Klein Tools is celebrating their 150th anniversary in 2007 and is offering these tools as prizes in our Tool Tips contests.
Welcome to the newest department in Contracting Business magazine: Tool Tips, a bimonthly article containing tips from readers on the unique use of, safety tips for, and money saving ideas with regard to power and hand tools used by HVAC field technicians.
The best part of this department is that of all the tips we receive, the editorial team will choose one every other month to win $150 worth of hand tools, provided courtesy of our friends at Klein Tools.
Here's how it works
If you are a contractor or field technician, and have an idea or a tip involving the use of a hand or power tool that increases safety, saves money, or improves field worker productivity, send it to us or post it on www.hvac-talk.com in the Contest! Contest! forum.
Be sure to include a good photo depicting the tool and how you use it.
You can also send your entry and photo to: Mike Weil, editor-in-chief, Contracting Business, 1300 E. 9th St., Cleveland, OH 44114. Or, e-mail: [email protected]. In the e-mail, be sure the subject line says "Tool Tips."
We'll publish up to three tips, but only the first place winner will win the prize. The prize includes the following:
- Aviation snips
- Side cutting pliers
- Multi-purpose crimping tool
- Two-piece magnetic nut driver set
- Torpedo level
- 10-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver.
Note: If the same idea is submitted by more than one contractor, the entry with the clearest written description that includes a photo will be given precedence.
Now, on to the tips! The first place winner is:
Hole-y register, Batman! It's a Coat Hanger
This wanna-be NATE-certified technician demonstrates how to spot a hole without ruining the floor.
"When spotting an opening on hardwood floors to add a supply register, I use a wire coat hanger. I'll take the longest part of the hanger, cut both ends on a sharp angle with a linesmen, insert in my drill, and drill away. The reason for this is, in case I hit a joist when spotting the hole, the hole won't be visible on the floor. All I have to do is move over to where the opening needs to be, and the wood floor isn't ruined."
[email protected] From HVAC-Talk.com
Foiled again"What do you do when trying to read a serial number or a model number from the top of a compressor, and you can't see the information tag?
"If you can feel the tag with your hands, then here's a way you can read it: take a small piece of light weight foil and place it on top of the tag. Rub the foil with your fingers (without moving it) and you'll have a neat impression of all of the information on the tag."
[email protected] from HVAC-Talk.com
Zero in on this!
Drill a hole in each of your gage covers above the adjusting screw. Now there is no need to take the cover off to zero the gages.
Dennis Mullins, AMI Air Conditioning, Hollywood, FL