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Product Picks: September 2020

Each month, hundreds of products and LBM services hit the market. Here’s our pick of the ones to watch.

 

Simpson Strong-Tie mass timber fasteners

As the first North American-based company to embrace the mass timber challenge, the company says, Simpson Strong-Tie is introducing three heavy-duty, Strong-Drive
mass timber fasteners. The SDCF Timber-CF Screw is a structural fastener in several lengths up to 23-5/8″. These 0.315″- and 0.394″-diameter, fully threaded structural fasteners are designed to provide uncompromised strength for beam reinforcement, floor-to-floor, and butt joint applications. SDCP Timber-CP Screws are a structural fastener available in several lengths up to 14″. These partially threaded, 0.315″- and 0.394″-diameter structural fasteners are designed to pull structural members together and are developed to offer superb holding power and load capacity. SDHR Combo-Head Screws are 4″ and 6-1/4″ structural fasteners with a partially threaded, sturdy 0.394″- and 0.472″-diameter. They are designed to pull structural members together while providing excellent connection strength, especially when connecting steel plate connectors to wood. The unique “combination” head was developed to allow driving using either a hex bit or T40 6-lobe driver bit. go.strongtie.com/masstimber

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Epicor’s BisTrack Kinetic

Epicor BisTrack software is now updated with kinetic technology that the company says will enhance the truly cloud-based user interface and provide a modern and intuitive experience for your employees and your customers. BisTrack Kinetic is designed to simplify common business processes, allowing users to navigate, access information, and perform tasks seamlessly and in fewer steps, resulting in increased staff productivity. Users can access BisTrack Kinetic on any device and in any browser to provide more convenience for your customers. BisTrack Kinetic also provides a modern user experience for your employees. Epicor’s BisTrack is developed for pro dealers and distributors of lumber, millwork, building materials, and construction supplies.  epicor.com

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Wall and Ceiling Collection from Woodtone

An expansion is underway for Woodtone’s Wall and Ceiling Collection, as the company has unveiled fresh colors, new profiles, and a streamlined approach to ordering products. Woodtone’s updated Wall and Ceiling Collection has a simplified strategy that offers an efficient approach to making the best selection for customers’ style preferences and budget, the company says. Customers now have 10 options from Woodtone’s pub-inspired color collection, and can choose from four profiles, including: Traditional, FineLine, Beaded, and Circlesawn. For the dealer, this means 40 opportunities to make the sale. Woodtone has also updated its point of sale offering to showcase its enhanced coating technologies and new product identification nomenclature to support in-store marketing needs for LBM dealers. woodtone.com

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Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company

Now in its 125th year, Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual (PLM) is said to be the oldest and largest mutual insurance company dedicated to the wood products and building materials industries. PLM has dedicated itself to the wood and building material industries in order to serve as a strategic partner to its insureds and producers. The company says its experience in the industry allows it to understand and recognize short and long-term challenges that influence LBM business decisions and insurance needs. The company provides specialized
property and casualty insurance products tailored to address the risks unique to the lumber, woodworking, and building material industries. plmins.com

 

TandoStone

TandoStone is preferred by siding installers, the company says, for its light weight and easy one-person installation. It also permits a siding contractor to install a stone product without the need for a mason—allowing the siding installer to capture more “share of wall” while controlling their timeline and project costs. On the market for more than 10 years and with thousands of installations, TandoStone is designed to meet the consumer’s desire for a mixed material look and low maintenance, while it allows the contractor to alleviate moisture management concerns. TandoStone is available in two profiles, Stacked Stone and Creek Ledgestone. Stacked Stone features a dry stack profile without grout lines and Creek Ledgestone offers a profile of various sized stones with grout lines. There are five color options in each line to complement any home exterior—including new, on-trend “greige” tones—Nordic Mist and Glacier Bay. tandobp.com

LBM Advantage

LBM Advantage is a wholly member-owned buying cooperative for the lumber and building materials industry, offering members a purchasing advantage in the marketplace. Stockholders benefit from multi-billion dollar purchasing power, the company says, and also from an experienced staff of industry professionals. Benefits include multi-billion dollar buying power; mill direct relationships and vendor rebate programs; experienced staff with regional expertise; effective communication of global industry trends and market conditions; buying shows and promotional opportunities; educational events for members and their staff throughout the year. lbmadvantage.com

 

ECI Software Solutions

Spruce software provides advanced point-of-sale and business management solutions for lumberyards, hardware stores, and building materials suppliers. This industry-specific
software has helped operations improve productivity, control costs, increase profitability, and remain competitive for nearly 35 years, the company says. Spruce is cloud-based with an interface developed for easy use. Built with document management functionality, all transactions are automatically linked. Plus, using a document scanner, you can attach packing lists, notes, tax forms, or virtually any Windows file. All reports have drill-down capability to see the details behind the data and you can export them to a Microsoft Excel or PDF file. With the Spruce AnyWare mobile app, employees can capture proof-of-delivery, submit orders, receive inventory and more. Spruce ProLink is available in a browser or app, and is designed to allow customers to access their account information, make payments, and place orders online. Both products are designed to make your business efficient and customer focused. ecisolutions.com

 

Unified Purchasing Group

UPG is a group purchasing organization focused on bringing exclusive savings to the lumber and building materials industries. With a membership of over 45,000 companies, UPG is able to negotiate volume discounts with the most well-known business brands, the company says. By registering at upg.org, eligible companies will have access to exclusive deals on Verizon phone lines and data (22% discount), products from Best Buy and Staples, and services from Unifirst and ADP—savings and services that are designed to help your business not only survive in this challenging time but thrive. UPG recommends rewarding your employees with BenefitHub, an online marketplace offering discounts on supplemental insurance, travel, entertainment and more. upg.org

 

Boise Cascade improves VERSA-LAM LVL

Boise Cascade has increased its VERSA-LAM LVL Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) grades in order to simplify the process of designing wood structures. VERSA-LAM laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beams and headers are designed to eliminate twisting, shrinking and splitting, and deliver flatter, quieter floors and structures. Sized to match Boise’s BCI and AJS Joists and other elements of the SIMPLE FRAMING SYSTEM, VERSA-LAM is said to offer quick assembly and is precision cut into more than 18 standard sizes. Because they have no camber and strength is consistent throughout, VERSA-LAM LVL products have no top or bottom side. bc.com/apples

 

Lumber Buddy from WorkSafeWorkSmart

The Lumber Buddy Portable Workstation from WorkSafeWorkSmart is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The company has grown from a single unit in Tacoma, Washington to have units in all 50 states. The design and capabilities of its units evolved into a modular system after the company applied Lean thinking to its original design back in 2015. Units
can be configured to meet the varied demands of customers. From the LB9018N platform to the LB12032Next618 Composite Deck Unit, WorkSafeWorkSmart says it has the tools to help your load builders Work Safe and Work Smart. The company’s mission is to help customers build profits through safety, efficiency, and engagement, which it accomplishes through products and Lean process improvement training. worksafeworksmart.com

 

Key-Link Fascia Mount Brackets

Key-Link’s Fascia Mount Brackets are designed to move posts off the top of the deck to increase space in an outdoor living area. Key-Link’s new aluminum Fascia Mount Brackets
are extruded and made of durable 6005-T6 aluminum, designed for a sleek, modern look. The brackets are then powder-coated with AAMA 2604 standard coating for weather protection and an exact color match with Key-Link posts and railing. Key-Link offers an outside corner bracket, inside corner bracket, and line bracket that the company says will adapt to almost any post mounting need. The brackets are paired with 3.25″ posts and can be fastened to wood, composite, or concrete. All Key-Link products are made in the USA. keylinkonline.com

 

Grabber SuperDrive 75 Battery Collated Subfloor & Deck tool

Grabber’s new SuperDrive 75 subfloor screw gun comes with a 20v DeWalt 2,000 RPM screw gun and two batteries. The product is designed so that users can screw down subfloors without dragging a cord or spending time trying to locate a power box. The SuperDrive 7520VXT also includes a special subfloor nosepiece and extension. The SuperDrive 7520VXT includes a set-andforget depth control system designed for added versatility, designed to attach subfloor, as well as decking, roof tile, drywall, sheathing, and wood to metal. The tool accommodates screws from 3/4″ to 3″ lengths and #6 to #12 diameters. grabberman.com

LMC

LMC is a forest products and building materials buying group owned by independent lumber and building materials dealers. There are over 1,400 LMC dealer locations in the United States and the Bahamas. “Building Business Together” is LMC’s philosophy, rooted in a history of working together and standing the test of time since 1935. LMC dealers are united in their purchasing, creating a strong foundation that supports the growth of unique supplier relationships and purchasing opportunities. lmc.net

 

Timberline HDZ shingles from GAF

Timberline’s HDZ shingles now feature LayerLock technology that mechanically fuses the common bond between overlapping shingle layers, and also includes the StrikeZone Nailing Area, said to be the industry’s largest nail zone. GAF says Timberline HDZ shingles maintain up to 99.9% nail placement accuracy, and up to 30% faster nail fastening. The shingles also feature GAF’s WindProven Limited Wind Warranty, said to be the industry’s first wind warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation. gaf.com

 

LP Outdoor Building Solutions Shed Visualizer

LP Outdoor Building Solutions has partnered with Chameleon Power to create a customizable 3D virtual shed shopping experience. In addition to customizing the exterior aesthetic, the new LP Outdoor Building Solutions Visualizer features a Size Selector Tool to test the outdoor structure’s functionality. The tool allows customers to take a virtual walk inside the shed, and users can upload a photo of their own backyard to create a custom experience. The Size Selector Tool allows users to select from a list of commonly stored shed items, as well as pieces that can be used to outfit a workshop or home office, to help test its functionality no matter the purpose. lpshed.com

 

BOSS Strapping and Tiedown

Boss Strapping and Tiedown products include everything from starter kits to pro packs, as well as wall panel lifting loops, tools, buckles, and dispensers. BOSS Strapping and Tiedowns products are said to be tested at the highest levels so that your team is safe. Even a nick in the strapping doesn’t compromise the security of the strapping system, the company says. Boss products feature a woven polyester strapping, a textile product that is produced from high tenacity polyester yarn. It is manufactured from the same basic material used in V-belts, conveyor belts, and tires. BOSS strapping offers solutions for heavy shipments, railroad shipments, or long-term outdoor storage. BOSS offers four different sizes of straps with several different break strengths. boss-strapping.com

 

Titebond DuraMaster elastomeric sealant

Titebond’s DuraMaster is introduced as the first elastomeric sealant that can handle 100% joint movement without compromising adhesion. Titebond also says DuraMaster has earned the highest ASTM C-920 rating for sealant performance, Class 100/50. Typical elastomeric sealants are developed to handle movementof 25% of the original joint size and are rated Class 25 – the minimum rating for handling a moderate amount of movement. DuraMaster is said to perform four times better than Class 25 sealants, and is engineered to handle everything from moderate to maximum movement. The product is designed to stay permanently flexible and be crack-proof so that the sealant expands and contracts with temperature changes. DuraMaster is developed for pro use, including special packaging features such as a removable nozzle. Contractors can use DuraMaster for interior and exterior applications, such as windows, doors, trim, and siding. It is developed to adhere to most common building materials including: vinyl, metal, glass, wood, PVC, concrete, aluminum and all types of siding, and span even large gaps, up to 2″ wide. titebond.com

 

CAMO EDGEXMETAL Clips

The CAMO EDGEXMETAL Clip is a new way to fasten any grooved deck board on metal substructure that installs by hand. It is designed to operate with the included Never-Miss Guide, or up to 5X faster with the award-winning CAMO DRIVE stand-up tool, both using the contractor’s drill. EDGEXMETAL Clips are one-pass fasteners that use the same technology as CAMO EDGEX Clips for wood framing. The wings of the clip fit into the groove of the board, securing it before fastening, and the 304 Stainless Steel gusset holds the boards down. The key difference between the two clips is the screw, CAMO says. EDGEXMETAL features a drill point screw that is designed to engage in less than two seconds, rather than a self-tapping screw for wood. EDGEXMETAL Clips are designed to work with top manufacturer’s deck boards at any angle on 14–18GA metal framing, including Fortress Evolution, and Trex Elevations. The clips are available in 90ct and 450ct pails, which include T15 driver bits, and the Never-Miss Guide. EDGEXMETAL Clips are backed by a CAMO warranty to match the longevity of the boards and substructure, when installed according to CAMO guidelines. camofasteners.com

 

Milwaukee Tool’s Right Angle Impact Wrench

The M12 FUEL Right Angle Impact Wrench is said to be the first brushless right angle impact wrenches on the market. The tool is designed to provide users with more torque output than any other cordless or pneumatic solution, the manufacturer says. Available in
3/8″ and 1/2″ sizes, the new M12 FUEL Right Angle Impact Wrenches are equipped with a long body profile. The low-profile head of only 2.8″ in length is designed to easily fit into tight spaces and is said to allow users to be more productive, decreasing the need for socket extensions commonly used with pistol-grip impact tools. Designed with a four mode
DRIVE CONTROL feature, users can switch between modes to match the power and speed necessary for the application at hand. All four modes allow for maximum precision control, the manufacturer says, with the fourth featuring Auto-Shut Off Mode to prevent over-fastening of bolts, and bolt removal mode for more control after bolt breakaway. milwaukeetool.com

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