Skill Builder Guides & reviews for building and construction

Hultafors Tools has extended its range of Knives specifically for craftspeople. With a selection of Heavy Duty Knives, Safety Knives, Chisel Knives and Utility Knives already available from Hultafors in the UK, there’s also specially designed and developed products for Electricians, Plumbers and Painters. The new Knives include those for general-purpose outdoor use as well as ones for precision tasks. …

A gas engineer undertook gas work despite his registration with Gas Safe Register (GSR) lapsing and produced false gas safety checks.

The first sketches of the new Volkswagen Crafter from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles which is due to be launched this autumn, have been revealed today. Conceived as the ‘big brother’ of the T-series, Volkswagen says the new Crafter promises innovation alongside a high level of functionality and quality. Experts at Volkswagen Commercial vehicles say they have worked closely with current customers, frequently …

Two companies based in Northamptonshire have been fined after a worker died following a fall through a roof. Northampton Crown Court heard how an employee of A-Lift Crane Hire Limited, who had been hired by Premier Roofing Systems Limited to provide them with a crane to lift roofing sheets onto a factory roof at Virani Foods Limited in Wellingborough. Whilst …

St Helens plasterer, River Humphreys, 25, has beaten off stiff competition from across the UK to win the Fiat Professional Tradesman Trials – a search to find a tradesman who has the talent to make it as a professional footballer in the English Football League. River, a plasterer for Rob Ewan construction, was one of 20 tradesman footballers who took …

If you are considering replacing your current windows or designing a new home,  Neil Ginger, CEO of Origin, a UK specialist manufacturer of bi-folding doors and windows, has 10 tips to help you choose the right window for your property, things to look out for and the questions to ask. What type of window do I need? Selecting the right …

Casella, the provider of dust and noise monitoring equipment is inviting anyone in need of  workplace noise monitoring to attend a one day noise at work training course on 19th July in Bedford. Casella’s one day course has been created to equip attendees with the knowledge and skills required to effectively monitor workplace noise in accordance with the Noise at …

The Government must prioritise investment in apprenticeship training as well as ensuring that our new system of immigration provides the construction sector with enough skilled workers to build the homes and infrastructure projects we need, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has urged. Responding to the British electorate’s decision to leave the European Union, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the …

Roger Bisby sets out on a quest to find a better level and discovers a few things he didn’t know about spirit levels. Earlier this year I had a run of spirit level trouble which cost me half a day putting right a structure. I always check my level by turning it through 180 degs. but I didn’t check both …

Bosch has launched a new generation of 18 V cordless screwdrivers; the new ‘dynamicseries’ and a ‘robustseries’ which are now available from specialist retailers from £236 to £405. All four models have new functions which Bosch says offer a higher level of comfort for professionals such as carpenters, electricians, plumbers and heating installers. The compact ‘dynamicseries’ range of tools combines …

DeWalt has confirmed that the DeWalt XR Flexvolt battery, a 54 v battery which can power even heavy duty construction power tools which the company unveiled earlier this week, will be available from August. Completely backwards compatible with existing DEWALT XR 18V products, the DeWalt XR Flexvolt battery is said to offer market-leading runtime in 18V products, with the option …

A man who fitted central heating boilers at two houses in Greater Manchester has received a suspended prison sentence, after he admitted he did not have the required safety registration to do the work. Christopher Dignam, trading at Blue Flame Plumbing and Heating Services, has never been on the Gas Safe Register, the body which ensures those who carry out …

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has launched two new Truckman hardtops for its Amarok pick-up. Available in a wide range of colours, the RS and Utility hardtops are said to offer customers a practical yet stylish storage area. Volkswagen says they differ from the current ‘luxury’ GLS and Grand hardtops as they have been designed for more commercial use. Features of the …

DEWALT is claiming to have “changed the game” in the power tool market as it unveils a range of 54V power tools that offer new levels of runtime and performance. With the new XR Flexvolt range Dewalt promises tradespeople they will be able to undertake heavy-duty construction applications without the need for mains power. This innovation means that you can …

A young entrepreneur from Glasgow has redesigned the traditional kneepad to launch a product aimed at tradespeople which reduces pressure on the knee by 76%. Vicky Hamilton, 25, a product design engineering graduate from the University of Strathclyde, originally developed Recoil Kneepads as part of her final year project. She was inspired to help her dad, Gordon Hamilton, 48 who …

The Building Engineering Services Association (the BESA), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and the CIBSE Patrons are joining forces with the Samaritans on a campaign to address the growing problem of mental health and workplace stress in the construction industry. This initiative will begin with a jointly hosted seminar to be held in central London. BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin, …

A gas fitter from Walsall has received a suspended prison sentence after he fitted a hob at a house in Tamworth when not on the Gas Safe Register.

Pricing and specification for the hotly anticipated Fiat Fullback pickup truck have been announced today ahead of its UK launch on July 4th. Available as a double cab only and with all-wheel drive standard on all versions you can own one of Fiat’s first pickup’s from £20,995 (excluding VAT, VED, delivery and plates) for the SX version. The FIAT Professional …