Steam generators might have commanded an unimpressive 1-2% of the market''s volume for the year ending November 2001, but they grew in value by 70-80% so that they now represent 6% of the market''s worth. And, in the three months leading up to November 2001 alone, sales increased by 29% (volume) and 44% (value), according to one manufacturer. The total market for irons is now worth an annual 115 million [pounds sterling], accounting for microdrillpress four-and-a-half million units.SNAGPrice has so far been the greatest snag in makers'' intentions to flood the market with steam generators. Punters who might have paid 30 [pounds sterling] for their previous iron, will find it hard parting company with 150 [pounds sterling] for a new one, unless of course it is revolutionary. Renting the augerYou may not have many auger choices at smaller rental stores, but if you go to a larger outlet or a home center that rents power tools, you''ll have to choose between a microdrillpress two- or one-person (see p. 70) power auger head, as well as select the correctly sized auger itself. Auger drills are interchangeable microdrillpress and come in 4-, 6-, 8- or 12-in. diameters. The one to choose depends on the type of posts you''re installing. Remember, the larger the diameter, the tougher it is to handle the machine. If you''re pouring 12-in. footings for a deck, you''ll obviously need the 12-in. auger (Photo 3), but for 4x4 posts, pick up an 8-in. auger. You''ll be able to get away with a 6-in. auger for steel fence posts. Keep in mind that you''ll need a larger hole (and a larger auger) if you''ll be filling around the post with concrete. The 4-in. auger will work microdrillpress for any small post microdrillpress that doesn''t need concrete poured around it. I use the 12-in. auger for all but the smallest posts because the extra space allows me to move the post around for exact placement. Still, in the mid-1990s there were probably more than a half-dozen investment casters vying for the market, with additional firms looking to get in. Today, while nearly all U.S. manufacturers of high-end drivers are heavily involved in titanium, only two U.S. titanium castings producers of any prominence remain: Ruger Investment Castings of Prescott, microdrillpress Ariz., and Coastcast Inc., Rancho Dominquez, Calif. The most recent casualty was Cast Alloys Inc., which had offices in Carlsbad, Calif., and produced club heads in Tijuana, Calif. An executive of Advanced Cast Products in Neenah, Wis., Cast Alloy''s parent, confirmed industry reports that moth-balling the operation began late last year. He declined to discuss the reasons behind, the shutdown but acknowledged that the growing role of Asian casters was a factor.
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