VERSADRIVE
– BY –
VERSADRIVE
– BY –
SOLUTIONS,
SOLUTIONS
Peter Brett gets to grips with Holemaker Technology’s VersaDrive System. Will it live up to its fast, easy and efficient reputation…?
THE QUOTATION “Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions” seems to have many origins. But the VersaDrive system seems to be exactly that – a comprehensive solution, that is both easy and quick, to the problems associated with drilling holes in metals.
We have all seen the problems. View almost any of the ‘Grand Designs type’ TV projects and it is rare that the construction of a steel frame has gone exactly to plan. It may just be one bolt, or several, whose designated holes just don’t line up. The solution is also often not simple either. The holes are designed – not randomly placed – and it can be difficult to find the right pattern. But if it is decided that a simple relocation of the holes is enough, then VersaDrive is the quick and easy answer.
THE STORY OF VERSADRIVE
Expertise doesn’t just spring out of nowhere – it was the hard-won knowledge and experience that brothers Piers and Hugh Crane brought to VersaDrive that found the solutions needed by their customers.
Originally the brothers had worked in a family-run welding and engineering supplies business. There were many times when they were asked for specialist metal drilling tools that officially didn’t exist. More research by them discovered that drilling or modifying steel bolt connection holes was a major stumbling block. Mistakes and redesigns with connection holes could not be easily rectified by a simple hand tool that drilled out wherever it was needed. Even small Mag Drills could not always be used because they are, by definition, heavy and not always easy to place exactly where they are needed.
However, cordless impact wrenches, drivers and drills were now powerful enough to handle new methods of drilling holes speedily, easily and in the right place.
The solution for Piers and Hugh was to form a company, Holemaker Technology, to speed up metalworking technology by developing new cutting tools. After patent applications were lodged, the VersaDrive System was launched.
THE STAKIT KIT
The kit I was brought to try out was the STAKIT 31-piece Site Installation Kit that was created to ‘combine an essential set of best-selling VersaDrive products to overcome all common site installation and steel erection hole making challenges’.
It is available in metric and imperial and they are identically priced at nearly £960. The tools come neatly packed in a STAKIT Mid case that will fit onto all similar STAKIT bases and top cases.
It is literally possible to stroll onto site with your whole problem-solving kit in a case on wheels. That includes the cordless power tools, charger and batteries and basic safety kit. That is another set of problems solved.
The tools are set firmly in a foam that keeps them safe in transit and you get:
Six Turbo Tips Drills, five hole cutters, two Impact step drills, three drill taps, three ImpactaTaps, four reamers, ¼ inch and ½ inch impact wrench adaptor and a MagDrill adaptor and two extensions.
The foam also ensures that users are able to spot missing tools immediately. Tools past their best can be individually replaced.
SETTING MY PREJUDICES ASIDE
I have used many versions of magdrills from corded to cordless and I instinctively treat them with a great deal of care. They are often used at height so the magnets need to be adequately strong and they need to be tethered properly. Fifteen kgs of magdrill can make a mess if it falls and cutting always has to proceed at a reasonable pace with sufficient lubrication and care. So, some time issues there.
Within five minutes of set-up, Piers had me challenging my views of metal drilling. Using the adaptor and a holecutter mounted into the chuck of a 40Volt drill, and with just a squirt of aerosol for lubrication, Piers managed to drill 14mm diameter holes through 4mm thick steel in about 18 seconds. The holes were round and did not sprout sharp swarf at every turn. They were clean and useable straight from the drill.
Handing over the drill Piers told me to have a go. My natural caution meant that it took some time before the really effective impact cutting action took over and the hole was completed. Yes, it was that easy. The hole cutter can cut much thicker metal – up to 30mm if I remember correctly, so it will have no difficulty drilling RSJs and such like.
Even a non-regular user like me, could see the benefits of being able to drill almost instant holes easily and controllably as there is no kickback on the particular Makita drill we used.
I went on to try out all of tools in turn. I particularly liked the taps, the reamers and the step drills. Changing the tools is easy via the chuck adaptor and the results were easy to obtain – it took me only a couple of tries to get a perfectly tapped hole into which a bolt could be screwed in by hand. I can’t emphasise enough how easy and quick using this kit is. And any metal fabricator who doesn’t have one at hand is seriously missing out on saving time and effort – and money too.
A BIT MORE…
It has taken Piers and Hugh nine years to get the current state of play. It involves patents, 750,000 tools and much effort, but the payback is that the tools are sold and used in over 50 countries.
New ideas and methods are the drivers of Holemaker Technology with sites in Kent and Sheffield where staff, machinery and resources develop new cutting tool solutions to the very highest standards. A cursory glance will tell you that – even to a non-expert.
It is hard not to be impressed by the performance and ease of use of these tools – even my gruff local steel fabricator was gruffly impressed. And that for me, is enough.
GET YOUR PRODUCT REVIEWED BY TORQUE TOOLS
Brands, companies and wholesalers that are interested in getting their products reviewed in Torque Tools should contact the editor at Jonathon@torque-expo.com
GET YOUR PRODUCT REVIEWED BY TORQUE TOOLS
Brands, companies and wholesalers that are interested in getting their products reviewed in Torque Tools should contact the editor at Jonathon@torque-expo.com