Tools & Equipment Review: New ToolsLaunch Time: Check out some cool tools for the new year.

Late last fall, members of the tool industry descended on Baltimore for the annual convention and trade show of the Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA), an organization comprised of manufacturers and distributors of construction and industrial products. The show is a haven for new products and technologies, and the benefits for you and other end users are enormous.

On the following pages is a preview of new tools, accessories, and equipment products that were on display at the STAFDA convention. The products run the gamut–angle grinders, hand tools, measuring tools, pneumatic nailers and staplers, bits and blades, and much more. These hot products and groundbreaking innovations can help keep your crew and jobsites efficient and productive all year long.

–This story first appeared in Tools of the Trade magazine.

Powers Fasteners

Powers Fasteners. The W3-21R full-round 20- to 22-degree plastic collated hoseless gas nailer is lightweight and fast, allowing for speed and efficiency in wood-to-wood framing, the manufacturer claims. The tool, which weighs 7.8 pounds, has a fuel cell valve that installs easily. 800-524-3244. www.powers.com.

Knaack

Knaack. Weather Guard steel truck boxes feature the Extreme Protection Lock, which protects against tampering because an internal torque ring eliminates keyhole break-ins and the lock retracts when locked, the firm says. The box cover opens to a full 90-degree angle and has a new latch design with one-touch opening. 800-456-7865. www.weatherguard.com.

Max USA

Max USA. The firm has two new gas-powered hoseless nailers: the GS683RH 21-degree plastic collation full round-head framer and the GS683CH 34-degree paper tape framer (shown). These cordless SuperFramer tools feature a sequential trip trigger, no-mar tip, dial-adjustable drive control, open-nose magazine for jam clearing, safety lock-out, reversible belt hook, and one-step loading. The nailers, which weigh 7.8 pounds, have an NiMH battery and low-battery indicator. 800-223-4293. www.maxusacorp.com.

L.S. Starrett

L.S. Starrett. The ProSite Protractor now is available in a compact 7-inch version. The tool takes error-prone calculations out of miter cuts, the firm explains: Its red scale shows the exact miter saw setting for each cut; the black scale indicates the exact miter saw setting for fitting a single piece to an angle. 978-249-3551. www.starrett.com.

Bosch

Bosch. This new line includes 60 reciprocating saw blades for a range of cutting applications, including demolition, wood, metal, and more. Depending on the model, the blades incorporate technologies such as 2x2 tooth combinations, Progressor tooth patterns, and glow-in-the-dark paint. They are color-coded for easy identification. 877-267-2499. www.boschtools.com.

Fasco

Fasco. This light-wire tool, which can be used for roof felt and housewrap installation, allows the operator to set the firing system with only the trigger, rather than having to push a side lever as with previous models. Other features include one-handed speed control and a magazine that has no welded parts, so it's easy to assemble and repair. According to the company, the stapler's oversized metal cap and metal insert positioned below the trigger plate offer more balance, more control, and less vibration. 800-239-8665. www.fascoamerica.com.

Hitachi

Hitachi. The latest generation 2-inch cap stapler, the NV50AP3, features a lightweight aluminum housing and is 20 percent lighter than the previous model, the firm contends. It holds 350 plastic or steel caps and 350 nails per coil. The tool features tool-free depth adjustment, a nail mode selection switch, a translucent nail magazine, 360-degree adjustable exhaust, and a rubber grip. 800-829-4752. www.hitachipowertools.com.

DeWalt

DeWalt. The D28402 angle grinder can cut and grind materials including steel, pipe, tile, block, concrete, and mortar. For increased durability, the 4-1/2-inch angle grinder features the Dust Ejection System, which ejects 70 percent of concrete dust and debris and 80 percent of metal dust and debris, the firm says. It also has a one-piece brush arm to reduce jamming and an industry-first jam-pot gear case that provides precise gear alignment and reduced noise and vibration. 800-433-9258. www.dewalt.com.

Empire Level

Empire Level. The True Blue level line now includes the em71 series of magnetic levels. Available in 24-, 48-, and 78-inch models, the levels feature rare earth neodymium magnets carefully positioned on the frame to line up with standard spacing of hinge plates, the maker says. This allows for use on wood and steel jambs. The levels' True Blue vials have blue bands that darken and define the bubble perimeter and provide enhanced visibility. 800-558-0722. www.empirelevel.com.

Leica Geosystems

Leica Geosystems. The A5 sixth-generation Disto laser distance-measuring tool features an integrated telescopic optical viewfinder with crosshair and a flip-out piece for measuring from edges or corners. It automatically adjusts measurements to the appropriate reference, the maker says, and has functions for circumference, wall area, and ceiling/floor area, and indirect measurements of height and width for inaccessible areas. It has an accuracy of +/- .08 inch and a range of .16 inch to 650 feet. 770-447-6361. www.disto.com.

PrimeSource

PrimeSource. The Grip-Rite pneumatic tool line includes a coil roofing nailer, round-head framer, clipped head framer, angle finish nailer, brad nailer, finish nailer, plastic cap stapler, flooring stapler, flooring cleat nailer, and joist hanger nailers. The GRTCR175 coil roofing nailer (shown) has a compact body design, 120-nail capacity, dual-feed pawl system for consistent feed, multi-directional exhaust, tool-free depth-of-drive, and adjustable shingle guide. 972-417-3701. www.primesourcebp.com.

Makita

Makita. The HM1810 70-pound breaker hammer delivers 1,100 blows per minute and 63 joules of impact energy. According to the company, the tool's anti-vibration technology produces three times less vibration. The tool has a 15-amp motor and a 16.4-foot cord. 800-462-5482. www.makitatools.com.

Metabo

Metabo. With a wide speed range, the WE14-125 VS 5-inch angle grinder can be used on full speed for grinding and cutting stone, and also can be dialed down to a low speed for stone finishing and polishing, the maker says. The tool, which features a 12-amp motor with winding protection to prevent dust damage, delivers a no-load speed from 3,000 to 10,500 rpm and 29 inch-pounds of maximum torque. 800-638-2264. www.metabousa.com.

ICS

ICS. The RedZaw RZ60C gas cut-off saw features a 4.2-hp, two-cycle gas engine. It has an advanced rear-ported multi-stage air filtration and compensating carburetor for longer engine life, a reversible blade arm for closer cutting, and decompression valve for 50 percent easier starting, says the maker. Other features include a tool-free adjustable blade guard, ergonomic handle, and adjustable arbor. It delivers 5,100 rpm. 800-321-1240. www.icsbestway.com.

Porta-Nails

Porta-Nails. The Portamatic Hammerhead TL and Portamatic Hammerhead S provide two new options for flooring installation. The TL hammer-actuated nailer (shown) can nail 1/2-inch and 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove wood flooring, accurately seating nails at 70 to 90 psi. It accommodates T or L Porta-Nails in a variety of lengths. The S model is a hammer-actuated stapler. 800-634-9281. www.porta-nails.com.

Bostitch

Bostitch. The F28WW 28-degree wire-weld nailer, F21PL 21-degree plastic collated nailer (shown), and F33PT 33-degree paper tape nailer ship with a sequential trigger, but also come with a "smart" trigger that allows the tool to be converted between bump-fire or sequential-fire depending on how the trigger is pulled and the nose is depressed. Other features include a notched 16-inch layout indicator, push-button depth-of-drive, and steel wear guards with rubber skid pads. 800-556-6696. www.bostitch.com.