ToolBUSINESS+HIRE A note from The Editor


Is published 10 times a year by:


Airstream Business Communications Ltd, Wiston, Coppice Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4NN, England, UK.


Annual subscription (UK): £35.00 Others on enquiry All Enquiries to the Airstream office: Tel: 01444 440188 Fax: 01444 414813 e-mail: info@airstream.co.uk www.toolbusiness.co.uk


Editor/Director Anne Hall


Advertising Manager Direct tel: 01444 450071 annehall@airstream.co.uk


Assistant Editor Linda Oxley


Editorial/Circulation tel: 01444 440188 editorial@airstream.co.uk


Production Manager David Paddick


Design and Artwork by DEP CREATIVE LIMITED


Printing by GEMINI PRESS LIMITED


I am often sent press releases from the Federation of Master Builders keeping me up to date with issues affecting the trade within the UK Construction Industry. This month we are very pleased to have Barry Mortimer, the London Director as the contributor to the Voice of the Industry who explains the benefits of belonging to this organisation and procedures for joining. The FMB was first established in 1941 to protect the interests of small and medium-sized (SME) construction firms. It is independent and non-profit making and is committed to raising quality in the construction industry, giving advice and support to its members. For consumers they offer a free service called ‘Find a Builder.’ You can find out more by reading Barry’s article on page 25. I bumped into Barry at the first of our February show visits to Toolfair at Alexandra


Palace in North London. I was excited to visit this great venue as I was born just round the corner and used to play in the park as a child. A bit of a trip down memory lane! It is a fascinating building, closely tied to the history of the BBC. We had a good day – the first show of the year, so good to catch up with everyone after the Christmas break. Peter has written a report later in the magazine. We also travelled up to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry twice, firstly to visit the


Executive Hire Show. This show seems to expand every year and had a section downstairs from the main hall for the first time. Less than a week later we were back there again at the Totally DIY and Tool Show. This is always an enjoyable visit especially for catching sight of many new, innovative products. You can read all about these and the more hire related products at the Executive Hire Show in Peter’s reports. This edition includes another special feature on Fastening and Fixings, following on from the well-received ‘Screws Special’


published back in Issue 238. The first article was entitled ‘Are Modern Screws Created Equal? Or Are Some More Equal Than Others’. The one in this issue is called ‘Testing, Testing. How Do We Know That the Screws We Use Are Up to Scratch?’ Amazing that such a simple fastening can be so complex! Peter Brett imparted some more of his knowledge in this latest article as well as testing screws from two companies – the CR Range from TIMco and Cutter Screws from Reisser. Peter has also written reviews on some Garden Torches from Campingaz and the newly launched MudGun from National


Abrasives. Earlier in the month Peter attended a demonstration day at Festool’s UK headquarters in Bury St. Edmunds. A chance for


him to have a close look at some of their new products. We will round up the month with a visit to FFX at the Kent Showground – that report will be in the April edition. Later in the magazine there are articles on apprentices, health and safety, charity projects and hire and company news, as


well as the Celebrity Column where, this month, Craig Phillips gives some advice on looking after your tools. I hope you enjoy this edition and have time to look at the website www.toolbusiness.co.uk to see the latest up to date news. All the reviews are also posted on the home page with links to the full article including Peter’s video of the product.


contents


Unsolicited material is accepted on the understanding that Airstream Business Communications Ltd. is not liable for its safekeeping. Although every effort is made to ensure that companies included in this magazine are reputable, Airstream can give no guarantees in this regard and readers must deal with them at their own risk. Entire contents copyright ©Airstream Business Communications Ltd 2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without written consent is strictly prohibited.


1 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


Product News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Campingaz Independent Review . . . . . . . . . . 4 Totally Tools Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Totally Tools Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 National Abrasives Independent Review . . . 10 Celebrity Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Testing Screws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 TIMco Independent Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Festool Launch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Reisser Independent Review . . . . . . . . . . . . 17


If you wish to express an opinion on any subject covered by ToolBusiness+Hire magazine you can write to: ToolBusiness+Hire c/o the Editor, Anne Hall, or e-mail (info@airstream.co.uk)


Alexandra Palace Toolfair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Executive Hire Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Hire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Health & Safety Special . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Apprenticeships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Voice of the Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Company & Charity News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Features List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ToolBusiness+Hire Directory. . . . . . . . . . . 28


Toolbusiness+Hire magazine receives editorial contributions from many different sources, we endeavour to ensure all information contained in the magazine, including claims about products’ performance and any company’s market position are accurate. However we cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors in material we reproduce in good faith, either in contributions from individuals or companies, or in advertising reproduced within Toolbusiness+Hire. All information contained within this magazine is provided for general information purposes only and on the understanding that none of the content herein constitutes legal or other professional advice. The application and impact of laws can vary widely depending on the specific facts involved. We have made every attempt to ensure that all information contained within this magazine and our associated web site has been obtained from reliable sources, but all such information is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness or accuracy. We provide no warranty of any kind, express or implied, as regards the information herein, and disclaim all liability and responsibility for any loss that may arise from reliance on information contained within this magazine. In the case of a specific problem or query, professional advice should be sought.


www.toolbusiness.co.uk


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