Michael’s bright idea was the 3way Tool – a folding ruler, a bevel for measuring angles and a set square all in one.

The 24-year-old’s ‘Eureka’ moment came when, during the final six months of his apprenticeship in 2010, he realised the two tools he needed – the bevel and set square – were still in his van, and he was three storeys up a building site without stairs.

As well as ensuring accurate measurement, the ruler has a unique link arm which slides along one side to accurately measure angles from 0 to 150°. A special locking bolt secures the angle to allow the user to instantly read the exact angle for cutting. There are special slots that lock in the primary 90° and 45° angles.

Based on the traditional builders’ rule, the patented 3way Tool incorporates the functions of the bevel and the set square, allowing builders to dispense with these from the work belt when working with trusses, framing, nogs with angle cuts, decks, stairs … even marking out and cutting timber.

“In the past 18 months my new tool has gone from idea to market, and I’m rapt that it is being made in New Zealand,” says Michael. “The idea was the easiest bit, execution was the hardest. I had a passion for this tool being ‘Made in NZ’, because so few builders’ tools are made here, but it’s proved very hard work.”

Michael was determined that his tool would be made in New Zealand but was told numerous times that it was much cheaper to have it manufactured in China. For example, the tooling for the injection mould for the plastic component would have cost $10,000 in China but cost $60,000 here.

But that didn’t stop him. He enlisted the services of professional engineer Ben Smit who was more used to working with firms like Fisher & Paykel on product development and designing new types of machines. He recognised that Michael’s tool met a need and responded to a genuine hole in the market. From that point he effectively became Michael’s mentor for the project.

“I’ve worked with young engineers before but never a young entrepreneur like Michael,” says Smit. “He has shown tremendous tenacity and the ability to carry it through, when over 80 percent of these types of projects fail.

“The keys to this new tool are its accuracy and the ability to measure and lock it on the required angle, and know it is right. It is a unique and elegant solution.”

According to leading distributors of top quality hand tools, it is one of only a handful of locally made tools to reach the market annually. Michael says that his tool is version 2.0 of folding rules, and will revolutionise the way builders grab angles and measure, making life a little easier and a lot more productive.

“Instead of grabbing an angle with your bevel and finally transferring the angle on your dropsaw or protractor, you can take that pain and hassle away and use the new 3way Tool,” says Michael. “You simply hold it up to the required angle and the link arm gives you a reading instantly. Being almost triple the length of a normal bevel you can more accurately transfer that angle to a sheet of gib, ply timber or even corrugated iron.”

Another useful feature is the thickness of the rule being in exactly 5/10/20mm increments, which takes the guesswork out of sizing door jambs and doing accurate work.

The tool’s components are sourced from EDL Fasteners; the plastic rule is made by Galantai Plastics in Glendene, Auckland, and the bevel arm by Precision Laser Cutting.

Assembly is done at 3way Tool HQ – his Mum’s house – where they are quality controlled and then finally packaged. You can buy the 3way Tool at PlaceMaker stores throughout the country.

For more information visit www.3waytool.co.nz.