Jobsite Must Haves
Jobsite Must Haves
When loading up for the next roofing job, siding project or window installation, make sure you have these tools with you to ensure your success. You can probably still get the job done without them, but to make your life easier, make sure you have the right tools for the project. Here are a few tools that you simply must have on hand at your next jobsite.
Metal bending brake:
Depending on the scope of the project, the material requirements will vary, but your metal brake should be able to cover whatever you encounter. Our most popular package to cover the widest range of projects would be based around the Mark II TrimMaster (TM10-S). The Mark II is the workhorse of our range and is capable of bending the most common siding and roofing materials you would be working with and will last a lifetime. Featuring Van Mark’s cam lock design that provides smooth and consistent material clamping, as well as our Powerslot hinge for consistent and accurate bends. Additionally, the newest “-S” version of the TM-10 incorporates our upgraded base castings and pivot arm castings that are lighter and stronger than the previous design, again showing that we are always striving to improve our products, even the most popular ones.
And if you want to make it a meal, we suggest pairing the TM-10S with our Unistand EZ-Go, TrimCutter and a Coil Dispenser. The Unistand is a surprisingly stable base designed specifically for Van Mark brakes that collapses easily and has wheels to allow you to move around the jobsite as needed, even over rough terrain. Then take advantage of the integrated 4 point guide bearing track system on all current Van Mark brakes by using a TrimCutter for accurate cuts requiring very little effort. And save time and money with a CoilDispenser that will prevent damage to your trim coil material while making it easy to feed pieces directly into the brake after cutting to length using the same 4 bearing guide system and TrimCutter. Its like a portable metal shop on two wheels.
Gloves:
We like our fingers, and hands for that matter. Because of this, we often grab a pair of work gloves when working with sheet metal or metal coil. The best option for metal work would be a pair that are cut resistant. Many companies offer them at widely varying prices, but our suggestion would be to find a comfortable pair that fits well so you don’t feel uncomfortable when wearing them, which we all know will eventually lead to not wearing them at all. Bonus points for a pair that is smartphone compatible. (Many are these days)
Utility knife:
We prefer to cut material with one of our TrimCutter attachments that rides directly on the rails of a Van Mark metal brake for ultra-precise cuts. But we also understand that many guys out there were taught to use a utility knife to score their material for cutting. That said, you can’t argue with the simplicity of using a utility knife with easy to find (and cheap) blades. We like this one from DeWalt mainly because of the angled shape of it that feels more natural in your hand. But pretty much any old utility knife would do the same job. When you tire of the knife slipping off your cut line, or the cuts not being clean after the snap, check out our TrimCutter to upgrade your experience.
Speed Square/Rafter Square:
These are a massive time saver and serve so many purposes that you really should always have one on hand. This one from Swanson has so many neat features built into it, that we lost count of the ways you can use it, but we particularly like the line scribing options. It does all of the basics, and then some, and it’s easy to read which cant be said for many others. For the price, you can’t really beat it, and it will pay for itself on the first job.
Safety Glasses:
Your eyes are simply too valuable to risk an injury. We are strong advocates for always wearing safety glasses. But we also understand that they can become uncomfortable over time, and can be frustrating, and even potentially dangerous if they are constantly fogging up. Finding a pair that fits you well and allows for good airflow while still providing good protection are critical. There are tons of different brands, shapes, and sizes, so find a pair that works best for you, and keep them on!
Tape Measure:
This might be the most obvious suggestion on the list. All we can say about this is to get a good tape measure that you are comfortable working with and one that can support its own weight when extended. There is little that is more frustrating than a tape measure that folds over on itself when you are trying to measure something. The Stanley FatMax has been around for a while and seems to meet most of our needs. But there are other options out there as well. Maybe pick up an extra one while you are at it since they never seem to be around when you need one.
Aviation Snips/Tin Snips:
Tools are an investment, and we like to be smart with our money. This is why Van Mark products are as durable as they are, and the same can be said for the Malco line of tools. Their Aviation Snips are unmatched and are definitely the kind of tools we want in our toolbelt or on our bench. They offer a huge variety of different snip profiles, and so many other hand tools with a lifetime warranty that you can’t go wrong when shopping their catalog.
Pencil:
No there isn’t a test today, but you still need a pencil. Pencils are about as low tech as it gets, but no less important. Measuring and marking material is all part of the process, and a good-old pencil gets the job done. Inexpensive, and easy to maintain, a pencil is a must on any jobsite. Grab a few and stash them in the truck or your toolbelt so they are available when needed. As a second option, we have seen that dry erase markers are also common on the jobsite, due to their easy cleanup when used on most materials. Just test your material beforehand so you don’t run into staining issues or marks that are hard to clean after the fact. On second thought, maybe stick with a pencil.
We hope these suggestions help to make you more efficient and safer on your next jobsite. Best of luck out there! If we can answer any questions about the Van Mark range of products give us a call! 1-800-VAN-MARK (800-826-6275)
