Trades

30 articles

Skilled tradespeople and service professionals utilizing advanced digital technology and smart tools in a modern, efficient workspace.
Industry

Digital Transformation of Trades and Services Booms

Walmart will roll out digital price tags across all its US stores by the end of 2026.

Rick Donovan·July 16, 2026
Skilled tradespeople in full PPE safely operating various power tools on a busy construction site, highlighting teamwork and safety consciousness.
Safety

How to Use Power Tools Safely: PPE and Best Practices

In 2013, the highest percentage of power tool injuries occurred in the 51-60 age group, accounting for 23.

Ben Foster·July 11, 2026
Tradespeople in a construction site wearing various types of personal protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves, demonstrating workplace safety.
Safety

What are the types and usage of personal protective equipment in trades?

Byssinosis, a textile sector pneumoconiosis, affects 44.

Ben Foster·July 9, 2026
A confident Australian tradesperson working on a construction site, demonstrating the high earning potential of skilled blue-collar professions.
Trades

Blue-collar trades offer six-figure earnings potential in Australia

Skilled tradespeople in Australia can earn over A$120,000 annually, a figure competitive with many white-collar salaries, reports Whalesbook .

Rick Donovan·July 5, 2026
A construction worker demonstrating proper ergonomic posture and technique to prevent musculoskeletal injuries on a job site.
Safety

Workplace Ergonomics for Tradespersons Injury Prevention

More than a third of surveyed construction workers reported musculoskeletal problems.

Ben Foster·June 19, 2026
A tradesperson working on a Raspberry Pi project in a workshop, surrounded by tools and electronic components, highlighting practical DIY applications.
How-To

Practical Raspberry Pi Projects for Trades & Home

The Raspberry Pi 5 16GB model now costs $145, according to PCBSync .

Scott Ramirez·June 18, 2026
Young women in electrotechnology trades, demonstrating skill and confidence on a modern, well-lit construction site, breaking traditional gender barriers.
Industry

Female electrotechnology students enter trades despite underrepresentation

Electrician Amy Barratt-Singh couldn't ask for basic welfare facilities on her first job site, intimidated by the environment, according to idealind .

Rick Donovan·June 17, 2026
Tradespersons on a construction site wearing essential safety gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, and gloves, working diligently.
Safety

Top Safety Gear for Tradespersons

Annually, over 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries occur in the US, many affecting trades and often stemming from a momentary lapse in safety gear use ( PMC ). These incidents cost lost productiv

Ben Foster·June 17, 2026
Close-up of a tradesperson carefully cleaning and calibrating a power tool, emphasizing precision and maintenance for optimal performance.
How-To

How to Calibrate and Maintain Power Tools for Peak Performance

A simple daily cleaning routine can prevent 80% of premature power tool failures, according to Crucosupply .

Scott Ramirez·June 9, 2026
A skilled tradesman performing SMAW welding, with a bright arc and flying sparks joining two heavy metal components in a workshop setting.
Trades

SMAW welding: Is it still a tradesman's best bet?

The electric arc in Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) can reach temperatures exceeding 9,000 degrees Fahrenheit, an intense heat that instantly melts metal for a weld.

Rick Donovan·June 9, 2026
Construction worker using a Leica Disto D2 laser measure with a visible beam reaching a distant wall on a sunny building site.
Trades

Leica Disto D2 Laser Tape Measure Offers 330-Foot Range

A new Bosch laser tape measure now includes a camera to pinpoint the exact laser spot and record measurements, extending its range to 120 meters, according to Digital Camera World .

Rick Donovan·June 8, 2026
Close-up of a skilled tradesperson carefully calibrating a precision electric screwdriver with specialized equipment in a workshop.
Tools & Equipment

How to Maintain and Calibrate Precision Hand Tools for Trades

A precision electric screwdriver might boast three distinct torque settings, but without proper calibration, its actual output could deviate significantly, leading to stripped screws or loose connecti

Kyle Brenner·June 6, 2026
Tradespeople wearing essential safety gear, including hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests, on a job site, emphasizing preparedness and protection.
Safety

Essential Safety Gear for Tradespeople

97% of safety equipment manufacturers report higher costs for materials and components, directly impacting the availability of essential gear for tradespeople.

Ben Foster·May 19, 2026
Construction workers safely operating power tools on a busy site, wearing protective gear and maintaining organized workspaces.
Safety

Top 9 Power Tool Safety Practices for Safer Workplaces

Burns, severe shocks, and even heart failure are among the chief hazards of electric-powered tools, yet most power tool accidents are entirely preventable through basic safety measures.

Ben Foster·May 18, 2026
A meticulously maintained power drill on a clean workbench, symbolizing the importance of proper tool care and longevity.
Tools & Equipment

How to Maintain Power Tools: Best Practices

A $500 power tool can become scrap metal overnight due to poor maintenance practices.

Scott Ramirez·May 15, 2026
High school students actively participating in vocational training exhibits at the YES! Expo, showcasing diverse career paths.
Trades

Vocational training is key to closing the skills gap. Are schools listening?

Over 3,300 high school students recently flocked to the YES!

Scott Ramirez·May 15, 2026
Close-up of a craftsman using a digital tape measure on a construction site, highlighting the surge in digital tool adoption in Germany.
Trades

German heavy-duty tape measure market trends see digital surge

Last year, sales of digital-readout tape measures in Germany surged by 15%.

Rick Donovan·May 13, 2026
Students learning in a well-equipped vocational workshop, with a subtle visual cue representing the skilled labor shortage.
Trades

Vocational training initiatives face skilled labor shortage

77% of manufacturers report difficulties attracting and retaining workers, highlighting a pervasive struggle across the industry.

Rick Donovan·May 11, 2026
Carpenter using a tablet to monitor workshop security, featuring a weather-resistant camera and fingerprint smart lock, ensuring tool and equipment safety.
Projects

Top 5 Innovative Smart Home Devices for Trades Professionals

A carpenter on a remote job site can instantly verify workshop security, protecting thousands in tools with a weather-resistant camera and fingerprint smart lock, all managed from a phone.

Scott Ramirez·May 11, 2026
Skilled tradespeople, including a plumber and electrician, collaborating on urban infrastructure projects, highlighting their importance to local development.
Industry

Trades and service pros are key to local development resilience.

In one mid-sized American city, the average age of a licensed plumber is 58, and only 3% of high school graduates enter vocational training programs, creating a looming crisis for essential urban infr

Rick Donovan·May 7, 2026
A clean and organized workshop with hand and power tools neatly stored in cabinets and on racks, demonstrating best practices for maintenance and storage.
How-To

What Are the Best Practices for Hand and Power Tool Maintenance and Storage?

The classic wooden tool tote, an icon of independence, is in fact an awful way to store tools, according to The New York Times .

Scott Ramirez·May 7, 2026
Diverse young adults learning skilled trades in a modern vocational training workshop, highlighting the importance of skilled labor.
Industry

Vocational Training Investment Key to Skilled Labor Shortage

The U.S. faces a staggering annual deficit of 1.7 million skilled-trade workers, a gap threatening to stall critical infrastructure and economic growth across multiple sectors. Annually, 2.9 million s

Ben Foster·May 7, 2026
Homeowner performing a DIY plumbing check on a toilet base, looking for signs of leaks and potential subfloor damage.
Trades

DIY Plumbing Checks: Improve System Health, Prevent Issues

A toilet that wobbles more than half an inch is not just a minor inconvenience; it signals a potential water leak that could lead to extensive subfloor damage.

Rick Donovan·May 4, 2026
Electrician installing a smart thermostat, showcasing smart home technology integration for trades professionals and business growth opportunities.
Trades

Top Smart Home Devices for Trades Professionals

A single smart thermostat installation can yield a 40% profit margin for an electrician.

Rick Donovan·May 3, 2026
Close-up of a tradesperson carefully calibrating a hand tool, emphasizing precision and the importance of maintenance for tool longevity and profitability.
How-To

What is hand tool calibration and why does it matter for trades?

Tools that undergo routine hand tool maintenance and calibration can last two to three times longer than tools with no maintenance, directly boosting a tradesperson's profitability.

Scott Ramirez·April 30, 2026
Tradespeople on a construction site wearing essential safety gear including hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests.
Safety

Top 4 Essential Safety Gear for Tradespeople

In 2022, over 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries were reported. A significant portion impacted tradespeople across sectors, many preventable with basic safety gear ( OSHA ). These are not just s

Ben Foster·April 29, 2026
A focused welder working in a dimly lit industrial environment, with sparks flying, highlighting the inherent dangers and need for safety precautions.
Safety

Essential Welding Safety Precautions and Risks

In 2003, a 44-year-old farmer died from electrocution while welding with a very old, disrepaired SMAW-type Hobart welder, according to stacks .

Ben Foster·April 26, 2026
A split image depicting a professional welder and a DIYer safely handling hazardous materials, highlighting safety gear and cautious practices.
Safety

How to Handle Hazardous Materials Safely: A DIY & Trades Guide

Welders routinely inhale metal fumes containing elements like manganese and chromium, which can cause respiratory issues, neurological damage, and cancer, according to Phase Associate .

Ben Foster·April 24, 2026
A pair of new Red Wing IronFlex work boots with a rugged yet flexible design, displayed on a construction site.
Trades

Red Wing launches IronFlex boots for immediate comfort

Red Wing, a brand recognized for its rugged work boots, has launched its new IronFlex line, designed using insights from over three million worker foot scans.

Rick Donovan·April 24, 2026
Young person contemplating career choices between university and skilled trades, with rising blue-collar wages as a factor.
Trades

Blue-collar wages surge, making degrees a riskier path for young people

Between 2019 and 2024, real hourly wages for the lowest-paid 10% of US workers jumped by 15.

Rick Donovan·April 23, 2026