Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction
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 …
Read More »The Search for Redland and Icopal Apprentice of the Year
Redland – the manufacturer and supplier of pitched roof systems – has announced the launch of the Apprentice of the Year with an important twist.
Read More »The Capel Build part 1: The foundations
This is the start of our second building project series on Skill Builder. The Capel Build 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 …
Read More »How to tie in a wall securely with Tiger cavity wall ties
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. …
Read More »Panasonic Impact Driver review
In Part 5 of our mega-roundup, Roger puts the Panasonic EY75A7 Dual Volt 18v/14.4v Impact Driver through its paces; see how he gets on. The Panasonic EY75A7 impact driver is a dual voltage model, which means it’s compatible with 18v and 14.4v Panasonic batteries. This particular version is the body only packaged without batteries or charger. Improvements over the previous …
Read More »Building an Extension Part 3 – Suspended Beam and Block Floor
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 …
Read More »Housing Association fined after exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)
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 …
Read More »Stay warm on site with body mapping workwear
A change of season means a change of focus on what you wear on site. With this in mind, Snickers FLEXIWork, RUFFWork, LITEWork and ALLROUND Workwear is said to ensure you keep your cool when the heat is on or stay warm and comfortable when the temperature drops. Interweaving 37.5 Technology fabric into Snickers’ working clothes means that you’ve got …
Read More »Lightweight beanie fits under hard hats for warmth and safety
As the chilly weather sets in JSP has launched a new thermal helmet beanie called the Surefit Beanie which is fully approved to be worn with all the JSP Evo range of Safety Helmets. Compatibility is key when combining PPE and this new Beanie will prevent workers from wearing incompatible and dangerous alternatives such as hoodies under their helmets. Designed …
Read More »Metabo SSW 18 LTX 400 BL Impact Wrench – Roundup Part 3
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 …
Read More »Average Tradesperson Earns £781 per Week
Hudson Contract has revealed this year’s winners and losers across 10 regions and 17 trades in its annual Construction Pay Trends Index with plumbers enjoying biggest pay rise in 2017 while electricians have experienced a pay drop. The index shows that self-employed builders in England and Wales have seen a year-on-year increase in average weekly earnings of 3.8% – with …
Read More »Construction Industry Warns Against Brexit ‘Cliff Edge’ for EU Workers
The construction sector has come together to warn the Government of the dangers of the industry facing a ‘cliff edge’ regarding EU workers.
Read More »Bright idea: ProVan LED light review
Roger Bisby lets a lot more light into the black hole that was the back of his van. There are few things more frustrating than rummaging around in the back of your van trying to find something and not having enough light to see. As winter draws in I find myself in this situation once again, I know it is …
Read More »Real Deals For You: Roughneck Gorilla Bar Junior Twin Set
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 …
Read More »Hitachi WH18DBDL2 Impact Driver Review – Roundup Part 2
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 …
Read More »Building an Extension Part 2 – Moving drains
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 …
Read More »BMF Welcomes Commitment to Housebuilding
Responding to the Budget, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has welcomed recognition by the Chancellor that housebuilding needs to be one of the Government’s main priorities.
Read More »Total Wipeout: Uniwipes review
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 …
Read More »Delving deeper into the world of damp prevention & cure
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 …
Read More »Real Deals For You: Faithfull 20cm/8″ Diamond Sharpening Kit
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 fifth instalment of this series Roger Bisby tries out the Faithfull 20cm/8″ Diamond Sharpening Kit. Real Deals for You is a year-round campaign run by one of Europe’s leading hand and power tool …
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