This year, at Coverings ’17, NTCA technical trainers/presenters Mark Heinlein and Robb Roderick conducted a Coverings Conference session called “Innovative Tools in the Tile Industry.” In addition, the session was presented in Spanish by NTCA technical train- er Luis Bautista, and David Allen Company’s Marcos Castillo. NTCA training and education coordinator Becky Serbin was also on hand at the session. The session explored a number of tools available in the industry right now and their benefits. For our Tech Talk section this issue, we are presenting a synopsis of the tools that were addressed in this session, along with photos and the URL, so you can research them and see how they might enhance your installation experience or effi- ciency. Several of the products select- ed for the session offer tremen- dous innovation in the ability to remove dust, especially in light of OSHA’s new requirements for limiting the amount of crystalline silica in the workplace. These new safety standards are to go in place this autumn. These include the iQTS244 dry-saw, and Alpha Tool’s HEPA Dry Vacuum and Ecoguard series of dust collection devices. The iQTS244 10” tile saw from iQ Power Tools is a dry-cut saw with a vacuum attached on the bot- tom. This saw makes precise cuts in a dust-free environment without the use of water. NTCA technical trainer/presenter Robb Roderick said, “Traditional wet saws have a tendency to spray w a t e r around the j o b s i t e , which is why they are nor- mally set up outside or in a garage. This saw works great in freezing temperatures where wet saws would have difficulty.” www.iQpowertools.com A tour through NTCA's "Innovative Tools" Coverings 2017 presentation An array of tools that make tiling easier, safer and more efficient Sponsored by By Lesley Goddin TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 66 TileLetter | April 2017