Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction
It's the final episode of our plunge saw season before we go to the final showdown. The Triton TTS1400 was a late entry and only just made it, see what Roger and Robin made of it.
Read More »Triton TTS1400 Plunge Cut Track Saw – Episode 10
FEIN AKBU 35 PMQW Magnetic Drill ~ Toolfair #4
The next instalment from Toolfair, Robin investigates the stand to see the FEIN AKBU 35 PMQW cordless universal magnetic core drill.
Read More »Festool ISC240 Insulation Saw at Toolfair
Robin makes no secret about his love for Festool, so it was never going to be long before he was all over the stand at Toolfair with his hands on the Festool ISC240.
Read More »Stabila Precise Measurement at Toolfair
Another one of Robin’s favourite brands, STABILA. Find out why they’re so popular with trades. More from Stabila Standard spirit levels The best quality will prove its worth. Sooner or later. Every craftsman knows that not everything runs smoothly on the construction site. How good it is then when you can rely on the fact that your tools will not …
Read More »Toupret Filler Review
You have to hand it to Toupret, whoever is in charge of their sales and distribution has done a brilliant job because their products are everywhere. They seem to have caught the competition napping but underpinning all this marketing success has to be a range of decorating fillers that keep customers coming back for more. I know a number of …
Read More »Toolfair #1 – Robin Talks to HiKOKI
Robin & Roger visit Toolfair and in this first episode Robin talks to HiKOKI and looks at some new products. The HiKOKI NR1890DCZ J6 90mm 18V LI-ION first fix brushless cordless framing nailer impresses Robin.
Read More »Plastering Cheats Beginners Can Use
Learn How to Plaster in a Day - Beginners Course with Roger and Ben with useful plastering cheats.
Read More »How to Fit an Isolation Valve on Copper Water Pipe
Isolation valves are a wonderful thing and Roger loves fitting them wherever he can. You might recognise this boiler room, it’s the fourth episode we’ve shot in here. This job takes a while so you’ll also get a bit of Roger’s insight, some gripes, plumbing history and general musings from a man that has much to share with the audience …
Read More »Alden Wrench Review
Roger Bisby tries out two innovative tools from Chicago Brand including the Alden Wrench. The Alden Wrench set is designed to make it easy to remove nuts and bolts where you have a limited arc. A typical example would be steel cabinets housing electrical equipment but it could also be steel framing, carrier trays or locking nuts for studs on …
Read More »Oh so Quiet – Milwaukee Surge Review
Roger Bisby takes a closer look at Milwaukee’s Surge Power Impact driver which has been designed to reduce the noise at source rather than relying on PPE. The impact driver has become most tradesman’s go to tool for fixings. Not only is it small and light it punches well above its weight. Unlike a drill driver there is also no …
Read More »Vauxhall Vivaro Review – Do I Regret Buying One?
After an extensive 18-month bedding in period, Roger Bisby reviews his Vauxhall Vivaro 2900 1.6CDTI BiTurbo 125PS Sportive 2.9 H1 Double Cab. Capabilities Payload up to 1280kg. Cubic capacity up to 8.6 cubic metres. Low loading-height of 552mm. Width between wheel arches 1268mm. Can accommodate 8 x 4 ply and three Euro-pallets Fuel economy. When it comes to economy, Vivaro …
Read More »Alarming lack of awareness about fire door safety
Despite the tragedy of the Grenfell fire in London last summer, an online poll has revealed that 50% of tradespeople don’t feel confident in advising customers on fire door safety. Despite extensive media coverage about the dangers of inadequate fire protection in offices and homes since the disaster, less than 20% of tradespeople polled have seen an increase in demand …
Read More »Metabo MFE 40 Wall Chaser Review
Roger tries out the MFE 40 diamond chaser from Metabo, a machine designed to take the hard work and dust out of cutting chases. But does it do that? Having owned a diamond chaser and dust extractor for the past 15 years I am still slightly taken aback by how many trades still seem to do things the hard way. …
Read More »1 in 10 Home Owners Unhappy with Building Work
One in ten home building projects fails to please homeowners, leaving many unhappy with building work, according to new research from the FMB.
Read More »Quarter of Brits Concerned About the Quality of New Build Homes
Nearly a quarter (24%) of people consider a lack of quality of build to be a major disadvantage of buying a new build home over an older property, according to a recent survey by BLP Insurance, a specialist residential warranty and commercial latent defects insurer. People living in the north of England (29%) were more likely to view a lack …
Read More »PREVIEW: Skill Builder takes a sneak peek at Snickers new work trousers
Roger Bisby takes a look at Snickers brand new Workwear 6241 Stretch Trousers with Holster Pockets which are available from September 2018. Workwear goes street smart in these stretchy work trousers that feature slimmer legs for a clean, technical look. Stretch Cordura at the knees combined with a 4-way stretch at the back provides great flexibility and comfort. Features include: …
Read More »Powered Air Purifying Respirator: 4 in 1 protection
The PowerCap Infinity is the latest in Powered Air Purifying Respirator technology from JSP offering 4 in 1 fully integrated protection to the head, eye/face, hearing and respiratory protection in one intuitive lightweight head mounted unit. The PowerCap Infinity has been designed by JSP’s research and development team who were inspired by feedback about the compatibility issue of having to …
Read More »Roof tile colour & texture matching service
Klober is offering a vent tile matching and granulation service to help roofing contractors and developers achieve the highest aesthetic possible for their roofs. The service allows customers to achieve a consistent finish across potentially conspicuous components and the roof as a whole, to deliver a top-quality look, especially on higher end developments. Customers submit a sample of tile to …
Read More »Pressure to Go to University Worsening Skills Crisis
This problem has become more pronounced, with this age group having been four times more likely to experience pressure to study for a degree than +55 year olds, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Read More »Day in the life: Stuart Roache (Screwfix top tradesperson 2018)
Skill Builder’s ‘Day in the life’ feature takes a look at a typical day in the life of different tradespeople. In this installment, we talk to Plumber/Carpenter and married father of three Stuart Roache, the winner of Screwfix’s Top Tradesperson 2018. After deciding on a career change at the age of 30 Stuart trained at night college for six-years before becoming …
Read More »