Tools - Articles | Plumbing & Mechanical

PM After Dark | Episode 1

PM After Dark Premiere: $8,000 Tool Theft and November Price Increases

Your late-night dose of plumbing, mechanical, and supply industry news

November 11, 2026

In the premiere episode of PM After Dark, Plumbing & Mechanical and Supply House Times put a fresh spin on industry news, covering the theft of $8,000 in tools from a Houston plumber's work van and the latest November manufacturer price increases.

Houston Plumber's Work Van - Stolen Tools

Thieves Steal $8,000 in Tools From Houston Plumber’s Work Van

Surveillance footage captures thieves stealing years' worth of tools and equipment in a matter of minutes.

Hannah Belloli-Oster

October 23, 2026

A Houston plumbing contractor is facing an $8,000 loss after thieves stole tools and equipment from his work van while he was on the job. The incident highlights the risks contractors face when leaving valuable equipment unattended.

The Sonnhalter team in front of a ReStore truck.

Sonnhalter Tool Drive Donates $25,000 to Greater Cleveland Habitat

Since launching the Tool Drive in 2010, Sonnhalter has helped collect $628,000 in donations to benefit Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity.

Plumbing & Mechanical Editorial Staff

September 13, 2026

Organizations, businesses and residents throughout Northeast Ohio were encouraged to donate new and gently used tools and building materials to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing safe, affordable housing opportunities throughout the Greater Cleveland region.

Esco Fin MILLHOG Tube Fin Removal Tool

The Fin MILLHOG mounts rigidly to the tube I.D. and can peel back 4” of fin from a boiler tube in under 2 minutes and bevel simultaneously without cutting oils.

Plumbing & Mechanical Editorial Staff

August 4, 2026

Equipped with a 1.25 HP pneumatic motor, the range of the tool is 1.25” I.D. to 3” O.D. and models are available for both left and right hand spirally wound fin.

Esco COHOG Split Frame Machine

The Esco COHOG Split Frame Machine features a range of bevel modules that bolt directly onto a tool slide and use two-sided TiN coated blade inserts to maximize the number of preps per blade.

Plumbing & Mechanical Editorial Staff

June 24, 2026

The Esco COHOG Split Frame Machine squares itself to the pipe with clamps and is available in eight sizes for pipe ranging from 2” to 48” O.D.

Bring Back the Trades launches national grant program with support from Milwaukee Tool

The program aims to equip the next generation of tradespeople.

April 14, 2026

Starting in April 2026, the program will accept applications in order to award monthly grants consisting of up to $1,500 to support tool programs.

RIDGID partners with Mechanical Hub Media on “American Trades person” series

The new content series highlights the real people, projects and innovations shaping the trades.

March 31, 2026

The premiere episode, “After the Fires,” takes viewers to Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California, where devastating fires in January 2025 left lasting impacts on homes, businesses and communities.