Reviews

Since our first look at Speedskim the range is now being distributed by Ox Tools. It is fair to say that the Speedskim is not for everyone as some plasterers simply could not adapt to it but for those plasterers who have embraced it the main benefit is they can complete the laying down of finish plaster without the trowel. …

Although they’re not the cheapest models on the market, Roger Bisby finds the Scangrip Nova work lights are built to last. Two or three (time flies) years ago I went to review some Scangrip LED work lights which shine their powerful beam under the name of Nova. I was so impressed that I bought a pair together with stands and …

In this Rockwool Sound Insulation review Roger Bisby finds the product has come a long way since it’s ultra itchy conception. It seems to me from my visits to sites  that many builders and loft converters don’t attach very much importance to sound insulation. This is a great pity because good sound insulation is an important indicator of a quality  …

I chose to put down some Cempolatex Fibreflex in a loft conversion on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. It was a foolish undertaking and I should have known better. Last year I made a video for YouTube on applying this very self-levelling compound and in it I talk about the need to store bags …

In this Evolution Rage saw review, Roger Bisby finds a variety of applications for the Evolution Rage 3 sliding mitre saw. The Evolution Rage range of saws are made in China to a British design and manage to sell across the globe. When you consider the competition this is no mean feat but the Rage saws have some interesting features …

Roger Bisby tries out the new Starlock range. It is fairly unusual to see rival power-tool companies collaborating in research and development but Bosch and Fein linked up to develop the Starlock system for their oscillating tools. It is an attempt to do what the SDS drill bit did for hammer drills, in other words a simple click lock system …

Roger Bisby takes a look at the Wale Tale (sic), a device designed to minimise the spread of dust when mixing construction powders. Dust and the related health issues are a ticking time bomb in the building industry. Everyone knows about asbestos and most intelligent people do everything they can to avoid exposure to it but dust doesn’t begin and …

Roger Bisby looks at some products from the Senco compressed air tool range including the Senco SLP 20XP 18 gauge brad nailer. Every time I review an air tool I start by making the case for using compressed air. In the U.K it is an under valued resource but elsewhere it is a major player. I have been on American …

Roger Bisby takes a closer look at the Next Generation Trousers from Snickers. When you look at the huge range of styles and sizes that Snickers currently offers you might reasonably ask why they need to produce a whole new Next Generation Trouser range. Fashion undoubtedly plays a part, even for a builder who declares himself to be totally uninterested …

Everyone in the building industry knows that fixing things to plasterboard can be a bit hit and miss. If the plasterboard is on a stud wall you might strike lucky. Or you may not. Sometimes you may be able to position the item, i.e. kitchen wall cupboard to fix across two studs but nothing is guaranteed. There is of course …

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 …

Roger Bisby tries out O’Keeffes Working Hands Hand Cream. They used to say, back in the day, that when the revolution comes everyone will have to hold out their hands and those with soft hands will be put up against the wall and shot. A tad extreme, I grant you, but I always knew I would be safe from the …

Roger Bisby spends a day out on site with James Gibbens inventor of Cladman. I had seen Cladman featured in Inventors Corner in an issue of Professional Builder and it whetted my appetite. I have done more than my fair share of cladding and weather boarding and for me it has always been a two man job. Nothing wrong with …

Roger Bisby grinds it out with the Retecflex from Flex. In essence this Retecflex grinder and sander is an angle grinder with a fancy dust extractor attachment permanently attached to its side but it is no ordinary angle grinder. It is a 1400 watt German built angle grinder with electronic speed control, soft start and restart protection so it doesn’t …

Roger Bisby tries out the Innofix clip from Redland, a useful clip that prevents storm damage by stopping roof tiles from being blown off when it’s windy. Despite the change in the standard BS 5534 Code of Practice for roof slating and tiling there are still a lot of cowboy roofers out there laying interlocking tiles without any fixings.  Nobody …

Roger Bisby share his findings on Knauf’s new airless spray plaster, the Knauf Airless Finish Light. Knauf has had an unenviable task in the UK; trying to take on British Gypsum with trowel applied traditional plasters was always going to be a challenge but they have certainly established themselves with boards and made good inroads with projection plastering. But projection …

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 …