St. Louis, Missouri -- April 2, 2013 -- Victor Technologies says its new Victor 400 Series oxy-fuel torch offers better ergonomics, a clearer view of the cutting path and visual cues for easier use and enhanced safety.
The 400 Series features a two-piece torch design. The patented contoured handle has size and shape that the company says fits naturally in most operators’ hands and a textured grip. The handle uses an engineered zinc-aluminum alloy called Zamak that has three times the strength of brass, so it better resists deformation. The handle is also lighter than brass and balances naturally when hoses and cutting attachment is connected.
To simplify use, Victor colour-coded and labeled the oxygen and fuel valves for instant identification and easier operation by indicating directions for open and closed valve positions. The 400 Series is compatible with current 300 Series consumables and accessories and meets or exceeds performance and durability expectations of a Victor torch.
Motorsports fabricators Joshua Shaw (sprint car) and Jo Kerr (hot rod) shared their thoughts about cars, craftsmanship and the Victor 400 Series Oxy-Fuel Torch in the video below.
Victor Technologies says the 400 Series cutting attachment provides excellent line-of-sight visibility o simplify use and increase precision. Victor Technologies accomplished this by departing from its traditional tube-in-tube design to a sleeker three-tube design. Oxy-fuel cutting requires three tubes, one each for fuel gas, pre-heat oxygen and cutting oxygen.
The new tube design optimizes cutting area visibility while providing strength and supporting gas flow rate requirements for tip sizes 000 through 6. The 400 Series uses a universal mixer design and mixes the gases in the head of the torch. Like all Victor torches, it enables operators to use one torch for all fuels (acetylene, propylene, propane, etc.) simply by selecting the correct tips or attachments.
The Victor 400 torch is available in medium- and heavy-duty models and also sold as part of the Medalist 250 and Medalist 350 outfits. Outfits include the torch handle, cutting attachment, welding tip, G Series regulators and hoses. New graphics on the packaging clearly indicated cutting and welding capabilities.
The medium-duty oxy-acetylene output has a list price of $354 and the heavy-duty oxy-acetylene outfit has a list price of $443. Outfits for use with alternate fuel (propane, propylene) are slightly higher.
Salem, Oregon -- March 21, 2013 -- Roy Crossman designed the patented Crossman Velvet Dolly based on his 30 years experience working as an auto body repairman. The Crossman Velvet Dolly is made with a steel core embedded in a polyurethane casing. This coating helps to absorb hammer blows and prevents the stretching of metal. The steel core inside is offset to provide different anvil affects; firmer on one side and softer on the other. Providing different firmness's is important for exacting body detail work on cars with different metal thicknesses. In addition, the Velvet Dolly has a dimpled surface to allow gentle metal shrinking and has two different curvatures for varying automotive style lines.
"Its greatest asset is that you can easily flatten a shallow dent against it without stretching the metal," says Jeremy Schwab of Crossman Velvet Dolly. "When you put a steel dolly behind a dent and strike it using the hammer-on technique, the metal in the part being worked has no place to go but out, so it gets stretched and thinned. But if you use the Velvet Dolly, the polyurethane absorbs enough of the blow to prevent stretching."
The Velvet Dolly can also be used for paintless dent removal by placing it against a low spot and tapping form behind using a rubber hammer. "The Velvet Dolly is terrific for slapping out large, broad dents from behind because it is less likely to leave its own dents. Finally, one of the favorite uses for the Velvet Dolly is for putting on door skins without damaging the door," says Schwab.
The Crossman Velvet Dolly team will be at the Portland, Oregon International Swap Meet from April 5 to 7, 2013 in hall D, booth number 3146. The Portland Swap Meet is the largest auto parts swap meet on the west coast with approximately 3,500 vendor stalls and over 50,000 shoppers each April at the Portland Expo Center.
Swartz Creek, Michigan -- March 20, 2013 -- Blair Equipment has introduced a line of new step drills. The tools are made from premium cobalt M42 High Speed Steel with a TiN coating to improve tool life. The step drills also feature an angled double flute, which Blair Equipment says increases penetration rates and reduces the force needed when drilling. The company also says that starting the hole is easy with the Blair split point.
The new step drills are available in three sizes: Part No 35400 for sizes 1/8-inch to ½-inch for 1/8-inch materials. Part No. 35401 for sizes 3/16-inch to ½-inch for 3/8-inch materials and Part No. 35402 for sizes 3/16-inch to 7/8-inch for 1/8-inch materials.
The new step drills join Blair’s series of holemaking and auto body tools. Blair offers Rotabroach annular cutters which are available individually or in kits. Spotweld cutters and kits for auto body repair, panel removal and restoration. For larger hole requirements Blair’s Holcutters are available in sizes from 11/16-inch through 3-inch for materials up to 1/8-inch thick. Other tools include the pneumatic Enforcer Spotweld Drill and the Tornado II portable paint shaker which are used in collision shops throughout North America.
Towson, Maryland -- March 20, 2013 -- DeWalt has launched the new 12V MAX/20V MAX Charger/Radio DCR015. The charger/radio's features include a 360-degree roll cage, integrated battery charger, device storage box with AUX and USB ports and two AC power outlets.
“Following the launch of our drills, impacts and saws, the Charger Radio was the next critical product to give our users the DeWalt experience as we continue to expand our 12V MAX and 20V MAX Platforms,” said Todd Plajzer, product manager, DEWALT. “This unit provides a convenient charging solution for our 12V MAX and 20V MAX battery lines packaged in a durable, versatile radio with a full range of sound.”
A 360-degree roll cage with shock absorbers helps to provide protection from rough conditions. The DCR015 charges 12V MAX and 20V MAX DEWALT battery packs while plugged into an AC power source. The radio also has the ability to run off of a 12V MAX or 20V MAX battery when disconnected from AC power, allowing it to run off of a rechargeable and reusable power source.
The charger/radio provides additional versatility with its integrated devise storage box with AUX and USB ports. The auxiliary port allows you to connect a CD, MP3, Portable Satellite Receiver and other digital audio devices to play through the radio amplifier and speakers. The USB port offers the ability to charge a USB compatible electronic device while the charger/radio is plugged into AC power. The unit includes woofers and tweeters to provide a full range of high and low sounds and an efficient class D amplifier.
To personalize this charger/radio, users will be able to enter DEWALT’s Ultimate Radio Playlist Contest – 2013 on Facbook. Restrictions apply. For contest details, on April 1, 2013 go to facebook.com/DEWALT.
Backed by a three year limited warranty, the DCR015 will be available in distribution starting April 1, 2013. The charger/radio is expected to retail at $179.00.
Norcross, Georgia -- March 18, 2013 -- AkzoNobel says its newest coatings innovation, stickerfix, will soon be available in automotive aftermarket distribution outlets. Partnering with a network of independent manufacturer’s representatives servicing key regions within the U.S. and Canada, AkzoNobel is ready to place stickerfix in the hands of automotive retail consumers. AkzoNobel says stickerfix is the industry’s first coating and adhesive film technology touch-up solution.
To date, AkzoNobel has selected 13 manufacturing representatives including:
The stickerfix DIY paint solution is a unique commercial offering that harnesses advanced ultra-thin adhesive film technology together with the superior colour match capabilities of AkzoNobel’s premium Sikkens coatings, to provide the industry’s first quick, clean, and easy method of helping car owners conceal paint scratches and chips any time they need it.
“The feedback from SEMA show attendees was very favourable, and we’ve even won the praises of industry trade media,” said Troy Russell, Commercial Manager North America, Stickerfix Vehicle Refinishes. “All indications point to a successful 2013 entrance into the retail aftermarket and we believe the expertise of our skilled manufacturer’s representatives will help us achieve that goal.”
Stickerfix is available in 79 premium refinish colours, including select pearls and metallics. Each stickerfix package contains one sheet with 22 pre-selected decals of various shapes and sizes.
For more information about the stickerfix DIY paint solution, please visit stickerfix.com.
