New Fn@duets

Ond Selecled Soles Qids

Woodworking Benches

The Sjoberg woodworking benches, made according to old Swedish carpentry standards, hold practically any object regardless of shape for operations such as sawing, planing, drilling, chiseling, sanding, carving, gluing, etc.

The top is made of laminated hardwood to withstand the roughest treatment. The large tool well in the rear has a removable bottom for easy cleaning.

The side vise opens up to 8" and the front vise 4". Oscillating nylon pads adjust to the shape of the work piece. The clamping dogs are of special material that will not damage cutter when planing.

Large selection of accessories makes it an all-purpose workbench-

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca.92660.

Tile Away the Hours

Old World Tile Co. is marketing what it calls the first complete d-i-y kit for installation of tile. The kit brings the quality and craftsmanship of handmade tile that formerly was available only to builders and architects.

It includes enough 6" by 6" tiles to cover a 5' square area. Also included is grout, thinset and sealer and step by step directions.

NEW "BRIGHT" black and brown vitreous china toilets from Universal-Rundle are the first t0 be released on the line which also includes red, vellow and orange colors. The other three colors should be ready later in the year. "Bright" colored china marks a major industry breakthrough. The toilets are part of the U/Rt "New Venus" line.

A high density cast tile with subtle surface textures in four warm, earthy colors that are uniform throughout the strata of the tile so that wear will never change the color over the years. Because each tile is individually cast by hand, every one varies in shade, texture, thickness and of degree of distress.

Maintenance requires only dry dusting with a mop. Wax and buffing will produce a glossy surface. Suggested retail price is $ 14.95.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, NewPort Beach, Ca.92660.

Q-Guard Emergency LamP

A new low-cost emergency lighting unit named Q-Guard from Exide is maintenance-free and features new halogen lamps, designed specifically for emergency lighting.

It comes with two durable, adjustable 12 watt H lamps, but is caPable of supporting the operation of three for l/z hours. The lamps can be remotely mounted, as well.

The Q-Guard is a complete, selfcontained and automatic unit that provides emergency light instaneously on AC failure.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine. 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476' NewPort Beach. Ca. 92660.

For the HandicapPed

A newly invented Portable, chemi cal sanitation unit for handicapped persons is specifically designed to be accessible by wheelchair. It is the world's first barrier-free portable sanitation unit.

Made of heavy dutY PlYwood and featuring a ramp and railings leading to the door, the unit features rugged handrails. Larger than normal chemical toilets, it cairies the familiar wheelchair logo used to designate toilets and other facilities for the handicapped.

Persons interested are invited to contact the Sani-Hut Co. of Reno, Nv.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca.92660.

What, No Cord?

BKB EnterPrises has a cordless telephone that works like any other phone except that it's cordless and i'memorizest' telephone numbers. It can be taken anYwhere, indoors or out, within 300 - 600 feet of office or home and can receive calls or dial out.

It operates in conjunction with all regularly installed telephone equipment, including rotary-dial-outpulsing svstems. is lO0% solid state and runs on rechargeable nicad batteries.

A memory unit stores the last number dialed. Easy to install, it looks exactly like home touch-tone extension desk phone and is comPatible with office rotary line systems.

WRITE: I he Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Free Reader Service

For more information on New Products and New Literature, write fte Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Please montion issue date and page number so w€ can procoss your requost fasterl Many lhanks!

A Shower of Gold

The first pulsating hand shower in polished gold has been introduced by Alsons Corp.

All metallic finishes of the showerhead, fittings, brackets and flexible hose are in gold. Hand shower handles remain in black gloss to complement the gold.

Models offered will be the 45 for shower arm mounting, 515 MA with two wa1l brackets and l50l MA deluxe wall bar unit. Alsons will also offer its 665 shower head in polished gold and will have available its 4923 shower arm diverter and 1000 L, tub spout diverter.

Alsons, which popularized the "Personal Shower" in the U.S.. previously offered optional gold finiihes on its non-pulsating showers. This is the first time that gold has been avail able on any hand-held pulsating shower, and comes at a time when other manufacturers are concerned about losing .sales to low-cost imports, according to Alsons.

Leutheuser said the decision to introduce a higher-quality item was based on three considerations:

( I ) Americans have shown that they are willing to pay the price for highquality products.

(2\ The more decorative shower is consistent with the trend toward high styling in bathrooms.

(3) Foreign manufacturers of plumbing fixtures can compete with American manufacturers on price but not on quality.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660.

Hi-Pop Sprinklers

Taller, thicker grass is the new style in lawns. To water it effectively, Rain Jet Corp. has a complete new line of Rain Jet 2t/i' I{i-Pop Sprinklers. Water pressure causes the center portion to pop up 2Yz" above the turf.

A heavy duty stainless steel spring returns the all-brass sprinkler unit into the Cycolac housing when the water is shut off. There are I 5 different models.

The new sprinklers now make Rain Jet's patented "Rotary Pendulum" and "Pulsa Jet" sprinkler actions available for every type of lawn. Both of these patented sprinkler actions produce thousands of individual water droplets and distribute them evenly over the lawn area being watered. These droplets penetrate deeply into the soil, just like rain drops, whereas most conventional sprinklers produce water wasting spray and mist.

WRITE: The Merchanr Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suire 476. N-wporr Beach. Ca. 92660.

Get

Organized Rubbermaid promotes organizers with special prices on eight items for orders postmarked through September 30.

Bulk Fastener Program

A new "15 Pounder" bulk fastener program featuring 48 popularsized grade 5 hex head cap screws has been introduced by Rockford International.

The program claims a streamlined, fast turnover inventory of the muchin-demand Grade 5 fastener line.

Designed for retail sales and shop use, the new fastener program offers a self-service display unit which accommodates 48 l5-lb. bulk bins of grade 5 screws in diameters from ll4" - 314" and lengths from 314" - 6". The grade 5 hardened hex head cap screws are manufactured from high carbon steel and zinc chromate plated. Heads are marked with three radial lines to conform to American engineering standards and to provide easy pricing identification.

WRITE: The Merchanr Magazine, 4500. Clmpl! Dr., suite 476, NEwport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Sidelights: Double Elegance

With normal suggested retail prices of $3.98, their clean-up caddy, wrap and bag organizer, broom and mop holder and ironing organrzer are offered at the suggested promotional price of $3.18 each. These products come in the color sand.

Instant drawer organizers in burnt orange, chocolate and sand come in four sizes. Suggested promotional prices, respectively, are $.38, two at $.54 each and $.94. Their regular suggested retail prices are $.49, two at $.69 each and $1.19.

Three sizes of instant drawer organizers are available in shelf pack and pre-pack display assortments. Two of the shelf packs are included in an end cap assortment which also merchandises 12 clean-up caddies, 12 wrap and bag organizers, six broom and mop holders and six ironing organizers.

WRITE: The Merchlnt Magazine. -1500 Campus Dr.. suite 476. Ncw'port Bcach. Ca. 92660.

Lightweight "Super Saw".

Beaird-Poulan. has a new light- weight "super saw" designed and priced for the home user.

The new Micro Super 25 Deluxe weighs less than I 0 lbs. and has greater cutting capacity than other saws in Poulan's Micro 25 series, which was introduced just last January.

A 14" sprocket nose bar on the super model makes it possible for the user to cut a tree 28" in diameter. The new saw also has a cushion grip handlebar for greater ease in handling.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca.92650.

Optional sidelight panels duplicate the handsome leaded glass that identifies the Chateau Orleans door, multiplying the elegance of this handsome entryway from Simpson Timber Co. Sidelights are equally complimen- tary to the paneled Chateau door. While the effect of the double entry is reminiscent of early America, it is still as modern as today, offering an exciting style that is compatible with most architecture.

The leaded panels are set with Flemish glass safety panes, reflecting soft lights from within or from the outside. The doors are vertical grain kiln-dried Doug fir or hemlock, a full l-3/4" thick. Wide stiles accept ornate hardware gracefully.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine. 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Light Source Ceiling

A new-textured light source ceiling has been announced by United Lightine & Ceiling Corp.

It is Tiburon, and utilizes hollow acrylic 4" modules to create low brightness, non-glare lighting. While especially effective in lobbies and reception areas, it is also being used in offices, banks, and savings and loans; other architects have found applications in restaurants, clubs, and cocktail lounges.

The system enables the designer to use a repeating pattern of cubes, cylinders, or a random combination of both. Its 4" module gives a continuous appearance when viewed from below; available in smoked bronze, translucent white, and a varietY of custom colors,

It can be used in most aPPIications, since it is accepted under the UBC. It is made from acrylic plastic which will not discolor.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazinc. 4500 Campus Dr.. surte 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Wide Plank Hardwood Floor

Hardwood plank floors, long a tavorite in American homes for family rooms, usually demand an EarlyAmerican decor.

Colony "no-peg" Prefinished Plank, Chickasaw, provides a far more versatile decorative foundation, by the simple elimination of the "pegs" usually associated with wide plank floors. Dark-finished, it responds to popular

Cylinder

The Merchant Magazine demand which has been growing for some time for wide plank floorssuitable for something other than Colonial interiors, which to most pdople means no pegs.

It requires only blind nailing, as with regular strip flooring. Made in a 3-width combination, 3"4"-6", Colony Plank is solid oak, in tull 314" thickness. Packaging is a 8-1/2 ft. long nested carton complete with installation instructions. Colony is Select and Better grade.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, NewPort Beach, Ca.92660.

Wood Yard Bldg. Kits

Jer Mfg. has a standard version of its 'Lil' Carriage House, expanding the line of wood yard building kits to seven models, and reducing the cost for completed structures of this popular style by over 25%.

The model is available in two sizes with options. 8'W x 8'L x 8'H with 4' x 6'or 6'x 6'door, and a 12'W x 8'L x 8'II unit with 6' x 6' door or with 4' x 6' door and window opening.

The kit has pre-cut and numbered frame and trim pieces complete with illustrated step-by-step instructions and all door hardware.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, ,1500 Campus Dr., suite 476. Newport Beach. Cu. 92660.

Feature Strip Deco Trim

A&E Building Products' "Feature Strip" is a prefinished embossed cellular decorator trim.

It looks and feels like wood but is far more durable. It can be nailed. sawed, glued and bent, is not combustible, non absorbent and is easv to clean. the maker claims

Feature strip comes in four natural colors and can be installed with nails, screws, staples, or adhesives. lt can be used as window or door casings, inside or outside corner finishes, base, cove, wall design, batten or plank and also for picture frames. Packaged 15 pieces per carton. Length 8 feet, size 318 x 2-ll2 inches.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suire 476, Newporr Beach, Ca. 92660.

A Little Snip

The Wiss line of compound action shears and tinners'snips includes three types for common home-use metal cutting: the M-3R Metalmaster, lightweight Metal Wizz utility cutters, and conventional straight pattern snips.

The compound action models, cutting with half the effort of ordinary snips, feature serrated jaws, self-open- ing action, vinyl comfort grips and protective latch. The standard straight pattern snips are available in five sizes for cuts from I 314" to 3" long.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine. 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Something Costs Less!

A sizeable price reduction has been made on the patented Pro urethane level.

The tradesman's level comes in three lengths and two styles featuring an aluminum I-beam from end to end.

Fabricated of a hard, very dense urethane, it has the look of expensive wood but will neither warp nor

Ideas for Profit Sent to You in 12 Neat Packages

splinter. It remains unaffected by water and temperature. With shockresistant, reinforced rubber ends, convenient hand holes or glips, and accurate leveling and plumbing vials, the level is enduring and convenient under construction work site conditions.

WRITE: The Merchant Masazine. 4500 Camp-us Dr., suite a76, Njwport Beach. Ca. 92660.

Meet

Welsh

Bill specializes in insurance for the lumber a building supply industry. He already serves many leading clients in this field. Because of his experience, he can develop a plan specifically for you, to meet your future needs. His portfolio of plans includes Pension and Profit Sharing, Keogh, Disability Income, Executive Compensation, Croup Insurance and Estate Planning, just to name a few. Discover how Bill's expertise can benefit you and your company. Call him now and add Bill Welsh to your team.

Versatile Window

The recently introduced Malta UniCase casement window line has a builtin advantage for builders. It gives them the versatility of specifying one window for either casement or awning application.

They have all of the builder/homeowner benefits associated with the complete Malta line of wood windows and patio doors and are of wood construclion with insulating glass bedded in a flexible vinyl glazing channel.

This combination successfully reduces heat loss and heat gain as well as air infiltration, helping to save on energy usage and cut down energy bills.

WRITE: The l\lerchant Magazine , ,1500 Campus Dr., suite 476. NewPort Beach. Ca 92660.

Almost Invisible Door

Season-all has introduced the "Grande Entrance," a new complete full view storm/screen door for prime doors that want to remain the center of attraction. It features a ft;]l 74" high glass which virtually shows all of the main door behind il

The new door is available in l" and in l-114" thick models with tempered safety glass which can be replaced by a full screen for warm weather ventilation. They can be ordered in anodized aluminum or white, black or brown electro-statically applied baked enamel finishes. Painted finishes warranted not to chip, crack, blister or peel for 1 5 years.

Extruded corner gussets, springloaded oilite bearing hinges and shock-absorbing marine-type U-channel vinyl glazing are some of the features of this premium quality door.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, NewPort Beach. Ca. 92660.

Bel-Air Jalouse Units

Easy installation and comPlete weatherproofing are featured in the air-tight Bel-Air Jalousie door insert units.

This unit meets the current demand for a flush profile with no unsightly and easily abused protrusions. No door blocking is required and theY are quickly installed.

The unit will accept both 3/16" or 7132" glass and a wide range of sizes is available.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., suite 476, NewPort Beach. Ca.92660.

What's Your Number?

Leslie-Locke's newest speciality item is handcrafted ceramic house numbers with ornamental iron frames' They're an easy d-i-y project. Each tile is mounted in the frame with silicon adhesive grout. A four-tile frame holds two or four digit numbers. The five-tile frame holds one, three or five digits. The suggested retail price-will bJ in the $12-$14 range for a fournumber set, mounted one side.

An impressive floor stocker displays the ceramic house numbers to their best advantage for the greatest sales volume. 'I'he floor stocker can be used as an island, a Peninsula, or gondola-based disPlaY.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine. :1500 Campus Dr., suite 476. Ne*port Beach. Ca. 91660.

Free Reader Service

For more information on New Products and New Literature, write fhe Merchant Magazine, 4500 Campus Dr., Suite 476, Newport Beach, Ca. 92660. Please mention issue date and page number so we can process your request faster! Many thanks!

Old Cast lron Look

Post-(lraft's series ot lour lantern post assemblies displiy the charnr and elegance of older authcntic designs.

Lantern post base sections are molded of high density structural urethane. tubular nriddle sections consist of tapered alunrinunr tubing. The cast alunrinurn ladder rests conrplete the lantern post assertrbly.

Structural strength, durability, and authenticity are a few of the features which Post-(lrat't has engineered into the'I'hreeproduct.standard finishes plus custorl design ng.

In addition, Post-('raft is rrresentlv rnarketing l3 intlividual series ol wooden posts of Northern white pine stock.

WRITE: The Merchant Magazine, 4500 Carnpus Dr., sujte 476, Newport Beach. Ca. 91660.

Shiny Epoxy Paint

A tough, high-performance, waterbased epoxy coating featuring ease of application and a shiny, tileJike appearance is now available from Sherwin-Williarns.

Acripoxy (Hipac) enamel combines the advantages of water-based coatings, acrylic resins, and tough chemicalresistant epoxies. The coating retains its gloss and color appearance on ex- terior as well as interior surfaces without chalking or fading, and is recommended for use on iron, steel, galvanized iron, concretc block, masonry, wood, brick and wallboard surfaces subject to heavy use and frequent maintenance cleaning.

WRITE: The i\lerchanr Nlasazrne. {5(X) ('11s11pr.r1 [)r.. ruite J7t'. Niu port Bclch. Ca. 91660.

Redwood: air-dried split products

Douglas Fir o White Fir o Sugar& Ponderosa Pine

Carl Force . Gary Ohleyer . Herb Thompson . Bob Handegard

P,lONE (707) 964_4058

P.

The automatic garage door opener is often described as one of the fastest growing d-iy productJines. The "GDO" represents a natural move toward the ease of living that characterizes today's consumer. Importontly, it represents increased opportunities for the building materials and home improvement retailer.

To leorn more about the merchandis' ing opportunities for retailers, The Merchant Magazine interviewed Robert L. Ford, v.p., garage door opener sales, for Chantberlain Manufacturing Corp. of Elmhurst. Ill.

Merchant Magazine: Why has the automatic garage door opener become so poPular with the homeowner?

Bob Ford: Actually the appliance has been around for some time but for many consumers it was considered a "luxury" item and out of their reach. Initially, garage door openers were heavy, bulky items that sold for about $500. Advances in the radio control electronics signifi- cantly increased reliability and brought the cost down, making the Product attractive to the d-i-yer and homeowner. But reliability and economics have only become added incentives to the product's natural conveniencc' safety and security features.

Merchant Magazine: What will this increase in the "GDO's" popularity mean for the retai-ler?

Ford:

The product already has a "traditional" buying public-homeowners seeking the convenience and safety features' The d-i-y era simply means that the product is going to have a better inventory turn-over. For example, we've designed our Electro-Lift line to be completely merchandisable not only in terms of operating and convenience features, but at every pricc point with the good-hetter-best basis of features determining the price points.

Merchant Magazine. Has the retailer's merchandising job been made any easier as a result?

Ford:

D-l-Y has opened up brand new merchandising opportunities for the re- tailer who's consciously trying to increase his profit. The "GDO" is a highly promotable product. But in some cases, he's selling home improve- ment products with salespeople who can't be fully trained on the consumer benefits of a given product. Clinics and demonstrations help a lot but they are not the final answer. lt comes down to what the manufacturer can offer in terms of support.

For example, manufacturer "self-sell" highlights incorporated in the packag- ing provide an additional point-ofpurchase aid to sell the customer.

An often overlooked merchandisins aid is the instruction booklet. ln l4 pages we tell thc homeowner in easv- to read language how to install our openers in graduated steps. We've found that the do-it-yourselier's confidence increases significantly if he has access to detailed assemblv or installa- tion instructions. Our retailers take advantage of this by putting the book at literature centers or at point-ofpurchase for added sales impact.

Merchant Magazine:

Manufacturer reputation is always important. This is a part of the "support" package too, isn't it?

Ford:

Definitely! Back-up service that ensures trouble-free selling for the retailer plays a very large part in merchandising support. Unless the retailer is also a servicing dealer, we make a point of taking him out of the servicing picture altogether. We have a toll-free number that's available to homeowners who have questions about installation or operation once they get the appliance home. Our factory people are there to respond in these situations. We also have a nationwide network of servicins dealers who can respontl locally.

Merchant Magazine.

You said earlier that advanced electronics will make it easier for the retailer to merchandise "GDO's." Do you mean simply in terms of reliability in eliminating what the industry calls "phantom signals?"

Ford:

In one sense yes. We think that "pro- grammabie" radio controls, for example, will become available industrywide. Some are already on the retailer's shelves. By "programmable" I mean that the consumer can now set his own radio controls to a unioue code that is known only to him. The chances are pretty slim that random or "phantom" signals from other radio signals like those coming from a Citizen's Band radio nearby, or even a neighbor's "GDO" controls, can accidently open your garage door.

But I was also referring to the new circuitry and contponents in these controls which practically eliminate the need to stock replacement inventories. These new controls also take the iob of resetting or recalibration away from the retailer. Now the homeowner can set his own code as frequently as he wishes.

Merchant Magazine: What else can you tell retailers about merchandising garage door openers?

Ford:

That's about it. The product has everything going for it to assure a productive. profitable position in the retailer's year 'round merchandising program. It has features that consumers can readily identify with and want, and it is a highly promotable product.

0PEN H0USE at American Forest Products'Cerritos, Ca., distribution yard was held recently for Woodwork Institute of California members. lncluded was a plant tour, buffet dinner sitting on stacks of to l5 gallons of water a day from moisture condensing on the cool shingles, and pumps it through a garden hose to water his lawn and shrubbery.

Cedar Clears Fully Boxed

Continental Forest Products, Lake Oswego, Or., is shipping Western red cedar siding and paneling completely cartonized and tallied, believed to be the first such service on a sizeable scale for these products, according to president Bryan Arbuckle.

Resembling a huge shoebox, each carton is encased full length in heavy cardboard, and bears a tally sheet that itemizes surface nleasure layer by layer. Each package contains about 5,000 bd. ft. and the dealer or builder can remove any quantity needed off the top, and still know from the tally how much lumber remains.

Continental also is the first large marketer to resume making of endmatched cedar paneling, cut with a V and tongue-and-groove across the ends.