New Ideas

Brake is lightweight

Malco Products Inc. has made available its portable, lightweight Mini Brake.™ The 58-pound brake, which can bend aluminum, copper and 22-gauge galvanized steel up to 135 degrees, has no fixed throat depth and is said to accommodate 4-inch- to 4-foot-wide metals. The product's anvil and apron feature adjustable strengthening ribs, and the anvil's clamping mechanism is said to secure its position.

In addition, the company has released its Gutter Outlet Punches for cutting 2- by 3-inch, 3- by 4-inch and 2 1/5- by 3 1/5-inch rectangular drop holes, as well as 2- by 3-inch X-style drop holes. The replaceable punch blades are designed to cut 5- and 6-inch-wide gutters up to 0.032 inch thick. The tools are compatible with the company's upgrade kits that punch additional drop-hole sizes and shapes.

Steel shingles feature coating

Georgia-Pacific Corp. has released its Centura™ steel shingles that are coated with Fluropon,® a paint that reportedly reflects ultraviolet rays, increases energy efficiency and sheds snow. The 29-gauge Galvalume® shingles can be installed over an existing asphalt roof system and are available in black, charcoal, slate gray, forest green, federal blue and terracotta.

Software system tracks maintenance

Link It Software Corp. has made available its EZ Maintenance software system that schedules, manages and tracks maintenance and repairs for equipment, including vehicles and tires. The system can produce maintenance-history reports that contain information about completed maintenance, parts used and who performed the work. The software also schedules future maintenance and tracks vehicle incidents, driver information, tire mileage and other information.

Cellular telephones display weather

Motorola Inc. and Digital Cyclone Inc. have launched Mobile My-Cast,® a service that enables cellular telephones to display weather conditions. The service, which is available for $14.95 per month and compatible with Motorola Java™-enabled cellular telephones, sends users current weather conditions, a nine-hour or seven-day forecast, and severe weather warnings. The system is said to isolate weather patterns within a few blocks of a user.

Roofing colors are heat-reflective

Architectural Metal Systems has released its cool-scape™ heat-reflective coatings for its metal roof systems. The coatings, which are available in 24 colors, have received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star® rating and are said to reduce energy costs up to 50 percent. The products also reportedly prolong a roof system's life by reducing thermal expansion and contraction. The coatings consist of Fluoroceram,® a resin-based coating system that is said to resist rust, airborne pollutants and fading.

Pneumatic tool line is released

PrimeSource Building Products Inc. has launched its PrimeAir™ line of pneumatic tools. The line includes three framing nailers, two coil roofing nailers, one coil pallet nailer, four finish nailers, four staplers and one power-palm nailer that is compatible with various nail types.

In addition, the company has made available four electric compressors and two gas-powered compressors as part of the tool line. The compressors feature cast-iron pumps and oil, line and tank gauges. The products are available in 2- to 9-horsepower models.

Self-stick patches repair and protect

COFAIR Products Inc. has made available its Gutter Seal™ self-stick patches that seal holes in metal or vinyl gutters. The white 3- by 6-inch patches can be painted to match a gutter's color.

The company also released its self-adhering Tite-Seal™ flashing that can be used to waterproof and windproof windows, doors and skylights, as well as seal joints under brick siding, stucco and wood. The rubberized asphalt strips are available in 4-inch by 33-foot rolls and 4-inch by 100-foot rolls. The products feature peel-off paper backings and can be cut to any size.