TOOLFAIR - REPORT


Trend router bargains


Trend must have pulled off the deal of the century with the makers of their routers because it is still possible to buy their very accomplished T5 router at a few quid over £100, while the bigger T8 and T9 models are maybe double that Trend really is the company to turn to for routers, router cutters, accessories and expertise; good quality routers don’t usually come this competitively priced. I have taken advantage myself and I would urge others who need a good router or two to follow suit.


as well as highly practical. I like the work trousers and gilets especially, and the new 37.5 range of clothing looks like it will be useful too. The 37.5 figure represents the standard body temperature and the clothes are designed to keep this heat either by releasing heat or retaining it. I look forward to testing some of it soon.


Tool transport on site


I am starting to look at the new Milwaukee Packout tool storage system with green eyes. I really like the feature that enables toolboxes to be pulled out individually rather than having to unstack all the boxes to reach the one at the bottom. The wheels are big enough for site use and the stacking options for the boxes keep them secure. Add to this an increasingly attractive range of hand tools and accessories and you will soon be able to spot Milwaukee fans by the preponderance of red in their toolboxes. In addition, Milwaukee adds to the atmosphere of the Toolfair by having a couple of kit draws each day. A few lucky winners can pick up a cordless Milwaukee tool just by signing up for the draw on the day. It is almost worth a visit to Toolfair just for a punt at the Milwaukee draw!


Snickers clothing – cutting edge?


Workwear is almost universally adopted by tradespeople these days and, increasingly, ranges for women are available. Snickers remains at the leading edge of work clothing manufacture by being remarkably fashionable and ‘cool’,


Security


Tool theft has got to such a pitch, especially in cities like London and Manchester, that a petition is now circulating to get politicians to do something about it. Many tradespeople are already investing in secure tool storage like those available from Armorgard. A builder I know in Brighton


has a secure, CCTV-covered driveway next to the house and an 8-foot high gate and fence, as well as a secure brick-built storage outbuilding for his tools, and he has still had thieves attempt to steal them.


Smart solutions like electronic locking and satellite location of tools are increasingly popular and are likely to become the norm within the next few years – but security for tools is still an arms race between the honest and dishonest. Last year I had a discussion with Paul Dowding of D and M tools about security, and he has had to acknowledge the problem by hiring security guards to monitor car parks and exits at the D and M Show that he runs. I don’t know what the Toolfair organisers do with respect to security, but I did hear a tale of a visitor who took the first part of his purchases to lock into his van in the carpark, only to return with the second part and find that the van had been broken into and the first tools stolen. No doubt some ‘Norf London villains’ were responsible, but it does highlight the sheer effrontery of theft sometimes.


As is usually the case, life has its ups and downs – we like the bargains and the new tools we get from tool shows but sadly we still have to deal with the practicalities. A combined front of tradespeople, legislation and tool manufacturers should be able to fight back against the problem. A simple start might be refusing to buy tools from a bloke in the pub.


In the meantime, keep an eye out for the next Toolfair in Manchester in early March.


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