New Products

Roger Bisby takes a pair of  Solid Gear 80005 Polar GTX Safety Boots out on site. If you have ever suffered from cold wet feet out on site in the winter and doubted the wisdom of your career choice then this pair of winter boots will interest you. They say there is no such thing as bad weather just bad …

A simple low-tech chimney insulator is applying to become approved by OFGEM and the British Board of Agrement (BBA) following two years of rigorous testing. Chimney Sheep, invented by an ecologist from Cumbria four years ago, has already saved UK homeowners £2.5m off their energy bills and is said to be capable of saving the nation a further £691,500,000 per …

We all know about breather membranes in buildings but Roger Bisby discovers something even more effective is now being used in Snickers Next Generation workwear. 37.5 centigrade is the ideal body temperature and the same part of your brain that (hopefully) keeps your heart ticking also regulates your body temperature. Too hot and you start perspiring to help you cool …

In Snickers’ latest 48 page FREE magazine there’s lots of ideas for what to wear on site this winter. There’s advice on choosing the right Work Trousers and Jackets to suit your trade – RUFFWork, LITEWork, FLEXIWork and ALLROUND workwear. Whatever trade you’re in, Snickers says there’s something precisely for you in its range –Trousers, Jackets, Tool Vests, Shirts, Underwear, …

Skill Builder has teamed up with Bosch to give you the chance to win a Bosch 18V-EC Kit. To be in with a chance of winning just answer the following two questions (clue: the answers can be found in the video). ___________________________________________________________________   Terms and conditions By entering a competition on the Skill Builder web site you are agreeing to us …

Performance is a brand-new workwear range from U-Power, said to feature the finest and most comfortable stretch fabrics, designed with U-power’s trademark Italian flair. The range includes the Quick soft shell unlined jacket, which boasts extras such as an internal multimedia pocket with Free Sound technology, a detachable hood engineered with a reflective rain visor, reflective panels for optimum winter …

Nissan has collaborated with UK-based design workshop Studio Hardie to transform its zero-emission e-NV200 van into an all-electric mobile office – the e-NV200 WORKSPACe. The office on wheels features an integrated fold-out desk, touchscreen computer, wireless internet, smartphone-controlled LED lights, wireless phone charging, Bluetooth audio system, mini fridge and barista-quality coffee machine. The e-NV200 WORKSPACe paints a picture of what …

Makita has introduced two new 10mm battery powered staplers, which replace existing models, offering a host of new technical features. The new Makita DST112 is powered by the Makita 18v Lithium-Ion battery while the DST111 model is a 14.4v version which will deliver 5,000 shots from the 3.0Ah battery whereas the 18v 3.0Ah version generates 6000 shots. Both new staplers …

Trimaco will be showing its range of heavy-duty surface protection and dust containment products at The Build Show, taking place this week from 17th-20th October at Birmingham’s NEC where visitors to the company’s stand will have the chance to win a whole pallet of Floorshell.  These include: From the Heavy Duty E-Z Up Dust Containment Poles to the X•Board Surface …

Roger Bisby takes a look at Blaklader’s head-to-toe workwear offering which even includes footwear for wider feet. Blaklader is a well established Swedish workwear company that has a growing range of workwear for builders. It is important to try the garments on because there are different weights for different times of the year and also for different kinds of work. …

A nationwide search for ground-breaking products designed to solve problems in the construction industry has resulted in the naming of six innovation champions to watch in 2017. The Travis Perkins Innovation Awards (TPIA), pioneered by the Travis Perkins – the UK distributor of building materials – is said to be the first of its kind for industry. The successful winners …

‘Ferociously Strong Tape’ is the strap line on the American made Tyrannosaurus tape or T-rex tape. Roger Bisby took some out and about to try it in a variety of locations and applications. Internet searches throw up some funny connections T-Rex tape may take you to this builders tape or it may take you to a story of someone who has …

With winter approaching, Arco, the UK safety company is urging workers to keep warm and safe with its range of Winter Weatherwear, online Selection Tool and Expert advice sheet. The online Weatherwear selection tool is designed to help workers build a layering system suitable for their working conditions so that they remain warm, dry and comfortable in extreme weather conditions. Arco recommends …

Roger Bisby has a go at laying some Karndean flooring under the watchful eye of Karndean laying master Richard Daniels. It seems to me that once you have seen Karndean flooring and recognised its unique look, you just never stop seeing it. For those that don’t know Karndean is a vinyl flooring product made primarily from calcium carbonate (limestone), polyvinyl …

Roger Bisby tries out the Button-fix system. Button-fix is an ingenious secret fixing system for panels of all descriptions. It can be used to secure bath panels, WC panels, wall panelling and even shower panels. It is also used on fitted furniture. Of course you could just get yourself a tube of panel adhesive but the difference is that Button-fix …

Makita has launched two new 18v Brushless motor LXT drills: the Makita DDF483 13mm drill driver and the Makita DHP483 combi drill.  Both new products are notable for their compact size: the drill driver has an overall body length of 162mm and the combi drill has a  176mm overall length. Both are ideally suited for tight space installation work, such …

Manufacturer of building chemicals, Bond It, claim to be breaking new ground in sealant and adhesive performance with the launch of a range of products based on advanced hybrid technology. The new Bond it hybrid range, which will be sold under the manufacturer’s PRO brand, offers users ‘best of both worlds’ solutions to a wide variety of trade and DIY …

Roger Bisby had a  Dustblocker from Addex on test for a month and found he didn’t want to let it go. The ultimate seal of approval for me must be when I end up buying a product that I have tested. Yes, I admit, I sometimes get a deal, but I obviously have to justify the purchase to my accountant …