Finding the perfect Christmas gift for a tradesperson isn’t always easy. Whether you’re shopping for a joiner, electrician, mechanic or DIY enthusiast, chances are they’ve already got a pretty impressive collection of tools. But what if you could give them something new to unwrap every day in the run-up to Christmas? That’s where tool advent […]
If you are looking at upgrading your laser level, you might be wondering whether a red or green beam is the better choice. Both can provide the accurate reference lines needed for jobs such as tiling, fitting kitchens, installing stud walls, levelling floors and setting out construction work, but there are some important differences between […]
A mitre saw is only as good as the blade fitted to it. You can have a powerful motor, accurate angle adjustments and a premium cordless platform, but fit the wrong blade and you could still end up with burnt timber, chipped edges or rough, splintered cuts. Choosing the correct mitre saw blade isn’t simply […]
Keeping lawns, borders and overgrown areas under control is much easier when you have the right strimmer for the job. But with so many DeWalt strimmers available, choosing the best one for you isn’t always straightforward. Do you need the extra power of a 54V FLEXVOLT machine? Or will a lighter 18V DeWalt strimmer be […]
There is a familiar routine that comes with an old petrol strimmer. Find the fuel can, measure out the two-stroke oil, prime the engine, pull the cord and hope it starts before your patience runs out. Even when it behaves, a quick tidy around the lawn can leave your clothes smelling of exhaust. For most […]
There’s plenty to admire in a traditional wooden carpenter’s tool box. The dovetailed corners, fitted trays and years of workshop use give it a character that modern storage systems can’t quite replicate. However, for joiners regularly travelling between jobs, modern tool boxes offer a more practical way to transport, organise and protect valuable equipment. Today’s […]
The choice of sandpaper grit is often the make-or-break element in achieving a rough, amateurish finish or a perfect, professional result when preparing timber, metal or paint surfaces. Whether you are a seasoned tradesperson or a dedicated DIY enthusiast, it is important to know how to work with the grit scale. This knowledge will help […]
A Makita multi tool is one of those tools that earns its space because it solves awkward jobs. It can trim a door lining without removing the frame, open up plasterboard without dragging out a larger saw, scrape up old adhesive, sand into a corner and remove grout from between tiles. On paper, that sounds […]
Buying a Makita 18V battery is not just a case of picking the biggest number on the shelf. That is where a lot of people go wrong. A larger Ah rating usually means longer runtime, but it can also change how the tool feels in the hand. On a circular saw, that extra capacity is […]
Across the UK, cordless tools have become the standard on site. Cordless offers no trailing leads to work around, less need for transformers, faster setup, and far more freedom when moving between rooms, floors, roofs, gardens, vans, and scaffolding. The DeWalt reciprocating saw has moved the same way. Not long ago, plenty of trades would […]
A hedge trimmer is a garden tool for cutting and shaping hedges, shrubs and leafs. Its moving blades give a straighter, cleaner cut than hand shears and make the job quicker. The right hedge trimmer depends on the size of your garden, hedge height, branch thickness, power access and how often you trim. Electric models […]
A standard drill works well for timber, plastic, plasterboard and light metal. It struggles with brick, block, mortar and concrete because masonry is harder and more abrasive. The bit can skate across the surface, overheat or fail to cut properly. Alongside rotation, hammer drills use a fast forward hammer action to help the bit break […]