Reviews

Roger Bisby regrets not having used  the Cyclone Paint Stirrer earlier. This little stainless steel stirrer has been sitting in my goods in bay for a few months now and, even though I have used quite a lot of paint  in that time I have not thought to use it.  To be honest I was thinking “It’s a stirrer, put …

Roger Bisby takes a look at the Man-Up Key, a new tool that is designed to allow manholes to be safely lifted by one person without the need for chiseling or hammering. Man-Up Key, what a great name for a manhole lifter, unless of course you subscribe to the gender neutral version which is a person hole but person-up is …

Roger Bisby tries out the Muck Truck, a pedestrian operated motorised power barrow which is designed to carry three times that of a normal wheelbarrow and will shift loads of up to one quarter of a ton. It is a while now since I tested a Muck-Truck. Last time it was a battery powered machine that surprised me by taking …

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. …

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. …

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 …

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 …

Roger Bisby wears JCB’s latest trousers. JCB has introduced two stand out work trousers to its range. The Camo trousers are a popular look for builders, especially those who enjoy country sports, but these are dedicated work trousers. They have knee pad pockets and a zipped thigh pocket but no external pouches so they wouldn’t look out of place in …

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 …

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 …

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. …

‘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 …

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 …

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 …

Not usually a “wellies man”, Roger Bisby is pleasantly surprised by the new Grubs boots. The only issue he seems likely to have is keeping hold of them. If  a family has been making footwear since 1776  you can safely assume they have worked out how to do it. The Foster family has not only produced an impressive number of  inventions such …