Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Roger Bisby goes Dutch with some Fluxaf Green. Ever since the completely justified EU ban on using methylene chloride in paint stripper, the trade has struggled to find viable alternatives. Modern strippers just don’t have the instant, crackle and pop of the old stuff. All too often they require re-applying several times in order to penetrate the built up coatings. …

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today informed BAM Nuttall Limited, Ferrovial Agroman (UK) Ltd, and Keir Infrastructure and Overseas Ltd that they will be prosecuted in relation to three incidents that took place during the construction of the new Crossrail railway tunnel construction, which runs east to west across London. All three companies will appear at Westminster’s Magistrates …

For children, the school summer holidays can seem to stretch on forever. However, if you’re a contractor brought in to carry out building work during the summer break, you’re all too aware of just how quickly six weeks can pass. William Cooper was one such contractor, facing a tight window for project delivery when it was hired to refurbish the …

Anyone who has followed Addam Smith and the Band of Builders story in 2016 will know he doesn’t do things by halves. When at the beginning of this year the landscape gardening business owner found out his employee Keith Ellick had been diagnosed with terminal cancer he recruited a team of volunteers (the Band of Builders) from the Builder’s Talk …

The Government’s pledge to rollout smart meters to 30 million homes by 2020 could be delayed because of a lack of qualified engineers, new research suggests. Nearly one in five Brits, who have arranged for a smart meter to be installed in their homes, have experienced long delays because there are not enough engineers available to carry out the work. …

New for this Autumn/Winter 2016, Scruffs has expanded its Expedition range to include the Scruffs Expedition Thermo Softshell Jacket. The new jacket uses a body mapped design which balances insulation to protect against challenging weather conditions and it gives freedom of movement where it’s needed most. The ultra durable outdoor jacket comes with secure zip pockets, zip thru fastening and …

Makers of the Brick Brace claim it will help you gain  fitting space, reduce repair time and achieve a superior and safer finish when undertaking masonry alterations. Roger Bisby takes a look. Most builders hardly give a second thought to knocking away supporting walls and propping them with a small forest of screw-jacks or Acrows as they are generally called. …

Every year, construction workers suffer from eye injuries ranging from temporary sight loss to long-term impaired vision and even blindness. Julien Clair, product manager for eyewear at Honeywell Industrial Safety, outlines the key measures required for effective eye protection.   What are the hazards? Construction sites create a significant risk for eye injuries. Every day, workers face a myriad of …

As those in the insulation manufacturing process know, not all mineral wool insulation is the same. For builders, however, it’s sometimes difficult to understand where the distinctions lie, what benefits there might be and how the insulation choices they make can impact upon a project or application. Paul Barrett, Product Manager at Rocwool looks at where stone wool insulation began …

The GBH 18V-26 Professional and GBH 18V-26 F Professional are the latest additions to the Bosch range of 18v rotary hammers with EC motors. Both generate an impact energy of 2.6 joules – 50 percent more than the current strongest 18 volt rotary hammer. This makes them comparable with corded tools such as the GBH 2-26 Professional. This is where …

Roger Bisby takes a look at some ideas from Snickers to make your winter working happier. Hi Tech fabrics have undeniable advantages and I am very happy to wear them but there is something reassuring about a natural wool sweater. It is probably the only fabric that stays warm even when it is wet which is very handy for all …

Kevin Skeith, 39, a flooring specialist from Sleaford, has been crowned UK Worker of the Year 2016, winning a Honda Crosstourer 1200cc motorbike and a year’s free shopping at ASDA. Kevin attended Brands Hatch over the weekend, along with five other finalists, all vying to become UK Worker of the Year, a competition run by  workwear brand Dickies, in association …

Ford has revealed exclusive new variants of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial vehicle. The new Transit Custom Colour Edition van offers four colour schemes that feature contrasting roof, mirror caps, skid plate and side stripes, along with unique black 17‑inch alloy wheels. The Transit Custom Sport series van with its signature twin bonnet stripes is also now available in a …

IronmongeryDirect, the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products, is on the hunt for graduates to join its Graduate Management Scheme, as expansion across the business continues. As part of the bespoke programme, graduates will spend time working across all departments within the company, helping to develop their leadership skills and business expertise in a range of areas, such …

Roger Bisby tries out a few Milwaukee redsticks for size and accuracy. Milwaukee is continuing its journey into the wonderful world of hand tools with the introduction of a range of Redstick spirit levels. On paper they seem to tick all the boxes but it is early days so we will have to see how they stand up to life …

Volkswagen Van Centres across the UK have started taking orders for the new Amarok model which is priced from £32,493 (RRP OTR). Replacing the previous model’s 2.0-litre TDI engine, the new Amarok features a 3.0-litre V6 TDI engine, making it the only six-cylinder model in the segment. The top-of-the-range version of this 3.0-litre V6 delivers 224 PS and 550 Nm …

A real estate lettings company has been sentenced for safety breaches after a self- employed builder suffered 1st and 3rd degree burns to his face, hands, neck and chest. The injured worker, 50 year old Michael Phillips, suffered an electric shock in October 2015 when he was carrying out work for IPH Investments Ltd at an address in Station Parade …