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At Ohio Power Tool in Columbus, Ohio, a family-run repair shop and construction tools and supplies store, director of business development Jay Amstutz stays tuned into new products through e-newsletters, news on manufacturers' websites, and by attending manufacturer events when possible. This proactive approach to learning about new products pairs well with the owner's approach to staying connected to customers in the field.

"We have regular customers we've grown to know. We understand what their business is and the tasks they do," Amstutz explains. "We're willing to go to the jobsite and figure out what their issues are and help them find a solution. This way, when a new product comes out we have a good idea of who might be able to use it."

When Amstutz caught wind of the impending release of the Bosch Diamond Hole Saw with AutoStart, he knew it would be a good tool for customers drilling holes in solid surface materials in the field. A special pilot hole mechanism inside the diamond hole cup centers a cut and stops the hole saw bit from slipping when the cut starts. It also eliminates the need for contractors to start a pilot hole on an angle, which can sometimes result in a hole that isn't on center. Once the spring-loaded AutoStart pilot bit has done its job it retracts as the cup begins cutting the material. After the hole has been started, the contractor can remove the pilot bit and continue drilling the hole.

One of the first contractors Amstutz contacted about the new technology was Steve Nafzger, owner of S. Nafzger, Inc., a five-employee general contracting company in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in commercial projects. Much of S. Nafzger's work takes place on the Ohio State University campus. One of his challenges was drilling holes in solid surface materials in the field. "We drill into a lot of solid surface acid tops in labs -- 1-inch-thick cement-based countertops that are resistant to chemicals. I had a hard time finding a good core drill to do this," Nafzger says.

Nafzger's issue was he would have to bring a plywood template to the jobsite and clamp it to the material he was drilling to keep the bit from slipping when he started the hole. He says that system worked well, but it was time consuming.

The AutoStart feature allows to Nafzger to drill without a template. He uses the core drill bit on a 3⁄8- or ½-in. corded drill, and also likes its Universal QuickChange System mandrel with a spring loaded mechanism."It comes with its own chuck that makes it easy to connect and disconnect without taking off the drill's chuck," he explains.

"You could use it to drill any type of small hole [up to 41⁄8 in.] in a concrete floor slab, bathroom tile, concrete block or brick," he continues. "It could also be used in drywall instead of taking a hand saw and trying to make a reasonable looking hole."

Do you have an idea for a "Jobsite Solutions" story? Were you involved with a situation where your company saved a contractor time and/or money on the jobsite? Contact editor Rebecca Wasieleski with your idea at Rebecca.Wasieleski@cygnusb2b.com.