The Journal of Light Construction

Q. I’ve never been comfortable sweating copper supply lines (I’m a remodeler, not a plumber). Given the steep cost, does it make sense to invest in a press tool? Are any other remodelers running these tools, and if so, what should I know about them? A. Jeremy Kassel, owner/operator of Kassel Construction in Glenmont, N.Y., a remodeler of 22 years, and a frequent presenter at JLC Live responds: The cost upfront was a concern for me also when I bought mine back in 2018.

A heavy-duty roof top vent outlet for bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, clothes dryers, and other household appliances. • The two-piece snap-on design and integrated trim rings reportedly make these vents easier to install. • These collated spikes are designed for installing high R-value continuous exterior sheathing. • The sleek, minimalist profile blends seamlessly with contemporary deck and outdoor architecture.

For those who like music in the shower, the Energy Star-certified WhisperFit DC fan with Bluetooth speakers from Panasonic comes with dual integrated speakers mounted inside the housing. The fan also features LED dimmable lighting, cost-saving DC motor technology, and a sone rating of 0.4 at 80 cubic feet per minute. The product installs using Flex-Z Fast brackets, fits 2×6 joist bays, and supports 3-inch and 4-inch ducts. iaq.na.panasonic.com

PlyGem says that its 4-inch and 6-inch Exvent and Exvent6 louvered exhaust vents have an improved design for easier installation. These products are able to accommodate ⅛-inch airflow adjustments and feature optional, removable screens to protect against insects and pests. The vents come in molded colors, but they can also be custom painted to color-match the siding. plygem.com

Grip-Rite SpeedSpikes are 4 ½-inch collated fasteners for installing high R-value insulated exterior sheathing. The manufacturer says that they can be driven through the sheathing and rigid foam layers in a single shot with full 2-inch stud embedment, and that they reduce installation time to one-fifth that of hand-driven fasteners. The ring shank design ensures secure grip in wood studs. The SpeedSpike is designed for use with 21-degree heavy-duty timber framing nailers. grip-rite.com

GAF’s Master Flow Bath & Dryer Rooftop Appliance Vent will exhaust heat and moisture from bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, clothes dryers, and other household appliances. According to the manufacturer, it passes 110 mile-per-hour wind-driven rain testing, ensuring continuous operation in severe weather, and meets building codes that require a minimum of 12 1/2 square inches of net-free ventilation area for rooftop bath, dryer, and appliance vents.

Fulton Rail from TimberTech is a line of steel deck railings with a sleek, minimalist profile that blends seamlessly with contemporary deck and outdoor architecture. The squared balusters and clean lines are less bulky than traditional wood railings, giving decks a polished, professional look. The product is made from galvanized steel, and can be washed with soap and water. It’s a panelized system that’s designed to install quickly. timbertech.com

I was hired to repair two timber columns in the basement of a 200-year-old building in Shirley, Mass., that had once been the post office and had served for a time as a hardware store. The building is currently zoned for mixed use; there’s now an insurance company and apartments. The building owner was concerned about two columns supporting the main girder in the basement that showed obvious signs of rot at the base.

Different metals call for different drill bits—black oxide for mild steel and general-purpose work, cobalt for stainless and other hard metals, and titanium-coated bits for faster drilling and longer life in certain applications. You almost need to be a metallurgist to know which bit to reach for. That’s changing. A new generation of metal-drilling bits moves easily from one material to the next. For contractors, that versatility could be a game changer, with less guesswork and fewer bit swaps.

Smart Sourcing Starts with the Right Support Brought to you by Ferguson3 MIN READ