Leica Disto E7400x Review: A Trusty Sidekick?

We’ve reviewed a few different laser measuring devices on this site and have seen everything from the very basic to the most advanced. The Leica Disto E7400x finds itself slap bang in the middle as a highly accurate laser measuring tool but without the flamboyant extras such as the camera for outdoor use.

Product Description: Accurate and Solidly Built

We’ve used a few of these devices in our reviews and as always, the Leica Disto E7400x impresses with its build quality. The company proudly boasts that you can drop the gadget from 2 meters without causing any damage and as soon as you hold it, you’ll believe it! Add in the IP65 certified water and dust protection and you have a device that should last as long as you need it to.

The actual appearance is less impressive. It looks a lot like an old phone and is small, boxy and rubber. At least the small size is compact and easy to carry around – and the red and black make for a nice colorscheme.

To use the Leica Disto E7400x, you simply pull out the folding extension at one end and then use that to lay it flat against whatever you want to measure – whether that’s a piece of wood or an alcove in a room. Either way, it will then present you with a highly accurate reading that you can take to the bank.

The device is capable of 1/16” accuracy at 265 feet and also includes height tracking, smart horizontal and more algorithms and sensors to ensure it knows where it is pointing and what angle you have it at. It will remember its last 20 measurements and is quick and easy to use.

Pros and Cons: Basic but Good

So, there are no high end features here. A 20 item memory isn’t exactly amazing and the lack of level is a disappointment. There is also no camera or touchscreen, which is something you would get if you were to fork out for the truly expensive models.

But then again, these issues may not be a problem depending on your use case scenario. The camera functionality is really mainly useful for outdoor use and is frankly a little slow and awkward in its implementation.

For this price, you’re getting the things that really matter – the top end accuracy and useful features like the tilt sensor for measuring things that you can’t actually reach – point the laser and move it up and down to get the measure of a given banner or wall.

For many people, there just isn’t a need for any more features than that – but this does still represent a marked and useful step up from something like the D110 (the most basic model). And you still get all of the other great benefits that are common from Leica Disto laser measures. We love the inclusion of the IP65 resistance and think that will come in particularly handy in highly dusty home workshops.

We reviewed this over a period of a few weeks and we found it made taking measurements into a quick and easy joy.

Conclusions: A Handy Device to Keep Around

If you’re happy with the boxy design, lack of level and lack of camera functionality, then the Leica Disto E7400x is a very easy measuring tool to recommend. It has all of the most essential features for a product in its category, it is very well made and will stand the test of time.

You know how some products are expensive and yet they come with problems? It might be because they have so many features they keep going wrong, or maybe it’s due to QC issues at the manufacturing plant.

But then on the other hand, you have those ‘old reliable’ tools that just always work. Perhaps it’s a trusty drill driver, or maybe you have an old camera that has been taking awesome pictures for the last 10 years.

The Leica Disto E7400x has potential to be one of those trusty sidekicks and to our mind, offers one of the best balances when it comes to performance, durability and price. It’s not going to break the bank but it has incredible accuracy and it just works.

 

source http://www.toolerant.com/leica-disto-e7400x-review-a-trusty-sidekick/

Black & Decker BDERO100 Review

For years and years, Black and Decker tools really weren’t appreciated by professionals and craftspeople that relied on only the highest quality tools to help them complete their projects with a high degree of precision and consistency.

When we play all of our cards right out on the table, most people find – or found – Black and Decker tools to be much more geared towards homeowners and “casuals” that were only ever going to have to reach for these kinds of tools a handful of times each year (if that) and weren’t really looking for the kind of consistency or precision that professional craftsmen demand.

Today though, Black and Decker has almost completely revolutionized the premium level of the tools that they make available. Sure, they still pump out consumer grade options at ridiculously low price tags, but their craftsmen and professional line of tools – like the Black & Decker BDERO100 – have gotten much, much better.

Initial Impressions

The first thing that you are going to notice about the Black & Decker BDERO100 is that it has been almost completely reengineered and redesigned compared to all of the other random orbit sanders available from this company, and that’s great news!

This sander is very compact (especially as far as 5 inch orbital sanders are concerned), quite powerful, and crafted using high-quality materials that guarantee longevity that the Black and Decker brand just couldn’t promise in the past.

Combine all of that with a tremendously lower price tag compared to its closest competitors – we’re talking about the Black & Decker BDERO100 costing a third of what competing products cost while still producing almost identical results – and you’re looking at a random orbital sander here that you just can’t afford to sleep on any longer.

This isn’t to suggest that this Black & Decker model is the best in the business, but you shouldn’t just ignore those black and orange tools any longer. That’s sure.

Standout Features

You are going to get plenty of power (consistent power) out of this particular Black and Decker 5 inch random orbital sander. With an OPM rating of just north of 8000, you should be able to tackle all kinds of different jobs from refinishing a porch to sanding down and cleaning pieces of furniture come all the way to tackling the finest sanding jobs necessary for polishing and perfecting coats of polyurethane applied to your latest woodworking project.

Now, it is important for us to highlight the fact that this random orbital sander has been designed and engineered right from the factory to hit that wheelhouse of price and performance that hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts are after. That means this probably isn’t going to be the main workforce sander in your professional woodworking operation or the kind of random orbital sander you’ll want to bust out on all of your carpentry projects, either.

But because it uses the standard configuration of vent holes that almost all (but not every) popular random orbital sanders use for the hook and loop sanding pads it accepts you’ll be able to add this to your arsenal of tools without having to purchase proprietary sanding pads just for this device.

That’s definitely a big benefit and one of the standout features that you will come to appreciate from this particular setup.

Pros

• The Black & Decker BDERO100 is tremendously lightweight, very compact, and ergonomic. This makes it a very attractive option to use overextended amounts of time, regardless of whether or not you are using it in the shop or out at a jobsite.
• The components inside of the Black & Decker BDERO100 sander make it one of the most reliable and durable, though you probably aren’t going to be able to get 10+ years out of this sander the way you would be able to with more premium brands. But for its price point this is an attractive option for sure.
• The ability to use standard configuration look and loop sanding pads in an almost infinite amount of different grit types makes this Black and Decker a no-brainer for those that will only it ever occasionally need to take advantage of the utility it brings to the table.

Cons

• Even though this 5 inch random orbital sander doesn’t have an extended primary control handle like some of the other options on the market today, the actual handheld base is a little bit on the larger side which makes it a challenge for individuals with smaller hands to grip and control. Overextended amounts of time using this tool fatigue is definitely going to set in.
• Some have complained that this random orbital sander gets a little bit “jumpy” because it is so lightweight, which means you may have to apply a little bit of extra pressure and downward force while sanding. This could leave swirl marks behind unless you go back and re-sand the entire project with finer and finer grits.

Who’s going to be able to get the most out of this tool?

Professionals in the carpentry and woodworking world probably aren’t going to have too many Black and Decker tools laying around a but this just might be one of those tools that make their way into more workshops as word gets out about what it’s able to offer.

At the same time, this is very much a DIYer and homeowner grade random orbital sander that’s not intended for extended and prolonged use (or daily abuse) the way that professional and craftsmen grade tools are.

Final Verdict

The Black & Decker BDERO100 guarantees that the market will have a very attractive and inexpensive sander option available for homeowners, DIYers, and weekend warriors to add to their tool collection

Sure, there are other more expensive options out there that the occasional user could reach for – random orbital sanders that have more power, more consistency, and a better reputation for longevity – but you just won’t find many other options that offer the blend of power and performance this unit offers at this price tag.

source http://www.toolerant.com/black-decker-bdero100-review/

Women in Construction: It is DISGUSTING how the USA lags behind Cambodia!

A lot has changed in the last three decades: everyone is on the Internet, we all carry around high-speed computers in our pockets, and tapes and CDs are virtually non-existent. Yet, the plight of female construction workers remains the same. In the ‘80s, about three percent of construction workers in the United States were women. Today, whether they are building condos in the suburbs or high-rise downtown hotels, construction crews are still about three percent female according to a recent report from the National Women’s Law Center.

Why is that? What can we do to make construction a more female-friendly trade? And, as a real estate mogul, President Trump must be well aware of the issues facing female construction workers. What should he do about the issues these women are facing?

Problems Women in Construction Face

Discrimination – beginning in education programs and continuing all the way up the employment chain – is the main reason for the low percentage of women in the construction industry. Instead of being encouraged to enter traditionally male programs like construction, young women are often explicitly steered or at least subtly encouraged to work in occupations that align with traditional gender stereotypes in career and technical education (CTE) programs.

Once they get through their (CTE) programs, women next face discrimination as they try to join apprenticeship programs, which are run like “old boys’ clubs” that operate to exclude women and minorities. Research shows that women leave these apprenticeship programs at higher rates than men because of sexual harassment, lack of child care, and hostile work environments.

Once women clear the hurdles of education and apprenticeship, 88 percent of female construction workers experience sexual harassment at work according to a study by the U.S. Department of Labor. This is much more than the 25 percent who experience such treatment in the general workforce.

Basically, women face barriers to well-paid jobs, negative stereotypes about their ability to perform construction work, sexual tension injected into work contexts, and supervisors and other officials who are not willing to do anything about it.

How Does the US Compare to the Rest of the World?

 

The state of female construction workers in the US is pitiful when compared to other countries around the world. For instance, Cambodia is experiencing a massive construction boom. With little future in the agricultural trade, more women are moving to the cities. One-third of all construction workers in Cambodia are female. Unfortunately, despite their large numbers, women still face a wage gap and sexist attitudes in the workplace.

The situation in similar in nearby Thailand where women make up 40 percent of the migrant construction workforce in the country. However, with the level of sexual harassment these women face, it is almost a prerequisite that they have a husband to protect them.

 

 

What Changes Does the US Need to Make?

Back in the United States, it is clear that policymakers need to increase their efforts in making sure that women have equal opportunities in construction. As the nation continues its economic comeback, it is crucial that we ensure women are not left out of high-wage jobs that can contribute to their economic security. There are numerous federal agencies that can address and alleviate the challenges female construction workers face:

• Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) – About 20 percent of the civilian workforce is under the jurisdiction of the OFCCP. This agency should increase its monitoring and oversight of contractors and strengthen the affirmative action requirements for women in construction.
• Office of Apprenticeship – Apprentices and apprenticeship programs in all 50 states are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. They have the power to remove obstacles that female apprentices face.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – The EEOC is responsible for enforcing federal laws that prohibit discrimination against an employee or job applicant based on gender. The Commission can increase its public education and enforcement of sexual harassment protections.
• Department of Education – The Office of Civil Rights within the Department of Education also enforces several laws that prohibit discrimination in federally funded programs. Prioritizing retention and recruitment of women in nontraditional STEM and CTE courses requires vigorous enforcement of the existing civil rights laws.

Trump Needs to Deliver on His Promises

Who ultimately oversees all of these federal agencies? Our very own President Trump. Though not directly in charge of these offices, Trump chose the officials who fill the leadership positions, and he has considerable sway over the policies of the OFCCP, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education.

During his campaign for president, Trump regularly deflected claims that he was sexist or a misogynist by claiming that many of his best executives were women. A New York Times article even profiled some of his female employees who insisted he was a champion of women. During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau back in February, he vowed that helping women in the workforce would remain a priority for his administration.

But so far, it appears Trump is all talk. In fact, his actions show that he is working against women’s rights in the workforce. For example, in March, he used an executive order to revoke Obama-era protections for women workers.

President Trump needs to show that he is as good as his word and enact laws, such as the 2014 Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces law that forces construction companies with federal contracts to engage in fair hiring practices, take sexual harassment claims seriously, and provide female construction workers with equal pay.

Resources for Women Interested in Construction Work

The bottom line is that the construction industry needs more women, especially in leadership roles. Fortunately, there are a number of organizations that realize this and are providing resources to help get women involved. These include the National Association of Professional Women in Construction, National Association of Women in Construction, and Women Construction Owners & Executives (WCOE) USA.

Women interested in construction should also check out blogs like Tradeswomen.net, Constructing Equality, WCOE Blog, and The National Center for Construction Education and Research Blog.

The construction trade continues to be one of the most highly discriminatory industries in the world, but as women and men of all backgrounds put pressure on policymakers, including President Trump, equality is sure to follow.

source http://www.toolerant.com/female-construction-work/

Makita BO5041K Review

No shop is really complete without a random orbit sander, but with so many different options out there to pick and choose from finding the right one can be a real hassle.

Every major tool manufacturer puts out a random orbit sander, and all of them promise that theirs is going to be the most powerful, the easiest to use, and the one capable of producing the most consistent results.

But, from our perspective, the Makita BO5041K random orbital sander is one of the best money can buy today. Perfect for professionals and amateurs alike, this is a powerful, capable, and flexible sander that will boost the finished quality of your woodworking projects by quite a bit.

Initial Impressions

Look, there just aren’t a lot of people – professional woodworkers and finish carpenters unlike that are ever going to describe ANY random orbital sander as “sexy”. This is much more of a workhorse kind of tool, one designed to remove a considerable amount of material in a hurry while making the job of the finish guy a lot easier.

But there’s just something about this random orbital sander from Makita that has us glowing about the overall design and aesthetic, and it sure isn’t that now all-too-familiar Makita blue paint job!

Beautifully designed and incredibly ergonomic, you’re going to really appreciate the foresight and thought that went on behind the scenes at Makita to make of this 5 inch random orbital sander one of the most frequently reached for tools in our arsenal when it comes time to rough sand or finish sand any of our woodworking projects.

Ambidextrous use is really easy, the extra “power handle” gives you total control even when you are using rough or grits of sandpaper, and the integrated dust collection system never really gets in the way no matter how you are handling this sanding instrument.

The same things cannot be said about a lot of the other industry-leading orbital sanders out there, and this attention to detail and design/utility is something that we are really happy about with this Makita.

Standout Features

As far as standout features are concerned, we were at least a little bit nervous about the way that the primary handle was configured right off the bat – but it quickly became one of our favorite things about the overall design of this sander, especially when used with the “pistol grip” power handle.

You’ll always be in complete control over this random orbital sander (even with tougher grits and when you kick it into high gear at 12,000 OPM), and a lot of that is because of the intelligent design of the primary handle and the way that the pistol grip works.

Combine all of this with a tremendously energy efficient operation and the dust collection system that we mentioned above that just flat out works (you’ll be amazed at how clean your work surface and work area is and how long you can go before you have to dump out the bag) and you have something really special here.

It’s also nice that this Makita random orbital sander accepts all traditional sanding pads designed for 5 inch random orbital sanders, instead of going with a proprietary venting system like some of the other popular sanders on the market do.

You won’t ever feel like you are pigeonholed into purchasing specific (and unnecessarily expensive) sanding pads when you go with the Makita BO5041K.

Pros

• The power of the tool is variable, giving you the ability to flip between a range of 4000 to 12,000 OPM depending upon the type of sanding you’ll be doing
• Standardized sanding pads will work right out of the box with the Makita BO5041K, saving you quite a bit of money and avoiding a lot of headache
• The dust collection system keeps you and your workspace clean and the intelligently designed dual handle mechanism eliminates a lot of fatigue

Cons

• The carrying case for the Makita BO5041K isn’t exactly the most intelligently designed and certainly isn’t large enough to hold any more than five extra sanding pads at any point in time
• Like most other Makita tools, you’re going to have to pay a little bit more to take advantage of a premium tool that should last years longer than most others
• Some have complained about the balance of this random orbital sander, but most have doubled back on their initial reviews to say that they handle takes a bit of getting used to but once that “get to know you” block of time has passed the Makita BO5041K is actually quite effortless to use

Who’s going to be able to get the most out of this tool?

Professional woodworkers, finish carpenters, boatbuilders, and serious enthusiasts are going to get the most out of this particular random orbital sander, but honestly this is a premium tool designed and engineered so well that most any one that needs a 5 inch random orbital sander will be able to get more than their money’s worth out of this equipment.

DIYers and homebuilders may not get quite as much utility out of this specific unit, and may blanch a little bit at dropping a little more than $100 on a woodworking tool that isn’t going to be a mainstay on their workbench, but we feel that Makita tools are worth the premium price tag.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, there are plenty of different options out there to begin choose from when it comes time to invest in a random orbital sander, especially one as compact as this 5 inch unit.

And while there are certainly other options out there that are less expensive, you would be very hard pressed to find any random orbital sander that offers the kind of power, consistency, and intelligent design that this Makita BO5041K brings to the table.

It may not be the perfect random orbital sander out there (if a tool like that even exists), but it is certainly one of the best options available on the market today at any price point.

source http://www.toolerant.com/makita-bo5041k-review/