DesignBUILD offers a unique opportunity for onsite trade professionals to get hands-on with the latest tools and equipment from the leading brands.

Get first-hand advice from the experts who know them best. This year the VEK Tools Demonstration Station will showcase the latest products from a variety of suppliers, all of which are available for you to try for yourself, watch demonstrations, and talk to professionals about finding the right tool for your job.

The list of confirmed brands this year includes:

Metabo - work. don't play. Craftsmen all over the world trust in Metabo for their power, best quality, and safety. Powertools built by professionals for professionals.

Milwaukee - Nothing but heavy duty. Founded in 1924, Milwaukee Tools have always been built to the highest U.S standard of the time. For tradesmen who are never satisfied and who consistently strive to improve their productivity.

Topcon Lasers - Built Job Tough.The Topcon Store delivers the absolute finest GPS & Laser positioning equipment and accessories.

Leica Lasers - Whether it's general construction, pipe laying, machine control, or interior walls and ceilings, our lasers are built to handle any environment.

DeWalt - Guaranteed Tough. For almost 80 years, DeWalt has earned a reputation for designing, engineering and building tough industrial machinery, earning a reputation among professional craftsmen: tough, powerful, precise, rugged and reliable.

Stanley - With superior quality, consistent innovation, and rigorous operational movement, Stanley has a passion for excellence and a commitment to making the best tools on the market.  

Sidchrome - An icon in the tool industry, SIDCHROME has been the preferred choice among tradesmen and mechanics since 1942.

Powers Fasteners - Innovative Fastening Solutions. Specialising in a wide range of unique innovative fastening solutions, Powers Fasteners help people fasten to concrete, block, brick, steel and drywall every day.

Panasonic - Founded in 1918, Panasonic covers a wide range of products, including powertools, home entertainment, and eco solutions.

NEW PRODUCTS

VEK Tools is proud to announce a variety of new products by some of their suppliers. These products will be on display at the VEK Tools pavilion at DesignBUILD. For more infomation go to www.vektools.com.au

7 inch Lightweight Speed Angle Grinder (W 17-180 and WX17-180)

Metabo

Metabo prides itself on its complete metal working program and these tools fit in perfectly to the already extensive range. The W 17-180 is a true 7 inch Angle Grinder in size that is very compact and light weight but also heavily beefed up with power; it is not a 9” machine with a 7” disc! Angle grinders are put under extreme demands on the work site and must be able to meet the demands day in day out and the W 17–180 is built to work. The compact design relieves the user of fatigue with the machine being so light weight at just 3.9 kilograms. The lightweight design makes vertical or overhead use a lot easier and we have not even mentioned the rotable rear handle that helps with ease of use!

Internally the machine has Metabo’s famous Marathon Motor, Metabo winding protection grid and switch off carbon brushes that give the tool extra durability and performance. Other features include as mentioned the rotable rear handle that enables easier use with flexibility of the tool position, an anti vibration handle that gives less user fatigue and a safety lock switch. The W 17–180 and WX 17-180 have impressive specifications of a 1,700 Watt motor, 8,500 rpm and 6 Newton Metres of torque. The WX 17–180 model includes restart protection and soft start for extra safety.

ASR 35 L Wet and Dry Vacuum

Metabo

The ASR 35 wet and dry vacuum cleaner does not only offer an optimal protection for the user, but also enables a more efficient operation with its list of features. The highlighting feature is the electronic system of the vacuum cleaner that recognises when the filters are clogged and the minimal air flow is experienced. The electromagnetic vibration device automatically switches on and cleans the filters one after operation. Thus a constant suction power can be ensured and work can be done uninterrupted. The advantages are there is no time loss due to filter cleaning and a reduction of cost by the durability of the filter.

Due to their stable construction the vacuum cleaners also have excellent stability and robustness. With a tank volume of 35 litres it is convenient for both the use on construction sites and in workshops. The ASR 35L Auto Clean can be used while working with middle hazardous dusts (e.g. respirable concrete dust). Of course the vacuum cleaners are compatible to all Metabo machines for easy operation and fitting to Metabo Tools. The Vacuum also has practical stowage with tubes and nozzles that can be attached to the storage compartment. A hinged option to wind up the cable and hose can also be helpful for an easy handling when transporting the vacuum or during suctioning. As a standard the models come with a hose, tubes, handle adapter, grouting and floor nozzle, PE-filter bag and polyester filter cassettes.

Battery Pack with 4.0 amp hours

Metabo

With the new 'Ultra-M-Technology' generation battery pack, Metabo is the only manufacturer in the world introducing a battery pack with 4.0 amp hours to the market. While it has the same battery pack size and the same weight, however it has a 33% more battery capacity. As from January, the manufacturer will be the world's first supplier with 4.0 Ah battery packs for professional power tools in their cordless programme. With 14.4 or 18 Volt they are 100% compatible to the latest Metabo ‘slide in’ battery powered range. The remaining run time is clearly visible on the capacity display on the battery pack.

In order to make use of the additionally stored energy in the most efficient and safe way, Metabo has further optimised its battery pack technology "The perfect interaction of intelligent battery management, patented AIR COOLED charge technology, single cell monitoring and processor-controlled charging and decharging management are the heart of our Ultra-M-Technology", says Martin Egenrieder, Manager of the Competence-Centre Cordless at Metabo. "This is why we are the only manufacturer granting a 3 Year Warranty on all Li-Power battery packs, without limitation of the charge cycles. This also applies to our new 4.0 Ah generation."

"The Ultra-M-Technology with 4.0 amp hours is a further important step to expand into new fields of applications for cordless power tools", explains Horst W. Garbrecht, Metabo's CEO. "The extension of the working time per battery charge by one third is our answer to one of the main requirements of professional users of cordless tools. Our stated aim is to introduce a cordless variant of any power tool to the market, wherever it is deemed sensible. The new battery pack technology brings this aim within reach - and already today we are working at the next level."

KHE 3251 Rotary Hammer

Metabo

A light but powerful combination hammer, the KHE 3251 is an essential tool for many construction and renovation jobs. The KHE 3251 is introduced into the 3 kg class. This tool enables interior constructors, tile layers, sanitary, heating and ventilation experts, electricians and masons to work particularly efficiently. The KHE 3251 is 3 mode, just 3.5 kg in weight and is, thanks to the compact L-shaped format, easy to handle. At the same time, it supplies a maximum impact power of 3.1 Joules and up to 4,470 impacts per minute. With its SDS Plus operation the tool has a max drilling diameter of 32 mm into concrete.

The tool features Metabo’s new unique anti-vibration system that consists of foam-mounted bolts, elastically de-coupled main handle with a combination of spring and damping elements for a much more pleasant operation. This is of great benefit to allow the end user to work longer and to also work safer.

Other features include the ergonomic housing for chiselling that gives the option of use without the side handle, better cooling features on the aluminium gear housing that enable longer tool life through protection from over heating, the tool is also fitted with electronics for tool protection, extra large switch pusher for convenient multiple-finger operation and a newly designed functional switch that allows the user to switch between modes easily.

As with all Metabo tools and batteries the KHE 3251 is backed by Metabo’s 3 year warranty program (automatic 1 year warranty and 2 year extension option) giving the user confidence that the tool is of high quality and designed to work.

Check out the action at DesignBUILD 2012