With the industry suffering from a lack of skilled workers, Cembrit is helping to educate the roofers of the future by donating roofing materials to Leeds College of Building for the Roof Slating and Tiling apprenticeship scheme. Cembrit has contributed approximately 1,000 Westerland fibre cement slates, 600 Glendyne natural slates and 120 angled ridges to help deliver valuable roofing …
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UK gas distribution company, SGN has teamed up with SmartWater in an effort to combat the growing trend in tool and van theft. The utlity provider, that provides gas to 6 million homes, has applied SmartWater’s forensic traceable liquid to all their liveried vehicles, as well as the tools and equipment onboard. The forensic formula contains a unique identifying code, …
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On a treasure hunt with the smallest submarine in the world – and networked power tools from Bosch. He wears his passion on his sleeve like a tattoo: Andi Peters, wreck diver and treasure-hunter, owns the smallest submarine in the world. It is 2.80 m long, 80 cm high and you squeeze into it as if it were a tailor-made …
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In this video Roger Bisby gets a lesson from leading respiratory equipment expert, Matthew Judson, on how to fit a JSP Force 8 Mask for maximum protection. Matthew explains the importance of ensuring that the mask fits properly and comfortably so that it continues to provide protection throughout the wearer’s working day. Last year JSP introduced three sizes for its …
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This is the third part of our second building project series on Skill Builder. The Capel Build sees carpenter and builder Robin Clevett renovate and extend an unusual property in Surrey. In this episode we look at the timber frames. Robin has now taken delivery of the timber frame which was a day’s work in itself as some of the …
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Resin bonded drives offer a great looking hard-standing without the drawback of loose gravel but are they a job for the general builder?
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Ian Anfield, Managing Director for construction audit and contract provider, Hudson Contract, shares his construction industry predictions. “This time last year, I shared my thoughts on what would dominate the construction agenda in 2017. Some of the observations I made, such as Brexit being linked to skills shortages, were fairly safe, while others, like losing one of the major contractors …
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In Part 4 of our series following the building of an extension we cover the brickwork and insulation stage and some points to consider when insulating your home.
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In the eighth and final test of our big Impact Driver round up we put the Bosch GDR 18 V-LI & GDR 18-LI Impact Drivers and Bosch GDX 18 V-EC impact wrench through their paces. These tests complete this series of cordless impact driver tests which has covered models from Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, Hilti, Metabo, Pansonic, DeWalt and Hitachi. Find …
Read More »It’s time for the second instalment of the Capel Build which follows the renovation and extension of an unusual property designed by architect Michael Newberry in Surrey. Carpenter and Builder Robin Clevett is taking the first glass and steel house in the UK which was built in 1957 and extending it and refurbishing it while paying homage to its original …
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Tiger says its unique, patented ‘one-shot’ Cavity Wall Ties mean faster fixing, easier application, stronger grip and less room for error. Roger Bisby tries them out. Tiger says its cavity wall ties will transform professional & DIY building fixings, forever. The secret is in Tiger’s patented wall fixing system. Insert, twist and the fixing becomes its own plug. An E.D.P.M. …
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Roger Bisby talks through the beam and block floor stage of building an extension. Generally speaking there are two options for constructing ground floors. You can opt for a solid floor which involves laying wet concrete directly onto your ground surface or you can choose a beam and block floor which is also known as a suspended floor which allows …
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HSE is reminding companies of the necessity of monitoring workers’ health after a South Wales Housing Association was fined for exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how Charter Housing Association Ltd. reported six cases of HAVS following a health surveillance programme launched in June 2015. The affected employees were all part of the maintenance …
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In the third part of the Skill Builder super impact driver roundup, we look at the Metabo SSW 18 LTX 400 BL Impact Wrench. The Metabo 18v 2×3.5ah LiHD cordless impact wrench features the unique Metabo brushless motor for quick work progress and highest efficiency for any application. Featuring LiHD battery pack for ultimate performance, extremely long service life with …
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The construction sector has come together to warn the Government of the dangers of the industry facing a ‘cliff edge’ regarding EU workers.
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Skill Builder has once again teamed up with Real Deals for You to take a look at a selection of products from their Christmas campaign. In the sixth instalment of this series Roger Bisby tries out the Roughneck Gorilla Bar Junior Twin Set. Real Deals for You is a year-round campaign run by one of Europe’s leading hand and power …
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In the second part of the Skill Builder super impact driver roundup, we look at the Hitachi (rebranded to HiKOKI as of October 2017) WH18DBDL2 brushless 18v impact driver. Hitachi WH18DBDL2/JX 18v 2×6.0ah Li-ion Brushless Impact Driver The WH18DBDL2/JX 18v Brushless Impact Driver features a high power brushless motor with a selection for 4 speed modes: Soft Mode for delicate …
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Roger Bisby shares the trials and tribulations of moving drains in the second episode of The Extension project. Builders will often tell you that the hardest part of a job is the bit in the ground. In my case this was true. The ground was made up with rubble, there were two drain runs and manholes to be removed and …
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Roger Bisby tries out Uniwipes Ultra Grime. Are they going to give the competition sleepless nights? I am a big fan of workwipes. Not only do they clean your hands up they also clean off surfaces so jobs such as siliconing around a shower have now been made a lot more manageable. For me the the drawback with wipes is …
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Roger Bisby attends a one day damp-proofing course with Safeguard Europe where he learns about the different causes and types of damp in buildings and what can be done about them. I have been using DryRods from Safeguard Europe for a couple of years now. Before that I used the Dryzone cream. There is no doubt that the product works …
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