Dartford Toolbank Show – Pos


The first Toolbank Show of the new autumn season has something of the atmosphere of a return to school after the summer hols. People seem to use it to catch up on their news and gossip as well as an opportunity to refocus their efforts and their businesses on the new seasons’ offers and deals. There seemed to be a particular buzz this year, as the first post-Brexit show, and there was clearly a focus on what would happen next when the negotiations really get going. Held at the Kent Event Centre at Kent Showground where parking is very easy,


the building is bright and airy with ample space for over 50 exhibitors. Importantly for some too, are the rest and seating areas where you can relax with another excellent Toolbank tradition – free food and drinks for all visitors. The main hall was dominated in height, position and presence by the new style


Wera stand. As usual, this was packed with samples and hummed with visitors keen to look at the new kit as well as watch demos from the always knowledgeable Wera staff. As usual from Wera at this time of year, there are some new products in the pipeline as well as other company news. ToolBusiness and Hire will be keen to report on those when they are finally released. I am always keen on new products, particularly power tools, so I hotfooted it


to the DEWALT stand to look at the new 18/54 v FLEXVOLT system and perhaps some solid information on how it works. As far as I could gather, users get a larger battery pack with three layers of cells with an initial rating of 18v and 9 Ah. However, when the battery pack is plugged into one of the new machines like the circular saws (hand held and stationary) an extra contact is utilised which converts the pack into a 54v 2Ah power source. On the face of it, this method could have been used by other power tool manufacturers, but DEWALTs’ particular ingenuity has been in designing (and heavily patenting) special terminal covers that enable the batteries to meet the demands of transporting them. The 54v machines are also specially designed to maximise the battery power available. I tried several of these machines and I was particularly impressed by the portable circular saw. I was urged to really push the machine through a 50mm thickness of OSB and it simply cut through without so much as a mumble from the motor. Clearly, once the DEWALT dust has settled, all the other major power tool


manufacturers will be offering their own solutions – and once again the aim of a mains-free worksite so clearly beloved by our European neighbours will be even closer. Perhaps the dreaded and disliked 110v transformer will be on its way out on British worksites too. Hitachi had the new 9-inch portable site circular saw on display, along with the


model that it will eventually replace. It is funny how fashions change, but I think the Hitachi R and D team has done a great job on the new saw. It is not only sleek and tough, but it looks the business too. We have a review in this magazine so keep an eye out for it. Also on the power tool front is the newly launched 18v range from Flex.


Having reviewed some of these new tools and used them for extended periods I am still totally impressed by the performance of the 18v SDS hammer and the weighty and robust recip saw. Try before you buy – you will be pleasantly surprised, oh, and by the way, try the small impact driver too. Metabo’s new compact mitre saw is not yet on special offer because it is bound


to be a big hit, but there are some good deals to be had on the 216mm sliding mitre saw – a trade favourite machine because it combines power, capacity, accuracy and can be carried onto site as well. When it comes to hand tools and other products, there seems to be a lot of


work going on in adhesives. EVO-STIK had a variety of new sealants and adhesives on show. I was given a tube of “Sticks Like” to try out, which I am assured will be even more advanced than its predecessor with a slightly ruder name. Irwin had a huge stand and one of the new ranges being looked at was a range


of Pro comfort screwdrivers with “Trilobular” handles. These are available in standard format, VDE format and as sets. With a natty dual material on the triangular-ish handles they look good. Stanley’s range of hand tools seems to be ever increasing too and I liked the


look of the twin sawhorse pack and a couple of the tool backpacks that I am starting to appreciate using. They are certainly easier to carry on site than a heavy toolbox that keeps on bumping against your leg. Judging from the number of men with order pads and Toolbank shirts on, it


seems as though visitors were displaying the confidence to buy stock and think strategically about the future of their businesses post Brexit. From the conversations I had with key buyers and suppliers, there seems to be a recognition that decisions have to be taken. Being in a Brexit limbo is not an option in the tools business, and perhaps the odds will favour those who are bold enough to have a plan, but also a plan that is flexible enough to change as circumstances change. There is still the basic thing to remember that a large economy like the UK will still need to build, maintain and decorate its infrastructure, so opportunities for tool suppliers, tool sellers and tool users will still be there. And these users will still want up-to-date and innovative products like the DEWALT FLEXVOLT system. There are loads more Toolbank shows in the calendar – in fact, as I write there


is probably one planned or in operation just near you. Apart from the deals on offer, the free grub should be a draw even for the sceptical amongst us.


16 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE www.toolbusiness.co.uk


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