Starting your DIY journey can be overwhelming, especially with the confusing range of tools available in the UK. My guides cut through the jargon to help you choose the right equipment for your first project. Whether you’re buying your first drill or setting up a home workshop, I provide the practical advice I wish I’d had when I started 50 years ago.
We discuss mitre joint advantage and disadvantages. Carpenters and joiners who do woodworking on a daily basis use a variety of methods to join wood together. There are 10 popular joints and the mitre joint is just one of those. Those who indulge in a bit of DIY may not necessarily know these that well. … Read more
We explain in detail how to use a mitre saw. Before we begin, please remember, that any type of power saw is a very dangerous tool. Always be very careful when using them as they can cause really serious injuries. A mitre saw is a very useful tool to own as it can do straight … Read more
Laminate worktops, also called countertops are popular choices for many UK homeowners. That’s because they are relatively affordable, compared to other options such as wood, marble, granite, quartz, steel etc. They are also available in different patterns and colours. Fitting a laminate worktop is considered a difficult DIY project as it can be expensive if … Read more
When you start using a mitre saw, and especially for the first time, you might be really surprised by the amount of sawdust that one of these can produce. The actual amount produced will pretty much depend on the type of wood you are cutting. That is not really that important, but suffice to say, … Read more
An electric or cordless mitre saw is by far the easiest method to make an accurate mitre joint. However, those types of saw are not cheap, so we have provided below, 6 alternatives for cutting mitre joints. These are 3 manual options that do not involve any type of power tools, and 3 other electrical … Read more
Choosing a circular saw blade in the UK is a bit of a minefield. You have to juggle metric diameters, different bore holes, and “kerf” widths. In my 50 years in the workshop, I’ve seen many beginners buy a blade that looks right, only to find it won’t fit the spindle or it’s too thick … Read more
The vast majority of drills or drill/drivers use what is called a single sleeve chuck. Heavy duty hammer drills tend to use keyed chucks, where the chuck is tightened and loosened by using a “chuck key.” The chuck is one of the most important parts of any drill—but it’s often overlooked. Whether you’re using a … Read more
Before lithium-ion batteries and brushless motors, drills were bulky, corded, and limited by power outlets. So who sparked the cordless revolution? The first cordless drill was invented in 1961 and the credit goes to the Black and Decker company. According to the Commercial Motor Archives, the model number of this drill was the C.601 fin. … Read more
Some people like to change their skirting boards to change the look of their room, and some people in the UK, do it as part of a general home improvement and others simply because they have to. It is considered to be one of the easier types of DIY home improvement. If you haven’t done … Read more
If you are buying a cordless drill/driver, one feature you should know about is “torque.” Torque is one of the most misunderstood features on a cordless drill. Whether you’re driving screws or drilling into tough materials, knowing how torque works can help you avoid stripped screws, split wood, and wasted effort. What Is Torque? Torque … Read more
