New Ideas

Billing software fits all companies

BQE Software Inc. has made available BillQuick® 2003, an updated version of its billing software that can be purchased in various styles.

BillQuick Basic is for home offices and small offices; BillQuick Pro can be used in small offices and medium offices; BillQuick Enterprise is suited for medium offices and large offices; BillQuick Palm/CE can be used with Palm/CE OS devices and BillQuick; and BillQuick Web interface inputs time cards, expense forms and billing information via the Internet. The software, which includes help tips, can be integrated with QuickBooks,® provide custom labels and reports, and send reminders.

Work gear is for all seasons

Gorgonz™ has released its Performance Work Gear™ that is designed to make workers comfortable during various weather conditions.

The company's fleece-lined ear warmers, which weigh 2 ounces, wrap behind the head. The product's outer shell features fleece or Teflon®-treated cotton or stretch nylon. The ear warmers adjust to fit any head size and collapse to fit in a pocket.

The company's cold-weather gloves include the 180°s™ Exhale Heating System,™ which features an exhale port into which glove wearers can blow heat. The gloves include Thinsulate™ linings, reinforced double stitching, padded oil- and grease-resistant palms, padded knuckles, and hydrophilic fiber that absorbs and directs moisture through the exhale port to keep hands dry. Warm-weather gloves feature breathable mesh, Toughtek® patches for grip, padded knuckles and palms, and water-resistant fabrics.

The company's EvapCool™ hat features layers to keep a worker's head cool. After the hat is soaked in cold water, its Hydroweave® fabric holds the moisture. As the sun evaporates the moisture, the hat creates a cooling effect. The hat features a watertight lining to keep a worker's head dry.

System dispenses Polyurethane

Polyfoam Products Inc. has released its Pop-Top ProPack® 30 portable field kit that dispenses polyurethane foam for tile roof system installations and maintenance.

Chemical hoses and a foam dispensing gun are attached to the package, which contains the company's Polypro® AH-160 polyurethane adhesive. A spare dispensing gun and hose extension are provided, and reportedly, no calibration is required.

Box rolls into truck bed

Slide Systems LLC has made available Rollerbox,™ a storage box that can be rolled and locked in different positions in a truck bed. The storage box is available in three styles—utility, which can be secured so lumber and other long materials can be slid underneath it; sport, which features a wide top compartment and removable bottom compartment for boots and large equipment; and professional, which features six pullout drawers to store hand tools and a wide top compartment for large tools.

Adhesive is for various materials

OSI® Sealants Inc. has made available its Pro-Series® RT 600 Low VOC Roof Tile Adhesive to install and repair concrete, clay, slate and composite roof tiles. The adhesive is said to provide a weather- and water-resistant seal and withstand high temperatures. The product, which is packaged in 10.2- and 28-ounce containers, is available in black, brown, gray, tan and terra cotta.

Flashlights have longer lives

Lightwave™ has made available its Tec Series flashlights— Tec3000 and Tec2000—that reportedly have longer lives than traditional flashlights. The products feature light-emitting diodes, which are said to emit light for thousands of hours, produce a whiter light than other flashlights and be unbreakable. The products' industrial-grade switches reportedly last for at least 10,000 operations. The flashlights' batteries are said to last 700 hours.

Flat-resistant tires now offered

Bobcat Co. now offers its Bobcat Heavy Duty Tires and Bobcat Severe Duty Tires filled with ARNCO's SuperFlex® polyurethane that is said to make the tires flat-resistant. The tires reportedly protect a machine's operator from vibrations and jolting, increase tire life and maintain proper tire pressure.

Underlayment is for steep-slope roofs

Kirsch Building Products LLC has released its SHARKSKIN™ polyolefin underlayment for steep-slope roof systems, including composition shingles, tile, slate and metal. The white underlayment, which is said to be slip-resistant, is not treated with adhesive chemical agents and is 100 percent recyclable.

Metal colors are energy-efficient

Petersen Aluminum Corp. has made available 27 energy-efficient metal roof system colors. The Cool Colors feature emissivity ratings above 0.8 and meet ENERGY STAR,® Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and other energy certifications. The company also can provide energy-efficient custom colors.

Snips' blades are replaceable

Klenk® Tools has made available its aluminum snips that feature replaceable blades. The blades, which reportedly are easy to change, are fastened with screws rather than rivets so they remain aligned.

The 12- and 14-inch snips provide 3- and 3 1/2-inch cuts, respectively, and feature loops for user comfort. Replacement kits include all hardware necessary to replace a blade.

Insulation is softer

CertainTeed Corp. has improved its fiberglass insulation and produced a softer product called SoftTouch. The product's stapling flanges have been re-engineered to reportedly ease handling and stapling. SoftTouch insulation is available faced and unfaced.

In addition, the company has released the sixth edition of its Shingle Applicator's Manual.™ The manual features self tests and new test questions, updated warranty information and application instructions, as well as introduces the company's new products. The manual, which is offered in Spanish, is available on CD-ROM, DVD and VHS.

Videos address coatings

Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. has released videos that address selling and installing its elastomeric acrylic coatings.

The seven-minute sales video discusses the products' benefits.

The 16-minute application video demonstrates the steps involved when applying a coating on a metal roof system, including cleaning and priming a roof surface and handling flashing penetrations and seams.

Ointment repairs rough skin

Rough Hand Repair has released its Rough Hand Repair Ointment that is said to repair dry, cracked skin. The ointment features petrolatum, which is said to promote fast healing of damaged skin cells; lanolin, a skin softener and protectant; and vitamin A, which reportedly is an anti-infectant. The skin is said to absorb a lemon-seed-size dab within 20 minutes.

Bulletins address metal roofing

Classic Products Inc. has released more than 100 technical bulletins that address metal roofing. The bulletins were created for roofing contractors, architects and building owners and address flashing methods, lightning, energy efficiency, cleaning, dissimilar metals and other topics. Each bulletin analyzes an issue and provides conclusions.

Steel shingles are recyclable

MetalWorks has released its steel shingles that are 100 percent recyclable and consist of 50 percent recycled materials.

The lightweight shingles, which weigh 2 pounds to 3 1/2 pounds, are said to minimize structural concerns when layered over other materials. The products also reflect ultraviolet rays to reduce energy costs.

Shear fits into drills

Malco Products Inc. has made available its TurboShear™ accessory that can be inserted into standard 3/8-inch chucks of 12-volt cordless drills or electric power drills without disassembling the drills. The shear's replaceable jaws can be used for cutting metal. The product can make cuts as small as 6-square inches and requires a 1/2-inch starting hole for blind cuts.

Drill bits ease drilling

Metabo Corp. has made available carbide-tipped rotary hammer drill bits—Pro 4, 2-Cutter and 4-Cutter—to ease drilling into concrete, masonry and stone.

Pro 4 features a chisel-shaped bit for quick drilling and multifluted shaft that removes dust. The bit is available with SDS-Plus Shanks and bit diameters from 5/32 of an inch to 5/8 of an inch and lengths of 2 inches to 16 inches.

2-Cutter has a double-fluted shaft with a reinforced core to keep a bit stable and reduce friction and vibration. The bit is available with SDS-Plus Shanks and bit diameters from 3/4 of an inch to 1 inch and lengths of 6 inches to 16 inches. Straight shanks are available with bit diameters of 1/8 of an inch to 1 inch and lengths of 1 3/8 inches to 18 inches.

4-Cutter features four carbide cutting surfaces to minimize vibrations and user strain. The bit is available with SDS-Plus Shanks in diameters from 1 1/8 inches to 1 1/4 inches and lengths of 8 inches and 16 inches. SDS-Max Shanks and Spline Shanks are available in diameters of 5/8 of an inch to 1 1/2 inches, as well as lengths of 7 1/2 inches to 18 inches and 5 inches to 17 inches, respectively.

RCMA releases metal information

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) has released its TECH NOTE about metal roof systems. The technical bulletin, prepared by RCMA's Technical Committee, addresses asphalt and elastomeric coatings, evaluation and inspection processes, and other topics.

Shear is redesigned

Howard Tools Inc. has made available its Shingle Shear™ Model 2003 that, at 16 pounds, weighs less than the original model. The shear features a 20-inch cutting blade and redesigned guard, which allows shingles to be slid through the tool. The new blade allows more than 45-degree hip and ridge cuts to be made on shingles and can be sharpened and replaced.

Telephone system is hosted off-site

Virtual PBX Inc. has released its Virtual PBX communications service provider that offers telephone capabilities, such as an automatic attendant greeting, voice mail, fax, and call distribution and transferring, through an off-site service. Employees are listed under the same telephone number whether they work on- or off-site. The service, which reportedly costs less than installing and maintaining an on-site telephone system, takes about 24 hours to install.

Infrared photos diagnose roof leaks

Infrared Concepts Corp. has made available its patented INFRARED2k service that helps inspect roof systems for accumulated moisture in 5-square-foot and larger sections. Daytime aerial photos are taken to locate equipment on a roof that may produce heat but not moisture. An infrared scanner is used for nighttime aerial photos to determine roof areas affected by moisture. Software magnifies, examines and combines the day and night images to produce reports for building owners.

Dispenser provides wide asphalt paths

Garlock Equipment has released its Dual-Path Dispenser to provide 44-, 46-, 48-, 53-, 55- and 57-inch-wide asphalt paths. The dispenser features a removable strainer that reportedly keeps the valve system clean, 4- by 8-inch flat-resistant tires and a heavy-duty chain mop. Two handle-mounted levers control the chain mop and dispense asphalt.

Earplug is comfortable

To make earplugs comfortable and fit securely, Howard Leight Industries has released Fusion,™ an earplug with a rigid FlexiFirm™ core fused to SoftFlange™ materials. The reusable earplug, which is said to adjust to a user's ear canal, features a detachable cord to prevent losing the earplug and can be stored in a HearPack™ flip-top box.