A good manual tile cutter is the most-used tool in a tiler’s van, and with large format porcelain now standard, cutting length and breaking power matter more than ever. Here are the manual cutters worth considering, plus the levelling systems…
A multifunction tester (MFT) is the biggest single tool purchase most UK electricians make, and it needs to cover insulation resistance, continuity, loop impedance and RCD testing for certification. Here is how the main MFTs compare. Quick answer For a…
A heated jacket that runs on the same batteries as your power tools is one of the best upgrades for winter site work. Here is how the main tool brands’ heated jackets and hoodies compare, and what to check before…
Painting over damp plaster or laying flooring on a wet screed causes expensive callbacks. A moisture meter tells you when a surface is ready. Here are six meters UK plasterers, decorators and builders use, from pocket pin meters to professional…
Carpentry and joinery apprentices need a solid set of hand tools before anything powered. This list covers the core kit most UK apprentices start with, built around tools that will last the whole apprenticeship and beyond. Quick answer Start with…
Plumbing tools get used hard, so the starter kit is about a handful of reliable tools rather than a big set. This list covers what most UK apprentice plumbers need first for copper pipework, fittings and taps. Quick answer Start…
Starting an electrical apprenticeship means building a tool kit from scratch, and it is easy to waste money on big sets full of tools you never use. This list covers what most UK apprentice electricians need first, with insulated (VDE)…
Milwaukee Packout and DeWalt ToughSystem are the two big heavy-duty modular storage systems on UK sites. Both stack boxes onto a wheeled base, both lock together, and both have huge ranges. Here is how they differ, and how to decide.…
Festool Systainers set the standard for stackable tool cases, but they are not the only option, and if your tools come from another brand a different system may suit you better. Here is how the main Systainer alternatives compare, and…
Buying for a tradesperson is harder than it looks: they already own the big tools, and they are fussy about brands. The safest gifts are the everyday things that make a cold, early working day easier, or a quality version…