Products

If you can remember a time before COVID turned everyone’s lives upside down, Granite Gold, known for their stone care products, was in the final stages of testing a cleaning spray. Initially called MonoFoil D, it is a cleaning spray that is both a disinfectant and antimicrobial in one. Unlike standard disinfectants, antimicrobials provide long-lasting effects against bacteria and viruses. The product initially shipped in late April 2020.

Independent testing proved MonoFoil D successfully killed the live strain of SARS-CoV-2 virus in three minutes. The EPA later confirmed it kills the COVID-19 virus. After clinically proven to be effective, MonoFoil D was rebranded as MicroGold Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray. The spray is the only multi-action solution approved to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus in association with COVID-19 in three minutes on hard non-porous surfaces.

The MicroGold brand was expanded to include an All-Purpose Cleaner to disinfect hard, non-porous surfaces. The All-Purpose Cleaner is EPA approved and is part of the EPA’s List N: Disinfectants. The one-step cleaner kills 99 percent of bacteria in five seconds. The last product to join the MicroGold brand is a alcohol-free waterless hand soap.

We had the opportunity to try all three products. While we lack the scientific expertise to test on COVID-19 or bacteria, our testers used the products as directed and reported positive results on numerous surfaces throughout the house. The waterless hand soap received the most comments for being different than traditional hand sanitizers. The waterless soap creates a foaming action that helps remove dirt while killing germs. Since it does not contain alcohol, it will not dry the skin. As COVID-19 is spiking again across the nation, products that are proven to kill the virus are in high demand and will remain for the foreseeable future.

For more information, click here.

Anyone who has worked with electricity knows it is dangerous and potentially deadly. Electricians, engineers and other professionals work with electricity daily. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long recognized electricity as a serious workplace hazard. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018 there were 1,560 nonfatal workplace electrical injuries and 160 fatalities. The “Construction, Repairing, Cleaning” category accounts for 63 percent of the fatalities.

Crescent APEX has designed an innovative line of power tool accessories to insulate the user up to 1,000 volts as certified by United Laboratories (UL). The line is called eSHOK-GUARD™ and features a bit holder (¼” x 3”), and three different size socket drive bits: ¼” x 2”, ½” x 2-½” and 3/8” x 2-1¼”. In addition to providing electrical insulation, all three bits are impact rated and come with a limited lifetime warranty.

Providing the electrical insulation is achieved by a patented insulation zone, creating a separation between the bit or socket. The bit holder includes a magnetic tip keeping the bit securely in place and a retaining ring enables easy secure changes. The socket drive features a ball detent to keep sockets locked into place.

All of our testers were professionals dealing with electricity or job sites. Since eSHOK-GUARD™ is UL certified, we decided it was in no one’s best interest to test the 1,000 volt protection. However, each of our testers admitted shocks are common—in fact, 85 percent of professionals experience shocks on the job site.

All testers utilized the product in numerous applications including impact power tools. The products performed as expected without exception. One reviewer commented that their profession can be dangerous, but the eSHOK-GUARD™ provided a level of comfort knowing they were protected against electrical shock.

• All C by GE Smart Bulbs are available in two easy connection options: Bluetooth or Direct Connect. Both provide all the smart features you love—including scheduling, color control and more. Choose the option that works best for your lifestyle.
• Pair your Smart Bulbs with a smart assistant—like Amazon Alexa or Hey Google—for hands-free voice control of your lights. You can set schedules, control away from home, control with your voice, save the perfect scene, dim and brighten.
• Choose from millions of colors. Adjust white color tone from warm to cool and support your sleep/wake cycle.

GE Lighting
www.gelighting.com
844-302-2943

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The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.

• When one beam isn’t enough, the Duolite 2.0 Magnetic Flashlight features magnetic base and dual beam technology that pairs a 350-lumen spotlight with a 300-lumen area light, Uses LED chip with a lifespan of 100,000 hours.
• Four mode output: dual beam, flashlight, COB and red flash.
• Spot light features LED chip with 50-meter beam distance, while area light produces a wide beam to illuminate the ground below or work area.

Police Security
www.policesecurity.com
866-880-9297

Channellock is a tool company that needs no introduction. The 134-year-old company manufactures more than 75 different types and sizes of pliers in the small town of Meadville, Pa. In 1933 the company launched its legendary multi-position, tongue-and-grove, slip-joint plier. The product was named Channellock and 30 years later the company adopted the name of its signature product.

The company recently launched the CHANNELLOCK® 968 7.5″ forged wire stripper that is 100 percent made in the USA, including the steel. The product comes with the normal features you would expect in a wire stripper, but a few additional ones focus on ease of use. The 968 utilizes the company’s Xtreme Leverage Technology (XLT™), which reduces the force required to cut. The handle is also spring-loaded with CHANNELLOCK Blue® comfort grips. The forged high carbon steel is coated for rust prevention and it features screw shears specially made to prevent damaging the threads when cutting 6-32 and 8-32 machine screws.

Our testers were all tradesmen and utilized the 968 throughout their normal workweek. The feedback was just as expected with comments such as high quality, exceptional ergonomics and precision. However, I think one tester said it best: “It’s a Channellock and I expected nothing less.” If you currently carry Channellock products or need a high-quality wire stripper for your assortment, then take a look at the 968.

To view a video of 968 Forged Wire Stripper, click here.

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Subscribe for Free

The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.

As technology advances and new power tools, computer equipment and A/V equipment come out, they all seem to have one thing in common—another cable, cord or wire. Our high- tech society has become a rat’s nest of cables, cords and wires running amok. That is what led entrepreneur Jim Broshat to his home basement in St. Paul, Minn., to find a better way to clean up and organize the clutter.

In 2013, Wrap-It Storage was created to sell unique cable management products dedicated to decluttering. Wrap-It Storage offers cable management solutions for every room in the house, garage/shed, office and so much more. The line includes a heavy-duty storage strap for the 100-foot garden hose with clever carrying handle, straps with a built-in grommet for hanging or self-gripping perforated rolls for computer cords.

We gave our testers a wide selection of Wrap-It Storage straps to test as they saw fit. We quickly discovered our testers are extremely creative. All testers used their straps for their intended purpose and commented on the high level of quality and design. The testers then proceeded to find other purposes such as securing scuba gear while underwater, strapping a duffle bag to a rollaboard or a water bottle to a bicycle frame, just to name a few.

2020 has been an unpredictable year, but I know one thing for sure: after the holidays are over there will be more cords, cables and wires in our lives. Take a look at Wrap-It Storage for your store’s cable management solutions and support a family-run business.

To view the Wrap-it video, click here.

• SuperScan™ “Kx” advanced stud finders feature breakthrough Target Control™ (TC™) Technology. The “Kx” family of advanced stud finders represents the culmination of years of technological development by the company.

• Zircon equates TC™ to the “black box” control unit of a car. Zircon’s new TC™ works similarly—with multiple sensors streaming data, combined with sophisticated intelligence controlling the result – to virtually eliminate “false positive” stud indications.

• By analyzing complex data streams from multiple sensors and simultaneously controlling the result, TC™ lets users avoid all things metallic, such as plumbing, conduit, straps, brackets, or ducts hiding in the wall. Additionally, TC™ helps avoid other low signal-strength, non-metallic targets, including plastic pipe, PEX tubing, wiring and more.

• The K1 advanced stud finder is a feature-rich tool at an affordable price, optimized for interior drywall. A step above, the K2 model additionally offers Zircon’s patented DeepScan® mode for double the scan depth through multi-layer surfaces like paneling and flooring up to 1-½ in. thick.

Zircon Corp.
www.zircon.com

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Subscribe for Free

The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.

• Gemini has announced a new member to the TWP (Total Wood Protectant) exterior wood product family.

• The new TWP® Semi-Solids tint base formula is designed to give you the protection of TWP that you are used to but with a more opaque appearance.

• The new TWP Semi Solid series is available in one base tintable to 30 popular color options.

• The product is not VOC compliant in all states, so check with your Gemini salesperson if you are not familiar with your state’s VOC regulations.

TWP/Gemini Industries
www.usetwp.com

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Subscribe for Free

The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.

• Made with heavy-duty rigid aluminum for long life and consistent straight edges, the 50-inch Jorgensen cutting rail guide clamps onto work surfaces and allows for accurate cuts up to 50 inches long.

• Featuring a handle-locking mechanism and built-in ruler, the new 97100 series is best suited for use with jigsaws, circular saws, routers and other portable power tools.

• For workpieces longer than 50 inches, the 50-inch cutting guide extension rail, which is sold separately, can be easily attached to the cutting guide, doubling the length of the cut and clamping up to 100 inches.

• With this new cutting rail guide and extension rail, Pony Jorgensen, a Century Club manufacturer operated by Arrow Fastener Company, adds to its wide variety of nontraditional specialty clamps.

Pony Jorgensen
www.ponyjorgensen.com

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Subscribe for Free

The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.

• The Magnetic Bulletin Bar from Master Magnetics uses strong magnets to keep your reminders, calendars, photos, to-do lists and important documents displayed and organized without holes in your walls or displayed items.
  
  
• The removable foam adhesive strips adhere to smooth or textured surfaces, including tile, glass, concrete, plastic and wood.
  
  
• Ideal for all around the home, office, school and dorm room. Quick and convenient, magnets make changing the display easy.
  
  
• Two styles available: powder-coated white or black with four rubber-coated ceramic disc magnets, removable adhesive strips, screws and anchors included. Or brushed steel, four neodymium magnets with removable adhesive strips included.

Master Magnetics
www.magnetsource.com/bulletinbar

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Subscribe for Free

The Hardware Connection is a digital magazine targeted to independent hardware/home improvement retailers. It is the only industry magazine designed and distributed solely in electronic format and currently reaches over 60,000 people in the two-step channel.

The Hardware Connection publishes four Newsletters each year in addition to eight magazine issues.

To sign up yourself or additional staff to a free subscription to receive The Hardware Connection magazine and newsletter in electronic format, please click here.