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.
By that, I mean using a small angle grinder with no dust extraction and a small SDS hammer. Not only is it a lot more dusty and unhealthy it is also slower and very often the impact damage causes minor cracks in the walls.
There are quite a lot of wall chasers out there but this MFE 40 from Metabo is sold as a kit with their dust extractor which means it is optimised.
It also couples up with no need for adaptors and it handles the dust created by the chaser with ease. It also has a low friction non-kink hose that is 4 metres long which means you can get the chaser close to the ceiling and still have some play on the hose.
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
The chaser is well thought out in most respects with plenty of power coming from a 1700watt motor 110 or 1900 240v.
You may think this is overkill but it is turning two or even three grooves at the same time and will cut up to 40mm deep.
It can also give you a totally cleaned chase so the motor has to be capable of removing a lot of material. Of course in dense concrete on a single deep pass the motor could still be struggling and for that reason, there is an LED light on either side to warn you of overload. If you see the light come on slow down.
Where this chaser really stands out from the competition is in the blade change. You can make a single cut with one blade or a dual cut with two, or, by fitting the offset double for 20mm or even a triple blade for 30mm you can remove all the material and save having to break out the middle of the chase. It also saves a lot of sweeping up.
The blade change to achieve all these variations is probably the easiest of any chaser out there with no need to split the housing to remove the discs. By using the spacers I managed to get the cutter width adjusted to exactly the width of the plastic conduit which meant it hardly needed anything to hold it in the chase.
You can actually use Omega wall slot clips and just pop the conduit in but I used a bit of Soudal adhesive spotted on the back.
If you have never used a diamond chaser you need to know that there is a direction of travel. In other words, you are working into the uncut chase rather than away from it.
If you have never used a diamond chaser you need to know that there is a direction of travel. In other words, you are working into the uncut chase rather than away from it.
If you run the opposite way to the arrow dust will escape the hood through the lines you have already cut. That is all standard stuff but for me, the problem with this machine is that you are pushing it up the wall rather than down.
It is a lot harder work than simply placing it up at the top and leaning on it while it gently falls by gravity. Who would not want to make use of gravity?
It is free and (as far as I know) available worldwide. Having used Metabo wall chasers that did work from the top down I couldn’t understand why they suddenly thought it was a good idea to turn the whole thing on its head.
I checked with the manufacturer and they told me that they had researched the market and been told that users wanted to see the line they were chasing and this is easier if you are cutting upwards. Also on the horizontal, it is easier to push than pull.
I love this machine and it is a great price so if pushing up the wall is not a problem for you I can recommend it. The dust extractor which comes in the kit is a formidable M class machine.
I have used many others which are in most respects the same so I don’t know if this is a Metabo machine or simply badged up but it works and has no problem doing the job. Buying them together is the way to go but it will work with other dust extractors.
One in ten home building projects fail to please homeowners, leaving a trail of unhappy customers, according to new research from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Of the homeowners who are unhappy with their building work, the top reasons cited include shoddy workmanship (49%), cost overruns (27%) and delays (23%).
However, most of these issues can be avoided if homeowners stick to the ‘Keep away from the Cowboys’ checklist that the FMB has prepared.
Master Builders have to pass an independent inspection, as well as credit and director checks before they can join the FMB.
They can also offer warranties on their work and have access to free written contracts that help protect both parties.
Unhappy with Building Work
The FMB also offers a dispute resolution service should any problems arise.
The ‘Keep away from the Cowboys’ checklist is issued by the FMB and includes the following advice for homeowners:
Get a contract – make sure everything is agreed in writing to avoid problems later;
Don’t flash the cash – our research shows that when builders demand to be paid in cash so that they can avoid paying VAT, they are more likely to cut corners elsewhere and leave their customers dissatisfied;
Check for scam schemes – not all rating schemes are the same. Does membership mean the builder has been checked or have they just paid for the logo?
Helen Patterson was one of those who felt let down by her builder: “I am absolutely distraught. My emotions are all over the place and my house is in a terrible state of disrepair.
It was supposed to be the start of building my dream home and suddenly it was in complete ruins – the man responsible, who I had trusted with my hard-earned cash, just disappeared.
This has left me in a financially difficult situation wishing I had used a builder that had been vetted by a more reliable third party to avoid this sort of thing happening.”
The ‘Keep away from the Cowboys’ checklist can be downloaded from the FMB website.
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 of quality of construction as a major disadvantage of new build homes compared to those people living in London and the south east (21%).
Other disadvantages of new builds identified by respondents included lack of character (26%), the size of rooms (24%), and price (21%). Respondents aged 16-24 see cost (32%) as the biggest disadvantage of buying a new build home while respondents over the age of 55 think cost (18%) is the least important factor with the lack of character (30%) the principal drawback of buying a new build.
The survey also revealed that 29% of people do not believe there were any benefits in purchasing a new build home; those over 55 are especially sceptical about the advantages (41%).
Kim Vernau, CEO of BLP Insurance, said: “Poor build quality is an increasing issue in the UK housing market.
As developers attempt to meet the high levels of demand for new homes, practical design and quality is being compromised.
As more and more buyers become aware of the issues that poor quality of build gives rise to, all parties involved in the construction of new homes will have to respond, taking greater responsibility and ensuring quality of the build process going forward.”
Roger discusses an issue that is common in new builds in this recent video:
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:
Stretch Cordura at the knees for flexibility, comfort and durability
Pre-bent slim fit legs
Advanced KneeGuard Pro with expansion pleats, keeping your kneepads in the optimum position for superior protection, comfort and durability
Classic Holster Pocket and easy to access ruler pocket featuring knife fastener, Velcro tool holder, front loops with key holder possibility and the classic cargo pocket with an attachment for I.D badge
Material: 2-way stretch twill, 47% Cotton, 31% Polyester, 22% Elastane, 250gm2 with 4-way stretch 91.5% Polyamide, 8.5% Elastane, 260g/m2. Reinforced with stretch Cordura 100% Polyester and 100% Cordura-Polyamide
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 a dedicated department at the company’s head office in Castle Donington, which then seeks to deliver a match in texture and colour. The department also holds a collection of popular stock tiles from a wide range of manufacturers – such as Redland – for reference purposes. Ideally, the custom vents will be provided within five days.
Most granulation is on Klober’s Plain Tile Vents, which are kept in stock, with the Uni-Plain Tile Vent with brown granulation being the most common. All other vents are refinished to order. The service is incredibly popular with over 23,000 vents being matched and/ or granulated last year.
Half of the UK’s 18-24 year olds feel 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).
Key results from the FMB’s research into people’s attitudes about university include:
• Half of 18-24 year olds felt pressurised by parents, teachers, friends, and/or society in general, to go to university
• The younger the generation, the more likely they were to have felt pressurised into attending university
• 12% of +55 year olds felt pressure to go to university
• 23% of 45-54 year olds felt pressured to go to university
• 30% of 35-44 year olds felt pressured to go to university
• 40% of 25-34 year olds felt pressured to go to university
• 50% of 18-24 year olds felt pressured to go to university
The Pressure to Go to University
Commenting on the research, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “It is deeply concerning that half of the nation’s young people felt pressurised into going to university.
Indeed, this new research shows a pattern: the younger the generation, the more likely they were to feel pressurised into studying for a degree.
In the past, academic education was often favoured over vocational studies but this view was always questionable and is now outdated.
recent research showed that the average university graduate in England earns £32,000 a year whereas your average bricklayer or roofer is earning £42,000 a year
“With GCSE results having just been published, we are urging students to give other career paths such as vocational training and apprenticeships serious consideration. A construction apprenticeship can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career. Our recent research showed that the average university graduate in England earns £32,000 a year whereas your average bricklayer or roofer is earning £42,000 a year.”
Berry concluded: “The construction industry is facing a severe skills shortage and it’s therefore of utmost importance that more young people join the sector. We are calling on all parents and teachers to encourage those who are finding out their GCSE results today to consider a career in construction. We know that nearly all of the key trades have become harder to recruit in the second quarter of this year compared to the previous three months.
But construction isn’t just mud and boots, there are careers of all kinds up for grabs including engineering and quantity surveying. The only way we can guarantee enough skilled construction workers in the future is by attracting more young people into the sector and training them to a high standard.”
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 qualified in both joinery and plumbing. He is now devoted to supporting adult learners and plans to recruit and train them so they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to also succeed.
Name: Stuart Roache Trade: Plumber/Carpenter Company: Abington Home Maintenance
What time does your day start?
I’m normally up by 7am to put the kettle on and usually out the door by 8am.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
My customers! Business is very busy for me and I have jobs booked in and deadlines to meet, so the loyalty to my customers to be on time is key to me.
What does a typical day entail for you?
I don’t really have a typical day as such, yes I have jobs booked in but that could all change very quickly as I could get a call for an emergency job that needs doing straight away so my day can change at the drop of a hat, but normally I would get up in the morning and check e-mails and take names and numbers of people that I need to ring during the day, whilst I am out I will collect materials for jobs and re-stock my van with parts, I would then go to the 1st job and work through the day on jobs booked in, when I eventually get home I would spend an hour or so doing quotes for jobs I’ve looked at previously.
When I do bigger jobs like re-furbs I project manage a team of tradespeople that I use and trust and organize all the materials needed and a schedule of works to complete the job on time but also balance all of my other workload as well.
What’s the best thing about your job?
That every day is different, I like to challenge myself with different jobs and how to approach things differently, I’m proud of what I have been able to achieve after re-training at night college for 6 years after wanting a career change at the age of 30.
What’s the worst thing about your job?
Paperwork and lots of it …. Oh and a disorganized van!
What qualifications do you have?
NVQ level 3 plumbing
NVQ level 3 carpentry
Are you a member of any professional alliances/associations?
Currently I am not a member of any professional alliance but I am looking to join APHC in the near future.
What tool couldn’t you live without?
My grips, I use them nearly on every job!
What do you drive?
For work I drive a VW Transporter it’s a proper work horse and is so reliable
For pleasure I have a VW Golf but this will change at some point as I have a new Mitsubishi
Warrior that will be arriving soon which was the top prize for winning Screwfix Tradesperson of the year 2018!
What do you do to unwind?
Being members of the National Trust allows days away with my wife Lise. Walks with my dog
Aston and throwing Bbqs for family and friends when the weathers good!
What piece of advice would you give to an up and coming apprentice?
Knuckle down, get on with your work and take in as much knowledge as possible because when you’re on your own doing a job in the real world there’s nobody there to show you how to get out of a sticky situation, and that’s when you have to think on your feet.
A disgruntled builder has destroyed a £2.5 million row of newly built cottages in a dispute over pay.
Pics. @EHertsRrlPolice
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 which he was owed money.
The houses were reportedly due to be occupied in weeks but now some of them may now need to be pulled down.
According to Hertfordshire police the offender is in custody while enquiries continue.
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 maximum safety and wellbeing.
They’re all working clothes that are said to deliver superb functionality, comfort, protection, and are equipped for any task at hand.
Complemented by Snickers’ Profiling and Embroidery services and an extensive range of garment sizes, Snickers’ Workwear System delivers the ultimate solution to make every man and woman’s workday easier and safer.
For more information, visit www.snickersworkwear.co.uk alternatively, call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788.
Roger visits a £500,000 newbuild to solve a leaking shower issue that is so common it’s almost a national epidemic.
It’s a familiar scenario. A homeowner finds a wet patch on the ceiling of the room below a tiled bath or shower room so, assuming there is a leak under the shower or bath, they have a go at solving the problem themselves with some silicone sealant. This solves the problem temporarily but signs of the leak under shower keep returning.
More often than not the problem is that what’s behind the tiles – plasterboard – simply isn’t up to the job.
Leaking Shower Woe
Modern housebuilders often lay tiles on to plasterboard because it’s the cheapest material available and it looks fine initially but at some point, it is more than likely to let the homeowner down when the grouting starts to fail and water seeps in through the cracks.
Plasterboard is like paper and once the water finds its way in it will swell and degrade and give way to leaks and sometimes rot can even set in before there are any outward signs of the problem.
A leaking shower can be avoided if done right.
It’s much better to lay onto a decent board designed for tiles or to use a system such as the Elements board from Abacus Bathrooms demonstrated by Roger in this video.
It’s unfortunately not uncommon for people to replace plasterboard with more plasterboard so the whole sorry cycle is destined to be repeated.
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 Hellberg PPE products complement the Snickers Workwear and Solid Gear Safety Footwear product portfolios perfectly – in particular the recently extended Snickers Workwear Hi-Vis working clothes range “.
“We will now be able to offer the UK market an even more extensive range of top quality premium brand products, ideally suited to protect the personal wellbeing and safety of the discerning professional tradesman and woman”.
Getting information on the new Hellberg Safety product range is easy – call the Snickers Workwear Helpline on 01484 854788 or checkout the website
Warmer weather brings with it a need for tradespeople to be cool and dry – to maintain well being and working efficiency.
That’s why Snickers’ new working clothes for the summer uses 37.5 fabric technology which is really good at ‘wicking’ moisture away from the body and keeping you dry.
In the Snickers Workwear FLEXIWork, LITEWork and RUFFWork product families, there’s NEW Shirts, Shorts and Work Trousers that are super-light and quick-drying with advanced ventilation to keep you cool in the heat.
They’ve all got superb, body-mapping designs for an amazing fit, outstanding functionality and long-lasting comfort – all day, every day.
A Manchester-based property developer has been sentenced after the roof and part of the rear wall collapsed at one of his properties during demolition works.
Manchester Crown Court heard how Riaz Ahmad appointed a group of workers, who had no experience in construction, to carry out demolition work at a property in Oldham. On 11 August 2017, after receiving a call from Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council’s building control department, a HSE inspector visited the site and found almost all the internal walls and supports of the roof had been taken out. A Prohibition Notice was served preventing any further work and a major road running past the building was closed.
Riaz Ahmad appointed a group of workers, who had no experience in construction, to carry out demolition work at a property in Oldham
A day later, it was agreed that there was no safe way of accessing the building and Oldham MBC obtained an order to demolish the building. It was soon after this that the roof and wall collapsed. This triggered an emergency response involving Greater Manchester Police and the Fire Service, during which properties were evacuated and the area cordoned off. Oldham Borough Council arranged for an emergency demolition of the remainder of building to take place later that day. Local businesses faced significant disruption as the site was made safe.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), found the collapse could have been prevented had a principal contractor been appointed and a suitable risk assessment been carried out. These steps could have ensured the stability of the building during the demolition with regards to temporary works and control measures such as scaffolding. Mr Ahmad did not suitably plan the work as he employed unskilled workers, neglected the risks from working at height and stability of the building, failed to provide them with basic welfare facilities and did not consider several health hazards.
Riaz Ahmad, of Dickenson Road, Manchester, was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) and Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Regulation 19 (1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment for each offence (to run concurrently) and was order to pay prosecution costs of £65,000.
In his sentencing of Mr Ahmad, the Judge remarked that: “This was a very serious case indeed. It was nothing short of a miracle that only one person was injured. A clear statement has to be made to those who undertake significant projects such as this, namely that health and safety legislation has to be adhered to for good reason, and those who ignore its basic tenets will receive punishment.
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Argument said: “The incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.
“Duty holders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards”.
A contractor, client and director have been convicted after conditions at a building site were found to be dangerous.
Southwark Crown Court heard that inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the construction site on Gladesmore Road, London on numerous occasions in 2015 while building work was taking place at the property.
Inspectors found poor health and safety conditions on site including dangerous work at height, unshored excavations, and poor welfare facilities. This resulted in numerous prohibition notices, improvement notices and notifications of contravention being served on the contractor and client.
Inspectors found poor health and safety conditions on site including dangerous work at height, unshored excavations, and poor welfare facilities.
A HSE investigation found that the contractor, Mr Bodnariu, failed to plan, manage and monitor the work on site. The client company WEL Estates Limited failed to make suitable arrangements for managing a project, and the director of WEL Estates Limited, Mr Yoel Lew, had allowed the poor conditions on site.
Mr Bodnariu pleaded guilty to breaching regulation 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, 250 hours of community service, and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
WEL Estates Limited was found guilty of breaching Regulations 4(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, and was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000.
Mr Yoel Lew was found guilty of breaching Section 37(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and sentenced to 200 hours of Community Service.
Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Robinson said: “Dutyholders should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
Simon Thomerson has been sentenced to 8 months in custody after pleading guilty to a health and safety breach that resulted in the death of two brothers.
Luton Crown Court heard how Mr Thomerson, the sole owner and director of Clearview Design and Construction Ltd, had been contracted by the owners of an industrial park in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire to refurbish several of the units.
Brothers Ardian and Jashar Lamallari had been employed as labourers and were working inside the unit at 16:45 on 3 October 2015 when an explosive fire occurred within one of the units. Both brothers suffered near 100 per cent burns and died within 12 hours of the incident. A third man who was working with them also suffered severe burns, but survived.
A joint investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Mr Thomerson had supplied the three men with several litres of highly flammable “thinners”, which they then poured onto the floor of the unit to remove old dried carpet tile adhesive.
The investigation found that Mr Thomerson had given no serious consideration to the safe use of the thinners, despite the obvious warnings on the containers. The vapour spread over an area up to half the size of a tennis court and was ignited by one of several possible ignition sources that were in the area.
Sole owner and director of Clearview Design and Construction Ltd, Simon Thomerson of Sutherland Avenue, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. He received a custodial sentence of 8 months and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £170.
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit who led the investigation said:
“This was a tragic event that led to the death of two men in absolutely horrific circumstances. We have worked closely with HSE and our other partner agencies to ensure that the failings by those in control of the site were identified and prosecuted and are satisfied that the sentence delivered today reflects the seriousness of those failings.”
Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Paul Hoskins said: “This tragic incident led to the wholly avoidable death of two brothers, Ardian and Jashar, destroying the lives of their young families.
“The risks of using highly flammable liquids are well known, and employers should make sure they properly assess the risks from such substances, and use safer alternatives where possible. Where the use of flammable solvents is unavoidable, then the method and environment must be strictly controlled to prevent any ignition.”
In a victim impact statement, Zana Lamallari, wife of Jashar said: “After the death of my husband, my family life has completely been destroyed. My children’s and my future has been completely destroyed. He was everything to me.”
In a victim impact statement, Ismete Lamallari, wife of Ardian said: “The impact in my life is so big. My family has been destroyed; my home, everything. My husband was very loving towards the children and everyone. He was an honest worker.”
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has this week released its annual figures for work-related fatal injuries for 2017/18, which has shown an increase in workplace fatalities with the highest number of fatal injuries occuring in the construction industry.
The provisional annual data for work-related fatal injuries revealed that 144 workers were fatally injured between April 2017 and March 2018 (a rate of 0.45 per 100,000 workers).
Although this represents an increase of nine fatalities from 2016/17, there has been a long-term reduction in the number of fatalities since 1981 and the number has remained broadly level in recent years.
HSE Chair Martin Temple said: “Despite the fact that Britain’s health and safety record is the envy of much of the world, the increase in the number of workers fatally injured is clearly a source of concern.
The new figures show how fatal injuries are spread across the different industrial sectors:
38 fatal injuries to construction workers were recorded, accounting for the largest share of any industry. The annual average rate over the last five years in construction is around four times as high as the all industry rate.
29 fatal injuries to agricultural workers were recorded. This sector continues to account for a large share of the annual fatality count. It has the highest rate of fatal injury of all the main industry sectors, around 18 times as high as the all industry rate.
12 fatal injuries to waste and recycling workers were recorded. Despite being a relatively small sector in terms of employment, the annual average fatal injury rate over the last five years is around 16 times as high as the all industry rate.
15 fatal injuries were recorded in both the manufacturing and the transport and storage sectors. Both industries have an annual average rate of fatal injury around 1.5 – 2 times the rate across all industries over the last five years.
The three most common causes of fatal injuries continue to be due to; workers falling from height (35), being struck by a moving vehicle (26) and being struck by a moving object (23), accounting for nearly 60 per cent of fatal injuries in 2017/18.
The new figures also highlight the risks to older workers; 40 per cent of fatal injuries in 2017/18 were to workers aged 60 or over, even though such workers made up only around 10 per cent of the workforce.
In addition, there were also 100 members of the public fatally injured in incidents connected to work in 2017/18 with just over half of these fatalities occurring on railways.
Mesothelioma, contracted through past exposure to asbestos and one of the few work-related diseases where deaths can be counted directly, killed 2,595 in Great Britain in 2016.
The current figures are largely a consequence of occupational asbestos exposures that occurred before 1980. Annual deaths are expected to remain broadly at current levels for the rest of the decade before beginning to decline.
A fuller assessment of work-related ill-health and injuries, drawing on HSE’s full range of data sources, will be provided as part of the annual Health and Safety Statistics release on 31 October 2018.
Roger and Robin review and demonstrate the Triton TPL180 Triple Blade 1500w Power Planer which they find to be big but easy to handle.
Triton TPL180 features:
Patented, 3-blade design and 10-position depth control knob for precise material removal.
Adjustable front handle with a soft grip for added comfort.
Power indicator with live mains connection, ultra-wide 7″ planing width.
Includes wrench, dust connector, set guide fence and 3 x HSS 180mm blades.
Cutting capacities: width 180mm, depth 2mm.
No-load speed 15,000rpm.
Weight 8.6kg.
Powerful 1500W motor for heavy-duty planing of the toughest wood surfaces.
Power-on neon indicates a live power connection.
Magnesium alloy for superior strength & durability.
Non-slip rubber over-moulded grip offers increased support, safety & control.
Fully cast base ensures flatness & increases the accuracy of cut low centre of gravity design for stability and control 3-Blade drum design for faster, smoother cuts & a superior finish 180mm / 7″ planing width for maximum productivity 10-Position depth control dial sets the cut depth from 0 – 2mm / 0 – 3/32″.
HSS Blades are reversible for extended life.
Adjustable bail handle for additional control & safety.
Dust port for connection to a dust extraction system.
Develop Training Ltd (DTL), is warning that firms will face a dash for compliance when new electrical wiring regulations are released next month.
DTL says many firms will be caught unawares by the scope of the changes in the new British Standard requirements for electrical installations.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology’s 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, which form the basis of the updated BS7671:2018, will require significant retraining for all UK electricians. It is due for publication in July but the major changes to the previous edition have already been announced, and DTL says they look set to have a big impact on the UK’s 265,000 electricians and electrical fitters as well as the organisations that employ them.
DTL suggests many operatives will need to attend a three-day course, rather than the one-day refresher courses that have previously sufficed after an update was released. This could place a huge operational burden on organisations employing multiple electricians.
DTL is recommending that only those who have gone through 17th Edition third amendment training in the past six months will be eligible for a fast-track one-day course.
Chris Wood, CEO of the training company, said: “The new regulations reflect the changing technological, regulatory and political environment. For example, there are new introductions covering energy efficiency, electric car charging and the way that wiring should be supported to protect it from a building collapse in the event of fire. There are many other changes, which amount to a very significant evolution in the regulations. Clearly, the fallout from a non-compliance event could be immensely damaging for any organisation that employs electricians. So the new edition is sure to have major implications when it comes to training people to ensure that the regulations are met.”
At long last it looks like we might be moving towards a universal battery system for cordless power tools following an announcement this week that nine manufacturers have joined forces to create the Cordless Alliance System (CAS).
Metabo, Rothenberger, Mafell, Eisenblätter, Collomix, Haaga, Starmix, Eibenstock and Steinel power tool and machine manufacturers held a joint press conference in the German town of Rottweil this week to present something which is unprecedented in the industry – a manufacturer-independent battery pack system.
So far it is an exclusively German club with no comment yet on whether this is something that is likely to change.
The basis of the Cordless Alliance System (CAS) is the Metabo’s battery pack technology an area where the German manufacturer has been innovating in recent years.
Commenting at the launch, Horst Garbrecht, Metabo’s CEO, said: “This is wonderful.”
The latest step towards its vision of a cordless construction site is the 2nd generation of Metabo 18V LiHD battery packs, the 8.0 ampere hours (Ah) capacity battery pack with only 10 cells delivers a massive 1,600 watts of power. “With LiHD we have enough power even for the most energy-intensive applications. Therefore, we can today build any hand-held power tool as a cordless machine – and in such a way that it meets the requirements of professional users in terms of power and endurance”, says Garbrecht.
A system with great user benefit
The flexibility to be able to work with only one battery pack system and the machines of different manufacturers has been top of cordless power tool users wish list for some years so CAS is a step towards addressing this.
Explaining the basic idea of CAS, Garbrecht said: “From a technical point of view, no separate brand would be required for the cooperation. The compatibility of battery packs, chargers and machines would also be given, if all manufacturers would distribute the respective components under their traditional brands. Yet obviously, the cooperation brand is of enormous importance for the information of the users. With CAS they could automatically recognise which manufacturers work with the same battery pack system and are therefore 100% compatible with each other.”
It is our vision that CAS becomes the leading interface for the manufacturers of the industry that offers their target groups special solutions and competence products precisely customised to their requirements.
Metabo has a unique position in the industry, since the German manufacture are generalist and specialist in one. The brand offers mainstream tools for their two core target groups metal trade and industry, as well as building trade and renovation but they also offer a great wealth of special solutions and competence products. Garbrecht: “However, apart from the two named, there are many other applications for which we do not have special solutions ourselves, yet the CAS partners do. Therefore, it also is no problem, from our point of view, that some cooperation partners are competitors at first glance. On the one hand, the overlapping areas are very small, and on the other hand the partners sell their products sometimes through completely different trade channels than we do. It is our vision that CAS becomes the leading interface for the manufacturers of the industry that offers their target groups special solutions and competence products precisely customised to their requirements. For the large providers in the industry such products are often of little interest, since they do not reach the numbers required by large generalists to manufacture as economically as possible. Already the range of all CAS partners covers around 110 machines and this number will continue to grow very quickly.”
Partnership of equals
“We think in the system”, says Dr. Christian Heine, managing director of Rothenberger. “For the professionals in the SHK industry, already today we have an extensive system of pipe tools. However, with CAS we can also offer them a wide range of other cordless machines.” When choosing the technology partner, Rothenberger decided for Metabo for a number of reasons, says Heine: “Due to the developments in the past years, Metabo has conquered the technological leadership and currently offers the most powerful system in the industry, which is not least in terms of compatibility, very sophisticated. Furthermore, Metabo is of ideal size to further promote CAS: Large enough, to provide the required development effort – however with mid-size orientation and thus fast and flexible.” The idea of partnership was also decisive for Heine. “The cooperation with Metabo is always on equal footing. This equal footing is difficult if the differences in size between the partners is too large.”
Rothenberger is not the only CAS partner who responds precisely to the requirements of very particular target groups. By virtue of the different competence area of the companies, the CAS does not only offer a wide product range, but also unique special solutions for many applications. Whether the mitre rails and plunge saws from Mafell, the cordless stirrer from Collomix or the hot air guns from Steinel – all these machines are made for specialists, and all battery packs and chargers are compatible at 100 percent within the CAS.
Extremely powerful battery pack technology
For many cooperation partners, power and capacity of the battery pack technologies have a different meaning. “Our plaster processing machines, for example, are made for demanding construction site use. In the past, the battery pack technology was not powerful enough for this”, says Hendrik Kreutel, managing director of the power tool manufacturer Eibenstock from the mountain city with the same name in Saxony. Not only the processing of plaster, “even the production of hot air requires a lot of energy”, says Steinel principal Ingo Steinel. “CAS delivers the matching battery pack technology to the already very technologically sophisti- cated Steinel products”, he says.
Stronger together
Power and quality were also the decisive criteria for the Oberndorfer woodworking specialist Mafell. “With our target groups we are renowned to be a manufacturer with high-quality products”, says managing director Matthias Krauss. “We must constantly prove ourselves, and obviously a cordless tool from Mafell must not disappoint our customers and users. Therefore, only a top system is worth considering, and we cannot develop it that easily ourselves with our specialising and company size. However, we obviously know exactly that the users of our ma- chines, especially in the cordless area, expect a complete range, since they do not want to work with different battery packs and chargers. As partner of CAS we offer you together with the machines of the other and naturally with Metabo’s wide programme range such a system. Only together we can hold our own in the highly competitive cordless market”, says Krauss.
The cordless segment is the future
The cordless manual sweepers from Haaga have already been running on battery packs, however with today’s outdated gel-lead technology. “The battery pack alliance brings us a great technological progress”, says Stefan Sander, managing director of Haaga. On the other side, the sweepers from Kirchheim unter Teck expand the product range of the other manufacturers with a competence product. Unlike for Haaga, the path to the cordless segment is still new for other CAS co- operation partners. “We would like to expand the cordless area over time”, says Gerd Eisenblätter, principal of the family company with the same name from Ger- etsried in Bavaria. Eisenblätter concentrates on metal-processing industries and starts with a cordless angle grinder and a cordless burnishing tool.
Also for the stirrer specialist Collomix from Gaimersheim, the hand stirrer is the first cordless product. “Collomix has been cooperating successfully with Metabo for many years in the motor area. For us it was clear that we would also like to cooperate in the cordless area with Metabo”, says Collomix principal Alexander Essing.
Both sides profit
CAS brings together various companies with very different competence areas. This makes working not only easier for professionals- even the companies themselves profit from the battery pack alliance. The vacuum cleaners from Electrostar, for example, that are sold under the brand name Starmix, are used by craftsmen from different industries. “If these craftsmen can then also operate a whole range of power tools with our battery packs, this would be a clear competitive advantage for us”, says Electrostar managing director, Roman Gorovoy.
CAS is to grow with additional partners
With the previous nine companies, CAS, according to Garbrecht, is to continue to grow even in the next years and more and more smaller and larger companies will join in the name of battery pack technology under one roof. Like the tower in Rottweil, in which they assembled on this day, the companies of the CAS count on foresight and good prospects with their battery pack interface partnership.
