OSHA is issuing two new standards to protect workers from exposure to respirable crystalline silica.  The first for construction will be in effect on September 23, 2017* and the other is for General Industry and Maritime which will be in effect on June 23, 2018. Here is what you need to be OSHA compliant. Why the New OSHA Silica Dust…

Occidental Leather is known for making the finest tool belts for the general construction and framing industry.  Let’s see how well the Occidental Leather Pro Framer held up to our Torture Tests. Wear and Tear Test The day to day rubbing and scraping that your tool bag goes through will cause most belts to fail in 2-4 years.  The Occidental…

In this article, we show you how to build a live edge glass coffee table, inspired by Greg Klassen’s amazing work. It’s a simple enough project with a few tricky moments, but, with a little woodworking skill, you can build one for yourself. Let’s get started! Step 1: Gather Materials and Tools This is a surprisingly tool-light build. If you…

What Is The Maker Movement A not-so-quiet revolution is underway that is reshaping how products are being made and sold. An exploding number of independent inventors, designers, crafters, and tinkerers have ventured into the business world and created the “Maker Movement.” This trend is so prevalent that in 2015, President Barack Obama declared a National Week of Making. He called…

The Milwaukee M12 LED Trueview Flashlight can provide up to 800 Lumens and can cast its light over 375 yards but how will it hold up to the demands of the industrial jobsite.  To recreate those demands we put the Milwaukee 2355-21 flashlight from the M12 tool line to the test by dropping it, smashing it, and driving it over.  Let’s…

Pulling wire is a big part of being an electrician. So much so that it may seem like a pretty basic process in your day. But you also know that if you don’t take the proper steps during the pull, it can mean lost time, lost patience, and in some cases, wire that needs to be replaced due to damage…

The History of Occidental Leather Occidental Leather®, specializing in professional carpenter’s tool belts and pouches was established by Darryl Thurner in the village of Occidental, Ca. in 1979.  At that time, there were no tool bag manufacturers that understood the needs of professional carpenters. A new standard of quality and design quickly evolved a well thought out organized method of…

The Best DeWalt Tools By Trade As old man winter loosens the grasp on the majority of the country, March is a great time to evaluate your tool needs for the upcoming building season. DeWalt is making this a little easier this year by offering a record number of deals and promotions so we have scoured all of them to…

The Bosch Power Box has been filling job sites across the country with great sound.  We wanted to see if this AM/FM Radio, Charger, Digital Media Stereo with 360° Sound could stand up to the rigorous demands of Acme Tools.  Bowling to Boom Lifts, let’s see how it holds up. Bowling With Bosch The PBA is made up of the…

Getting the Most From the Supermax 19-38 Sander This Supermax sander is a workhorse. It’ll help you put a smooth surface on such items as raised-panel doors, drawer fronts, table tops, slabs, thin stock, long flat trim, and resawn boards. It’s a great way to clean up planer and jointer marks. Marlen Kemmet, a renowned craftsman in Iowa, uses his…