Stabila Precise Measurement at Toolfair

Stabila Precise Measurement

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 …

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Toupret Filler Review

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 …

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Toolfair #1 – Robin Talks to HiKOKI

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.

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How to Fit an Isolation Valve on Copper Water Pipe

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 …

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Oh so Quiet – Milwaukee Surge Review

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 …

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Vauxhall Vivaro Review – Do I Regret Buying One?

Vauxhall Vivaro review

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 …

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Alarming lack of awareness about fire door safety

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 …

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Metabo MFE 40 Wall Chaser Review

Metabo MFE 40 Diamond 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. …

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Quarter of Brits Concerned About the Quality of New Build Homes

Small builders

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 …

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PREVIEW: Skill Builder takes a sneak peek at Snickers new work trousers

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: …

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Roof tile colour & texture matching service

roof tile colour

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 …

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Pressure to Go to University Worsening Skills Crisis

Pressure to go to university

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).

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Day in the life: Stuart Roache (Screwfix top tradesperson 2018)

Stuart Roache

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 …

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Builder destroys newly built cottages as revenge for not being paid

Builder destroys

A disgruntled builder has destroyed a £2.5 million row of newly built cottages in a dispute over pay.  Neighbours are said to have seen the man laughing and taking photos while he began demolishing the buildings. According to the sun neighbours confronted the builder, concerned their homes would be next but the builder said he was only damaging properties on …

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Roger’s Vlog – Don’t Ignore The Cancer Warnings!

Roger's Vlog

Roundup weedkiller could be pulled from British shelves after a $289m US lawsuit finds a link to cancer. Homebase and B&Q are reviewing weedkiller products after a terminal cancer sufferer was awarded £226m compensation in the US. This has prompted Roger Bisby to look at the products that he uses every day in building work to see if there’s anything …

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Latest Snickers Workwear on show in Autumn catalogue

latest snickers workwear

The latest clothing styles from Snickers Workwear promise to make working in cooler weather easier and more comfortable. Each style incorporates the  latest in market-leading designs and stretch fabric technology. There’s 37.5 high-tech undergarments, plus jackets, trousers and accessories added to the RUFFWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUND clothing families for both professional craftsmen and women as well as the hi-vis garment collection for …

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Hultafors Group acquires Scandinavian PPE innovator, Hellberg Safety

Hellberg Safety

The Hultafors Group which owns Snickers Workwear, Solid Gear Safety Footwear and Hultafors Tools has acquired Hellberg Safety. Hellberg Safety is a specialised supplier of PPE Equipment which includes highly advanced hearing protection products, face protection and communication solutions for personal protection. David Clark, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK says, “We are delighted with this acquisition given that …

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