Brands

Milwaukee M18 FID-0 review

Milwaukee M18 review

Roger Bisby believes that impact drivers are way too powerful for most jobs and many  lack the intelligence to know when less is more. Has Milwaukee got the answer in its M18 FID-0? I never thought I would say this but impact drivers have become a little too good at their job. As each respective manufacturer seeks to leapfrog the competition …

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Product review: DeWalt Tungsten Hole saw sets DT8276QZ

DeWalt drill

These days we tend to turn to diamonds whenever we need a large holes in concrete, brick or tiles. Personally I would not want to be without my diamond core bits but there are some jobs where I hesitate to get them out. If for example there is a possibility of hitting a wall tie I would rather get this …

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Dewalt extends XR 18v brushless drill and impact range

Dewalt Brushless drill

Research by DeWALT  has shown that modern tradesmen and building contractors undertaking repetitive drilling and fastening work, require tools that offer reliable and powerful performance, a compact design, and ease of control. DeWALT has therefore expanded its XR 18V Lithium-Ion Brushless portfolio with the introduction of the DCD791 Drill Driver, DCD796 Hammer Drill Driver and DCF887 Impact Driver. Improved power …

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Product review: Snickers Core Range

Snickers Core

Snickers promises a hard wearing garment that’s easy on the pocket with the new Snickers Core Range but does it live up to its billing? Skill Builder takes a closer look. If you are someone who has looked at Snickers trousers and decided that they are a bit beyond your budget you might just be stopped in your tracks by …

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Dewalt adds visibility and power to self-levelling laser line-up

Dewalt laser

Dewalt has combined its power tool battery and laser technology know-how and added a 10.8V red and green beam self-levelling cross-line and 360° line lasers to its portfolio. The DCE088D1G and DCE089D1G are the first models in the DEWALT range to feature a green diode. Industry trends have shown that green lasers are the future for applications in construction, specifically …

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Product review: Milwaukee staplers

Milwaukee tackers

Roger Bisby tries out two Milwaukee Staplers – The 48-22-1010 hand stapler and the  48-22-1020 Hammer Tacker. Earlier in the year Skill-Builder  was given a preview of the new range of Milwaukee hand tools. It makes sense for a company that has a loyal following among tradesemen/women across the world to build on that customer base and bring in a …

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Milwaukee 18V Power Tools

Milwaukee Impact driver

Roger Bisby looks at two 18 volt power tools from Milwaukee. Judging by the number of new power tools launched by Milwaukee this year they are on a mission to become the leading power tool manufacturer in the U.K and, as if that wasn’t enough, they are also introducing some high-quality hand tools into their range. Inevitably, with so much …

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Bosch gis 1000 c review

Bosch GIS 1000 C review

Most people have some idea what an infra red thermometer does and also what a thermal imaging camera does but this tool sits somewhere between the two, explains Roger Bisby of the Bosch GIS 1000 C. I don’t mind admitting that it took me a while to work out exactly what the Bosch GIS 1000 does for a living. I …

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Product review: Hitachi DH25 DAL cordless SDS hammer drill

Hitachi drill

Roger Bisby tests the Hitachi DH25 DAL cordless SDS hammer drill. Hitachi is a power tool manufacturer that often gets overlooked for hammer drills.  I see their  saws out on site and they  do well with the cordless combis but from that evidence alone they don’t seem to have the same share of the hammer market.   When you compare the …

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Keep hands warm and protected

Snickers gloves

Snickers’ range of work gloves are designed to cope with the harshest of weather conditions. From tough, hard-wearing ‘Weather Essential’ gloves to ‘Weather Cut Protection’ gloves, the Snickers products are designed to keep users’ hands properly protected and warm. There are eight different styles in the range, including the ‘Weather Dry’ glove, which is made from advanced materials in a …

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Product review: Makita DCS5121 18″ 50cc petrol chainsaw

Makita

After 25 years of Stihl, Roger gets to grips with his first chainsaw from Makita, the Makita DCS5121 18″ 50cc. The chainsaw features Easy Start, Spring-Assisted Starter for Quick Starting with Less Force and  a number of other unique features. Watch the product test to see Roger’s verdict. Features of the Makita DCS5121 18″ 50cc include: – Compact design with less …

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Product test: Makita LXT Brushless review. Drill DHP481 & Impact Driver

Makita

Here Skill Builder tests two of Makita’s LXT brushless 18v tools; the Makita LXT Brushless Drill DHP481 and the Impact Driver BTD129 Roger takes the DHP481 and the BTD129 out of their neat stackable box to see what they’re capable of.  

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Product review: DeWalt DCS331M2 cordless jigsaw

Dewalt DCS331M2

There are two kinds of product tests that I carry out for Skill Builder, explains Roger Bisby. The first is to take a brand new tool out of the box and give my immediate impressions by taking it out on site and hopefully letting a few of my fellow workers give it a go to get their opinions. This has …

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