By Benjamin Brits
Tooling forms an integral part of any professional’s work in the timber industry, no matter what their speciality.
With each element in the timber sector comes a range of tooling to add to the arsenal, and when it comes to technology there is no lack thereof. No matter if you are cutting, planing, trimming, drilling, pinning, joining,
sanding, routing or installing – the range of tooling is endless.
A professional’s tooling would encompass not only the actual tools required but also specialist attachments, fasteners and systems needed to get the job done quickly efficiently, and most importantly, safely.
With options in fixed tools, portable workstations, handheld power tools and battery operated equipment, the range in working with wood is not shy, and leading manufacturers continually invest large amounts into research and development into all aspects of tooling: be it comfort, convenience or ergonomics, lifespan, strength and ease of installation, and even as far as storage solutions.
In a statement received from Rutherford-Makita, the company said, “Lithium-Ion cordless technology has taken our local market by storm over the last few years. Makita has produced one of the world’s largest ranges of 18V power tools, and through its continuous research and development is constantly producing innovative new and exciting tools to enhance its range and offer greater versatility to professionals. Using cordless technology is a simple and effective way to ensure productivity without compromising on performance when a power source isn’t available.”
The first tool of a mechanical nature dates back centuries – to the 1300s where clear evidence of turned products were discovered. The good old lathe claims the title as the very first tool developed and used in Ancient Egypt according to various historical findings. Back then of course it was driven by hand, wind or water – similar to systems they used in food preparation such as crushing grains.
The lathe is also said to have been the ‘founder-tool’ for the invention of a large range of other equipment and tools in many sectors today including industrial metalwork, the motor industry and even musical instrument manufacturing. But a lot has changed since then as the drive for more is sought out by industry professionals.
“Tooling is a very important topic because not everyone knows exactly what tool or product is used for a specific application. Many people (including professionals) would typically just walk into a hardware store and ask for what they think they need, or more commonly nowadays, have an image of what they are looking for on their phone. Education is key in this industry to make sure you are using the correct products and are also making sure that these products are applied or installed correctly. Even professionals can improve on the technique they use and benefit from a proper knowledge and application of all tooling catering to the sector. This
education must further be shared to address construction in the more rural areas where a DIY approach is common. Here you see completely wrong applications which are dangerous and possibly affect a building’s structural strength,” says Matthew McCathie, head of sales and marketing at Shockproof Investments.
PROFESSIONAL TOOLING
To start at the beginning, some fundamentals need to be covered. As a professional, and no doubt planning (and expecting) to make the most of the equipment you buy, a common question is what makes professional tools a better choice? The answer is quite simple: professional tools are engineered to handle far greater workloads than a DIY tool.
Most manufacturers have different product ranges (often indicated by a different colour casing). Professional tool ranges cater to industries that depend on reliability, quality, and importantly backup service and
replacement parts for extensive use, while DIY products are manufactured on use ‘every so often’. As a professional in the industry you may know, and already have experienced the difference in a DIY tool and professional tool. If you have a DIY tool breakdown within its warranty period, the first question you will need to answer is around what the tool was used for, and how often it was used.
Many professional tools also carry a 24 or 36-month warranty so you can be assured your focus is on the priority of running your business and not worrying if your tools will make it through the day or not. According to Vermont Sales, a distributor of various professional tooling brands in South Africa, “It is better for every professional or craftsman to be successful with every project they work on.” This is achieved in using quality international brands that have been through many decades of product development to ensure that what is delivered meets the client’s expectations.
Care and maintenance on professional tools are also no more than what would be required on any other type of tool, and in fact, would be less as professional tools are made to withstand more stringent working conditions and are less sensitive to things such as continuous use or dusts.
However as with any tool the better it is taken care of, the longer it will last and continue to give you quality results. “Whether cutting, sanding, sawing or routing, dust will be produced in any workshops, construction site or mobile facility. However, a dust-free working environment is indispensable in order to ensure that your work produces good results. If dust settles on your workpieces, this is guaranteed to affect quality. It has also been proven that tools that are cleaned regularly (dust is extracted) have a significantly longer service life,” explains Festool Product Manager Andreas Buck.
The next common question is investment in the right tools. Many professionals will have experienced purchasing tools and then only later on realise that the tool was limited or requires some or other additional components in order to perform certain functions. Also, working at a factory or manufacturing facility versus working in a mobile unit or on site all require vastly different sets of tooling.
It is always recommended to engage with companies that offer professional advice in terms of what is suitable for your requirements, and to explain the latest technology that is applicable to your needs. There is no reason to, for example, invest in a CNC machine when you will be needing a mobile mitre saw for working on site.
In terms of fasteners as part of basic tooling, this will also highly depend on the particular construction projects you do or if you have any specialisation. There may be a requirement to only stock wood screws, however if you are working with chipboard, better results will be obtained by using specialist chipboard screws, and so on. The same would apply to fastening wood to steel or concrete, or nail plates for roof trussing versus plates for timber joining or anti-splitting plates.
An interesting point is a fastening type that is commonly referred to: Rawlplug. “Rawlplug is in fact the name of the original designers and manufacturers of fixing systems, anchoring and wall plugs, they have an extensive range. The company is also way ahead when it comes to innovation, research and development. The company is over 100 years old (founded in 1919) and still today is a world leader in fixing systems,” says Ryan Hunt, sales director at Vermont Sales.
EXPANDING ON THE GENERAL TOOLING FOR THE TRADE
In future issues of Timber IQ, we will be covering the tooling for professionals in details and will be looking at the general types of tooling a professional would need to work in the timber construction industry, as well correct intended uses, available options in mobility, pros and cons, and so on.
- General tooling
- Cutting
- Planing and sanding
- Joining
- Pneumatic and gas tools
- Speciality tools
- Tool Attachments
- Fasteners and fastening systems