Bosch launches thermal camera

thermal camera

Bosch Professional has added a high-quality thermal camera to its measuring device range. Its development is said to draw on the manufacturer’s deep understanding of practical problems faced by electricians, plumbers, builders and other trade professionals. The Bosch GTC 400 C Professional Thermal Camera is designed to bring competitive advantage to their businesses at an affordable price. Multiple uses It …

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The Capel Build Part 3 – Timber Frames

Timber Frames

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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What Will The New Year Have in Store for the Construction Industry?

construction industry predictions

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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Getting back to basics – Training & Development in the Construction Industry

ITC Concepts

Serena Kennedy, HR Manager for fit out and refurbishment experts, ITC Concepts, explains why she believes investing in the future of employees working in the construction industry pays dividends. In October 2017, ITC Concepts won the Croydon Business Excellence award for Employee Training and Development. We couldn’t have been prouder – investment in our employees, through various types of development …

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Bosch Impact Driver review: GDR & GDX 18v Impact Drivers

Bosch Impact Driver review

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 …

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Pecavoid Max Frank ~ The Capel Build #2

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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The Capel Build part 1: The foundations

Capel Build

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 …

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How to tie in a wall securely with Tiger cavity wall ties

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. …

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Panasonic Impact Driver review

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 …

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Building an Extension Part 3 – Suspended Beam and Block Floor

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 …

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Housing Association fined after exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Construction boss jailed

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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Stay warm on site with body mapping workwear

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 …

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Lightweight beanie fits under hard hats for warmth and safety

Lightweight beanie

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 …

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Metabo SSW 18 LTX 400 BL Impact Wrench – Roundup Part 3

Metabo SSW 18

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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Average Tradesperson Earns £781 per Week

what trades earn

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 …

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Bright idea: ProVan LED light review

ProVan LED light

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 …

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