Buying Guides

Find the best tools to tackle your projects with Toolden’s Buying Guides!

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide to DeWalt Strimmers: Which Model is Right for You?

September 8, 2026

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 […]

DeWalt Strimmer
Ditch the Petrol: Why a DeWalt Cordless Strimmer is the Ultimate Garden Upgrade

August 10, 2026

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 […]

On the Move: Why Every Joiner Needs a Modern Carpenter’s Tool Box

July 28, 2026

There is plenty to admire in a hand-built wooden tool box. The dovetailed corners, fitted trays and years of workshop marks give it a character that no factory-made cabinet can copy. The problem starts when that box has to leave the workshop. A traditional chest was built to sit beside a bench. It was not […]

Sanding paper grit explained
Mastering Sandpaper Grit Ratings: A Guide to the Perfect Finish

June 30, 2026

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 […]

Makita Multi Tools
Makita Multi Tool Accessory Guide: Which Blade Should You Use?

June 25, 2026

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 […]

Makita Battery
Which Makita 18V Battery Should You Buy? (Ah Ratings Explained)

June 24, 2026

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 […]

DeWalt Saw
18V XR vs 54V XR FLEXVOLT: Which DeWalt Recip Saw Do You Actually Need?

June 9, 2026

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 […]

Hedge Trimmer
Hedge Trimmers Decoded: Types, Features and How to Choose One for Your Needs

May 22, 2026

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 […]

Hammer Drill
The Ultimate Hammer Drill Buying Guide

May 14, 2026

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 […]

Welding
Types of Welding Equipment Explained

May 1, 2026

Welding sounds simple at first. You heat up the metal to create a molten pool and let it cool into one joint. However, on real jobs, though, the result depends heavily on choosing the right process, machine, and supporting kit. For both trade professionals & DIYers, choosing the incorrect equipment can affect speed, finish quality […]

Saw banner
Mitre Saw vs Chop Saw: Which One Do You Actually Need?

March 31, 2026

From a visual standpoint, chop and mitre saws can easily be mistaken for one another, as both saws bring a circular blade down on to a workpiece through a hinged swinging arm. This mistaken identity is not due to a similar appearance. Rather, it is a misunderstanding of the different types of construction each saw […]

Saws
Circular Saw vs Mitre Saw vs Table Saw. Which one do you need?

March 26, 2026

It depends. That may sound like a frustrating answer, but it is the right one. A circular saw, a mitre saw and a table saw all cut timber with a circular blade, yet they are built for very different jobs. If you are comparing circular saws, mitre saws and table saws, the best choice comes […]