The Home Depotโs ProSpective media event marked the companyโs first foray into bringing all its major manufacturing partners together under one roof for the media. Magazines, online publications, and bloggers from all over the country were brought in to check out some of the hottest tools on the market. Previously, we had the opportunity to visitย theย Home Depot Product Quality & Engineering Laboratory. Now, however, it was time to check out some tools. While weโve already seenโor in some cases, already reviewedโjust about every tool we came across, it was still great to find it all in one place. Wait a secondโisnโt that also true ofย my local Home Depot store?ย Perhaps, but in this case, The Home Depot was also providing plenty of live demos and hands-on opportunities.
Manufacturer Tool Demos
Milwaukee Tool
First up was Milwaukee Tool. They showcased several of their latest tools to the media, including a range of lighting and power tools.
They also featured the Milwaukee Tick tool & equipment tracker. This often misunderstood device isnโt a GPS, but rather a tool for helping Pros organize and track tools locally on the job site. I canโt tell you how many times weโve heard of (or even seen) tradesmen misplace or leaveย tools on the job site. Thatโs a potential for a lot of waste, and the Milwaukee Tick provides some traceability for those tools. Itโs also compatible with Apple iBeacon, which means you can track your tools even when the app is offline. iBeacon is essentially aย Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) wireless technology that enables you to use Location Services in iOS to track your Tick and Milwaukee One-Key tools.
Milwaukee also had some fun with one of their displaysโusing a customized cooler and their new chalk lines to present an awfully compelling fishing rig! We askedโdonโt get your hopes up for a retail versionโฆ
Makita Tools
Next up, we took another look at the Makita brushlessย rear-handle circular saw in action. It was getting a ton of attention as it sliced through three layers of 3/4-inch plywood like it was nothing.
RIDGID & RYOBI
The Ridgid brushless belt sanderย drew a crowd, and they went through several belts, testing the run-time and power of this new tool. The balance, auto-centering, and simple belt changes make this a great cordless tool. Anybody who is already on the Ridgid battery platform should pick one of these up from The Home Depot.
Of course, the Ryobi cordless glue gun was the hottest product in the boothโฆpun intended.
And they added a new tire inflator and security camera options to the Ryobi GD200 Garage Door Opener (GDO).
Tool Accessories
In a nearby booth, we saw aย demonstration of the Diablo tracking point circular saw blade. You may have seen this demo inย ourย STAFDA 2017 show coverage. After the demo, the Irwin WeldTec blade was missing several teeth, while the Diablo was still cutting cleanly. The test? Cutting throughย twoย layers of asphalt shinglesย andย flashing over dimensional lumber, asย well as 40 1/4-inch lagย bolts.
Bosch also demoed some of their latest multi-material drill bit technology alongside the new Bosch green lasers. Bosch is really doing a great job of increasing the amount of carbide on their bits. They also design those tips with more surfaces to affect a greater cutting speed.
DeWalt Tools
Theย newย DeWalt charging Bluetooth radio came up next at the Home Depot ProSpective media event.ย Itย incorporates some of the sound of the DeWalt ToughSystem Bluetooth radio and the convenience and ruggedness of their existing job site radio.
Husky Storage
Husky had their 60-inch rolling tool bench on hand, but it was a new model that included a metal pegboard. Itโs similar to the Milwaukee 60-inch mobile workstation, but in its signature black.
Additionally, Husky demonstrated some new waterproof leather work gloves that donโt shrink or harden when wet. They also had a really cool expandable Huskyย 15-gal. Cantilever Mobile Job Box, priced under $50! It looks incredibly convenient and versatile.
Wrapping up the Home Depot ProSpective Media Event
Theย Home Depot ProSpective media event was a great way to see many differentย manufacturersย in one place. We could tell a lot of the bloggers and social media influencers enjoyed an opportunity to get their hands on some tools they donโt usually get to handle. For us, it was an opportunity toย seeย some familiar faces and get to know the folks at The Home Depot a little better.
Weโve got a ton more tool media events coming up over the remaining portion of the year, so keep an eye out for that coverage as well. Until then, please check out our Facebook page, and catch up with us on Instagram and Twitter.
