The Tradie October - November 2023

he t r o f s p i t

topnd e

GREEN, CLEAN

MOWING MACHINES Tradie’s ultimate guide to mowing season

WHAT MAKES A

TALENTED TRADIE spot light on

TRADIE HEALTH #84 OCT/NOV 2023 $7.95 inc GST

THE latest

POWER TOOLS REVIEWS

CLE Y C R O T O M

!

M E H MAY

Care.

It’s what we do.

At Isuzu, we’ve always taken great care of our customers.

We’re Australia’s number one truck… an honour we’ve held for over three decades.

That means more businesses put their trust in us than any other truck brand.

We understand that reputations are riding on us and that’s why Isuzu Care is more than just an aftersales service package.

It’s part of our DNA. From day one, we support customers and demonstrate that reliability is everything. We pride ourselves on being proactive and always going the extra mile.

And as we look to new frontiers, we’re finding new ways to help our customers exceed their goals.

Isuzu Care is what sets us apart.

Always has, always will.

FSA/ISZS1660

INSIDE

#84 oct/nov 2023 Bit of fun

Features

Tools ‘n’ toys

08 From the Editor 10 Upfront 12 Gadgets 15 Smoko

18 From the front 22 Have your say!

32 Soul Movers 34 Size Does Matter 38 Measuring Up 42 Best on the Block 46 Up There

24 Wheels ‘n’ Gear 51 Tradie Health 54 Tool Up 62 Tradie Tough Tests 78 Mind your business

18

55

10

42 32

70 38 46

6 THE TRADIE

FROM THE EDITOR Published by:

’ n i l e F e e sh Fr

379 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 T: 03 9690 8766 www.primecreativemedia.com.au CEO John Murphy Chief Operating Officer Christine Clancy Sales Director Brad Buchanan bradley.buchanan@primecreative.com.au National Advertising Manager Elisha Sinclair elisha.sinclair@primecreative.com.au Editor Harry Murtough harry.murtough@primecreative.com.au

Green with envy!

A spring in our step There’s nothing better than the smell of freshly cut lawn.

It’s the distinct odour announcing the arrival of spring and everything that comes with it.

If you have hay fever, however, it might just drive your nostrils insane.

If that’s the case, never fear, as The Tradie is here to give you a sniff of spring without making you sneeze uncontrollably.

You’ll notice from our cover that we’ve got a comprehensive mowing guide thanks to the gang at STIHL – an award-winning name for all things mowing and chainsawing.

No matter your lawnmowing needs, it appears STIHL has the right tool for the job, 8 THE TRADIE

whether it’s for smaller backyards or larger acreages.

Not much of a lawn lover? We have just the thing as pro fishing guide Tim O’Reilly takes us on a tour of the Northern Territory, and all the fishing delights it has.

We also have two tradie profiles – both named Jesse/Jess, both 36 years old, and both carpenters. However, both tradies have vastly different stories about how they became chippies, and why they love the job so much.

August was Tradies National Health Month, and September had R U OK? Day. Mental – and even physical – health is a massive part of enjoying

a long and happy career as a tradie. Both are huge talking points in the industry, and we cover off on some of the associations out there giving tradies the tools they need to stay in shape both inside and out.

Speaking of gearing up, this edition is loaded with new products we’ve tested so you don’t have to. We’ve got new nailers, anchors, cement and even down to masks!

In this loaded edition of The Tradie, we also welcome Carpentry

I can almost smell the fresh lawn from this page

Australia as an official partner of the magazine.

The association is the largest of its kind in the nation, and we’re extremely excited to showcase some of the ripper work it’s doing in growing the support space for chippies.

But I won’t keep you any longer, get stuck in to the latest edition already!

Client Success Manager Arianna Lucini arianna.lucini@primecreative.com.au Contributors Tim O’Reilly Art Director/Design Daz Woolley

The Publisher reserves the right to alter or omit any article or advertisement submitted and requires indemnity from the advertisers and contributors against damages or liabilities that may arise from material published. © Copyright – No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the Publisher.

tips for the

topnd e

GREEN, CLEAN

MOWING MACHINES Tradie’s ultimate guide to mowing season

WHAT MAKES A

TALENTED TRADIE spotlight on

TRADIE HEALTH #84 OCT/NOV 2023 $7.95 inc GST

THE latest

POWER TOOLS REVIEWS

TORCYCLE

MO MAYHEM!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! To subscribe you can email subscriptions@primecreative.com.au call 03 9690 8766 or visit The Tradie Magazine website below!

PLUS check out www.tradiemagazine.com.au

EDITOR Harry Murtough

TheTradieMagazine @thetradiewtw

UPFRONT

d e n bur out

straigeht fir usually Flames coming out of a car isn’t ing cause for celebration, but in drift it’s wholeheartedly encouraged

Drifting gets serious 10 THE TRADIE

her had we.

EVER HEARD OF Mauritius? Neit million people just off the It’s an island nation of about 1.2 love doing burnouts they out s coast of Madagascar. Turn spends 90 per cent of his just as much as your mate who pay at the local RSL. nd of the Red Bull Car Park Mauritius recently hosted a rou Drif t. international sporting Again, did you know there was an ? Neither did we. competition dedicated to drif ting cars that take par t, your From the looks of the supped-up

modore might be out of mate with the bald-tyred ’03 Com his league here. es and the witches hats Bet ween the bright lights, judg local Bunnings car park it’s a little more up-scale than the at 2am. , 85 per cent of the According to the judging criteria ing, with 10 per cent driv r you on ed bas possible points are e and another five per cent to the amount of smoke you mak on how good your car looks. hkar take out first place; This event saw driver Xavier Lac final at Qatar. he will represent the nation in the

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GADGETS

Who’sG BUYIN

this?

Got money to spare? Why not spend it on these?

Edible bread shoes

Haven’t you ever wanted to eat your shoes? Well now you can! This footwear feast comes from Belgian designer twins R&E Praspaliauskas, who put their collective genius together for these works of art.

Now, we’re not saying you should eat these after wearing them.

But, we’re also not saying you can’t eat them after wearing them.

Think about it: you haven’t done your weekly shop and you start getting ‘hangry’. Before you know it, your scrumptious slippers are startin g to look pretty tasty with a bit of cheese and a sprinkle of ham.

Need seasoning? Nah, just sweat in them a little and you’re good to go.

You can eat your own shoes from $80, which is a sentence we bet you weren’t expecting to read today.

Hanaga Nose Tap not both?! er point? Why w po a it Is t?

Is it ar ly comes from Tap apparent e os N a oks a ag an This H d ekoD, and lo d design bran an t ar se y ne Japa find in And of thing you’d lot like the kind e.

Warhol’s hous at would ask a n-art junky th er od m alist of nd The ki l-white minim this in their al l al st ts. in gh to ni e ie trad t for win ersation poin nv co , but a re as he e hous o much ecting a bit to oj pr ng be pi ht op ig sh We m goes kind of person t ha w r de on we w décor. r power point specifically fo ldn’t be buying w probably ou u yo l, al ould of st Wor price point w ng a $37 USD ni ea m e, on just n. et to the moo send your budg 12 THE TRADIE

Life-size witch crashing decoration

It’s Halloween! This me ans little to most Aussi es, but October always br ings out a couple of tri ckor-treaters in every ne ighbourhood.

It’s with them in mind that we bring you this gem of a garden decoration .

Not only does this piece complement a Halloween setup, it’s als o a cautionary tale should a game of stree t Quidditch break out.

This spooky/silly deco ration can be yours for $39.

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HEATING UP TRADE MAP TORCH KIT HD030

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PEUGEOT PARTNER VAN RANGE* Available in short and long wheelbase models, with the option of manual or automatic transmission. Plus the PEUGEOT Partner line up now includes the dynamic and efficient 100% electric e-Partner - on sale now.

CONTACT YOUR PEUGEOT PROFESSIONAL DEALERSHIP *Some features and specifications may vary, check with your authorised Peugeot Professional dealer. Overseas model shown.

SMOKO

Help a mate out!

Check yourself Tradie health put in the spotlight TRADIES ARE no strangers to bumps and bruises on the worksite, but sometimes those bumps and bruises don’t go away overnight.

August was Tradies National Health Month, which means it’s time to address those aches and pains.

The initiative was first introduced by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) in 2012 and is aimed at raising physical health awareness across the trades.

Tradies working in the construction industry experience the third

highest number of claims related to injuries according to Worksafe Victoria.

Australian Bureau of Statistics numbers also show that tradies overall are disproportionately affected by workplace injuries and chronic conditions.

“People who experience more serious workrelated injuries generally require time off, with the latest data showing 66 per cent of those who experienced an injury

Tradies National Health Month is just as much about mental health as it is about physical health

taking leave to recover,” APA Occupational Health Physiotherapist Lucia Tsui said.

“Our generation will likely work longer than our parents, but while life expectancy has increased, our health span – the number of years of good health – has not kept pace.

“Tradies know they put their bodies through a lot, and physiotherapists know tradies are busy.

“That is why we have compiled some quick, practical reasons for

tradies to choose physio to help them live better for longer.”

Tradies can often leave or ignore injuries that can get worse over time, so it’s important to get in early.

Whether it’s injury management, re-injury prevention or return to work plans, physios can help.

“Physios can do a lot to assist tradies throughout their whole careers,” Lucia said.

“We conduct worksite THE TRADIE 15

R

SMOKO

b risk assessments, advise on how to set up your vehicles correctly to protect musculoskeletal health, and help with poor sleep that affects tradies more than most other workers.”

“Physios are also great at linking in with other health professionals when those underlying pains require efficient referral and communication with other services, including 16 THE TRADIE

general practitioners, surgeons, podiatrists and mental health professionals.”

NOT JUST THE BODY Tradies National Health Month not only highlighted tradies’ physical health, but mental health as well.

Advocacy group Empowering Women in Trades (EWIT) put together some tips for tradies.

EWIT CEO Hacia Atherton highlighted PERMA: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Achievement as a thought process any tradie can employ to boost their mental health.

“It’s like a roadmap to feeling good and functioning well, especially in our work environment, be it on-site or in the office,” she said.

“Let’s zoom in on the “P” for Positive Emotion.

Think of it as the sunshine on a cloudy day. It’s all about embracing the good vibes and focusing on the brighter side of things.

And one of the best ways to kickstart those positive

emotions? Gratitude!

“It’s like a mini-mental vacation. Taking a moment to appreciate the small things, like a colleague’s joke or that perfectly brewed morning coffee, can make a world of difference.”

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FROM THE FRONT

STIHL’s RMA 765 V is the biggest battery mower on offer, what a beast!

GREEN, CLEAN MOWING MACHINES STIHL’s Award Winning Battery Lawn Mowers Whether you’re a professional that requires a lawn mower every day for work, or if your only use for a lawn mower is to keep your own backyard looking lush, there’s a STIHL model to suit.

From self-propelled options through to automated mowing solutions, STIHL’s diverse range of battery mowers allow users to accomplish more using a single rechargeable battery.

Pairing inspired battery technology with 95 years of German engineering excellence and robust, ergonomic tool design, STIHL battery lawn mowers

18 THE TRADIE

deliver users the precision and power they need to tackle every job with utmost reliability - day after day. Purpose-designed to power through the heaviest of workloads, STIHL’s industry leading and award-winning battery lawn mowers feature a host of world leading innovations along with a number of added comfort and safety features. STIHL batteries also have a very high energy density and an exceptionally long service life that makes them a sound investment. There are eight mowers in the STIHL range. Let’s take a closer look.

MOW ! probl em

Both the RMA 460 (above) and RMA 443 C (below) are award-winners in their respective categories

The RMA 510 sports a massive cutting width and is more than capable of handling sloped surfaces

FOR LARGE GARDENS AND COMMERCIAL USE The RMA 765 V was released in 2020 and is the largest battery mower in the STIHL range. This self-propelled powerhouse enables those working in public areas to extend their hours of operation and complete their work when and where required without disturbing those around them. The RMA 765 V, which is part of STIHL’s AP battery system which is purposely designed for use in larger gardens or by professionals, features a mammoth cutting width of 63 cm and flow-optimised synchronised twin-blades, housed in an aluminum and polymer hybrid deck. The front wheels of the lawn mower can be set to swivel in place or set on a zero-turn. So, if you need to manoeuvre the machine to mow around bushes or trees, you can do so with ease.

Next in line is the incredibly popular RMA 510, which needs little introduction.

STIHL’s most popular mower in the AP battery range boasts a whopping 51cm/21“ cutting width, a dual battery slot so you can change over the battery in an instant, large rear wheels and a huge 60L grass catcher, making the RMA 510 more than capable of tackling the toughest of lawns. Awarded ‘Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE 2021, 2022 and 2023’, STIHL’s RMA 510 V is the self-propelled alternative and is perfect for professionals tackling larger or sloped areas, or for those working over longer periods of time.

The fourth mower in the AP battery system is the RMA 443 C which features a durable polymer deck and a cutting width of 41cm/16“. For comfortable handling, the RMA 443 C is equipped with a mono-comfort handlebar as well as a grass catcher box with a foldable opening, something that is unique to this model within the AP range, which makes disposing of grass clippings incredibly easy. This model has also been awarded Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE in 2022 and 2023.

The RMA 510 is STIHL’s most popular in the AP battery range, and with good reason

THE TRADIE 19

FROM THE FRONT FOR HOME GARDENS STIHL’s AK battery system offers four different lawn mowers all designed for use in small to medium sized gardens. The RMA 460 which has also received an award for Best Battery Mower Recommended by CHOICE in 2022 and 2023, and the self-propelled alternative, the RMA 460 V, are the most popular models in the range. Featuring a 46cm cutting width, a tearresistant 50L mesh catcher, seven different cutting heights from 35mm right up to 90mm for the RMA 460 and 25-100mm for the self-propelled model, and a dual battery slot so you can cover twice as much ground in a single outing with a quicky switch efficiently.

Next up, is the RMA 339 which will cover up to 330m2 on a single charge using the AK 30 battery, and has the option accessory of the mulching function so you can cut and mulch as you go. It has a 37cm cutting width and a 40L grass catcher box with a foldable opening similar to that of the RMA 443 C. And last, but certainly not least, is the RMA 235. This compact powerhouse is capable of covering up to 300m2 on a single charge with the AK 30 battery, making it perfect for small to medium sized suburban blocks. It’s incredibly lightweight and has a durable polymer deck with a 33cm/13“ cutting width and a 30L rear opening catcher. It also has five height settings ranging from 25-60mm which are easily adjusted with a lever.

The self-propelled RMA 460 V mower has a 46cm cutting width as well as a dual battery slot should you need it for long stretches

An AK 30 battery has the RMA 339 mower powered for 330m2 in a single charge

STIHL’s RMA 235 mower is perfect for small-to-medium sized gardens

BACKED BY OVER 95 YEARS OF GERMAN ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE STIHL battery mowers boast the advanced features that users have come to expect from STIHL tools. For example, under the cover you’ll see a safety key, a great safety feature if you’re worried the kids might try and take the mower for a spin. And, the ECO-mode option, which optimises cutting performance to conserve battery life. When the blade senses less resistance on shorter or less dense grass, it drops the blade speed to reduce battery consumption and maximise the area you can cover.

And the benefits don’t stop there. The same battery that powers your lawn mower, whether that be an AP battery or an AK battery, will power several other tools in the same range, from grass trimmers, hedge trimmers, blowers; even chainsaws!

STIHL battery lawn mowers received the ‘Highly Commended’ award in the ‘Lawn Mowers’ category at the ‘Trusted Brands’ Australia awards in 2022 and 2023.

20 THE TRADIE

GFX241

THE TRADIE 21

GFX2418_Tracer 9GT+_Tech Savvy_WTW_FP_curves.indd 1

6/9/2023 2:37 pm

HAVE YOUR SAY!

CA got around both the WorldSkills and Holmesglen to catch up with apprentices in what was a busy month for chippies

Chipping away It’s been a busy quarter in the world of carpentry CARPENTRY AUSTRALIA (CA) represented our members along with the 27,000 attendees at the WorldSkills event in Melbourne. WorldSkills showcases Australia’s best in vocational education and careers.

Nathan Quinn, Carpentry Australia Sales & Development Coordinator

22 THE TRADIE

The CA team flew the carpentry industry flag advocating for the next generation of Australian carpenters.

In August, 250 apprentices from Holmesglen TAFE’s Building and Construction trade embraced their free membership with CA, Affording each apprentice further development opportunities and their own CA portal profile.

Apprentices were excited to walk away with gift packs from Milwaukee, Wood Solutions, IMAR, Wurth, King Gee, Buildex, Ramset and Paslode.

CA’s September member event united more than 60 members, from individual operators to small teams, to enjoy food, drinks, and good times. Some

encounters resulted in forces joining between teams for upcoming projects!

These CA monthly member events run across various locations in Victoria and NSW (Queensland soon to come) and are an important foundation for connection and companionship.

Grab your diary! In October, CA is coming to Sydney!

We’ll be hosting a sponsored business success workshop to support Sydney chippies, followed shortly after by our Happy Hour Event on Pitt Street. Members and non-members welcome.

Want to join us at this event? Call us on 1300-652-779 to register your place.

NATIONWIDE COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION At CA, we firmly believe in the power of unity, and we’ve built our foundation on the principle that no carpenter stands alone.

Our mission— raising the standards in carpentry, by uniting, uplifting, and providing the right support to the passionate individuals who dedicate their careers to carpentry.

WHY DO WE EMPHASISE COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT? Disturbing current statistics show that male apprentice suicide rates are 2.5x higher than any other demographic in Australia.

Furthermore, over 50 per cent of apprentice cancellations are attributed to mental health issues. This is truly

shocking, and at CA, we are at the forefront of addressing this crisis with positive action.

A COLLECTIVE VOICE, A SHARED VISION Carpentry Australia is built on three key pillars: 1. Nationwide Community & Collaboration 2. Our Development Pathway 3. Support and Advocacy Nationwide Community and Collaboration is our collective voice, we empower our members to be heard and respected.

Together, we shape a brighter future.

From starting your apprenticeship, to obtaining your builders licence, growing your business or team, and everything in-between.

Our goal is for you to have a long and successful career in carpentry.

GET IN TOUCH If you’re looking for to thrive as a carpenter call 1300-562-779 or visit carpentryaustralia.com.au

WHEELS ’N’ GEAR

The Gainsborough Trilock Omni sports a PVD finish which provides superior wear and protection against corrosion and chemicals. Picture: dmaxphotography

Elegance throughout Gainsborough expands Satin Brass and Satin Graphite finishes UNDERSTATED, yet bold - Gainsborough’s latest door hardware offers a fantastic finishing touch to your doors.

Gainsborough’s Satin Brass or Graphite Finish collections now complements the entire home and pairs fantastically with wood, stone or natural fabrics such as linen, rattan or cotton.

From entrance pieces such as the advanced 24 THE TRADIE

Trilock Omni or the subtle Key in Lever, you can now get these products in a stunning brass or graphite finish.

Other products now available in these finishes include hinges, cavity sliders, flush pulls, wall stops and internal levers.

FINISHING UP You can find great examples of how both the brass and graphite

finishes complete a home in the current season of Channel NINE’s The Block, where three teams using the Satin Graphite finish throuhout their houses.

Both styles are taken to the next level on Gainsborough’s statement Omni product range.

These 316-grade stainless steel pieces are the complete package for an entryway, boasting Gainsborough’s signature

From the entrance, to the backdoor, Gainsborough’s Satin Brass and Graphite finishes are available for products throughout the home

3-in-1 Trilock technology.

Across the board, Omni

is a distinguished upgrade for any home.

Check it out You can find out more about both the Graphite and Brass Satin finishes or the Trilock Omni range by visiting gainsboroughhardware.com.au

Win 1 of 10 $2,000 Luxury Escapes Travel Vouchers Simply purchase a box of Great Southern Safety P2 masks from a stockist and enter for your chance to win!

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WHEELS ’N’ GEAR

The ultimate Partner An iconic van for over 20 years A POPULAR business choice for more than two decades, PEUGEOT Partner retains its relevance in the market as a van for today – and tomorrow. Built on PEUGEOT’s EMP-2 modular multi-energy platform, Partner works like a van but drives with all the smoothness and comfort of a premium SUV. The PEUGEOT Partner range is available in six different versions to meet and adapt to the needs of every business and it comes in City, Pro and Premium specification levels, plus both long and short body models.

The intuitive PEUGEOT i-Cockpit™ has been 26 THE TRADIE

designed from the driver’s point of view and features a compact integrated control steering wheel and a digital instrument panel. The clear, 8” central touchscreen in Pro and Premium variants offers immediate access to the van’s main functions.

This screen lets drivers connect seamlessly to the office, suppliers or co-workers while on the go, with Bluetooth® phone connectivity. Pro and Premium Partner variants add Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™*, plus voice recognition functions.

Drivers can access key features on the 8” capacitive central touchscreen on the Pro

and Premium, with 3D Satellite Navigation to help them get to where they need to be. With a 5” monochrome central screen on City, all variants can benefit from the wideview rear camera for easy maneuvering and parking.

AN EFFICIENT WORKHORSE The PEUGEOT Partner Pro and Premium variants boast the robust performance of the PureTech petrol engine with eight-speed Efficient Automatic Transmission (EAT) and the City features six-speed Manual Transmission. While the all-new e-Partner, PEUGEOT Australia’s first 100% electric van, comes with a motor that produces 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque.

PEUGEOT’s EMP-2 modular multi-energyplatform delivers a

No matter what trade you’re in, there’s a Partner for you

smooth performance and secure handling for enhanced safety, plus there’s six airbags and a range of available safety technology including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Stability Control, Lane Keep Assist and Speed Sign Recognition.

While the wide-view rear camera makes manoeuvring and city parking easy.

ROOM TO SPARE PEUGEOT Partner offers unique modularity and comfort, with the ability to carry up to three people in the front (excluding City and e-Partner), or foldaway the passenger seats for more flexibility.

Also featuring a Glazed Bulkhead with Loadthrough Flap (excluding City and e-Partner), PEUGEOT Partner boasts a maximum load length of up to 3440mm with the bulkhead flap open to accommodate extra-long items.

Apart from accommodating three people, the multiflex bench seat (excluding City and e-Partner), adapts into an office on the go with adjustable flip-down writing tray.

The compact, nimble PEUGEOT Partner has a generous load volume of 3.3m2 for short body variants and 3.9m2 for long body models including e-Partner.

check it out Find out more at www.peugeot.com.au * Compatible Apple® or AndroidTM device required

Australian owned since 1921

The Tite-Reach Extension Clamp is a great tool for every toolbox.

We’ve all been in those frustrating spots where your hand can’t quite reach or having to wait for a hot muffler or radiator to cool before you can reinstall a bolt. The Extension Clamp will also save you time by not having to remove other parts on your equipment to get into a tight spot.

TITE-REACH EXTENSION CLAMP Part no: 385105 The clamp’s jaws open 3mm (1/8”) to 28mm (1.125”) wide giving you the ability to hold a ¾” nut or bolt. It’s vice-like design also ensures you won’t drop the part it’s holding until you loosen the tension nut.

This means unlike a pliers you do not need to maintain tension to keep what you’re holding in place, this is very valuable when you’re in a difficult spot where if you drop what is clamped it will be gone.

The extension clamp has been used in everything from auto body to airline maintenance and is a great option for anyone’s toolbox.

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WHEELS ’N’ GEAR

Ready and wheeling Renault Trafic delivering the goods for tradies RENAULT TRAFIC is designed to deliver everything a tradie needs in a van and more.

Modern tradies and their team need a van that carries its fair share while being quick to move around sites on a day-today basis.

Thankfully, the latest Trafic blends modern technology with tradies’ practical needs perfectly.

ROOM AND IMPROVEMENT Comfort and convenience on the inside is where 28 THE TRADIE

Trafic shines. It sports the longest load length in its category which tops out at 4.15m and a maximum cargo area of 6.7m3 with options of a short and long wheelbase.

This all means that tradies have the space they need to carry tools, materials and equipment for a day’s work.

This fantastic length doesn’t compromise on Trafic’s overall size, however, with a height of 1.97m which lets it still manouevre low-ceiling

spaces like a pro.

Trafic’s compact nature means you have the mobility of a ute with the safety and security of a van.

Trafic doesn’t compromise comfort for stowage either.

Ergonomic improvements and professional finishes make the interior a tradie’s dream.

When you’re not on the tools, the modular seating setup allows you to configure your Trafic into a portable office.

Sliding over to the dashboard, Trafic gets even better.

The latest iteration of Renault Trafic comes with up-to-date tech including an eight-inch

touchscreen with Andoid Auto, Apple CarPlay, DAB+, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

SPEEDING SAFELY ALONG Trafic isn’t just smart when it comes to the bells and whistles, it also has the very latest in safety tech as well.

This includes adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning with blindspot monitoring and active emergency braking.

Trafic comes with tonnes of storage with a categoryleading load length up to 4.15m

As well as being safe for its driver, Trafic is safe on your wallet when it comes to fuel efficiency.

The EDC automatic gearbox delivers an extremely economical 6.5L/100km on the combined cycle, and when paired with an 80L fuel tank and the 2.0L turbocharged engine, Trafic can run long stints without needing a refuel.

That means tradies are spending less time hitting up servos and more time getting work done.

check it out Renault Trafic starts from $49,000 before on-road costs. For more information, visit renault.com.au

WHEELS ’N’ GEAR

onthEgo The JB Weld Essential Travel Pack gives tradies everything they need in quick adhesive repairs

Sticky solution JB WELD’S SuperWeld is now available along with four other quality JB Weld products in the awesome Essential Travel Pack.

The Essential Travel Pack comes with three putty sticks: SteelStik for repairing steel, WaterWeld for water-related repairs and PlasticWeld for repairing plastics. It also comes with the J-B KwikWeld two-part epoxy specially designed for metal repairs. Capping off this great pack is of course SuperWeld.

This is a super glue that can be applied directly to the repair area and works on a tonne of surfaces like plastics, glass, ceramics, rubber, stone and wood. It sets quickly in around one minute.

All these products are separately contained within a clear plastic box. The back

of the box has information including instructions, a guide for working times through to setting times, plus the overall rating once fully cured.

from both tubes and mix them together well. This product provides a permanent bond on a range of surfaces and takes between four and six hours to completely cure.

JB Weld Essentials pack covers multiple situations, the products come stored in a neat carry case not much bigger than hand-size with an RRP of $64.95.

Check it out For more information visit www.hpplunds.com.au or call Ben Leonard on 07 3722 1111

TRAD iE PA CK

JB Weld Essentials Pack now with SuperWeld

or painted, depending on the putty type. At the completion of the repair, you simply return any unused putty back into the tube so it’s ready for the next repair.

The final product making up the kit is JB Weld KwikWeld. Two tubes are used with the twopart epoxy cold weld system. It needs a mixed ratio of 50/50, so just squeeze out what you need

GET TO WORK Tradies should be assessing how much of a putty stick they need, then cutting a piece off and remove its outer wrapping.

Begin to work the putty together in your hands – it’s ready to be used once it’s fully mixed.

Each putty stick has different applications but with each the contents can be moulded into any shape. The curing time for the putty varies, with the SteelStik and WaterWeld requiring one hour. The PlasticWeld takes three hours.

After waiting the required curing time, the putty can then be drilled, tapped, sanded, filed, THE TRADIE 29

C F N K

WHEELS ’N’ GEAR

There’s a reason building developers rely on Sika for Watertight Design SIKA’S SYSTEM solutions cover the full range of technologies used for below and aboveground waterproofing: flexible membrane systems, liquid applied membranes, waterproofing admixtures

Sika has the goods tradies need to make their work as watertight as possible

for mortars, joint sealants, waterproofing mortars, injection grouts and coatings.

Waterproofing solutions include systems for basements, underground parking

garages, tunnels and all types of water-retaining structures (for example reservoirs, storage basins, and storage tanks).

Waterproofing systems are faced with increasingly stringent requirements

Scan to watch regarding sustainability, ease of application, and total cost management.

Therefore, the selection of appropriate waterproofing systems to suit the needs and requirements of owners, as well as the solution of specific project details, are key for long-lasting and watertight structures.

SEALED AND DELIVERED Economic watertight solutions for even the most challenging situation is made fail-proof with the partnerships and the right team to create a solution that services the bespoke requirement of the project. It is important to consider the entire waterproofing process to the very last detail for both new build and refurbishment projects.

Navigating systems

that are designed for keeping water in and keeping water out is a specialty that only industry experience should be relied upon.

Be introduced to Sika’s resilient waterproofing solutions by Sika for commercial and residential constructions for the roof to the basement and everything in between for internal and external wet area under tile solutions. With the latest changes to the Waterproofing Standards and common problems that come up when it comes to waterproofing, Sika knows it’s hard to keep track & it can be very expensive to have to repair waterproofing failures.

Sika has covered off some key points that you need to know, scan the code above to learn more.

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30 THE TRADIE

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Soul FEATURE

movers

Four wheels move the body.

Two wheels move the soul Spend a lot of time in the company ute? Rush hour traffic grinding you down? Need a break from the nine to five? The last thing you’ll want to do is get back into the tin box to head out on a road trip

Whether its looking to the future of tools, or supporting its current offering, RIDGID has tradies’ backs

32 THE TRADIE

SURE, the scenery might change, but you’re still sitting behind the same wheel looking out of the same window - cut off from the senses that make moto touring such a fun vibe.

Motorcyclists will tell you that the best way to see our big brown land is on two wheels. The sense of freedom you get out in the open is something you can’t replicate on four wheels. Sure, you might have to leave the esky at home but that’s what pubs are for…

Once you’ve made the decision to open up your horizons and ride, you’ll

need to think about which tool is best for the job. If you like a bit of rock crawling and river crossing, leave the 4WD at home and check out the range of adventure bikes on the market. If tarmac is your jam, then there’s an impressive range of sports tourers that will carry you and your gear in comfort and style.

YOU WANT IT, IT’S GOT IT As an example of what’s out there, consider these three recently released long distance machines from Yamaha – Tracer 7,

Tracer 9 GT+ and Ténéré World Raid. Each is designed to appeal to a different type of rider and each will offer you that soul moving sensation not available on four wheels.

Tracer 7 is powered by Yamaha’s legendary 689cc parallel twin motor. The same High Output stone reliable donk found in MT-07, YZF-R7 and Ténéré models. When an engine is used in such a wide range of applications, then you know it’s a winner.

Linear power delivery, light weight, economy and dependability are its hallmarks. Sure, you can ride more powerful touring machines, but there are very few that can match the agility of Tracer 7 – which eats corners for breakfast. Aim for the twisties and see how many can keep up…

The new Tracer 7 comes in three colours – red, blue or black – with a large touring screen that marks it out as a mile muncher. Panniers can be purchased as an optional extra for those weekend getaways or leave them off for the working week commute. Tipping the scales at just 197kg fully fueled and with a low seat height means Tracer 7 has

the versatility to be ridden around town as well as on the open road. Because whether your tipping into the esses or moving it around the car park, less bulk means less sulk. And if you are on a tight budget, check it out at $15,999 inc GST ride away.

SMOOTH RIDER At the other end of the spectrum from the versatile twin cylinder Tracer 7 sits Yamaha’s new flagship sports tourer, Tracer 9 GT+. This glass smooth and powerful triple cylinder machine shares its engine with the popular MT-09 sports bike. But what sets this bike apart from the MT-09 - and its touring peers - is the amount of new tech that Yamaha engineers have introduced with this model.

Technology like the onboard radar that allows Adoptive Cruise Control, whereby the bike will automatically cruise a set distance behind the vehicle in front. The rider selects one of four distances, which the bike maintains with throttle and braking taken care of for an even more relaxing ride experience. The radar can also calculate the

Sleek and stunning; the Tracer 9 GT+ is kitted out with all the latest tech like Adoptive Cruise Control

speed of the bike in relation to vehicles in front and assist with braking – giving further peace of mind.

In addition to these futuristic features, Tracer 9 GT+ has a range of cutting-edge benefits that you would expect from a top-of-the range sports tourer. Like electronic KYB suspension that automatically adjusts to road conditions. A big TFT screen allows smartphone connectivity and navigation, plus long-distance riders will enjoy the new comfort seat, cruise control, new quick shifter and of course a hard luggage set that’s colour matched to the premium Performance Icon finish. Tracer 9 GT+ is available now at Yamaha dealers priced $27,599 inc GST ride away.

been around since the first large-tanked model hit the dirt in 1983 – so now celebrating 40 years of bossing Dakar and primo adventuring. The Ténéré 700 twin arrived in Australia in 2019 and established itself as the no-nonsense adventurer with that reliable, linearpower 689cc powerplant, KYB long travel suspension, rugged Dakar styling and few bells and whistles – meaning less to go wrong when you are out past the Black Stump.

Now the World Raid has arrived, a model designed

to take you closer to your next horizon. The first thing you’ll notice is the twin fillers of the bigger 23-litre fuel tank that now gives a range of around 500kms. The additional weight is carried noticeably low either side of the bike and the tank is slim where you need it to be slim – between your knees.

In front of the dual tank sits an Öhlins steering damper and new TFT dash that allows connectivity and three mode switchable ABS – on, off or rear wheel off

only. These options are a big bonus off-road for the many riders that like to stay in control. Start riding and you’ll notice the premium KYB suspension has been beefed up over the standard model with longer travel, slightly stiffer springs and now with preload adjustment on the front. Pegs are also wider for a more secure off-road platform. Like the standard model, the World Raid does exactly what it says on the tin. Which in this case means going harder and longer for an even bigger adventure

- just the ticket when planning a big trip such as a lap of Oz. So next time you are sitting in the ute in rush hour traffic contemplating where to go on your next holiday, think about leaving the 4WD in the garage and loading up a Yamaha tourer. The tuning fork folk have you covered for a weekend getaway with Tracer 7, a longer road trip on the full fruit Tracer 9 GT+ or a full blown off-road adventure on the Ténéré 700 Word Raid.

Simply choose your course and select your horse.

WORLD AT YOUR FEET While both Tracers are essentially road bikes, they can certainly handle the odd Aussie-spec dirt road.

But if you want to head further off the beaten track – then check out Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 and in particular the World Raid model.

The Ténéré name has

Navigating winding cliffside roads with ease; the Tracer 7 is a touring rider’s ultimate companion

THE TRADIE 33

FEATURE

matter SIZE DOES

Australian Radio Towers upgrades with Isuzu FYJ Heavy

34 THE TRADIE

Chris and his team at ART have grown substantially as they continue to operate across Northern NSW and Queensland

AS THE NAME suggests, Australian Radio Towers (ART) assembles the radio and communications towers used in environmental monitoring systems, meteorological studies, the renewable energy sector, and communications for industries such as mining, defence and emergency services.

This year, the ART team upgraded to a new Isuzu FYJ 300-350 twin steer truck, outfitted with a high-powered PK 14402-EH Palfinger crane, assisting to construct the towers which can span up to 160 metres high.

“We’ve got a hooter of a crane on this truck, it turns heads and makes it

unique,” Chris Ratcliff from ART said.

“Wherever it’s parked, people come noticing.”

It makes for an impressive rig paired with a 6.8-metre-long twinaxle dog trailer, which just happens to be the exact same height as the FYJ’s tray allowing for better load sharing.

AUSTRALIA’S CHANGING NEEDS Before the pandemic, ART focused on temporary radio towers at music festivals and events – that industry has shifted not only with reduction of events but also the introduction of permanent radio towers for mobile and Wi-Fi communications.

RAISING THE BAR!

Nowadays, this forms only a part of the ART offering.

The main point of difference from their competitors lies in the team’s end-to-end expertise: from drafting

and design of a wide range of products such as masts and towers, stand-alone power units and rapiddeploy solutions, through to their manufacture, transport and installation in remote locations.

ART’s business is vast, from commercial radio towers all the way to environmental monitoring systems and even working on defence systems

A gross combined mass of 45,000kgs means Chris’ FYJ 300-350 8x4 is more than capable of carrying its fair share

THE TRADIE 35

FEATURE ART are based in Murwillumbah in Northern New South Wales, with a few strategically placed depots across the country and a warehouse in Victoria. The business has customers all over Australia and even into the Pacific Islands.

“We’re unique in our game, providing a turnkey solution for guide masts and towers that covers design, manufacture, supply, transport and install… there’s not too many companies that will do all of that in-house,” Chris said.

“Australian Radio Towers has grown from a small company that had six or seven people working for it to what it is today with over 140 people on staff.”

TWIN STEER STRENGTH An ageing crane truck purchased in 2017 had put in the hard yards but was

Chris from ART needed a truck that could keep up with his business as it evolved post-pandemic

ready for retirement, Chris detailed.

They turned to the team at Brisbane Isuzu to organise a fresh set of wheels and struck up a strong relationship with sales representative Julian Walker from the Archerfield dealership.

Chris said they selected the FYJ twin steer model specifically for its weight bearing and load sharing advantages. With its four axles, the FYJ provides maximum support and load distribution for the crane, which needs to lift five tonnes or more at close range and just under a ton at a range of 17 metres.

Featuring a Gross Vehicle Mass of 30,000 kilograms and a hefty Gross Combined Mass of 45,000 kilograms, the FYJ 300-350 8x4 is more than capable of carrying the powerful Palfinger crane

behind the cab, plus a load on the tray and dog trailer safely.

“We went with the FYJ twin steer and bogie axle, with a tandem trailer because that setup suits what we do,” Chris said.

“It gives the option to take the truck to site, or we can take the truck and trailer and leave the trailer out on the road if we need to, it just gives us versatility.”

IN FOR THE LONG HAUL The FYJ 300-350 offers more than enough power for ART’s needs, but it happens to be the perfect wheelbase length when combined with a trailer for coming under a very specific 19-metre length restriction.

“We carry equipment

that takes up a lot of space, but not a lot of weight,” Chris explained.

“As you can imagine, a radio tower takes up a fair bit of room, but it doesn’t have a lot of weight because it’s got to be streamlined and efficient to be able to go up to 160m in the air.

“The setup can be a bit more awkward to get around tight corners, but it gives us more carrying capacity and with the front mounted crane, allows load sharing over the twin axles at the front.

“One of the other reasons that we decided on this model was that we were advised by our mechanics to avoid AdBlue and burn cycle engines,” he continued.

“This truck has DOC

which tends to be more reliable… it’s not going to slow down on the side of the road and hold us up.”

This refers to the FYJ’s Euro 5 compliant emissions control system, which features cooled EGR with exhaust Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) eliminating the need for other fuel additives.

The team have been flat chat with their new crane truck and trailer combination and are finding both productivity gains and the capability to take on more jobs than ever before.

The truck currently has a weekly run from North Queensland to the bottom end of New South Wales, with additional jobs located as far as Mount Walsh near Rockhampton

S c S c

W m e A sy u

36 THE TRADIE

(0 W

in Queensland.

“The team love the inside of the cab on the FYJ, it’s modern, luxurious and everything works so well. It’s perfect for us, absolutely perfect. It has already done over 20,000 kilometres since we picked it up in early 2023 and it

hasn’t let us down yet.

“That’s the reliability we are looking for.”

The FYJ 300-350 comes with a high-powered PK 14402EH Palfinger crane, which is perfect for moving those heavy loads on and off the truck

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TRADIE PROFILE

Measuring up How this skilled chippy got started Once Jess Currie sets her mind on a goal, it’s hard to shake her confidence.

The 36-year-old carpenter excelled in her apprenticeship at Melbourne Polytechnic, but she’s convinced it’s only the beginning

JESS ADMITTED she’s ‘fallen into a lot of jobs’ across her career.

However, stumbling into carpentry struck a chord with her creative side which led her to take it up fulltime.

“I had moved to Melbourne looking for work, and a friend of mine was looking for someone to help make small homewares,” Jess said.

“I said, ‘I’ll do it!’ I love making stuff, you don’t

even have to pay me – I can just do it for fun.

“Slowly, I started falling deeper into it. I started looking at ways of improving processes.”

HITTING THE BOOKS Jess started working for Adam Brislin at nonfor-profit tradespeople co-op space WORCO in Thomastown (Melbourne).

“I started to realise how little I knew,” she said.

“I went into a pre-app

(pre-apprenticeship), which was a fulltime course, and then at nights I was coming back to the workshop for a couple of hours.”

Jess said doing a preapp was great for building on what she’d learned on her feet, and was a great launchpad for undertaking a full apprenticeship.

“I excelled in some things – like cutting and machining wood – but there were things I didn’t know about,” she said.

“The pre-app was really well-rounded. After that, Adam didn’t have any plans to hire an apprentice, but, after the pre-app, they asked if I could be an apprentice.”

While Jess loves spending most of her time on the tools, she keeps active by solving Rubik’s cubes and boxing

It didn’t take long for Jess to get stuck into carpentry, and she hasn’t looked back since

For her Apprentice of the Year entry, Jess made this awesome cabinet with some sweet features.

38 THE TRADIE

THE TRADIE 39

TRADIE PROFILE THE DROP OF A HAMMER Jess loved studying at Melbourne Polytechnic.

“Having the opportunity to make mistakes, trying new things and figuring stuff out for myself was really great,” she said. “It definitely stunk of Lynx Africa everywhere. But seriously, they had so many tools and machines other places don’t have.”

It wasn’t long before the opportunity came up for Jess to enter the running for Melbourne Polytechnic Apprentice of the Year.

“I won’t lie, that was big goal of mine,” Jess said. “Two years ago, one of Adam’s former coworkers won Apprentice of the Year. So I was like ‘challenge accepted’.”

40 THE TRADIE

The award involved Jess submitting a project and written portfolio.

She doesn’t do anything by halves and went all-out on her bid for the award.

“I wanted to do everything. I wanted it to have all the things,” she said.

“It’s gonna have glass, it’s gonna have metal, it’s gonna have this, it’s gonna have that.

“After about three months, I ran out of energy. I just wanted to get it done.”

Jess said she there wasn’t a word limit on the portfolio, so she naturally went gangbusters on that as well.

“I quadrupled the average amount. There

were some that were 54 pages. Mine was 289,” Jess said.

“I had five appendices; I embedded a video into it. I even started an Instagram so people could see the process of the project.”

Jessie’s hard work paid off and she was named Melbourne Polytechnic’s Apprentice of the Year 2022.

“When I accepted the award, I dropped it on stage,” Jess laughed.

“There were 250 graduates watching on.

Y’know what they didn’t do? They didn’t drop anything!

“I don’t even know how it happened – it was in my hand one second then on the floor the next.”

Despite that minor

mishandle, Jessie’s determination to win the award had her wellequipped for the next stage of her career.

WHAT’S NEXT? Working under Adam as head cabinetmaker in his team, Jessie’s creativity is constantly getting a workout.

“Working for a small business, you put a helluva lot of yourself into it,” she said.

“It makes you more stressed about making deadlines than at a larger company, which I think is great.

“If I were working for a larger company where my input was not as important, I would probably care less.”

It’s only been about

eight months since Jess started working as a qualified carpenter, but she’s keen on continuing to chip away on projects at WORCO, and possibly set up her own space at the co-op.

“If a space becomes available, I’d love to do that,” she said. “I have a lot of tools and my own machinery which I need to put somewhere.”

That’s not all, however, as Jess looks to carve out a career in her passion of restoring old furniture.

“Just over the Christmas break, I restored these mid-century-modern chairs for a dining table,” she said. “I’d really like to keep doing that on the side.

“It’s like: ‘you were ugly before, and now you’re beautiful’.”

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TRADIE PROFILE

Carpentry Australia ambassador Jesse Jenkinson on building the future Jesse Jenkinson isn’t shy about his love for carpentry.

From playing with blocks as a toddler, to working on swanky restaurants and Japanese hotels, he’s thrived to become one of the industry’s most positive voices

T S BE

ON THE BLOCK

42 THE TRADIE

JESSE HAS gone from one carpentry gig to another, all starting from a young age. The 36-year-old is one sibling of seven, with an older brother also a chippy by trade and an electrician for a father.

One of Jesse’s first memories was his brother working on an extension to the family home.

“I was just a little kid playing with the off-cuts in the background,” he said.

“I remember my brother coming over with a handful of nails and a hammer and said ‘go for it’.

“I think I ended up just putting two blocks together and calling them boats.

“We had a pool, so I just kept chucking them in the pool and seeing if they’d float.”

OUT ON HIS OWN After finishing high school, Jesse got stuck into being a tradie. From constructing stages for concerts, to air conditioning for new builds, to even dabbling in steel framing.

Shortly after becoming a certified carpenter, Jesse found himself out on his own and looking for work.

His enigmatic passion for carpentry led to his decision to start his own business. Like many chippies, his first few jobs involved a lot of pergolas and fences … exciting stuff!

But not long after, he landed his first major fish thanks to his older brother.

“One of my first jobs after being out on my own was the San Telmo restaurant in the CBD,” Jesse said.

Jesse is passionate about making the chippy landscape as user-friendly as possible

Jenkinson Building & Services primarily works on high-end homes and other bespoke projects

“That was my big break where I could show off my skill and work with some beautiful materials as well.”

From there, he worked on high-end Vietnamese restaurant Cochin and even took the lead on building wellknown Peruvian eatery Pastuso.

“That was really fast paced, we worked over extended hours to get it done and the celebration at the end made it worth it,” Jesse said.

“We got invited to the soft opening, all the meals and drinks were on the house and there was so much inspiration coming from everyone there.

“That was the moment I saw where my passion lies.”

JET-SETTER Jesse’s talents grew to a point where he was being drawn overseas for jobs.

His oldest brother – the former chippy – had Jesse flown to the UK to help build his home in Canterbury.

But just when he thought he’d collected enough sky miles, Jesse was roped into working on a hotel in Niseko, Japan.

He managed a team that worked on the internals of the hotel such as fit-outs, maintenance and even building bridges.

THE TRADIE 43

TRADIE PROFILE

y p p i ch ew! cr Jesse’s team mainly consists of subbies such as his mate Ashley Fulton

Once a chippy, always a chippy – this is a saying Jesse has lived to the fullest throughout his career

44 THE TRADIE

“They even ended up getting me to write a manual on how to maintain the hotel because of how much work we did on it,” Jesse added.

Niseko is a massive destination during ski season in Japan, and Jesse’s ingenuity was put to the snowy test.

“They had these old steel handrails on the penthouse patio that got crushed by the snow,” he said.

“I had to think about what type of handrail we could build that would expand during winter.

“I had the idea of using wire, so we installed steel posts, ripped out the original steel handrails and then ran threaded thick stainless-steel wire.

“That way, when it came to winter, it just slacks off. Then you can tension it back up for summer.

“They loved it. It was a real out-of-the-box moment that I was very impressed with, as were the hotel staff.”

Jesse doesn’t know much else outside of the chippy life, but it’s hard for him to imagine enjoying anything else given his amazing experiences.

“The variety is the main thing for me,” he said.

“I’ve never worked in an office, but if I was working on the same thing over and over, the boredom would kick in.

“Carpentry doesn’t have that. You’re somewhere new every time.”

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK Eventually Jesse officially took up the Jenkinson Building & Services moniker, completing another milestone in his career.

“I was a little worried about putting the family name on the line, but I think we’ve done quite well in representing the family,” he said.

Jenkinson Building largely focusses on high-end buildings such as homes and restaurants, usually working on one project at a time.

Jesse will usually be managing a few subbies and apprentices, further growing his leadership skills as well as his team’s.

It wasn’t long before Jesse found himself on the radar of Carpentry Australia – the nation’s only trade-based organisation geared solely at carpenters.

“It started by just leaving a few positive comments on people’s posts about their work,” he said.

“I started learning a bit more about Carpentry Australia – how they’re here to support carpenters.”

Jesse noticed that not all of his fellow carpenters were as ‘chipper’ as he was, pun intended.

He decided he’d post online about his own experience as a carpenter, and all the amazing opportunities it’s brought him.

“My mentor once said to me ‘once a chippy, always a chippy,’” Jesse said. “He told me no matter where I went to in my career, the skills you’ve learnt can take you all over the world and will stay with you forever.

“It’s run completely true for me. It has literally taken me all over the world.”

BUILDING UP From his post on social media, Jesse has worked closely with Carpentry Australia, helping spread the word about how awesome being a chippy can be.

“I think they understood how passionate I am about carpentry and everything involved with it,” he said.

“I want the younger generation to feel safe and proud to put up their work and not worry about jerks and trolls online.

“Everyone starts somewhere, I was building boats in a pool, and they all sunk!”

As he continues to grow Jenkinson Building, Jesse plans on doing what he can to chip in and build Australia’s carpentry workforce.

Whether he’s mentoring young-guns, or sharing his experiences online, Jesse’s optimistic about the future of carpenters.

From playing with off-cuts as a toddler to running his own operation nowadays, Jesse’s done a lot of growing

THE TRADIE 45

FEATURE

Up

A Top End journey of discovery

there Words and Images: Tim O’Reilly

A chopper trip awaits

Recently, I was lucky enough to throw together a trip of from Darwin right across to Weipa on the west coast of terms In er! chopp a in was way whole The Cape York. experiencing the landscape, water ways and seascape, it’s hard to beat a helicopter for pure adrenaline and viewing pleasure. ) This helicopter was a Squirrel (EUROCOPTER AS350 or R44 an and had a fair chunk of power compared with t Jet Ranger more common in the far north. This mean of bit fair a cover to ability the longer, safer flying and ground before refuelling, crucial to the enjoyment of d long distance heli-jaunts. With accommodation booke cters chara few a and at various places along the way joining us for the adventure, the following article is a glimpse into this journey…

Day 1

It was a strange feeling - waking onto the airstrip on morning one, feeling those early morning Darwin warmth-rays as the sun crept up the horizon. It was n the end of April by now, and an impressive wet seaso

46 THE TRADIE

it'd was just drawing to a conclusion. Only week before ds wetlan and s creek , rivers with story, been a different The rains. heavy under life to back ing crash nly sudde an pilot and I had a rendezvous in Jabiru, which meant u Kakad of chunk good a s early morning flight acros National Park.

Crossing the iconic river systems of the Northern or Territory such as the Adelaide, Mary and South Alligat huge these and ry count croc was exhilarating. This is big lizards would crash into the water as a large shadow hovered overhead. A herd of buffalo were spotted wallowing in a post wet season wetland and on close inspection, pigs, crocodiles and water birds were all startled by the chopper.

A quick pitstop around the barrages used to divert water coming down the Mary River was in order. Small barramundi are plentiful wherever floodwaters are are receding back into the main river and the barrages d, neede was that all was plastic soft little A tion. excep no tail that make to h wound back super slowly, just enoug wiggle… Boofa! Everyone caught and released a few before jumping in the chopper to head east.

Plenty of barra action around rockbars

gives have painted walls in many overlaying art periods. It like. looked have might life dic noma a what of a real sense n, terrai d rugge and varied such over ot barefo g Walkin tough people! As a fisherman, it was really cool to see in depictions of barramundi and Saratoga painted high the overhangs.

From the escapement, it was possible to see an absolute assor tment of colour ful terrain. The marshlands were massive as was the huge wetland complex surrounding. Clear dark waters snaked their way through the scene; birds in all directions. Back in the boat we idled right up to a 3.5m croc, it’s huge mouth agape, sun-baking in s melaleuca forest.

After some awesome food and drinks that evening, we hatched a plan with the lodge manager to fish next d morning up at a water fall. Boating through a floode ing cross crissels chann d braide , jungle of riparian forest d pointe ger mana lodge The fall. water the to their way up m out the spots and we went to work. Vibes and mediu divers getting smashed by small barra, often right up in the rapids. A respectable tally of barra in such an Next morning, we jumped in a flat-bottomed boat to amazing spot was a highlight. Topped off by a few fireexplore a cave system up on the escapement. You can cooked fish and cold drinks at the falls. feel the warmth of an ancient living shelter where people

There’s a dramatic change in geology as you head of upstream in the East Alligator River. A stunning vista the into out hing stretc seen stony escapements can be distance. This West Arnhem Plateau is a sight to behold place from the air. Rugged beyond description, this is one as Jabiru With you don’t want to be walking out of on foot. in taking before led refuel the main little service hub, we ry a spectacular flight up the East Alligator gorge count on’s Davids to route en north the to g rackin backt before Arnhemland Safari Lodge.

Landing that first afternoon after so much flying, it was an awesome change of scenery to suddenly be picked up by an old land rover tray-back and escor ted back to to a little oasis in the great abyss. Davidson’s is close and bird ds, wetlan rich With . spectacular Cooper Creek fish life, the landscape holds a staggering array of rock art sites.

Day 2

A lone dingo curious to see passers by

This trip took us into the heart of big croc country

THE TRADIE 47

FEATURE laksa with a few simple items from the local store aided imbi by a lime tree behind the kitchen. Refuelling at Miling Some . centre art the out check to tunity gave us the oppor on impressive weaving and traditional ochre paintings . nticity bark gave this place a real feeling of authe

Day 3

Once again on the bounce east, we travelled along the coast, past endless water ways running to the coast north of Arafura Swamp. A pristine floodplain of 700 the square kilometres acts as a huge reser voir, fuelling inside g Cuttin life. fish and l anima with rivers surrounding rove mang st greate s north the of one along Island rd Howa st contra stark The . complexes was enthralling from above ats. mudfl s endles and water blue between the turquoise norRefuelling again in Elcho Island, we began venturing stop beach quick A chain.

Island l Wesse the into up east tiny for a feed of hand caught mud crabs was in order. A mud fresh and in off cool to spring fed freshwater creek for left soon we But top. to act hard a is fire crab from the the met We rd.

Wildca boat r charte the with zvous rende a ala crew in an isolated bay up on the west coast of Rarag ibly incred some to s acces Island. This operation has remote and unspoilt wilderness.

Day 4, 5 & 6 g That afternoon, our pathway east continued, passin Some u.

Platea m over much of the remaining Arnhe crops could be Painted in a an amazing monolithic sandstone out er window. Soon chopp the out a cave, height ment heard escarp glimpsed Macassan sailor the coast was in sight with the Goulburn Islands off in all the distance. A short stop in a tiny creek mouth was y health a night, that dinner re that was needed to procu From i. mund barra -tailed yellow a and jack mangrove Kakadu and Arnhem the here, we refuelled the bird before continuing along are ds wetlan Land s.

Island dile spectacular coast all the way to the Croco Our stay was a simple self-catered guesthouse this d night with me on the cook-up. We had a fresh seafoo

48 THE TRADIE

The Wildcard proved a might y home for our next two the nights, exploring the bays and inlets up the coast of ht straig trout coral like fish fresh ing Catch .

Wessels group er mann all off the rocks. Huge queenfish in the bays and of sport fish on surface lures. Reef fish plentiful in less to bid then 20ft if water! But for the pilot and I, it was time filling After sland.

Queen ds towar on ue contin farewell and up the chopper and a bit of shopping in Nhulunbuy, we Gulf hightailed it for King Ash Bay down the bottom of the of Carpentaria. g This flight was long but incredible the whole way. Leavin the Bay, m the Wessels group and heading over Arnhe

o. coastal plains in this area are just teaming with buffal Flying fast over these endless plains full of dashing black to beasts was amazing. For some reason, it feels hard a such see to ible incred It’s alia. believe you are in Austr you made it plain, y mudd a s acros ing gallop ls big anima thank ful not to be tussling with them on foot.

Heading South from Gove Airstrip, we hugged the coastline. Most people wouldn’t credit the Northern Territory coast for its beautiful white sand beaches.

e But this flight changes all that. Mile upon mile of pristin scene whole The . below s beach and crystal clear water punctuated by bays jutting in from rocky headlands.

This ends around Blue Mud Bay, where things term a little swampy. And this flatfish, waterlogged coastline continues down into the Gulf. Not much to do with a s chopper except for fly over, the larger muddier system . hassle a g landin make at We refuelled at Borroloola before retiring in a cabin

Arnhemland waterfall barra special Amazing interface of colours down this waterfall

THE TRADIE 49

FEATURE to fly too far north before trying a rockbar separating tidal waters from upstream fresh. It only took a few sky. casts before a gleaming eyed barra had taken to the them inhale to only lures, g chasin Followed by a few more ater at our feet and get seriously airborne. Another freshw a short rockbar to the north provided awesome fishing for period, fish smashing every second cast for half an hour.

We had a stopover and refuel planned at Kowanyama, which proved a nice place to stop for the night. We even joined the locals at the sports club to watch the Friday the night footy. The next morning we simply peeled out to w shallo the along ing Whizz plans. north without any real throw to s mouth creek tiny some on ing stopp coastline, of shallow divers for barra and threadfin salmon. A couple fishing of nature the is spots held fish, a couple didn’t, such from a helicopter. There will always be dud spots, often dictated by the tide and time of day. d This stretch of coastline is once again extremely isolate from notice you thing and very pristine in nature. The only d flying overhead is commercial barramundi boats parke hard is it ine, coastl Gulf the of much Like . rivers up in the ng to country and difficult to survive in. Anyone ever planni d aroun time their waste invade Australia, probably don’t and i mund barra and crabs mud of here! This is the home s for the bountiful Gulf waters provide endless oppor tunitie keen fisherman. d After passing some very long areas of coastal wetlan ng amazi was it unity, comm uraaw to the north of Pormp of to see from the air some of the places I had dreamed reaching by boat. For 20 years on and off, I have been gh guiding around the Archer River in Aurukun. Althou push to nging challe s alway was it , we made forays south pter King Ash Bay for the evening. Rest came easy after big further. The oppor tunity to see these spots via helico chicken-parmi and a few beers at the fishing club. We is required to properly fish them is boat a know and Cracking battles had another meet and greet planned for Normanton so incentive enough for me! off the beach next morning without wasting too much time we struck The chopper dropped me at the mouth of Archer Bay, ngs g East again, only stopping to try a few isolated billabo around 90kms south of Weipa to start a six-week guidin anton Norm in refuel quick a but luck, No ga. before for a Sarato stint. The pilot continued on across the Cape The and picking up a couple of mates of the pilot had as back returning south to complete his chopper relocation. strong g burnin still ery in the air and looking for spots.

Discov of ey memories of this Journ tion inside. An unforgettable experience and lifelong reflec Sun falls across the in Safe the Gulf of upon the vastness of Australia’s far north. have Carpentaria knowledge there is still plenty of places human hands Many of the rivers in this south-western Gulf of rarely touched.

Carpentaria are productive fisheries and we didn’t need

Day 7 & 8

50 THE TRADIE

TRADIE HEALTH

Woarndk play!

Watching your back Keeping an eye on safety SAFETY EYEWEAR has become an important and integral part of life, especially for tradies.

It’s no shock that more than 60 per cent of eye injuries could have been avoided with proper eye protection. No matter whether you’re at work, home or play, the high number of risks causing eye injury reinforces the need to wear quality safety eyewear.

Not too long ago, eye protection was ugly and uncomfortable… and don’t even think about prescription glasses… those clumsy over specs that didn’t fit and got in the way of your vision.

Not to worry tradies, Eyres is bringing the goods.

the highest optical safety standards.

Providing customers with safety eyewear they can rely on is at the heart of what Eyres does. Its manufacturing process uses only the best materials and testing to ensure each product meets its customers’ expectations.

Once a product has been developed, Eyres ensures it can stand up to impact to keep wearers safe.

Purpose-built labs put all Eyres safety eyewear through rigorous testing, including high velocity impact testing which shoots ball bearings at the eyewear at up to 190m/s or 684 km/hr; ensuring all possible impacts are accounted for.

Protected peepers Keep ‘em peeled Eyres sports great looking eyewear that performs at

Eyres prides itself in not only designing and

creating prescription and non-prescription lenses, but also manufacture the most efficient and effective safety eyewear in the business. That’s why Eyres has been a brand synonymous with safety for more than 25 years.

From humble beginnings in Perth to becoming one of the most trusted names in Australian eye protection, one thing has stayed the same – Eyres’ commitment to providing the highest

possible protection for its customers.

With more than 20 designs to choose from and a range in almost every trusted safety outlet Australia wide, Eyres eyewear is the perfect solution for both prescription and non-

Eyres uses specific materials used for peak impact resistance

prescription, providing style and safety protection, while still meeting the highest safety standards.

Check it out Eyeball the full range online at eyresbyshamir.com.au or ask about Eyres at your local safety supplier

Eyres glasses provide peak protection for tradies on and off the tools

THE TRADIE 51

TRADIE HEALTH

The Bosch Professional Range offers M & H-class vacuums, all meeting Australian safety regulations in collecting Silica Dust

Thinking forward

SAFETY SHOULD be a number-one concern for any employer and employee.

Bosch’s tools and accessories employ the best standard of safety thanks to huge advances in innovation and technology.

Bosch has tradies covered when it comes to tool safety

Bosch X-LOCK angle grinders are the world’s first quickchange angle grinder - for quick, easy and safe work on site

52 THE TRADIE

Kickback Control immediately shuts off the tool, saving power and boosting safety

Bosch Onsite is a team of power tool specialists engaging with businesses directly on site to reduce downtime and maximise productivity.

The team is available to head on down to your jobsite to assess safety

and provide preventative solutions to ensure you get home safe at the end of each day.

Your tradies are your biggest asset on the job, so it’s vital you make sure they are protected with the safest tools.

DUST SOLUTIONS Silica dust remains prevalent in construction, maintenance and repair wherever concrete, brick or tiles are being used.

To reduce dust within the workplace, Bosch Professional offers M and H class vacs, selected tool attachments and accessories that meet state regulations in collecting silica dust.

Bosch offers more than just the product; Bosch offers the whole solution.

MORE SAFETY FEATURES • Kickback Control immediately shuts off power to the tool, protecting the user and decreasing downtime.

Now featured on 40+

Bosch 18V and 240W tools, including grinders, hammers and drills Vibration Control • effectively reduces vibrations felt by the user by up to 60%, protecting the user and decreasing downtime. Featured on Bosch grinders, rotary hammers and demolition hammers • Drop Control sensor technology shuts off power if the tool is dropped. Now featured on Bosch 18V Brushless Angle Grinders.

• Restart protection stops accidental restart if the power is disconnected then reconnected • Intelligent Brake System brakes the

Bosch Dust Solutions helps prevent tradies from being exposed to silica dust

motor in 1-3 seconds, depending on the tool.

• Bosch X-LOCK tool-less disc change for angle grinders has a second braking time. Available on 18V and 240W angle grinders

• Soft Start allows the tool to start at low RPM and accelerate

to a maximum RPM, preventing a sudden jump in the user’s hand.

Check it out More at www.bosch-pt.com.au

Bosch Brushless Angle Grinders like this one come with Drop Control which shuts off the tool immediately when dropped

THE TRADIE 53

TOOL UP!

Best in blue

Kincrome doesn’t just bring the best in terms of tools, it also has you sporting some of the best blue gear on site.w

Introducing Kincrome’s Fresh Apparel and Merchandise Range: Your Style, Your Passion!

G’DAY LEGENDS! Kincrome, the name that’s known for quality tools, is stoked to roll out its brand-new collection of clobber and gear. This launch is packing the essentials – hoodies, tees, caps, and beanies – all set to show off your true-blue dedication to craftsmanship. And hold onto your hard hats, because we’re not stopping there – we’ve got a ripper range of practical merch to level up your worksite and daily grind.

54 THE TRADIE

COMFORT MEETS YOUR IDENTITY Stay snug as a bug while rocking your dedication to precision with Kincrome’s hoodies and tees. These threads aren’t just about threads; they’re a way to express what you’re all about. Finish off your getup with a cap or beanie, giving a nod to the skills that make you the legend you are.

TOOLS FOR YOUR DAY Beyond the clothes, Kincrome’s merch range

has you sorted for all sorts of situations. Tote your gear in a backpack, keep your bevvies chilly with a cooler bag, and share a yarn with your mates with a stubby holder. Fancy up your space with decals and banners, and stay quenched with a trusty drink bottle – all built to make your workspace a bonza spot.

MORE TO COME Hold the phone, because there’s more where that came from. Kincrome

Jump in and suss out how these goodies can become your daily go-to. is deadset keen on expanding its merch range to keep up with what you need.

YOU’RE INVITED This ain’t just any old gear – it’s your gear. Kincrome’s apparel and merch collection is ready to be part of your journey.

SEE THE DIFFERENCE Experience how Kincrome’s gear can change the game in your everyday grind.

Kincrome’s new range isn’t just gear; it’s a true-blue reflection of your craft, your values, and your fair dinkum commitment to doing it right.

Check it out For more info go to kincrome.com.au

seen ’esm o itee !62 Pag

Punching up Check out Senco’s new selection of powerful cordless nailers PORTABLE POWER with efficiency has tradies loving Senco’s Evolve nailers.

The two guns – a F35XP 34° Framing Nailer and F15XP 15 Gauge DA Bradder – deliver the power of a pneumatic tool without a cord.

PLUGGED IN Both can shoot upwards of 30,000 nails per chamber top-up or refill and 700 nails per charge, with quick charging abilities for both the battery and air chamber.

Each nailer comes

with two Li-ion batteries (4.0Ah for nailer, 2.0Ah for Bradder) which can be interchanged and 80 per cent charged in 40 mins for the Framing Nailer, and just 15 minutes for the DA Bradder.

Re-filling the compressor is a simple of using any compressed air hose*, such as a tyre hose, and attaching it to the chamber to have it charged within 30 seconds. You no longer need to duck off-site to a maintenance centre to get a re-fill.Tradies who typically use gas powered tools will also benefit from no longer having to purchase nails with gas cells, saving up to 50 per cent on that end as well.

Tradies also don’t need to clean the combustion

TOOL UP!

chamber, further reducing time spent on maintenance.

POWER LIKE NO OTHER The Evolve Cordless Framing Nailer (F-35XP) is ideal for framing, subflooring, fencing, decking and truss building among other external applications.

Its pneumatic-like fire rate has no ramp up time meaning your firing off shots quickly and powerfully up to 108j. Its aggressive toenail grip and rugged rafterhook also mean those shots

are done comfortably and accurately. The DA Bradder (F-15XP) is suited to uses such as skirting boards, windows and cabinets. Like the Framing Nailer, this gun has in-built jam reduction intelligence which results in fewer nail jams, and fewer headaches for its users.

The DA Bradder has an EZ-Clear magazine as well which means you can clear any pesky jams quickly. The DA Bradder can also swap between bump or sequence firing drive modes.

Check it out You can find out more information about Senco’s Evolve nailers at aircobrands.com.au *Evolve Cordless Bradder requires a Refill Adaptor, sold separately.

TOOL UP!

Alemlube has a massive variety of lights that can illuminate any job

No shade Alemlube lights the way ALEMLUBE markets an impressive range of LED work lights to see you through the challenges of illuminating workspaces in all environments and under all conditions.

The LED work lights range begins with a handy and convenient pocket light for when you’re caught in the dark and is the most convenient & essential work light available for on-the-spot inspection anytime, anywhere. In your pocket & always ready for action, the 20033 has a direct 56 THE TRADIE

beam top light, a main light with ECO & full power modes, USB charging, a magnet on the back & base and the versatility of 360º rotation.

The range tops out with the Alemlube 20055 Flood Light, the ultimate work light providing superior illumination for many applications in workshops, factories, around the home and for outdoor use on site. Any one of three brightness levels can be selected giving up to 9.5 hours of use before recharging is required.

Furthermore, the 20055 also features an intelligent charge indicator, a 180° adjustable stand for multi-purpose use and a robust aluminium structure ensuring reliable performance and longevity.

POSITIVELY BEAMING Tight and difficult to reach spaces are no longer a problem as now they can be easily accessed with two Alemlube slimline work lights. The 20088 LED Slimline Work Light, being only 11mm thin, is the ultimate workshop inspection light to reach into tight and restricted spaces. Complete control over brightness is achieved by turning a step less dimming switch for the level of illumination suitable for your specific job at hand.

Lightweight & ergonomic design principles of the 20077 LED Slimline Work

Light ensure ease of use with long runtimes available from two light sources.

The 20077 features a main light with two brightness levels, a top light, a strong magnet on the base, Li-ion battery and a practical 120° adjustable handle.

Of particular interest is the Alemlube 20066N2 LED & UV Inspection Light that has been designed, developed & manufactured specifically for providing valuable assistance when undertaking close inspection work under & around vehicles and other applications requiring well-lit detailed inspection.

The UV light is ideal for detecting ultraviolet leak detection dye used in vehicle air conditioning systems.

Featuring two light sources, the 20066N2 has two strong magnets (back & base), two-fold away hanging hooks and has a 180º adjustable handle for absolute versatility.

Providing long term viability and peace of mind, every Alemlube LED work light is designed and manufactured ensuring high moisture intrusion and impact resistance ratings to protect and enhance reliability and longevity for the user operating in all services and trades.

Check it out Contact your local Alemlube distributor or the Alemlube branch closest to you!

TOOL UP! Not having to bend over to use the Duraspin DS530-M1 makes work much easier on the back

Spin it up

eck out Ch our Tough Test!

Page 76

How tradies can level up their screwdriving BRINGING unparalleled speed and accuracy is Senco’s new Duraspin DS530-M1 auto-feed screwdriver system attachment.

This awesome piece of kit is perfect for tradies working on decking, sub flooring, plasterboard or cladding among other applications.

straight into place as As the feed mechanism returns,” Senco Product Manager Dan Rizio said.

“This makes it a very fast operation.”

ON THE MONEY The DS530-M1 is attached to a screwdriver* and easy to put together for tradies.

Its extension pole makes it perfect for standing application, with great

A massive advantage the Duraspin attachment has on competitors is its feed on return feature.

“Once you put one screw in, the next screw goes

line-of-sight including in tight corners.

The Duraspin DS530M1’s sliding screw guide prevents binding, allowing for a constant feed with no jams. For consistent flush or countersink drives, the Duraspin has its depth lock feature which allows for quick depth drive adjustment.

The attachment pack comes with rex (EA0316), Phillip (EA0314) and square (EA0315) bits and is suitable for screws ranging between 6 to 12 gauge and 25 to 75mm in length.

Check it out You can find out more about the awesome Duraspin at Aircobrands.com.au

*Suitable for Makita cordless and corded screwdrivers: DFS250Z 18V cordless, FS2300 and FS2500 230 V corded.

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TOOL UP! • Black I.C.E coating • Perma-SHIELD protection • TiCo Hi-Density carbide • 100x longer life vs standard bi-metal blades • 2x better performing vs standard metal cutting carbide reciprocating saw blades

A cut above the rest Diablo Tool Accessories delivers unmatched performance and durability for thick metal cutting THERE ARE FEW blade brands out there that cut to the point like Diablo.

This is very much the case with its latest offering – the 9” Steel Demon Amped Carbide Blade.

Designed for thick metal cutting, this blade is perfect for sawing through metals with thicknesses between 3/16” to 9/16” (5-15mm).

This includes piping, high strength alloys, stainless steel and cast iron.

SHARPEN UP Like other Diablo blades, the 9” Steel Demon sports a Black I.C.E (Industrial Cooling Element) which helps keep the teeth as sharp as possible useafter-use.

The blade is made from TiCo Hi-Density carbide which adds to its durability and efficiency against thick metal.

This efficiency is further enhanced by the blade’s carbide tip which allows for best blade connection and impact resistance to

make your cuts as smooth as possible.

This advanced blade also comes with PermaSHIELD technology which means it’s resistant to a build-up of heat when in use and is also protected against corrosion or gumming.

The Steel Demon’s imposing, thick appearance isn’t just for show. It’s 1 in. oversized design provides rigidity and stability for better overall cuts.

Diablo brings out its best in this blade to have it performing twice as better as vs. standard metal cutting carbide reciprocating saw blades

UNRIVALLED PERFORMANCE These factors make the 9” Steel Demon Amped Carbide Blade unmatched in its performance. So much so it can last 100x longer vs standard bi-metal blades and performs twice as good as standard metal cutting carbide reciprocating saw blades.

Long gone are the days where tradies avoid using reciprocal blades for thick metal. The 9” Steel Demon Amped Carbide Blade can cut through some of the thicker metals out there.

Check it out Learn more online: www.DiabloTools.com.au Available at: Bunnings Warehouse & Total Tools 58 THE TRADIE

TOOL UP! Both Testo’s 550s (left) and 557s come with large screens to allow for easy viewing. The testo 550i (right) is designed to connect wirelessly to your smartphone for easy diagnosis.

Chill out Tradies, prepare to fall in love with Testo’s digital manifolds TRADIES WORKING with refrigerator units, air conditioning or heat pump systems now have a tonne of info at their fingertips thanks to Testo and its new digital manifolds.

The testo 550i, 550s and 557s digital manifolds all sport the latest innovation and tech in the industry and make it easy for users to get the info they need from HVAC&R systems.

Tradies will notice straight away how clear all the levels and

measurements are on the 550s and 557s thanks to large graphic displays on both. These screens are housed in secure and easy-to-handle cases with IP 54 protection, meaning they’re as tough as the tradies that use them.

Both devices are able to gather info via Bluetooth such as temperature and vacuum measurements from the testo Smart Probes.

To take accessibility

to the next level, the 550s, 557s and the 550i can all be connected to your smart phone via the Testo Smart app, adding a whole new layer of ease for users. The testo 550i is screenless and designed to be simple while delivering air conditioning and refrigeration diagnostics to your smartphone as soon as possible.

All three are Germanengineered in consultation with tradespeople from across the globe, including Australians to ensure they were as smart and easy to use as possible.

testo 557s kit: Has a four-way valve block, two testo 115i wireless clamp thermometers and one testo 552i wireless vacuum probe. For measurements on refrigeration, air conditioning systems and heat pumps. testo 550s kit: Features a two-way valve block and two testo 115i wireless clamp thermometers. Designed for servicing and maintenance on refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump systems. testo 550i kit: Controlled via the Testo Smart app. Features a two-way valve block and sturdy hook. Designed for servicing and maintenance of refrigeration, A/C and heat pump systems.

Hit up testo.com.au (HVAC/R) for more.

NEW RELEASE FOR 2023!

34º FRAMING NAILER

• POWER OF A PNEUMATIC • SAVE YOUR MONEY BY NOT BUYING GAS CYLINDERS

• 30,000 SHOTS WITH DIY SELF TOP UP

• INCLUDES 2 x 4.0Ah

18V Li-ion BATTERIES

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

WWW.SENCO.COM.AU Available at most major hardware and tool retailers.

TOOL UP!

EASY AS!

Expert extraction

Simple, yet sturdy – the Rapid Screw Extractor will save tradies time and stress

Introducing the RAPID SCREW EXTRACTOR – DBZ60G: your solution for tackling badly damaged screws ARE YOU sick and tired of struggling with stripped or damaged screws?

The frustration of trying to remove them can be maddening. But fear not – the Rapid Screw Extractor is here to save the day.

SCREWED IN This ingenious tool is a game-changer, designed to effortlessly rid you of those stubborn, impossible-to-remove screws that have been causing headaches. With the Rapid Screw Extractor, tradies can experience a hassle-free solution that will have you wondering 60 THE TRADIE

how you ever managed without it.

What sets the Rapid Screw Extractor apart is its user-friendly design and remarkable efficiency. This tool is a breeze to use, making the process of extracting damaged screws a walk in the park. The kit comes equipped with two distinct bits, each tailored to tackle screws of varying degrees of damage. No need for power tools, drilling, or even hammers (except for the 1st bit) – the Rapid Screw Extractor will have you bidding farewell

to the clutter of tools and equipment.

Let’s break down how to harness the power of the DBZ60G Rapid Screw Extractor: 1ST BIT – PRESS & TWIST The 1st bit is engineered with precision, featuring four edges on the cross tip that grasp the remaining corners of the Phillips recess. Insert this bit into the handle grip, following the illustrated guide.

Securely position the bit tip into the screw head, then gently twist it back and forth to eradicate burs within the recess. The

beauty of this method lies in its simplicity – no drilling, no hassle, just efficient removal.

2ND BIT – STRIKE & TRN Once the recess is prepped, it’s time to employ the 2nd bit for the final extraction. To ensure optimal performance, attach the rubber sleeve to the 2nd Bit and position the blade within the recess. Employ a hammer to strike the end of the bit, ensuring that it stands upright on its own. Avoid striking the grip with the hammer – this is a delicate operation. With the bit properly positioned, press downward firmly while turning counterclockwise.

The result? A satisfying, successful removal,

leaving you with a sense of accomplishment.

The Rapid Screw Extractor – DBZ60G isn’t just a tool; it’s a gamechanging solution that brings efficiency and ease to your projects.

Say goodbye to frustration, wasted time, and damaged materials.

Embrace the power of the Rapid Screw Extractor and unlock a new realm of possibilities for your repair and construction endeavors.

Invest in this revolutionary tool today and experience the difference firsthand.

The Rapid Screw Extractor – DBZ60G: Your partner in conquering damaged screws, one twist at a time.

TE DAte TO da UP to Ge geTt up Keep an eye out for our upcoming product launches at wbtools.com.au!

TOOL UP!

Since 1995, Hot Devil’s offerings has expanded to a tonne of products including many different blow torches and soldering irons

Torches, irons and the story behind Hot Devil

of few companies to offer eleven-times purified gas for their products. This means the gas is pure and free from any impurities.

The hottest out there THE HOT DEVIL story starts all the way back in 1995. This true-blue family run business was one of the first companies in Australia to bring in butane soldering irons to the continent and has been supplying high quality gas torches and soldering irons ever since.

The Hot Devil product range includes tools geared towards high

performance commercial applications. This includes electrical, automotive, hospitality and plumbing, but also covers your DIY and recreational needs like arts and crafts.

Any butane or soldering product purchased from Hot Devil is guaranteed to be a high-quality reliable product. Many Hot Devil products are made with brass internals, which

means they’ll take a licking and keep on kicking when it comes peak performance.

The high-quality eleven-times purified butane gas contained in Hot Devil products also reassures tradies that they’re using the best in commercial grade equipment.

But it gets even better, because Hot Devil is one

IN GOOD (HOT) HANDS When you purchase any Hot Devil product, the support doesn’t end there.

There’s videos online showing you how to use your new toys so you can get the most out of what they can do, as well as ensuring you are operating them safely.

Hot Devil representatives are never far away with customer support lines always available.

Should anything be wrong with a Hot Devil product, customers can

have peace of mind as all Hot Devil products come with a no fuss warranty.

This means that any product with a manufacturers fault can be instantly returned to the retailer for a brand-new replacement product, no questions asked.

Hot Devil is constantly improving its product range and in addition to latest upgrades on the current range of products, such as the new Oxy Force blow torch kit that features improved handle control valves. So get excited, the company has several new products on the way that will be arriving in 2023.

Check it out Head over to www.hotdevil.com.au and check out all their hot products!

THE TRADIE 61

TRADIE

gh touTESTS

top guns

Senco’s EVOLVE F35XP 34° Framing Nailer and F15XP 15 Gauge DA Bradder

A cordless nailer with the power of a pneumatic? It’s a dream-turned-reality thanks to Senco and its brand new cordless 34 Framing Nailer and DA Bradder releases

BRAND:

EVOLVE IS an appropriate name for Senco’s latest lineup of elite power tools, because it demonstrates just how far technology has come.

The biggest factor for both nailers is convenience, whether it’s in the capacity and life of each gun, or the ease of changing magazines and topping up the cylinder.

Senco Australia Product Manager Dan Rizio said from head to toe, everything about these guns made life for tradies a breeze.

Tradies can get their hands on either of these fresh nailers for external or internal jobs, knowing full-well they can handle whatever’s thrown at them.

For this test, The Tradie got in touch with apprentice carpenter Angus ‘Gus’ Redfearn from Teak Building Co in Melbourne’s east.

He was working on a reno at a home that worked with both LVL timber and OB hardwood.

“We’ve been putting blocks on the wall, new noggins into OB and we’re shooting through LVL reliably,” Gus said.

“It’s definitely worth the wait to be able to have a gun that can reliably shoot through thicker timber.”

TEST #1: ON-THE-FLY RECHARGE Re-filling the cylinder mightn’t be something that comes around often, but having to put a stop to work because of it is a pain.

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The Framing Nailer features a rafter hook which aids the already stellar ergonomics of the gun

Both guns come with all the bits and pieces a modern nailer should have, including on-the-nozzle lights for greater vision

Senco is on the ball here, with the ability to top up your gun on-site and quickly.

“After about 20-30,000 shots, you’ll start to see the nail not protruding as much as it should and not delivering as much power,” Dan said.

“All you need to do is flip the lever and there’s a little valve where you can just attach a normal tyre chuck to it.

“Set your compressor to 125psi (80psi for Bradder), it’ll top it up and you’re ready to go. You don’t need to take it into a repair shop, you can do it all yourself.”

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I’ve shot 3000 nails so far without a single jam 1 Re-filling the Framing Nailer is simple and quick - it can be done with any suitable air hose, having you back to work in a jiffy

2 Both the Framing Nailer and DA Bradder had easy dial depth adjustment which we were massive fans of

3 Gus found the pneumatic power delivered by the Framing Nailer was great for OB hardwood

TEST #2: FAST AND FURIOUS Both the Bradder and Framing Nailer sport jam reduction intelligence which means less nail jams.

Should the Bradder experience a jam, it also has an EZClear mechanism which quickly detaches the mag.

“Sadly, I didn’t get a chance to test this feature because it only works when it’s jammed, which it hasn’t,” Gus said.

“I’ve easily shot 3000 nails so far without a single jam.”

Simple function all-round made Gus happy with both guns. This included the simple drive depth adjustment, which can be done with a flick of the dial.

“The more complicated things get, the more likely something will break,” he added.

“I’m so glad the cannisters and inner workings of both guns are super simple and self-contained, and that all the intricate parts are outside the gun and easy to replace.”

LOCK AND LOAD Between limiting off-the-tools time as much as possible, and putting superior power in the hands of tradies, both the Framing Nailer and Bradder deliver.

Gus is no stranger to using nailers from various big-name brands, and was blown away by these two.

“I’m super happy with the Bradder – it did everything I needed it to do,” he said.

“It was super reliable for the depth, especially for doing secret nails on skirting boards.

“As for the framer, it covered all bases – hard timber, LVL, anything I wanted to shoot into.

“The weight was compensated by the ergonomics, I won’t have to worry about that ever again.”

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All the intricate parts are outside the gun and easy to replace

Gus loved how quick the DA Bradder was with internal nailing works he needed to do

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n w o l B away The 18V 2-in-1 Line Trimmer & Brushcutter and GBL 18V-750 Blower from Bosch Professional Power Tools & Accessories Bosch has brought its cordless 18V power to the landscaping space in the form of the 18V 2-in-1 Line Trimmer & Brushcutter as well as the GBL 18V-750 Professional Blower.

Both had us amazed by the power and longevity they delivered

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BOTH OF THESE Bosch Professional products use the same 18V Li-ion batteries and chargers as other products in the line, so you can mix and match with your other Bosch Professional tools.

This is always a massive bonus, and had tradie Toby Spicer from Swell Building absolutely stoked to be testing the blower and brushcutter/line trimmer out for us.

“Anytime you can use the same battery chargers for all your tools is a plus,” he said.

“It obviously helps when the tools themselves are fantastic too, which is what we found with these.”

TEST #1: JUST A BIT OFF THE TOP Toby got the 2-in-1 Line Trimmer & Brushcutter up and running quickly – making short work of some high grass on a property in Melbourne’s east.

“They never really fail when it comes to 18V tools, especially with everyone transitioning to batterypowered tools,” he said between cuts.

“Even with the power, I was able to easily control the trimmer due to its lightweight and great ergonomics.”

With air speeds of just under 200km/h, this Bosch blower makes full use of its BITURBO BRUSHLESS motor

Toby was easily able to get a full garden’s work out of the trimmer without needing to charge it once

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TEST #2: BLOWN TO BITS Next up, Toby unleashed the blower on some unsuspecting leaves and trimmings.

This Bosch blower sports an extremely powerful BITURBO BRUSHLESS motor with an axial fan which delivered an insane volumetric flow of 780 m³/h and an air speed of up to 198 km/h.

“I’m not a big pun guy, but I was literally blown away by the power this thing has. It was unreal,” Toby said.

“If I didn’t need it to go full boar, I could easily switch it up with the speed control if I needed it for longer, or just to run quieter.”

As well as all the advantages having a cordless tool brings, the ergonomics of the blower were also a massive plus, considering tradies can be using one of these for a while particularly on bigger properties.

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Toby was able to smoothly trim at his own pace thanks to the trimmer’s speed control and manual motor speed adjustment depending on how much work he needed to do.

The laser-cut blade is 23mm in diameter, making this trimmer suitable for medium-to-large gardens.

“The Bosch Anti-Tangle feature also really is something I really loved about the trimmer,” Toby said.

“If I’m using this on thicker bush or grass, to know this thing isn’t gonna jam easy is awesome for peace of mind.”

The trimmer also comes with a plant protector, as well as a Bosch Pro-Tap spool with EasyWind should you only need the trimmer for some light garden work.

I was literally blown away by the power 1

The 23mm laser-cut blade of the trimmer made short work of overgrown edges

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The GBL 18V-750 Blower reaches a sound power level of 96dB(A), but Toby said it was much quieter than other blowers he’s used

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The trimmer comes with plenty of controls for the user to adjust the power to their liking

Lightweight with great ergonomics

FEELING FRESH Toby gave both tools a good going over, but felt like he barely scratched the surface.

“That’s what you get with these Bosch 18V products every time: handheld power with longevity,” he said.

“I could’ve easily done a few more gardens at this rate.”

Despite both delivering “unreal” po wer, Toby said it was important to note Bosch had done an awesome job in keeping that power in the hands of the user.

His customer also couldn’t help but be amazed with the clean-cut work Toby did in such a short time.

CHECK IT OUT Find out more by searching the new Bosch GBL 18V-750 Blower and 18V 2-in-1 Line Trimmer & Brushcutter online.

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reel

IRWIN®’s STRAIT-LINE® chalk and reels collection Doing up chalk lines isn’t exactly the most exciting part of the job, but they’re just as crucial as anything for a great build. IRWIN’s STRAIT-LINE range adds a bunch of little specialties that make them the choice for the accurate tradie

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WE MET UP WITH apprentice carpenter Angus ‘Gus’ Redfearn from Teak Building for this Tough Test.

He put four STRAIT-LINE Chalk Reels to the test: the MACH6™, Compact as well as SPEEDLINE™ and SPEEDLINE PRO. TEST #1: NO TIME TO WASTE One thing you know you’re getting with IRWIN Chalk Reels is speed. With all four STRAIT-LINE reels, the reel-in times were outstanding.

The SPEELINE and Compact Chalk Reels rewind three times faster than traditional reels* thanks to a 3:1 gear ratio.

That advantage is doubled with the larger reels; SPEEDLINE PRO and MACH6 both have 6:1 planetary gears which result in a six-times faster rewind rate*.

“If you’re using the large chalk lines, one thing you want to do is pull the line in quickly so no one steps on them, especially if you have a lot of people walking around,” Gus said.

“I pulled out five metres of chalk and I was able to reel it in, in four rotations.” *Compared to traditional chalk reels with a 1:1 gear ratio

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Gus and his team tested all four chalk reels on a site in Melbourne’s South-East

Good things come in small packages, and the STRAIT-LINE Series is a prime example of that

Even quicker is the chalk re-fill time, with all four reels boasting some kind of simple latch system.

A large – easily visible – 1/4-Turn Locking Top on both the MACH6 and SPEEDLINE PRO had Gus filling both up with a flick of hand and tip of the chalk bottle.

“For the Compact and SPEEDLINE reels – on the other hand – it’s just as simple with a familiar slide on the side for an easy refill,” Gus added.

“We all know how annoying it is after spilling some oxide. This latch system leaves a lot of room to put the oxide in.”

TEST #2: LOCKED IN Gus had zero problems fastening all four of the reels thanks to their secure hook designs.

“The prongs also made it super easy to unhook them when I needed to pull them in,” Gus added.

“They’re super quick all-round really.”

There’s nothing more frustrating than depending on chalk reels for simple tasks, and having precious time wasted because the line is jammed.

All four STRAIT-LINE reels come with an Anti-Jam Spool Design, which not only prevents jamming, but naturally means lines aren’t damaged and aerate correctly.

“I could immediately tell none of these bad boys were gonna play up on me after repeat uses, which is one less inconvenience I need to worry about,” Gus said.

ENOUGH ROPE Gus has been an IRWIN fan for years, as indicated by his much loved pouch belt.

“We’ve been using these on the site with the guys for the last couple of weeks, and we’re super happy with them,” he said.

Gus has used a few chalk reels in that time, but said these latest STRAIT-LINE reels from IRWIN have many subtle editions that make them a joy to use on site.

“It’s the little things like the better grip and ease of attachment to my belt that make them great,” he said.

“They’re there when you need them, and hardly noticeable when you don’t.”

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All four reels are easy to refill, with the SPEEDLINE PRO and MACH6 featuring 1/4-Turn Locking Tops which make pouring super simple

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Gus had no troubles quickly getting the reel out thanks to its Anti-Jam Spool Design

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All four of the IRWIN STRAIT-LINE Chalk Reels Gus tested sport faster reel-in times than their traditional reel equivalents

They’re super quick all-round

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t uswater Jadd Cement Australia’s Concrete Mix THE CONCRETE MIX from Cement Australia is a Sometimes, it’s the combination of aggregate, sand and general purpose smallest of jobs that cement. It delivers the Aussie-made quality Cement can provide the biggest Australia is known for on a smaller scale. The Concrete of headaches. This Mix is perfect for outdoor structures like posts, pergolas and letterboxes as well as garden work such as edging, applies just as much to concreting as anything, pavement slabs and pathways. with plenty of guesswork These are the kinds of things landscaping business owner Ben Richardson does on a daily basis. and unnecessary lifting A qualified landscaper by trade - Ben was biting at the getting in the way of chance to test out Cement Australia’s Concrete Mix for a retaining wall. productivity.

He tested the product at a site in Bentleigh, South-East Cement Australia has a Melbourne. range of ‘Just add water’ - no-fuss products, TEST #1: NO HASSLE perfect for the tradies Being designed for smaller jobs means the Concrete Mix isn’t a huge hassle for tradies to work around. and their smaller jobs

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Ben didn’t need to lug his equipment far for this test, but recognised the advantages of having everything you need easily handled by one tradie.

“You literally buy this, and away you go – there’s no fuss,” Ben said.

“Whereas for bigger jobs, you would have to buy sand and cement separately from suppliers and mix it up on-site.”

Ben ended up using about 20kgs around one fence post

Perfect for smaller applications; Ben had no trouble lifting up a bag of Concrete Mix and chucking it in the wheelbarrow

Ben was stoked with the hasslefree process of using this Concrete Mix

for the retaining wall with a hole 50cm deep and 1m long.

“I chucked it in my wheelbarrow, and we were good to go,” he said.

Ben only needed a small amount of water when mixing – it’s common sense but don’t chuck in too much water otherwise your mixture is ruined.

From there, Ben was right into pouring the Concrete Mix, which went in as smooth as butter.

We timed it, and Ben was able to complete the task properly, from opening the bag to pouring the cement, in a little over three minutes. That’s snappy work.

TEST #2: READY, SET, GO Ben always loves using Cement Australia products on his sites.

“Being manufactured in in Aus – it gives me that extra confidence the cement I’m using is of a high quality,” he said.

Of course there are limitations to the Concrete Mix, given it’s mainly geared towards smaller jobs.

For jobs where higher strength concrete is required, Ben uses PROSTRENGTH Extra Strength Concrete Mix. .

“This is obviously ideal for those bigger jobs, but naturally needs more hands on deck,” Ben said. “There’s more variables versus the simplicity of the Concrete Mix.” ALL MIXED UP Overall, Ben said he’s never had an easier time mixing and pouring cement as he had with Cement Australia’s Concrete Mix. Ensure when you use the mix to keep it moist for about a week for max strength. You can remove formwork after a day, and of course don’t walk on it until after at least three days.

1 1 From mixing to

pouring, Ben only took a few minutes to complete one post for his retaining wall

2 Cement Australia’s

Concrete Mix is a combination of aggregate, sand and general purpose cement

3 From garden edges,

pathways and posts – Cement Australia’s Concrete Mix is suitable for a tonne of small applications

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CHECK IT OUT Cement Australia is teeming with guides on correct mixing procedures and measurements. You can find out more at cementaustralia.com.au.

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d a r B Aabove Paslode’s Steel Frame Brads Steel frame fix out can be a slog, what if we told you Paslode had new steel frame brads that changed that…

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For this test, The Tradie caught up with carpenter Jesse Mintron from Pillar Construction Group in Brighton to Melbourne’s east.

He typically works on high-end homes in the area, and does a lot of steel framing and steel frame fix out.

We were also lucky to be joined by the brains behind the Steel Frame Brads –Paslode Product Development Engineer Shane Anthony.

He took us through what made these brads so special, and why they’re now a massive asset to Jesse’s work.

TEST #1: ABSOLUTE TIMESAVER Traditionally, Jesse and other carpenters have had to complete numerous and tedious tasks when it comes to fixing trim to steel frame out.

From pre-marking or pre-drilling, to breaking out the glue – this can take a tonne of time and drain productivity.

The Paslode Steel Frame Brads cut a tonne of this stuff out, pure and simple.

“With traditional jobs, there was a lot of gluing and screwing,” Jesse said.

“It’s been quite time consuming, a pain in the bum really.

Jesse was able to quickly punch in a tonne of nails through timber and steel

Like it says on the packaging, Paslode’s Steel Frame Brads don’t need glue

“With these brads, there’s been none of that. We just shoot them in and they work a treat.”

Shane said head to toe, the design of these brads was done with the everyday tradie in mind.

“The issue builders and carpenters have when fixing into steel is they have to glue along the board of the trim because the current brads on the market don’t have great holding power on them for steel,” he added. “As you can imagine, those options are time consuming and costly. So, we’ve developed these Steel Frame Brads to simplify that installation process.”

Of course, having all of these pluses piled into one nail not only saves time, but is friendly on the wallet too.

TEST #2: POWER AND PASSION As well as saving a tonne of time, Paslode Steel Frame Brads are more secure than their traditional counterparts.

“You’ll notice right away the red resin,” Shane said.

“This is specially designed to actively glue and hold extremely well in the steel.”

“We’ve left the head quite small. We’ve done that intentionally to create a clean and aesthetic finish in the trim boards.”

Shane added that due to their design, these brads can penetrate two layers of steel should they need to. While Jesse does a tonne of fix outs on steel framing, he used the brads on this site to secure timber moulds to steel battens.

“They grip really well, there’s been no dramas. I can tell these will hold up,” he said.

Jesse used Paslode’s Straight TrimMaster for this test Shane said it was the perfect cordless tool for driving Steel Frame Brads.

“It makes tradies’ lives a whole lot easier because if they don’t have power on-site, they can easily pull out the Cordless Straight TrimMaster.”

They grip really well, there’s been no dramas

1 1 We broke out one of

Paslode’s Straight TrimMaster for the test, which was a delight to use on the site

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The benefit of not having to glue or screw these brads saves tonnes of time on steel fix outs

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For all his trimming, Jesse would be using the 16ga C-brad nails frequently

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HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD Paslode doesn’t waste your time with these new Steel Frame Brads. They’re fantastic in every sense of the word, whether it’s saving you time, or delivering a high-quality final product.

The brads come in 38mm and 45mm lengths for all your interior finish applications.

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Screwed

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Bremick’s ETA High Performance Masonry Screw Anchors Tradies know when they use Bremick, they’re getting quality and reliability no matter what.

It’s crucial for carpenters to know that; enter the latest ETA High Performance Masonry Screw Anchors

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These screw anchors were a piece of cake to put in, with no concern around cracking substrate Having the ETA certification is a massive tick with these anchors

The High Performance Masonry Anchors from Bremick come in three distinct offerings: screw anchors, safety anchors and through bolts.

We tested the screw anchors, which are the more common ones used by carpenters and builders with timber and metal structure projects.

We caught up with Max Mazoletti from LMS Building and Constructions in Melbourne’s east, who helped showcase all the pros of using these new Bremick pieces.

He was putting up a new home in Mount Waverley, and was amped to be using the High Performance Masonry Screw Anchors on the frames.

TEST #1: ALL BOXES TICKED The importance of compliance for building cannot be emphasised enough. All tradies worth their salt need to know the products they’re using are in line with relevant codes and regulations.

All of these new Screw Anchors from Bremick are: • Option 1 - European Technical Assessment (ETA) for cracked and non-cracked concrete • C1&C2 Seismic Assessment certified* • AS5216 compliant • National Construction Code compliant • Fire Resistant F120

Max said with these in mind, he was confident the product he was building for his customer(s) was by the book.

“It’s great to know you’re using products that meet Australian Standards and Building codes,” he said.

“It’s tested to European and Australian standards and codes. The fact they tick every box to me is the biggest positive.

“Sometimes, you’re using bits and pieces you’ve picked up from stores and you’re not entirely certain whether it’s covered off on every requirement.

“With Bremick, there’s never a doubt. It’s clear as day what you’re using meets the proper codes.” *Only applies to specific sizes

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Faster installation and stronger results 1 Anchors come in a variety of finishes and materials with varying degrees of corrosion resistance. Including Zinc Plated, Ceramic Coated and Stainless Steel 316.

2 The screw anchors come in a variety of lengths – Max typically uses 100mm ones for his work

3 Peace of mind around compliance is massively important for tradies, and Max was confident the Bremick screw anchors had his back here

TEST #2: TOUGH AS NAILS With these Bremick’s Screw Anchors, tradies can expect faster installation and stronger results compared to traditional masonry fasteners like sleeve anchors.

They’re able to lessen the risk of bursting and cracking in surrounding substrate thanks to minimal expansion force when being screwed into the substrate. They come in lengths between 60150mm, with Max using 100mm ones for his work.

“They went in smoothly and quickly, which is what you want when you’re doing a lot of these at a time,” he said.

“They’re fully removable which is awesome, so if we needed them for temporary builds or formwork they come out as easily as they go in.”

THROUGH AND THROUGH Max admitted he was hard-pressed to find anything wrong with his time testing the High Performance Masonry Screw Anchors.

“They just provide a peace of mind that I can get on with the job without worrying about the anchors too much,” Max said. “There’s no uncertainty – these anchors have all the bases covered. I can put them in easily and move on without any headaches.”

The other anchors in the collection - the safety and through-bolt anchors are ideal for fixing in low-to-high seismic risk areas.

The Safety Anchors are built to handle what’s thrown their way with a patented anti-rotational nylon cylinder design. They come in hex bolt or countersunk head varieties depending on what you need.

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K s MaUp P2 PPE masks from Great Southern Safety Tradies are more conscious than ever about what they’re inhaling on the worksite.

With this in mind, Great Southern Safety has developed a range of Australian made P2 masks, designed specifically for industry, that protect tradies against just about anything they can - and can’t - see

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The sawdust created from drilling stood no chance against the P2 mask

The P2 masks are latex-free and super easy to put on

IT GOES without saying, but tradies’ lungs can take a beating if not properly protected. From dust and sawdust to dangerous asbestos or silica, it’s vital you have the right protection.

The PPE P2 masks from Great Southern Safety combine modern innovations in filtration with quality comfort for the tradie.

For this test, we hit up Max Mazoletti from LMS Building who tested the mask at a site in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs. He was doing plenty of work drilling into wood and cutting through plasterboard, so it was a great chance to put the Great Southern Safety P2 masks through their paces.

TEST #1: SILICA STOPPER With engineered stone products still used extensively in Australia, silica exposure remains high among tradies.

Silica exposure can lead to silicosis, which scars lungs, causes breathing difficulties and can even lead to death.

There’s a lot of focus in the industry about protecting tradies from exposure, and the importance of using P2 masks is no exception in this regard.

P2 masks are designed to filter out at least 94 per cent of airborne particles generated by grinding, cutting, sanding, drilling and sawing. Coincidently, they also protect against viruses and bacteria, including COVID-19.

or Scan f o inf e r o m

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PPE P2 mask – ideal for: Stone working Plastering and insulation

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Handling fine powders

“It’s a long career, working on-site – you’re exposed to a lot of hazardous materials,” Max said.

“Silica is obviously the big one we’re talking about at the moment. Being able to carry these masks in the car and knowing you have that protection makes a big difference.”

Great Southern Safety P2 masks are made to meet all Australian Standards and have been independently certified to ensure they meet the Standard AS/NZS 1716:2012.

TEST #2: COMFORT AND COVERAGE Safety is the number one priority when it comes to safety masks, but if a mask can be as unnoticeable as possible when worn, that’s even better.

The P2 is easy to put on and is barely noticeable when in use. Its cup-fit design ensures your nose and mouth make minimal contact with the mask.

This ensures tradies aren’t getting uncomfortable after extended periods of use, which is crucial for those longer jobs.

“My team and I wore them on a pretty hot day, and we had no issues with the heat or stuffiness,” Max said.

The mask comes in two types: valved and non-valved.

The valved P2 mask features an exhalation valve, which makes it easier for getting rid of exhaled air and reducing moisture build-up.

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The P2 mask protects tradies during a variety of cutting tasks

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The P2 comes in valved and non-valved versions depending on your needs

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Max was able to wear the P2 mask comfortably during long stretches of work in warm conditions

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THE TRADIE BEHIND THE MASK The P2 mask is suitable across a tonne of tradie applications, and provides top-tier protection across the lot of them.

Max and his mates were happy wearing the masks for extended periods on their respective sites.

Peace of mind that your lungs are protected is priceless on the site, and you can rest assured you’re covered with these masks.

P2 PPE masks are available via order from Great Southern Safety stockists.

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w e r c S it Senco’s Duraspin auto-feed screw system Superior speed and consistency are what tradies can expect with the Senco Duraspin auto-feed screw system.

It perfectly balances making your job easier, whilst delivering a quality product for you and your customers

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The corner-fit system on the Duraspin makes using it in corners a breeze with uncompromised accuracy

The screw guide and handle are easy to move out of the way, with the handle itself able to rotate at a complete 360-degree angle

The Duraspin boasts many unique features which make it a cut above the competition for its particular application.

Chippy Angus ‘Gus’ Redfearn from TK Building helped us with this Tradie Tough Test. He mostly uses a tool like the Duraspin on subflooring, however it is suitable for some decking, cladding and plasterboarding among other applications.

TEST #1: ALL ABOUT SPEED Gus had little stress with getting a quick and accurate result from the Duraspin on some Yellow Tongue flooring. This was largely due to the tool’s ‘Feed On Return’ feature, which ensures a new screw is ready to go quickly after you punched the last one in.

When working with Yellow Tongue for flooring, you’re typically standing up when screwing. From a fantastic line of sight, and an easily adjustable handle, Gus as able to shoot where he wanted, how he wanted and with uncompromised accuracy.

“I could tell right away how easy it was to adjust the rotation of the head so I could have the magazine out of the way wherever I was,” he added.

“With other tools, you need to be really certain and specific when you push.

A quick and accurate result from the Duraspin

*Suitable for Makita cordless and corded screwdrivers: DFS250Z 18V cordless, FS2300 and FS2500 230 V corded.

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Easy to adjust the rotation of the head 1 The Duraspin comes with a single tool-free adjustable nose piece, suitable for both wood and plasterboard

2 Adjusting drive depth for countersinks or flushdrives is easy with Duraspin’s Depth Lock feature

3 All smiles from Gus, who used the Duraspin on some subflooring

“Having the drill* plugged in provided me with more torque and overall a more accurate delivery.”

The adjustability also applies to the overall built of the Duraspin, with its modular make a blessing for tradies if they need to change or replace certain pieces.

TEST #2: NO SLOWING DOWN A frustrating problem tradies have with screw attachments is getting into a groove that’s uninhibited by jams. One moment, you’ll get into a consistent rhythm, and then the feeder gets stuck and it’s tools down while you fiddle about.

The Duraspin eliminates these issues with a number of ways, from the sliding screw guide to the strip foldback protection which prevents empty strips from jamming.

“As well as the guide system, I really liked how the Duraspin held more screws compared to similar tools I’ve used,” Gus added.

“Even with more screws, the foldback protection stops empty strips from getting caught on your socks or your boots. Having that feed run up the shaft was a real plus.”

SYSTEMATIC AND AUTOMATIC Overall, Gus loved how simple, yet effective the Duraspin was compared to similar products he’s used. He had it set up and ready to use in minutes with just the flick of a few clamps. From there, Gus was quickly humming away and using the Duraspin like it was second nature.

“There’s a lot of playing around with similar tools I’ve used, but this was great,” he said.

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MIND YOUR BUSINESS

Century of cement Cement Australia site celebrates 100-year anniversary CEMENT AUSTRALIA marked a century of pioneering that’s been poured into its Railton site on Tasmania’s North-West.

If the Railton site’s walls could talk, it’d tell you a staggering 58 million tonnes of cement has been produced there across the last 100 years.

The site originally went under the name Goliath, before falling under 78 THE TRADIE

Australia Cement Holdings and finally into the Cement Australia fold in 2003.

The original kiln at Railton had a production capacity of 25,000 tonnes of cement per year.

These days, the site exports about 1.5 million tonnes annually.

SOLID FOUNDATION As well as tonnes of cement, Cement

Australia’s Railton site has fostered tonnes of apprentices.

The days of training young aspiring tradies goes back to the site’s Goliath days which produced hundreds of skilled tradespeople.

The facility offers electrical, fitting and diesel mechanic apprenticeships. Working at one of the world’s most highly regarded cement production facilities has many bonuses for apprentices, who get a great understanding of the safety and technical aspects of running such a massive operation.

The Railton site annually recognises its best trainee with an apprentice of the year award. A percentage of apprentices remain on the site, with some marking more than 40 years there.

BUILT TO LAST One such long-standing worker is Cement Australia Railton Product Manager Garry Bissett.

He started working at the Railton site way back in 1980 when he was 16 years old as an apprentice carpenter.

Since then, he’s climbed the Cement Australia ladder to hold many key roles in the company.

Working at the site allowed Garry to pursue a Diploma in Business Management, and in 2009 he was made the national Shutdown Manager which had him overseeing the Railton, Kandos, Brisbane

The 100-year anniversary of Cement Australia’s Railton site included a centenarian celebration dinner

and Gladstone Cement Australia sites.

From there, he settled into his current role of Product Manager at Railton. This has Garry overseeing the production of cement and clinker, the grinding of raw materials from the Railton mine, and the transportation of cement to the local markets as well as the mainland.

Not bad for a former chippy.

Check it out See Cement Australia’s range at cementaustralia.com.au

MIND YOUR BUSINESS

She wy sonb’et alwa ht! rig

Peak protection Stretch your body, not your budget! Easy ways for tradies to handle workplace injuries TEN MINUTES of stretching and having a financial safety net could help tradies handle workplace injuries.

Research from hipages revealed that 71 per cent of tradies had experienced aches and pains in the past year, and 45 per cent had to take time off work

cost them over $4,000 a year in lost wages!

because of them.

Chucking the odd sickie to nurse a twinge is one thing, but being laid up with an injury could be costly. The same research showed that tradies missed an average of 11.2 days of work due to injuries. What’s worse, that time off potentially

PREPPING FOR RECOVERY Tradies can take a couple of steps to help protect themselves and their earnings: Add stretching to their routine and consider Personal Accident & Illness insurance.

Stretching helps prep

your body for a hard day’s work. Just 10-15 minutes of stretches before work helps prevent many injuries caused by twisting, lifting and bending.

Of course, stretching isn’t foolproof. You might still find yourself on extended leave after an injury. That’s where Personal Accident & Illness insurance comes into play.

Your policy could provide a weekly income benefit of up to 85% of your income* for a set time after an accidental injury. Even better, it also covers you when you’re not at work.

So if a weekend touch

footy match goes wrong or that early surf ends up in turf, you won’t have to worry about missing out on critical income the next day!

PROTECT YOURSELF TODAY BizCover can’t help with your stretches or make you accident-free, but we can help you get Personal Accident & Illness cover that won’t break the bank.

With competitive pricing and no paperwork, you can be covered online in minutes—no dramas.

Jump online and visit bizcover.com.au or give them a call today.

This information is general only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It should not be relied upon as advice. As with any insurance, cover will be subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions contained in the policy wording. * With BizCover you can choose to cover through leading insurers up to 85% of your income. Maximum limits apply. © 2023 BizCover Pty Limited, all rights reserved. ABN 68 127 707 975; AFSL 501769

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MIND YOUR BUSINESS

Tradies outta water Australian Plumbing and Gas Conference 2024 coming to Goldie THE AUSTRALIAN Plumbing and Gas Conference (APGC) is coming to the Gold Coast in March 2024! APGC is the premier event for plumbers, gas fitters, industry individuals, business owners, and support staff, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and experts to share knowledge, connect, and grow.

HERE ARE FIVE THINGS YOU’LL MISS OUT ON IF YOU DON’T ATTEND APGC: 1. Networking opportunities: APGC provides an ideal platform for networking with industry professionals, potential clients, and other experts in the field. Attendees will be able to connect with like-minded individuals,

build relationships, and form new partnerships.

2. Industry insights: The conference will feature a diverse range of speakers, workshops, and sessions covering a variety of topics relevant to the plumbing and gas industry.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest innovations, trends, and best practices from industry experts.

3. Professional development: APGC offers a range of sessions that can help attendees enhance their skills and knowledge, including technical topics,

safety, marketing, and more. This can help individuals and businesses improve their operations, increase efficiency, and ultimately achieve their goals.

4. Exposure to new products and services: The trade area at APGC will showcase the latest products, services, and technologies from leading suppliers and manufacturers.

Attendees can learn about new products, see demonstrations, and identify new opportunities for their business.

5. Recognition of World Plumbing Day: APGC will include a celebration of World Plumbing Day, an important industry day that highlights the important role plumbing plays in the health and safety of modern society.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in events and activities that recognize this important day.

Early bird registration is open for an extremely limited number of tickets!

Check out mpaq.arinex. one for all the program and ticketing details.

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MIND YOUR BUSINESS

The After Hours Return service has opened up new avenues for tradies and DIYers alike

Round the clock

Kennards Hire first in Australia to enable 24/7 equipment returns AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST family-owned equipment hire company, Kennards Hire, has announced the official launch of its After Hours Return service, enabling 24/7 equipment returns.

The service will provide an added benefit to Kennards Hire customers, including construction project

managers, tradespeople and DIYers, allowing them to concentrate on the job and not the clock.

Now available at 67 branches nationally, with more in the pipeline, Kennards Hire is the first hire company in Australia to offer equipment returns at any time of day, any day of the week.

The innovative offering is directly aligned to the company’s ethos to make their customer’s job easy.

Understanding that many trade jobs are time critical and that DIYers are timepoor, the new After Hours Return service means customers are relieved of the stress associated with getting equipment back to a branch before closing.

The industry-changing move also acknowledges challenges faced by customers working in the construction industry. According to the 2023 Kennards Hire

* The findings from the 2023 Kennards Hire Construction Confidence Check are the result of a survey conducted by YouGov from 19 – 28 May 2023. The sample comprised of 501 senior business leaders/ decision makers from construction businesses with 20+ employees in Australia.

Construction Confidence Check*, business leaders in the construction industry have identified the rising cost of materials (56 per cent), skilled labour shortages (51 per cent) and supply chain issues (45 per cent) to be the top three issues impacting today’s construction industry stability.

“Making our customers’ jobs easier has always been at the core of our operations,” Kennards Hire CEO Bill Whitehouse said.

“Balancing multiple project deadlines within a fast-paced industry is no easy feat. The After Hours Return service provides peace of mind, enabling customers to confidently tackle time-sensitive projects, saving valuable time and resources. Whether it’s a construction site or home improvement project, we want our customers to feel less stressed and have more flexibility in their day.”

AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Customers can access designated Kennards Hire branches after closing by using a unique PIN provided when booking the service.

Through the new After Hours Returns service,

the business is setting a new standard in customer-centric service by providing time-saving options for DIYers.and enhancing operational efficiencies for trade customers with small to medium businesses.

Kennards Hire customer Cruise Iosefa owns Cruise Turf Services - he said the After Hours Returns service has changed his work-life balance.

“Utilising After Hours has been a game-changer for me,” Cruise said.

“I used to worry about rushing from a job, usually further away, to return tools and equipment during regular business hours, often sacrificing work priorities and precious time with my family. With the convenience of the After Hours Return service, I can now focus on the job and enjoy quality moments with my loved ones without stressing about the logistics of a return.”

As an organisation renowned for its commitment to customer service excellence, Kennards Hire recognises the value of continuously improving customer experience. The After Hours Return service is yet another step in its mission to exceed customer expectations and strengthen relationships with businesses across a broad range of industries, as well as its core DIY customer base.

Check it out For more about after hours returns check out www.kennards.com.au/ after-hours-returns THE TRADIE 81

MIND YOUR BUSINESS Nominations for the 2023 Women in Industry Awards grew by a whopping 95 per cent

glass

Smashing ceilings Women in Industry Awards back on for 2024 IT’S NOT uncommon for a woman’s hard yakka to go unnoticed in the trades industry. With so many male-dominated professions involving tradies, it’s important to recognise women who have excelled both in leadership and innovation.

After a hugely successful 2023, the 2024 Women in Industry Awards is slated to be a blockbuster event.

“The awards are an opportunity to recognise the contribution of women in industry and their amazing examples for the next generations,” 82 THE TRADIE

Atlas Copco HR Business Partner Fiona Halliday said.

“Atlas Copco sponsors the awards to show our commitment to females in non-traditional industries and how we can find a better way towards equal representation.

“We love taking our team to the celebration and showing them the example that is set by all of these amazing women.”

A record-setting 160 nominations were put forward across 10 award categories for the 2023 awards. This marked

a massive 95 per cent increase from 2022. The awards are capped off with a special gala night, which experienced a 55 per cent increase in attendance at this year’s awards.

Atlas Copco is joined

by Fulton Hogan, Paccar and Sew-Drive, Komatsu and COG Advertising as primary sponsors for 2024.

“Fulton Hogan are proud to sponsor the Women in Industry – Women of the Year award for another year in 2024,” Fulton Hogan CEO Graeme Johnson said.

“This sponsorship demonstrates our commitment to supporting and driving change within predominantly male industries, doing what we can to make heavy industry more attractive and accessible for women

to join and stay.

“Fulton Hogan recognises that diversity is not only essential for us to change, adapt and grow, but it also good for business and results in happier workplaces with a better culture leading to better retention of our people.”

However, there’s still plenty of time for more sponsors to get onboard this worthwhile event.

Sponsorship enquiries can be found at womeninindustry.com.au/ sponsors/.

The 2024 Women in Industry Awards will be held on June 20 in Sydney. Nominations are open, and can be done at cognitoforms.com/ PrimeCreativeMedia/ _2024WomenIn IndustryAwards.

“Knowing how vital gender diversity is in our manufacturing industry drives us to work together to recognise women’s work and support them in fulfilling their goals. Once again, we have the pleasure of sponsoring the Women in Industry in 2024” Laura Arias – Sew-Drive Senior HR Business Partner

“PACCAR has a long and proud history of supporting women in all areas of its global businesses and recognises programs such as Women in Industry Awards help promote women more broadly than its own company and industry,” Pacccar Australia’s Director of Sales and Marketing Michael Long said.

“Being part of the awards helps us further our goal of celebrating and championing inclusion and diversity in the workplace.”

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