Roger Bisby considers the benefits of investing in a decent set of Pilot Marker Pens. There are so many occasions in my daily work when I have need of a permanent marker that I always have a set on the van. One common application is underfloor heating where it pays to identify each circuit as you bring it up to …

Roger Bisby tries out British Gypsum’s Thistle Bonding 60 that is designed to dry in one hour and accept any type of finish you care to use. You have to hand it to British Gypsum they keep going after new markets for their bagged plasters. The latest target in their sights is the making good and small repair market. This …

Ford is rolling out its Ford Mobile Service programme nationwide following a successful trial around Greater London. Over 100 Ford Mobile Service vans with Ford qualified technicians, will operate from more than 90 Ford Transit Centres across the country, including Northern Ireland and Scotland. Ford mobile servicing has been conceived to minimise disruption to fleet operators by reducing vehicle down …

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 …

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 …

HSS Hire, the tool and equipment hire company, has launched two new ‘pop-up’ shops at the new £2.5bn Canary Wharf district development site, giving the 470 construction workers on the site instant access to a huge range of tools and equipment. The multibillion pound complex in the Isle of Dogs, has been designed to provide a new residential led, mixed …

A King’s Lynn roofing company has been prosecuted after a worker fell seven metres from a scaffold access ladder while assisting with chimney repairs. Kings Lynn Magistrates Court heard how the worker was subcontracted by J Webber Roofing Limited to assist with removing waste, mixing cement and bringing tools up to colleagues who were working on the chimney at a domestic …

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 …

Bosch has launched a range of compact orbital sanders which includes what is said to be the world’s first cordless 18 V orbital sander. Intended for small preparatory sanding work, the range comprises the GSS 18 V-10 Professional and three corded tools: The GSS 140-1 A Professional, the GSS 160-1 A Professional and the GSS 160 Multi Professional. These orbital …

This family-run German company invented the world’s first portable electric drill. If you see it you might question the word portable. By modern standards it is a beast. Today Fein is best known for its oscillating multi-tool. This tool is now out of patent and has been widely copied and there are now many cheaper version out there  but it …