Caterpillar Plows Through Estimates, Unveils $10B Stock Buyback

By Matthew Rocco

Published January 27, 2014

FOXBusiness

 http://www.foxbusiness.com

Caterpillar’s (CAT) fourth-quarter profit jumped 44% to plow through Wall Street estimates, as cost-cutting moves countered a decline in revenue.
The world’s largest maker of construction and mining equipment also unveiled a new $10 billion stock buyback and provided an upbeat outlook for fiscal 2014.
Shares rallied 6.6% to $91.90 in pre-market trading Monday. The stock has been on a downswing over the last year, sliding 9.8%.
Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar reported a profit of $1 billion, compared to $697 million in the same period a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose to $1.54 from $1.04. Revenue dropped 10% to $14.4 billion, with mining results continuing to lag.
The company beat expectations for both the top and bottom lines. Analysts were looking for earnings of $1.28 a share and revenue of $13.64 billion.
Weakness in coal and other commodities led to soft demand for mining equipment, which weighed on Caterpillar’s results throughout fiscal 2013. On Monday, Caterpillar said the decline in mining sales last year was worse than it originally anticipated.
The equipment maker helped offset the decline by slashing costs. In the fourth- quarter, total operating costs were down 14% year-over-year at $12.95 billion.
Across the board, sales for machinery and power systems decreased 11%. The resource industries segment, which includes mining products, logged a 48% decline in sales to $3.02 billion. Construction sales grew 20% to $4.85 billion, while power systems climbed 5% to $5.57 billion.
“Cost flexibility is critical to our strategy and was a significant focus in 2013 as we took substantial actions to help maintain profitability as sales declined,” said Caterpillar chairman and CEO Doug Oberhelman. “It wasn’t easy, especially for our employees who endured an incredibly tough year, but the actions we initiated helped us deliver strong operational performance in 2013.”
Although the company believes mining companies will further reduce capital expenditures in 2014, Caterpillar does expect a continued rebound in mining production.
Caterpillar projected earnings of $5.30 a share and revenue of $56 billion for the current year, plus or minus 5%. Excluding restructuring costs, adjusted earnings are expected to hit $5.85 a share.
According to Oberhelman, Caterpillar sees some signs of improvement in the world economy, which should bode well for construction and power-systems sales. He added that the company continues to be cautious and is working to position itself to succeed when economic conditions improve and sales bounce back.
The company’s decision to launch a new $10 billion buyback stems from “record cash flow, the strength of our balance sheet and our confidence in the long-term future of Caterpillar,” Oberhelman said.
Caterpillar expects to repurchase $1.7 billion of its shares in the first quarter, completing its previous buyback of $7.5 billion.
Follow Matthew Rocco on Twitter @MatthewRocco

Flexbar Latheguards

Order at   http://www.lighttoolsupply.com


Machine Safety Guard

• Exceeds O.S.H.A. Requirements
• NEITHER RAZOR-SHARP CHIPS NOR BROKEN TOOL BITS WILL PENETRATE THE LEXAN® SHIELD
• Rib reinforced
• Robust construction
• Light in weight
• Swings away easily

Prevents Accidents with LatheGuards

• Clear LEXAN, Semi-Circular Wrap-a-round Guards
• Heavy Duty Cast Mounting bracket supplied.
• Heavy Duty Chrome-plated extension tube and hardware.
• Ready to mount; all you do is affix mounting bracket with two screws.
• Back of shield is reinforced with plated wire-form housing.
• Locks in swing away or functional positions.
• Accepts 3 or 4-Jaw Chucks.

Specifications:

Model No.	Suggested Lathe Size	Center Height (A) (Shield Height)	Use With Chucks	Shield Width (F)	Shield Length (B)	Tube Length (E)
12999	Very Small Lathes	3.9”	Up to 6” Dia	6 ¼”	7.8”	10”
13060	6 to 12	6”	Up to 8” Dia	6 ¼”	11.8”	10”
13061	12 to 16	8”	Up to 12” Dia	8”	15.8”	11 ½”
13062	16 to 20	10”	Up to 16” Dia	8”	19.70”	13”
13064	20 to 24	13”	Up to 20” Dia	8”	23.6”	13”

#Caterpillar Beats the Street

Published January 27, 2014

Reuters

 

 

 

 

 

 http://www.foxbusiness.com

 

Caterpillar Inc posted a stronger-than-expected quarterly profit on Monday as the world's largest mining and construction equipment aggressively cut costs to offset continued sluggish sales of its earth-moving equipment.
The Peoria, Illinois-based company, which also makes locomotives and diesel and turbine engines, reported a fourth-quarter profit of $1 billion, or $1.54 a share, up from $697 million, or $1.04 a share, in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Revenue fell 10 percent to $14.4 billion.
Analysts, on average, expected Caterpillar to post a profit of $1.28 a share on sales of $13.6 billion, according to Thomson Reuters estimates.

 

Simple Measurements for Flatness, Thickness, and Parallelism Using a Surface Plate

 

Written by,
George Schuetz, Mahr Federal Inc.

                                                        http://www.mahrfederal.com
Surface plates provide a broad, smooth, flat reference surface that can be extremely useful for inspecting incoming, in-process, or finished parts. When used in combination with various gages and accessories, such as height gages, gage blocks, angle plates, and squares, they can be used to check a wide range of parameters, including length, flatness, squareness, straightness, angle, feature location, and runout. Surface plates are simple, and extremely versatile.
Surface plates provide a stable reference surface on a large scale, making a great many gaging setups possible on a single, simple piece of equipment. When a gaging application does not warrant the purchase of a special-purpose fixture gage, surface plates often provide an economical all-purpose solution.
The surface plate itself can also be a gage. A hole is bored in the plate, and a gage head or air jet installed to inspect flush surfaces for flatness without the use of a height stand. When small parts are involved, inspection is done by simply moving a part over the probe and reading the flatness variations directly on the amplifier readout. What is happening here is that the three highest points on the surface plate are creating a plane on which the part rides. The probe mounted in the plate then senses the change or variation in the surface of the part as it is moved over it. This is a dynamic check in that the part has to move in order to determine the out-of-flatness condition.
Of course an "assumption" has to be made with this form of flatness check. Note that in this example there is one air jet or electronic probe, and that the part is moved over it. Thus, there is no way that every square millimeter of the part could ever be explored. What generally happens is that the operator will follow a pattern on the part covering the outer and inner area of the part. He then "assumes" everything in between is within what was measured. That is usually the case, but some areas may be missed. Nevertheless, for a fast and high performance check, this type of flatness gage can't be beat.
Speaking of high performance—and again this is a relative term—surface plates come in many grades, and therefore the grade will help determine the performance of the system. Three point support provided on a surface plate may have an accuracy to 50μ" (inspection grade A). Other plate sizes and accuracies are available. This has to be considered as part of the measurement's potential error.
If desired, a second gage head in a height stand can be positioned directly above the one embedded in the surface plate, permitting independent measurements of flatness, thickness, and parallelism. But again these checks can only be made in a dynamic state where the part is moved between the probes and explored for these conditions. With so many things going on and the need to share probes, it becomes a little more complicated for the operator.      
With the simple, single probe flatness gage, watching one readout for flatness variation and remembering the min/max is not that challenging. However, even in this application a dynamic function on the amplifier could be employed to remember these points in the background and provide the difference, which would be the flatness deviation.
With two probes and the need for each to work independently and together at the same time, a smart amplifier with multiple inputs can be employed to make this easier for the operator. With a single swipe of the part, the smart amplifier could provide the flatness, thickness and parallelism easily and automatically.
                           

Surface plates provide a stable reference surface on a large scale, making a great many gaging setups possible on a single, simple piece of equipment. When a gaging application does not warrant the purchase of a special-purpose fixture gage, a surface plate itself can also be a gage.
                           

A hole is bored in the plate, and a gage head or air jet installed to inspect flush surfaces for flatness without the use of a height stand. A second gage head in a height stand can be positioned directly above the one embedded in the surface plate, permitting independent measurements of flatness, thickness, and parallelism.

#Baileigh Shear Brake Roll SBR-1220

 

 

Order at http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/72

 

 

Baileigh Shear Brake Roll SBR-1220

Features:
The SBR-1220 shear brake roll is great for the home shop that needs a machine to do multiple things but not take up a lot space. Included in the SBR-1220 is a metal shear, press brake and slip roll. The SBR-1220 has the capacity to work up to 20 gauge mild steel and 16 gauge aluminum in widths up to 12 inches wide making it perfect for those small jobs.

If boxes are one of the requirements for the job then the SBR-1220 press brake will do the trick because of its adjustable fingers on the top beam. The SBR-1220 has a maximum bend angle of 90 degrees and a handy back gauge for repeatability.

The slip roll portion of the SBR-1220 has hardened and polished shafts for long life. It also has three wire grooves for forming wire perfectly. The 20 gauge capacity carries over to the roll and the shear portion of the machine as well. For shearing a spring loaded hold down is a nice feature that will save a lot of time and waste.  

Specifications:

Max. Material Thickness (Stainless Steel)	.019"
Rolling Capacity	20 ga. (.036”)
Shear Capacity	20 ga.
Min. Rolling Dia.	1.54”
Bed Width	12"
Bending Capacity	20 ga. (.036”)
Maximum Bend Angle	90°
Power	Manual
Shipping Weight	125 lbs.
Shipping Dimensions	20" x 13" x 17"

#Starrett Blade Micrometers

#Starrett Blade Micrometers

Order at http://www.lighttoolsupply.com
Features:

• Measures narrow grooves, slots, keyways and recesses.
• The blades are .030" (0.8 mm) thick.
• Blades will measure to 5⁄16" (8 mm) depths.
• Non-rotating spindle prevents blade from turning in narrow slots or rolling off shoulder.
• Satin-chrome finish.
• Graduation: 0.001"

IMF Upgrades 2014 U.S. #Economic #Growth View to 2.8%

 http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

http://www.foxbusiness.com/

Published January 21, 2014

Reuters

The International Monetary Fund raised its global growth forecasts for the first time in nearly two years on Tuesday amid rising demand and inventories in advanced economies, which picked up the mantle of growth from emerging markets.
But the IMF warned richer nations were still growing below full capacity, and added the specter of deflation to its long list of risks that could derail the nascent recovery.
In an update to its "World Economic Outlook," the IMF predicted 3.7 percent global economic growth this year, 0.1 percentage point higher than its October projections, and sees growth of 3.9 percent in 2015.
It forecast higher growth in advanced economies this year but kept its outlook unchanged for the developing world, where higher exports to rich nations should be offset by weak demand at home.
"There will be more growth rotation from emerging market economies to advanced economies in 2014-15," Olivier Blanchard, the IMF's chief economist, said in a statement.
The United States is likely to be one of the bright spots, after a budget deal in Congress reduced some of the government spending cuts that had weighed on domestic demand.
U.S. data last month showed a pile-up in business inventories, the most since 1998, helped boost third-quarter GDP, and the IMF expects domestic demand to lift growth to 2.8 percent in 2014.
The IMF also saw a rosier outlook for Britain, amid cheap credit and greater confidence, boosting its forecast for growth to 2.4 percent in 2014 from 1.9 percent in October.
Japan's prospects also surprised to the upside, as the IMF predicted further fiscal stimulus should help offset some of the impact from a higher consumption tax planned for this spring.
Japan launched an ambitious economic program last year to shock the economy of out of nearly two decades of deflation.
JAPAN-STYLE RISKS
The IMF warned other rich nations now risk the same problem of sluggish price growth, which can happen when economies linger well below their full potential.
"It also raises the likelihood of deflation in the event of adverse shocks to activity," the IMF said very low inflation.
A falling spiral of prices would weaken demand by making cash more valuable over time, discouraging consumption. It also increases the value of debt, a big problem for highly indebted places like the United States and the euro zone.
The IMF urged central banks to avoid raising interest rates too soon while growth remains fragile, and called on the European Central Bank in particular to help sluggish demand by boosting credit growth.
Bank lending has decreased in many crisis-ridden southern European countries. But banks had previously used the bulk of cheap loans from the ECB to buy government bonds instead of loaning to the real economy, showing the limits of monetary policy.
The IMF warned that some developing countries, especially those with large current account deficits or domestic weaknesses, could be hit hard by capital outflows this year as the Federal Reserve begins to scale back its pace of U.S. asset purchases. The IMF urged such economies to let their exchange rates depreciate, or consider tighter monetary policy or stronger regulation or supervision.
Central banks may not have much room to act in emerging markets, many of which are growing close to full capacity.
For such countries, "the main policy approach for raising growth must be to push ahead with structural reform," the IMF said.
It particularly singled out China, calling on the world's second-largest economy to move more quickly towards consumption-led growth, and away from investment.
After 30 years of sizzling economic growth, often in the double digits, that lifted many millions of Chinese out of poverty but also devastated the environment, China wants to change tack by embracing sustainable and higher-quality development.
That means reducing government intervention to allow financial markets to have a bigger say in allocating resources, and promoting domestic consumption at the expense of investment and exports.
As the changes start to take effect, the IMF expects China's economy to grow 7.5 percent this year, and 7.3 percent the next, which would be some of the lowest rates of expansion in over a decade.

#Alcoa Expands Auto Supply Plant as F-150 Boosts Demand

By Matthew Rocco

Published January 14, 2014

FOXBusiness

Alcoa (AA) completed a $300 million expansion at an Iowa facility dedicated to supplying aluminum used by the auto industry, as the company looks to capitalize on growing demand for the lighter metal.
The announcement comes as several automakers at the Detroit auto show are showing off vehicles that rely more heavily on aluminum, including Ford’s (F) redesigned F-150 pickup truck.
Alcoa is one of Ford’s suppliers for the new 2015 F-150, by far the most popular vehicle to make the switch to an aluminum body.
Alcoa said Tuesday automakers see demand for aluminum used to produce vehicles nearly doubling by 2025. The amount of aluminum body sheet content in North American vehicles is expected to quadruple by next year and increase tenfold by 2025, the company added.
“2014 marks the beginning of dramatic growth for aluminum in the auto sector,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa’s chairman and CEO. “Automakers are increasingly choosing aluminum as a cost-effective way to improve the performance, safety, durability and fuel efficiency of their vehicles.”
The Pittsburgh-based aluminum maker’s Iowa expansion is one of three projects to increase production capacity and part of a total automotive investment of $670 million.
Alcoa is adding automotive capacity in Alcoa, Tenn., a project slated for completion in mid-2015. It also plans to have an expansion at its joint venture rolling mill in Saudi Arabia completed by the end of this year.
Long-term supply agreements have already been secured for the plant in Davenport, Iowa, Alcoa noted.
Shares rallied 1% to $10.20 in morning trading. Alcoa is up about 26% over the last six months, easily outpacing the broader S&P 500.

Renaissance of U.S. manufacturing?

Click below and see

http://video.foxbusiness.com

#Mechanix Wear Gloves The Tool That Fits Like a Glove®

Order today @ http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

Since the debut of our first high performance work glove at the 1991 Daytona 500, Mechanix Wear has built a reputation as a leader in hand protection. As a result of over twenty years of research, development, design and innovation, Mechanix Wear offers a diverse line of gloves delivering superior fit, feel and function to your hands. Our mission is to look beyond conventional ideas and continually innovate in the high performance glove category. 

Las Vegas, NV December 5th, 2013 - This year we congratulate the #88 Hendrick Motorsports team as the 2013 Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew. This deeply rooted honorary award is more than just recognition of hard work; it’s an honor awarded by every NASCAR Sprint Cup Crew Chief. With 22 top 10 finishes and 10 top 5 finishes, the #88 Hendrick Motorsports pit crew proved that they can quickly and consistently pit the #88 Chevrolet and keep Dale Earnhardt Jr. in championship contention.
In its 12^th year running, the Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew Award is the longest running and most coveted pit crew award in NASCAR. Throughout the season NASCAR Crew Chiefs elect a semi-finalist for each quarter and of those four finalists one team is deemed the Most Valuable Pit Crew. Sure the $100,000 prize is nice, but bragging rights carry heavy weight amongst these tool-men. The iconic MVPC trophy serves as a testament to consistent performance on pit road. Without these guys the car wouldn’t leave pit road, plain and simple.

LFA KEY TYPE DRILL CHUCKS

LFA KEY TYPE DRILL CHUCKS

FEATURES:

• Plain Bearing Models.
• Precision Crafted.
• Heavy Duty Performance.
• Made in France.

FOX411: Would a Victoria’s Secret Angel be useless in a garage?

http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

SPEED Network Fairy Garage Mother: Only use for a Victoria's Secret Angel in a garage is as a pin-up on the wall. Burn!

Look out Victoria’s Secret Angels, there’s a Fairy Garage Mother in town.

And her name is April Rose.

Rose hosts SPEED Network’s “Dream Ride” Sweepstakes, and has a few choice words to say to her fellow winged ones, the Victoria’s Secret Angels.

“I’ve actually seen lots of Victoria’s Secret Angels in garages,” she tells Fox411.com. “Only problem: they’re usually pinup posters on the wall!”

Ouch.

HOT SHOTS: April Rose.

We talked to the Fairy Garage Mother about cars, racing, and who’s sexier, a gal who’s handy with a makeup case, or one who knows her way around a toolbox.

FOX411: First tell us about the SPEED Dream Ride contest.

April Rose: Five winners get a five day trip for two to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California next April courtesy of SPEED. Anyone can enter to win. The five days are filled with crazy adrenalin-packed driving experiences with racing heavies such as Mario Andretti, Kyle Petty, Tanner Foust, and Dennis Anderson. Oh, and did I mention that I’ll be there too?

Follow FOX411 on Twitter.

FOX411: You just did. How did you get involved?

Rose: I got involved with SPEED through Maxim magazine. I’ve been working alongside Maxim for more than three years and when they partnered up with the SPEED Dream Ride Sweepstakes, they asked me to represent them as the spokesperson, which is awesome because I love cars and racing. It was a natural fit and I’ve had a blast so far.

FOX411: What kind of guy or gal should enter the contest?

Rose: Anyone that loves cars, motorcycles or racing would absolutely love this. That’s the reason SPEED calls it the Dream Ride, it really is a dream for the winners, a chance to drive these crazy cars and motorcycles alongside icons in racing.

Friend FOX411 on Facebook.

FOX411: They call you their Fairy Garage Mother. What kind of wishes does a Fairy Garage Mother grant?

Rose: The kind that Victoria’s Secret angels only wish they could!

FOX411: We’re not sure what that means. So who’s tougher, a Fairy Garage Mother or a Victoria’s Secret Angel?

Rose: In all honesty, if toughness was measured by a food eating contest, I would win, but there’s nothing pretty about that. Let’s not go there!

HOT SHOTS: Miranda Kerr Shows Off $2.5 Million Bra.

FOX411: Okay we won’t. Who’s sexier then?

Rose: Oh, come on! That’s not even fair! Those girls are like an army of perfect angelic fembots topped with rainbow sprinkles.

FOX411: Would a Victoria’s Secret Angel be useless in a garage?

Rose: That’s a common misconception. I’ve actually seen lots of Victoria’s Secret Angels in garages. Only problem: they’re usually pinup posters on the wall!

FOX411: Good point. What are you driving these days?

Rose: Right now I drive a Cadillac SRX. Love the car, but I live in Chicago and made the mistake of owning a rear wheel car that gets stuck in the snow weekly. I’m getting pretty good at shoveling snow about now.

FOX411: And what’s your favorite ride of all time?

Rose: Have to say probably the 68’ Shelby GT500, but really any great American muscle from the late sixties early seventies.

Read more: http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/12/19/speed-network-fairy-garage-mother-only-use-for-a-victorias-secret-angel-in-a-garage-is-as-a-pin-up-on-the-wall-burn/?test=faces#ixzz1gzpOqI46

#Vespa GTS 300 Super Scooter Review

   

Versahaul Single Motorcycle Carrier with Ramp Option used to tow a Vespa GTS300

With my Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

I just wanted to write a little about my experience using a Versahaul Trailer with my Vespa GTS300 Super Scooter.  Last fall I was in a little predicament when Hurricane Sandy hit.  We all had a few days notice a BIG storm was coming.  The weekend prior I was on the Jersey Shore where I keep my Vespa.  It was brand new for 2012.  For someone who previously owned a Harley Davidson and a Yamaha R-6 buying a Vespa was a step in a totally different direction.  I still miss my Harley very much but the crotch rocket was hurting my shoulder when I was riding it.  No fault to the R-6, but it was more that my shoulder ached after riding for long periods of time.  Anyway, I am digressing from Hurricane Sandy and the problem I had last fall.  It seems I only had a few days to get my Vespa off the Jersey Shore or it would for sure be a goner.  I keep it in a parking garage which is a good thing.  The bad thing is that the sides of the garage are open and although covered, Hurricane Sandy surely would have made mince meat of the Scooter if I left it.  I wish I prepared for something like this but the fact was I was not prepared.  I needed to get the Vespa north to the Safety of my Tool Warehouse which was 50 minutes away on The Garden State Parkway.  So what was the problem?  The problem was although the Vespa can do 80 MPH, I really did not want to go on the Parkway with all the crazy drivers doing 80-90 MPH.  I had no choice.  With my motorcycle experience and my fingers crossed I jumped on the GSP and drove my Vespa to safety.
All winter my Vespa was safe and sound in storage but I knew as soon as the weather broke I would want to ride again at the beach.  This time I bought a Vershaul Trailer from the Vespa Dealer where I originally purchased my Scooter.  I was really doubtful the Vershaul would work with my Vespa.  Especially with my Jeep Wrangler and the tire in the back.  However the dealer said don't worry it is going to work.
I followed all the instructions that came with my Versahaul which were very brief and to the point.  I did have to make a call to the mfg. and ask a few questions about the assembly but all in all it is very simple.  I am not sure why there are not more instructions about how to secure the Motorcycle or Scooter to the Versahaul?  I had to look on the web to various websites like Modern Vespa for tips.  Anyway, after my experience this past weekend I felt inclined to write a little bit about my experience with Versahaul and I have to say they make an excellent product.  Certainly heavy duty and certainly did the job flawlessly.  I really thought that my Vespa would fly off the Versahaul after I hit my first pothole but that was just not the case.  For around $500.00 I now have the ability to tow my Vespa anywhere at a moments notice.  You don't have to register it with the State like other trailers.  It is made in the USA which although I own a Vespa, I do like to buy U.S. made items as much as possible.  The one thing that I would recommend to anyone who is thinking of using a Vesrsahaul is to get a good set of tie down straps.  I was lucky enough to sell them, because I had a really bad pair I was going to use at first, until someone at work mentioned we have some really heavy duty Erickson ties downs on our shelf.  These worked like a charm and the cheaper straps I used on an old Waverunner of mine certainly would not have worked at all.  Below are some pictures of the adventure I had last weekend.
I am giving big props to Versahaul on a great product!

PRODUCT INFORMATION

1500 lb. Capacity Worktables for Evenly Distributed Workloads

Order @ http://www.lighttoolsupply.com

#91-542-1	Top Size: 18"W x 24"L | Adj. Height Range: 18-24"
#91-543-9	Top Size: 18"W x 24"L | Adj. Height Range: 26-36"
#91-544-7	Top Size: 24"W x 36"L | Adj. Height Range: 29-34"

1500 lb. Capacity Worktables for Evenly Distributed Workloads

Features:

• Multi-purpose steel work stands.
• Provide added work space and storage area around production machines.
• Also ideally suited for use as machine stands.
• All steel construction with smooth, maintenance-free top of 16 gauge steel and 16 gauge angle steel posts with adjustable feet.
• Gray powder coat finish.

PRO 3600 digital protractor

 

Order at Light Tool Supply   http://www.lighttoolsupply.com


Revolutionary tool that provides an immediate digital indication of level, plumb and all the angles in between. The machined aluminum frame with integral base-plate is a light, rigid, and ultra-precise platform allowing the state-of-the-art sensor and microprocessor circuit to provide unsurpassed accuracy throughout the protractor's 360 degree range
Uses include aerospace, machinery, motion picture equipment, construction and many others. With custom designed templates that attach to the base, the Digital Protractor can also be used on curved or shaped surfaces.

Digital Protractors

The PRO 360 and PRO 3600 are high performance, angle measurement tools that are sold exclusively through our network of industrial distributors. Both units have a One Year Limited Warranty, CE Certification and National Stock Numbers.* These state-of-the-art, angle measurement tools have features such as "Hold" which lets you to store the last reading taken with a touch of a button. They also have "Alternate Reference" (Alt Zero) which allows you to electronically zero the reading anywhere within the protractor's 360° range. The PRO 3600, in addition to higher resolution (0.01°), has an RS-232 port so you can output the angle measurement data to a computer. Both protractors can be easily fitted with an available, magnetic base or an array of custom attachments.

The PRO 360 & PRO 3600 Digital Protractor from SmartTool Technologies is a revolutionary measuring tool that provides an immediate, digital reading of all angles in a 360° range. The unit utilizes a patented, liquid-filled sensor combined with precision measurement circuitry to provide unparalleled accuracy and stability.

A precision machined aluminum frame provides a rigid, lightweight, ultra-precise platform for extremely accurate measurements. The frame is grooved along the bottom surface to facilitate use with round objects such as pipes or shafts and incorporates threaded holes on the bottom for rigid attachment if desired.

The front panel buttons can be used to capture desired readings or to designate an alternate reference surface from which subsequent angles are then measured. The unit can also be easily recalibrated in the field to factory accuracy using any available flat surface.

Applications include:

• Automotive
  • Driveline Measurement
  • Racecar wing & chassis adjustment
  • Wheel alignment
  • Frame straightening
• Aerospace
  • Control surface rigging
  • Prop adjustment
  • Fire control elevation
  • Rotor angle measurement
  • Aircraft leveling
• Industrial
  • Machine tool set up
  • Lathe and mill alignment
  • Quality Assurance verification
• Medical
  • Range of motion measurement

* The National Stock Number (NSN) for the PRO 360 is #5220012512120 and the PRO 3600 is #5210014180671.

PRO 360

• Full 360 degree range (90° x 4)
• Easy to read LCD display which intelligently flips over when the unit is upside down.
• Maximum accuracy of +/- 0.1° and maximum resolution of 0. 1°
• Precision, machined aluminum frame.
• Unit can be recalibrated to factory accuracy in the field without special tools or fixtures.
• PRO 360 Specifications

The unit operates for up to 500 hours on a single 9V battery, incorporates an automatic power down feature, and ships standard with a rigid plastic case.

Typical applications include:

• Drive shaft alignment
• Aircraft flap calibration
• Setup of precision machines
• Road or rail-track layout
• Satellite or aerial alignment

PRO 3600

• Full 360 degree range (90°x4).
• Easy to read LCD display.
• Maximum accuracy of +/- 0.05° and maximum resolution of 0.01°
• Precision, machined aluminum frame.
• Unit can be recalibrated to factory accuracy in the field without special tools or fixtures.
• RS-232 compatible interface for computer data collection.
• PRO 3600 Specifications

The PRO 3600 features an RS-232 compatible serial interface for transmission of angle measurement data to a computer or other equipment. The unit operates for up to 500 hours on a single 9V battery,incorporates anautomatic power down feature, and ships standard with a rigid plastic case.

The protractors have passed tests for EMI and RFI compliance as part of our testingfor the CE Mark Declaration of Conformity. The PRO-360 and PRO-3600 are certified for light industrial environments and conform to the requirements of the EN50082-1:1992 standard.
PRO-360 NSN# 5220012512120
PRO-3600 NSN# 5210014180671

2010 Jeep Wrangler with Custom Backup Camera.

Wanted to share some pictures of a custom installation I did on my 2010 Jeep Wrangler Sahara.
I could never understand why you can't buy it with the option of a rear view camera?
When I purchased my Jeep back in 2010 I got it with every option available.  The only thing I could not get is a #BackUpCamera.  The weirdest thing is that the Jeep Wrangler's console is factory ready to have the rear camera option just like the Jeep Cherokee.  After going to a Jeep Dealership and asking if it was possible to have one installed, they sent me to Shore Customs in Ocean Township NJ.  I went in on the weekend and spoke with the owner Scott.  He looked over my Jeep and was pretty confident that it could be done without any problems in a few hours work.  I was pretty happy and scheduled an appointment to get the Custom Camera put it.  It worked out great!  I love it.  Wanted to write a little bit about it.  Hopefully, some other Jeep Wrangler Owners with the same concerns will see this post.  It certainly is possible and not expensive.  It costs under $400.00 for parts and labor.  
The only problem I see is if you are using your Jeep for serious Off-Roading.  Where they installed the camera under the back bumper might be in a position that would be easy to damage.  So if you intend to hit the trails often and hard, I would suggest putting the camera in another area.
Anyway, I wanted to give a quick thank you to Scott at Shore Customs and hopefully help out any other Jeep Wrangler Owners who are thinking of putting in a Backup Camera.

SPI Wheel Balancers Stand

SPI Wheel Balancers Stand 

• Great for balancing, straightening and alignment.
• Heaviest end will rotate to bottom.
• To balance, distribute weights until the piece remains static.Wheel Type
• Ideal for balancing grinding wheels, milling cutters, etc.
• True running discs, supported with low friction bearing for maximum performance.
• Maximum wheel dimensions: 16" dia., 6" width, Weight 36 lbs. 

Fowler Clino 2000 Precision Inclinometer

http://www.lighttoolsupply.com/Fowler

Features:
Fowler/WYLER's digital inclination measuring instrument……the Clino 2000…combines precision and quality for a great variety of measuring tasks that will fulfill all your requirements.

• Highest possible precision over large measuring range of ±45° with integrated temperature compensation.
• Effortless zero adjustment by using the integrated software and a reversal measurement.
• Easy to calibrate due to implemented software guidance and the calibration aids included.
• State of the art digital technology.
• Built-in possibility to connect an additional instrument for differential measurement or Zerotronic sensors by using the serial I/O port.
• Large digital display for setting all commonly used measuring units.
• The instrument is fully compatible with the whole range of digital sensors from WYLER.
• Powered by common 1.5 V batteries, rechargeable batteries or with mains adaptor.
• Fulfills the strict European CE requirements (immunity against electromagnetic smog).
• Rugged stainless steel housing with ground prismatic bases allows use on flat or cylindrical surfaces.
• Fitted Case.
•  Specifications:
  Measuring range: ?±45 arc?°. Optional: ?±10 arc?° / ?±30 arc?° / ?±60 arc?°
  Calibration: 21 Setting points using built-in software and calibration aids
  Settling time: <5 sec. Value available after setting
  Resolution: 5 Sec. of arc (.0.025mm/m), depending on units set
  Limits of error: <12 Sec. of arc + 0.027% readout or <30 Sec. of arc. After using quick calibration aids.
  Data output: RS232/RS-485, asynchr., 7 Bit, 2 Stopbits, no parity, 9600 Baud
  Power supply Standard.Batteries: 2 x Size AA 1.5V Alkaline (40.60 hours)
  or Optional.Batteries: 2 x Size AF 1.2 V NiMH rechargeable (30.50 hours)
  or with mains adaptor
  External power supply: (Optional) +12?c+48 V DC/200.500 mW
  Temperature range: Operating: 0?‹ to 40?‹C. Storage: -20?‹ to 70?‹C.
  Housing, stainless steel Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 1.375"(150 x 150 x 35mm.)
  Weight: 6.6 lb. (3kg)