as the window was about to reach the top of the structure
Read moreNTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Collapsed Pedestrian Bridge in Florida
On March 15, 2018, a devastating pedestrian bridge that was under construction collapsed onto an open roadway below, killing 1 bridge worker and five motorists, as well as injuring 8 others. As was expected, investigations have been underway since the accident, which are expected to take at least several more months to complete
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