Then+Now:
Construction wardrobe 1985: Jeans, work shirt, boots, and utility belts are the traditional uniform of contractors and carpenters.
2005: Today’s hip carpenter sports a stylish Utilikilt. The practical skirt is made of burly 100% cotton duck cloth in chocolate brown, caramel, white, and black and can be paired with any NASCAR, tool product, college team, or company logo T-shirt. Features include the retractable side hammer loop, front key loop, modesty snap, and Walletgripper pocket. “Beer gut” cut available. www.utilikilts.com.
Hammers
1985: There were three choices, mainly in terms of handles: fiberglass, wood, or steel. Weight was 20 to 30 ounces.
2005: Newest designer hammers have titanium heads, some with swappable magnetic heads. They now weigh about 16 ounces.
Cordless drills
The first cordless drill was introduced by Black & Decker in 1961. In 1989, Porter Cable introduced the first 12-volt cordless drill. But the first drill heavy duty enough for a jobsite was the Makita 9.6 volt.
Price of a pick-up truck
1985: Ford F-150, from $8,999
2005: Ford F-150, from $21,120
Levels
1985: The norm was regular spirit levels, longer spirit levels, and transits.
2005: Laser levels are common on jobsites Simple straight line levels are $25 to $30, the more sophisticated laser levels cost up to $800, and have horizontal and vertical cross lines, plus sensors for longer distances and bright daylight. With the new laser levels, one person can do the work of two.