New Ideas

Spray gun is low-maintenance

GlasCraft Inc. has introduced the Probler P2, a spray gun that is said to be the smallest and lightest available in the market. It offers many coatings and foam insulation applications, as well as a double piston that provides more than 300 pounds of trigger force.

The Probler P2 has a grease fitting that is said to allow fast and easy maintenance. Its air check valve design prevents material from entering the air portion of the gun, and side block attachment bolts eliminate gun foam-up, which is said to reduce spray inefficiencies. A two-piece mixing chamber and replaceable "quick-change" tip are said to make the Probler P2 low-maintenance.

Web site: www.glascraft.com
Telephone: (317) 875-5592

Membrane is lightweight

Cooley Building Products has made available its Illusions™ Roofing System, a textured, shingle-patterned composite membrane for residential and commercial applications.

Available in charcoal, tan and green, the membrane has a three-dimensional appearance and textured, slip-resistant surface. Weighing 30 pounds per square, it is heat-, cold-, fungus- and ultraviolet-resistant. It also is said to be waterproof on low-slope installations. The product is heat-sealed and mechanically fastened over an approved insulation substrate, which is said to provide a barrier against wind, rain and salt spray and significantly lower energy costs.

Cooley Building Products also has released Evolution,™ a white single-ply membrane for mechanically fastened and fully adhered roofing applications. It has a fleece backing that allows installation with adhesive or hot asphalt.

Evolution has extra thickness on top of the membrane and is available in 45-, 60- and 80-mil standard thicknesses with roll widths of 78 inches and 120 inches.

Web site: www.cooleygroup.com
Telephone: (800) 333-3048

Toolbox offers durability

Stanley has introduced its professional 25-inch 4 x 4 ShockMaster™ toolbox, which offers a weather-resistant body, durable construction and increased storage. It has four slip-resistant Sofprene™ feet that are said to function as shock absorbers.

The ShockMaster is constructed with high-impact resin and has an extra-wide, ergonomically designed handle and extra grip recesses on each side.

Web site: www.stanleyworks.com
Telephone: (800) 782-6539

System offers fire protection

GAF Materials Corp. has released its FireShield® Roof Restoration System, a SeamFree™ membrane system based on Topcoat® technology. It is said to reflect sunlight, reduce energy costs and extend roof system life. Additionally, it is self-extinguishing when exposed to flame and is said to provide maximum fire protection.

GAF Materials also has introduced Spec Central, a resource that is said to make it easier to specify a new low- or steep-slope roof system. The computer program provides interactive tools to help write, customize or complete a roofing submittal package.

Spec Central features SpecWizard,™ which is said to reduce the time for writing a Construction Specifications Institute-formatted specification by up to 90 percent. SpecWizard has drop-down menus to select product attributes and provides editable output in various common formats. Spec Central also features Roof Advisor, which suggests the best roof systems for specific properties.

Web site: www.gaf.com
Telephone: (973) 628-3000

Saw stand offers simplicity

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has released the TS2000 Gravity-Rise™ portable table saw stand designed to accommodate most portable table saws.

Said to be easy to operate, the stand is made of heavy gauge steel and has 8-inch treaded pneumatic wheels. Its balanced design and simple, one-step process are said to save users time by eliminating extra pins, folding legs or fasteners.

Web site: www.boschtools.com
Telephone: (877) 267-2499

Barrier protects roof systems

ALCO-NVC Inc. has revamped its underlayment line. The new ALCO SHIELD Smooth Ice and Water Protector and ALCO SHIELD Granular Ice and Water Protector are fiberglass-reinforced, polymer-modified asphalt membranes used as shingle underlayments for steep-slope roof systems. Both are said to resist water penetration caused by wind-driven rain or ice dams.

The products can be used under metal, slate or tile during reroofing or new construction. They have slip-resistant surfaces and are said to self-heal when penetrated by roofing nails.

Web site: www.alconvc.com
Telephone: (800) 323-0029

Paint system protects roofs

Arkema Inc. has made available its new Kynar 500® fluoropolymer resin-based paint system designed to protect metal roof systems from weathering, aging and pollution. The product is said to outperform silicone polyester, urethane, polyester powder and acrylic coatings in color and gloss retention, as well as resistance to chalking. In addition, the coating is said to better reflect light for higher energy efficiency.

Kynar 500® coatings are flame-retardant and chemically resistant.

Web site: www.kynar.com
Telephone: (215) 419-7921

Bird repeller is versatile

Bird-X Inc. has introduced the Broadband PRO, a multifunctional bird repeller that targets birds with a combination of four sounds—distress cries, predator cries, general harassing sounds and ultrasonic waves. It also features three visual images to frighten birds, including Irri-Tape iridescent holographic ribbon, Terror Eyes holographic eye repeller and Prowler Owl aerofoil-wing predator. The product is said to be harmless to birds and the environment.

One BroadBand PRO unit covers up to 10,000 square feet and comes with a control box, four speakers with 100-foot cords, an adaptor with cord and instructions.

Web site: www.bird-x.com
Telephone: (800) 662-5021

Program shows potential roofs

CertainTeed Corp. has released Picture My Home Makeover,™ a Web-based service that allows homeowners to visualize their homes with various colors and styles of CertainTeed siding and roofing.

Picture My Home Makeover features a three-step process during which a customer uploads a picture of his home and specifies his choices in siding and roofing products, as well as colors. He then receives a report with up to three different design options within two weeks to four weeks, providing detailed descriptions of the products and a list of contractors in a customer's area. The service can be accessed at www.certainteedpicturemyhome.com/Default.asp.

Web site: www.certainteed.com
Telephone: (610) 341-7328

Mount is wind-resistant

Thompson Technology Industries Inc. has made available its Flat Jack Roof Mount for composite shingle roofs. The mount, which is used for solar panels and other roof-mounted devices, is said to resist Category 3 winds (130-mph winds).

Available in stainless-steel, brown and black finishes, the Flat Jack Roof Mount is said to provide 100 percent waterproofing. It is made of corrosion-resistant materials, and installation is said to be 25 percent faster than standard mounts with no shingle cutting required. The design is said to allow ventilation and drainage.

Web site: www.thompsontec.com
Telephone: (415) 446-0103

Manual features asbestos information

Asbestos Control: Surveys, Removal and Management, Second Edition is available from ASTM International. The 105-page manual provides an explanation of the significance and use of the latest ASTM International standards on asbestos control and is based on the experiences of ASTM International members and others involved in standards development.

The manual includes a holistic approach to asbestos control, comprehensive building asbestos surveys, an assessment of asbestos-containing materials, and respiratory protection and other precautions, among other topics.

Web site: www.astm.org
Telephone: (610) 832-9585

Bit line offers speed

RotoZip® by Bosch has launched XBits,™ a line featuring bits that are said to be two times faster than any predecessors.

Each XBit is 5/32 of an inch in diameter. The XB-MP cuts wood, fiberglass, oriented strand board, laminates, plastic and siding, and the XB-UL cuts underlayment and backerboard. XBits come in packs of one, two, five and 10.

Web site: www.RotoZip.com
Telephone: (877) 768-6947

Bits feature a flute design

RIDGID® has made available its Woodboring Bits, which have a flute design for speed and durability. A cutting edge, cutting spur and side lip are said to make the bits up to six times faster than spade bits.

RIDGID Woodboring Bits are full-length heat-treated for durability. They have a 1?4-inch quick-change shank and can be resharpened. They are available in 1/2-, 5/8-, 3/4-, 7/8-, 1- and 1 1/4-inch lengths and as three-piece or six-piece sets.

Web site: www.ridgid.com
Telephone: (800) 474-3443

Stapler handles high volume

DUO-FAST has introduced the SureShot™ 1848 18-gauge narrow crown stapler for high-volume applications such as underlayment.

The SureShot 1848 drives DUO-FAST 1800 series 18-gauge, 1/4-inch crown staples and has a staple size up to 1 1/2-inch leg length. It weighs 4 pounds and features a bottom load aluminum magazine for easy loading and clearing and fastener usage window that monitors staple volume. The magazine holds two staple strips and an adjustable exhaust.

Web site: www.duofast.com
Telephone: (888) 386-3278