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Information and Tools
When it comes to working on site, there are many regulations and conventions which govern how we act, what tools we use and how we operate, which can make sorting the vital from the merely important difficult. That’s none truer than in the case of 110V, with a great many of our customers asking us whether it’s actually required on larger building sites, or whether it’s merely extremely popular? Well, the truth of the matter is that whilst there’s no specific regulation which demands the use of 110V on larger sites, it’s highly recommended that you do use it. Why? Let us explain. What is 110V? 110v is a professional site voltage, designed specifically for high workload areas, like large sites. A transformer (typically bright yellow) is used to convert a typical ‘household’ 240V power supply to 110V, with yet more bright yellow leads running out from the transformer to your equipment. 110V site transformers are centre tapped, which means that the 110V output is actually 2 x 55V. This lower voltage and current is much safer to use, and is far less likely to cause serious harm if a wire were cut, stepped on or otherwise damaged. It’s for this reason that 110V rose to prominence as a safer standard for electricity on site following large numbers of electrical accidents. As such, 110V is now the accepted standard for building sites and may be enforced by insurance companies who insure the site. Do you Need 110V? The law in the UK states that you must take effective precautions against the risk of death and injury from electricity during construction. It doesn’t, however, state that 110V power supplies must be used. So, whilst there’s no legal reason why you can’t use an RCD and a 240V power supply, it’s not often recommended. The reason for this is because RCD (residual current device) units can fail, and won’t detect every fault in a standard 240V system, making them more broadly unreliable than a 110V transformer for on-site usage. On large sites where there are numerous cables, trades and companies all working in the same area then, 110V is the preferred and safest way to power tools, lighting and other vital on-site equipment. The advice from the Health and Safety Executive is that tools, plugs and cables designed for domestic use are not suitable for on-site conditions, and that cordless or 110V tools are preferred. How Can You Ensure 110V Power on a Site? You’ll find that the majority of very large sites will have their own on-site generator and that these generators have 110V sockets attached to them. However, if that isn’t the case for your site, a 110V transformer is an essential purchase. These units come in a variety of sizes and at a number of price points, but ultimately your choice of model will come down to the number of sockets you require. At MAD4TOOLS, we’re proud to supply a huge variety of 110v transformers, extension cables and accessories to our valued trade clients. Take a look at our range today and start working safer. Read Full Story -
Information and Tools
Let’s be honest with ourselves – when winter sets in, everything gets just that little bit harder. Less safe underfoot and with less dexterity in our fingers, even the smallest jobs can become not only difficult but dangerous too. Aside from filling up the flask and blowing warm air into cupped hands though, what can we do to keep out the cold and bring our work rate back up to scratch? The answer, as we’re sure you know, is winter workwear. If you’re a tradesperson currently working outside, here’s a few of our handpicked choices, so you can be walking in a winter workwear wonderland too. Let’s go. Winter Work Hats Keeping warm isn’t just about big coats and gloves, it’s about paying attention to areas of your body where heat is likely to escape from. When you’re working outside, that means your head. Not just any hat will do though, because most sites require you to wear certain Personal Protection equipment, namely, a hard hat. That’s why you need a Scruffs Peaked Beanie Hat. Extremely affordable and superbly stylish, this insulated peaked beanie fits underneath most hard hats, so you can get on with your job safely, without losing body heat along the way. Available in 3 different colours, black, navy & graphite grey. Paired with Scruffs Snood Scarf Neck Warmer, you’ll be ready to take on the elements, whatever they might have in store with you. Winter Work Jackets and Thermals Building an effective base layer is the first step to keeping warm in adverse conditions, which is why we recommend you invest in some Thermal Trousers and Top. These soft, comfortable base layers will keep your body temperature up, even if you have to remove or open your coat for a period. From there, choose from our stunning range of winter jackets. Jackets like the Scruffs Waterproof Worker Jacket combine a waterproof rating of 3000mm with a lightweight mesh lining, ideal for layering, making it the perfect accessory for all wet and cold weather. Winter Work Trousers We all know how hard our trousers work whilst on site, but when winter rolls around, things get considerably tougher. Ice cold surfaces, lashing rain and snow – plus an increased chance of slipping – means you need the very best. That’s why we offer an unparalleled range of work trousers to beat the elements, each designed to help you get your job done safely and comfortably. Winter Work Boots and Gloves Last (but certainly not least) are those most vital of personal protection equipment – work boots and gloves. Keeping feet warm is essential to keeping working comfortably and safely, but did you know the fastest way feet lose their heat is when they’re wet? It’s for that reason that we strongly suggest you invest in a pair of waterproof safety boots, like this model from V12, which is waterproof, anti-static, heat resistant and has a composite toecap and midsole. It also features the innovative IGS rubber sole unit to ensure superb grip on all surfaces. If you prefer a welly, we’ve got you covered too with our wide range of safety wellingtons. Offering all of the benefits of a standard wellington, our footwear also has the added benefit of heat and impact resistance, making them ideal for all your on site jobs. Your hands too require special protection during the winter months, protection offered by products like the DeWalt Thermal Winter Safety Gloves which keep hands warm and dry in even the coldest conditions, as well as protecting you at work. For more winter essentials, head over to our Best Selling Winter Workwear category. Read Full Story -
Tips and Guides
Flooding has proven absolutely devastating to vast swathes of the UK population over the last decade. The damage and disruption it causes can be expensive, difficult and upsetting. For those living or working in properties which are susceptible to flooding, the risk of significant structural and decorative damage is a real one, so it’s worth preparing as much as possible in advance. As more and more of us are beginning to think about how we can effectively defend our properties from the threat of water damage, we’ve put together a definitive list to help prepare for home flooding. Here’s what we recommend: Clean your guttering Your guttering is your homes first defence against flash flood conditions. If it’s not working as it should do, water can build up and potentially cause catastrophic damage to your property. So, when the weather is fine, ensure that you (or a tradesman) goes up there to see what the situation is. Your gutters should be clear of vegetation and debris as well as safely secured and in good condition. At Mad4Tools we have a range of cleaning products that will do just the job. Keep sand bags ready When it comes to flood defence, there are few tools as ubiquitous as sand bags. Available in either hessian or poly construction, sand bags simply need to be filled with sand to absorb moisture and stop water from entering under doors. Although hessian is kinder to the environment, it’s not waterproof and, over time, can allow water to seep through, albeit slowly. It’s for this reason that we recommend poly sand bags, as they offer sturdy, waterproof protection for your home. Sand bags can also be used for weighing down garden furniture as well as blocking toilets, bath drains and sinks to prevent floodwater from coming up through them. Assemble an emergency kit To ensure you’re ready for anything during extreme weather conditions, we recommend creating an emergency kit with all your essential items. Once you’ve packed your emergency bag, remember to store it somewhere safe and easily accessible. You’ll also want to make sure that everyone in your home knows where it can be found and what is in it. Here are our recommendations of what to include in your emergency kit: All essential medication for you and your household members including any repeat prescription forms Bottled water and non-perishable food items A first aid kit Insurance and other important documents A torch and non-rechargeable batteries (these tend to last longer than rechargeable ones) Mobile phone and portable phone charger Insurance emergency helpline, emergency services numbers, family & friends telephone numbers Warm, waterproof clothing and blankets Wellington boots Emergency cash Portable radio This may not be an exhaustive list, there may be extra things that you would like to take with you in the situation where flooding occurs. Best tools to consider if your flood defences are broken: A dehumidifier When an area falls victim to water damage, one of the most common remedies is to use a large fan to dry the area. While this solution may work well for minimal water damage, it’s often not enough for extensive damage. This is where a dehumidifier comes into its own. Dehumidifiers have cooled metal fins that are below dew point, the temperature at which condensation forms. As the fans move the air, the chilled fins condense the moisture in the form of vapour, or gas. The condensed water is then collected in a tray or pumped away. Depending on the model, a dehumidifier can remove up to 300 pints of water in a day. In addition to removing excess water vapour from the air, the reduced vapour concentration promotes the evaporation of water molecules. As fans move the air, dehumidifiers speed up the evaporation process. Prior to using a dehumidifier, it is essential to ensure that it is safe to enter the affected space, especially as you will be using electronic equipment. It is also a good idea to identify the source of the water intrusion and remedy it to prevent further damage. What happens if I don’t dehumidify a flooded area? Dehumidifiers are essential to use in a flooded area. Without using it you can get a serious mould problem. Mould can start breeding after just a day or two and cause secondary damage. It is therefore important to act as quickly as possible if your home has been flooded. Invest in a pump If your building is highly susceptible to flooding or has a subterranean floor which floods often, it can make good sense to invest in a water pump. Capable of expelling up to 250 litres of water per minute it’s the ideal way to keep your home from suffering serious damage if your other flood protection methods have failed. Carpet Blower/Dryer The CB3000 Carpet Dryer is ideal for drying after floods or spillages, and will significantly reduce the drying time of wet carpets. The CB3000 Carpet Dryer also aids circulation drying of vertical walls and ceilings due to its vertical position. Voltage: 110v. Features: – Quietly delivers large volumes of air, speeding up interior fabric drying – Robust polyethylene casing – 3-speed control fan – 3 different operating positions – Tough outer polyurethane construction with 5 years warranty – 1-year manufacturers warranty on electrical components – Aids circulation drying of vertical walls and ceilings – Built-in kickstand to raise airflow off the floor, ideal for floor seals, polishes, paint etc Specifications: – Dimensions: W440 x H540 x D590mm – Weight: 17kg – CFM: 3000, 3-speed – Voltage: 110v Read Full Story -
Mad4Tools News
The MAD4TOOLS January Sale is now live…what bargain will you bag in 2021? If you didn’t manage to snap up a bargain during our Black Friday Sale, you’ll be pleased to know we’ve lowered our prices AGAIN for our January Sale to help you bag the most competitive deals on the market. Covering everything from hand tools and power tools to safety workwear and footwear, our guide covers the best sale deals from MAD4TOOLS.COM to help you avoid that FOMO feeling! You’ll find products from massive brands such as Scruffs, JCB, Flymo and Luceco, so what are you waiting for? Best January Sale Hand Tool Deals NWS VDE Plier Set 3-Piece Side Cutter, Combination & Long Nose Pliers NWS manufacture some of the best pliers, snips and cutters on the market and you can now get their 3-piece set for better than half price! This set includes a side cutter, combination plier and a long nose plier. RRP £103.58 NOW £49.97 For more details click here. Sealey RoadStart Emergency Jump Starter 12/24v Save 45% on the Sealey RoadStart Emergency Jump Starter in our January sales. Suitable for starting vehicles at 12V with 8 cylinder petrol engines up to 8L, and 6 cylinder diesel engines up to 6L. 24V with 8 cylinder petrol engines up to 4.0L and 6 cylinder diesel engines up to 3L. Easy-to-read, colour-coded analogue gauge measures battery condition and charge indicator. Audible warning system for polarity protection. RRP £431.94 NOW £219.00 For more details click here. Best January Sales Power Tool Deals Flymo Turbo Lite 400 Electric Hover Lawn Mower 40cm/16in 240v Get ready for the warmer months with 50% off until the end of January, on the Flymo Turbo 400 Electric Lawn Mower. This mower features a powerful 1500-watt motor, which allows it to tackle tougher lawns and slightly thicker grass on lawns that are mowed regularly. Left-handed? No problem. The unique dual-handle switch box on this electric hover mower allows for easy, comfortable use whether you are left or right-handed. You can watch the Flymo lawnmower in action here. RRP £219.99 NOW £105.00 For more details click here. Toolpak HSS Roll Forged Jobber Drill Bit Set 13-Piece You can now get an impressive 65% off Toolpak’s HSS Roll Forged Jobber Drill Bits until 31st January 2021! General-purpose bits to DIN338 standard. Hot roll-forged drill bits will drill clean holes in steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metal and plastic. With a 118deg tip angle, they provide easy drilling and have good flexibility and break resistance. Black oxide finish, which strengthens the surface of the drill bit. Parallel shank bit for use in hand-held rotary drills or bench/pillar drills with a 3-Jaw drill chuck. RRP £6.60 NOW £1.99 For more details click here. Best January Sales Lighting & Electrical Deals Luceco Guardian Slimline LED 8W Security Floodlight Warm White 600 Lumens Don’t miss out on 80% off Luceco Guardian slimline security lights. These security floodlights are market-leading, high performance, modern domestic LED floodlights with die-cast aluminium housing for maximum durability that offer more light for less power with over 90% energy saving. RRP 29.99 NOW £4.99 Find more details here. Best January Sales Workwear Deals JCB Horton Hoodie Grey (Sizes S-XXL) Work Hooded Jumper We’re kickstarting this year’s January sale workwear deals with a huge 50% off our exclusive JCB Horton Hoodie. The hooded jumper features heavyweight cotton-rich fabric, a lined snood type hood with drawstring and a kangaroo pouch to keep your hands warm. Be quick though, limited stock available! RRP £29.99 NOW £14.95 For more details click here. Dickies Camden Trade Cargo Work Trousers Black Hardwearing (Various Sizes) Bag yourself a whopping saving of 60% on our popular Dickies Camden work trousers. Featuring knee pads and double-layered hems, these work trouser will provide extra durability and ensure high wear areas are longer lasting. The trousers also benefit from both a hammer loop and rule pocket. RRP £39.95 NOW £14.95 For more details click here. Scruffs Vintage Fleece Jogger Pants Dark Grey (Sizes S-XXL) Stay warm this winter with 45% off these Scruffs Fleece Jogger Pants from Scruffs’ Vintage range. Thick brushed back fleece and hard-wearing knee pad inserts combine in this durable and comfortable work jogger. You’ll also find side entry zip pockets with poly/cotton twill pocket bags and multiple open pockets on the reverse to hold all your needs. RRP £29.95 NOW £15.95 For more details click here. Scruffs Peaked Beanie Hat Graphite Grey Warm Winter Insulated Workwear The Scruffs Peaked Beanie Hat is a warm, insulated, stylish workwear beanie hat with a peaked cap and a soft wool effect inner lining. You can now get it for 40% less on our site! RRP £14.95 NOW £3.95 For more details click here. Best January Sale Footwear Deals Scruffs Hayeswater Safety Waterproof Wellington Boots Grey (Sizes 7-12) Get 50% off the Scruffs Hayeswater Safety Wellington Boots in our January sale. These waterproof wellies come with a steel toecap and mid-sole for your onsite safety needs. Unwilling to compromise on comfort, protection or performance, the Scruffs wellington boots are built to keep you dry and driven all day, every day. RRP £19.95 NOW £9.95 For more details click here. JCB 5CX Safety Work Boots Brown (Sizes 6-12) Steel Toecap & Midsole Looking for comfort and protection at a great price? We’re offering 55% off on these JCB 5CX Safety Work Boots in Brown only up until the end of January. Featuring water-resistant material, oil and slip-resistant outsoles and steel toecap & midsoles to offer ultimate safety onsite. Don’t miss out on this great deal! RRP £65.50 NOW £30.00 For more details click here. Looking for more great savings? Shop of our January Sale 2021 today. Read Full Story -
Tips and Guides
When it comes to working on-site during cold weather, you want one thing above all else – to be warm, by any method possible. It’s for that reason we stock over 50 models of heaters from industry-leading brands such as Rhino, Elite, Master and Silverline. But, when it comes to buying one, how do you know which type of heater is for you? When there are fan, super fan, ceramic, infrared, radiator, infrared oil, indirect oil and direct oil heaters on the market, how are you even supposed to know which to choose from? That’s why we’ve put together this short guide on how each type of heater operates and the best places to utilise them. Let’s get started: Electric Heater Types: Fan Fan heaters work, somewhat, like your toaster does. A current is passed through a heating element, generating heat. Unlike your toaster, however, fan heaters have a fan built in, which forces cold air over the heating elements and drives it outwards. Fan heaters come in a wide variety of sizes and are superbly adept at quickly heating a space, although if you need to heat large or open spaces you will want to look at some other options. Check out a range of fan heaters here. Super Fan Much like your traditional fan heater, a ‘super fan’ heater pushes cold air over heating elements. Unlike a normal fan heater though, super fan heaters feature significantly larger fans and heating elements, allowing them to generate significantly larger volumes of hot air per second, rapidly heating a space. For this reason, super fan heaters like the Master B18EPR are excellent for industrial applications, like heating large rooms where whole teams are working. Ceramic Ceramic heaters get their name from the number of ceramic plates which are integral to their operation. By heating coils behind the plates, heat is transferred to the plates, where it is then distributed evenly in the air. Ceramic heaters offer superb heat output relative to their size and operate almost noiselessly, utilising less energy in the process. On the downside, they often take longer to heat large spaces thanks to the lack of directed heat. Infrared Completely different from the heaters mentioned above, infrared heaters warm a space not through convection (gradually heating air and letting it circulate), but by directly heating objects like walls and your floor. Infrared heaters emit a heat which is closer to that of the sun, emitting infrared heat light which gets absorbed by skin, clothes and other objects, rather than heating the air. Infrared heaters work instantly and are totally silent. Unlike other heat sources, they don’t reduce humidity or oxygen content in the room, making a model like the Elite Heat Portable Heater ideal for drying paintwork or plaster quickly. Radiator Just like in a central heating system, radiators can play a crucial role in heating a space. Electric radiators like the Oil Filled Radiator Heater work by heating oil within the radiator to a set temperature, which in turn heats a room. Radiators are excellent at maintaining temperatures within a room, however, they tend to be slower at heating a space than other heaters. Oil Heater Types: Indirect Oil Heater First things first – an indirect oil heater, like all oil heaters, burn oil in order to create vast quantities of heat in areas which might not have electricity. Within this category though you’ll find there are multiple types of oil heaters. Indirect oil heaters are primarily designed to be used in areas which have either limited ventilation or where combustible materials are present. The diesel oil is injected into a combustion chamber where its ignited and burned at a regulated rate to create large volumes of clean, safe and dry heat. As such, they’re ideal for space heating applications or for disaster recovery after flooding. Direct Oil Heater Direct oil heaters use oil in a slightly different way, igniting the fuel and burning it before being expelled with the heat creating a larger volume of heat and an indirect oil heater. Because of this though, these heaters are unsuitable for locations with combustible materials and limited ventilation. Ventilation is important with a direct oil heater because the heating process adds moisture to the air, making them unsuitable for drying applications. Infrared Oil Heater Offering all the benefits of a mains powered infrared heater with the sheer power of an oil heater, an infrared oil heater can deliver large amounts of infrared heat without any air movement. That makes them ideal for drying walls or paints without dust build-up, defrosting machinery or pipelines and heating working areas. They also allow for significant energy efficiency boosts over other types of oil heaters, as they only work to heat objects and people in the room, not air which cools quickly. We stock a wide range of infrared oil heaters, designed to suit every budget. Take a look at them here, or browse our whole heater range here. Read Full Story -
Information and Tools
With Christmas just around the corner, we’ve come up with some of the best gift ideas for the tradesmen (or women) and construction workers in your life. From radios to car accessories, and workwear to footwear, our list is guaranteed to put a smile on your loved ones face this Christmas. Let the gift wrapping commence! DeWalt DWST1-81079 TSTAK Cordless 14/18v DAB Bluetooth Job Site Radio & Charger Whether they work on a construction site or in a workshop, gift them with the sound of music to brighten up their working day. The DeWalt TSTAK Radio offers FM, AM and DAB+, with a 45-Watt output and incorporates shock-absorbing rubber bumpers on all 4 corners to ensure tough on-site protection. It features 2 mid-range speakers on the front, 2 more mid-range speakers on the back as well as 2 powerful sub-woofers on the bottom, helping to provide excellent sound quality. The radio can also be controlled remotely via your Android or Apple device using the DeWalt Mobile App, allowing for complete control of the device on-site, and with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), they’ll stay connected without sacrificing their battery. If that’s not enough, the radio even doubles up as an XR/FlexVolt battery charger. What more could you want? Features include: • Stacking latches • Shock-absorbing rubber bumpers • 2 Mid-range speakers on the front and back • 2 Sub-woofers on the bottom • Bluetooth connection Silverline Magnetic Wristband If you want to make a friend’s working day a little less frustrating, this could be the perfect Christmas present for them. No longer will screws or nails roll freely across floorboards or miraculously vanish into thin air. Containing 16 magnets, this Magnetic Wristband is powerful enough to keep screws, nails and other ferrous items securely anchored to the wrist, helping to leave hands free. It also includes 4 pockets to hold power bits, small sockets and will adjust to any wrist size making it the perfect companion for any tradesmen or DIY enthusiasts! JCB HYDROMASTER Safety Wellington Work Boots Navy Wellies Kick winter to the curb with these JCB HYDROMASTER Safety Wellington Work Boots. Made from PVC and Nitrile, as well as featuring a steel midsole and toecap, these wellies are perfect for protecting your feet on any work site. What’s more, they come with a padded insock giving you consistent comfort over long periods. Features include: • Navy wellington boot • PVC upper • PVC/nitrile sole • Padded insock • Ladder grip on sole • Boot release tab on heel • Steel midsole • Wide fitting • Antistatic • 200 joules toe protection • S5 SRC • Manufactured to European standard EN ISO 20345:2011 Available in sizes 7 – 12 (UK). Need more inspo? You can find a wide selection of Safety Wellies here. Scruffs Pro Softshell Work Jacket Charcoal Grey While socks and undies will never go amiss as a staple Christmas present, sometimes it’s nice to put a little extra thought into gift-buying. Try the Scruffs Pro Softshell Work Jacket for instance. This technical jacket with soft fleece inner lining is sure to keep your loved one cosy and warm in the colder working climates. What’s more, it features multiple secure pockets to store those all-important accessories and also includes reflective detailing. Available in sizes: S, M, L, XL and XXL. For similar products, check out our extensive range of coats and jackets. Unilite USB Car Adapter Need some extra stocking stuffers? Look no further. At a smart price of just £5, you can ensure your tradie is never without a phone battery on the road again. Compatible with most smartphones, simply plug the Unilite USB Car Adapter into the car’s cigarette lighter socket, connect the phone’s USB cable and you’re good to go. Scruffs Worker Plus Multi-Function Pocket Trousers in Graphite Grey A popular staple to any trade workers wardrobe makes these the ideal gift this year. The Scruffs Worker Plus Multi-Function Pocket Trousers in Graphite Grey are durable work trousers made for lasting comfort and protection. With hanging and multifunction pockets, reinforced knee support and crotch area and knee pad inserts they are ideal for any site work. Available from sizes 28in to 38in waists, and in 30in (Short), 32in (Regular) or 34in (Long) leg. For similar products, check out our extensive range of work trousers. Buckler B1150SM Buckflex Safety Work Boots Chocolate Oil If you’re looking for a long-lasting, hardwearing and premium quality Xmas gift, look no further than the Buckler Buckflex Safety work boots. These boots have a Buckflex system which provides easy on/easy off, no heel ‘dig’. Whilst they may look rigid, rest assure that these boots are flexible, allowing for comfort while also retaining full ankle support. Features include: • Dealer boot • Chocolate oil leather • K3 sole • Goodyear welted • SB P HRO SRA rated • Toe cap protection • Midsole protection • Heat resistant sole • Oil resistant sole • Slip-resistant sole Available in sizes 4-13. Unilite PS-i1 LED Pocket Pen-Style Inspection Work Light Magnetic 175 Lumens Ideal for any Electrician, the PS-i1 is a super-compact penlight that combines power and portability in one neat package. The unit features 6 x White Cree SMD LEDs, which provide 175 Lumen of power. This is perfect for use in several lighting tasks. To guarantee its integrity, it features a strong ABS housing, making it ideal for industrial use. Features include: • 175 Lumen White SMD LED’s. • Tough ABS housing for greater durability. • Convenient pocket clip for easy transportation. • Strong magnets within the base and pocket clip for easy attachment and hands-free use. • Ergonomic non-slip hand grips. • Easy-press tactical microswitch. • IPX4 water resistance. • Impact-resistant to 1m. • Weighs just 51g with batteries. • Dimensions: 141 x 20 x 18mm. • Powered by 2 x AAA batteries (included). You can find more innovative work light solutions at incredibly discounted prices here. Read Full Story -
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There are few chores in life quite as frustrating as washing. It’s a clumsy, smelly endeavour that requires endless shuttling back and forth, expensive chemicals and plenty of lost socks. It can be pretty expensive too, especially when you’re operating a drying machine to get your clothes back to a wearable state. But there is another way. No, it won’t help you keep your loose socks together, but it will help keep the cost of your drying down. We speak, of course, about washing lines. Simple, versatile and endlessly reusable, washing lines help you harness the suns natural energy to dry your clothes endlessly. When it comes to washing lines though, there’s one name which stands out above the rest – Hills. Founded in Adelaide, Australia, by Lance Hill in the mid-1940s, Hills has over 70 years’ experience designing and manufacturing “the world’s finest washing lines”. In fact, they’re so confident of their craftsmanship they offer a 10-year warranty on all defects in their products. At MAD4TOOLS, we’re proud to offer the full range of Hills washing lines at prices which make them affordable for anyone. In this guide, we’re going to share with you some of their most popular products in this, our Hills washing lines buying guide. Hills Rotary Folding Washing Lines Rotary washing lines have always been a popular choice in the UK. They install easily in your lawn and, once situated, offer a rotating, fold-away washing line that can fit multiple loads of washing at the same time. Hills’ range of rotary washing lines includes the ‘basic’ Everyday 37 and Everyday 47 rotary washing lines which combine the high-quality that Hills are known for, with a slightly reduced specification to lower their overall cost. Elsewhere, you’ll find the Hills Rotary Folding 6 Washing Line, alongside 7 and 8 line models for increased capacity. Hills Retractable Washing Lines If you don’t have a lawn or simply don’t want a permanent structure to be erected on your lawn, a retractable clothesline can make a lot of sense. When retracted, these washing lines look like little more than a silver box mounted on your wall, however, when you pull the lines out, you gain an instant washing line. Hills offer two retractable washing lines, the Hills Everyday 4 Retractable Clothes Washing Line and the Hills Everyday 6 Retractable Clothes Washing Line, which differ only in the number of lines they offer. Hills Wall-Mounted Folding Washing Line If you lack the space for a rotary or retractable washing line, then Hills Supa Fold range could be just the ticket. These washing lines attach securely to an interior or exterior wall and, once in place, simply fold out to reveal instant drying space. Their range includes four models, with four different sizes. Whether it’s the Supa Fold Mini with 7m of line space, the Supa Fold Compact with 13m of line space, the Supa Fold Mono with 21m of line or the Supa Fold Duo with an incredible 23m of line space, there’s a wall-mounted folding washing line for you. Read Full Story -
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Whether you think about it or not, there’s a huge amount of trust that you put in your builders. They’re capable of making or breaking your project and their lack of attention can cause not only hard to your project but also your house in general. Now, cowboy builders are few and far between – after all, you don’t last long in that business without skill – but there remains a number of good reasons to interrogate your builders before you give them total control over your project. So, before your builder starts work, what are the five questions you should ask? What experience do you have? It might feel a touch rude to open up with such a direct question, but when you’re dealing with your home, it’s vital that you establish the credentials of the team that will be working on it. Your builder should be able to point to examples where they’ve worked on similar jobs before and should be able to provide you with references for those jobs. Furthermore, they should be fully licensed and accredited and should belong to a related trade association. Who is in charge of my project? Knowing with whom the buck stops is vital when you’re managing more than one builder at a time. Somebody has to be in charge of overseeing the work and ensuring it lives up to your standards. Your project manager will be the individual with who you speak with most often, so getting it straight who that is will serve you in good stead. Can we draft a schedule? As anyone who’s worked within (or even had any contact with) the construction trade knows, things don’t always go to plan on site. Delays in materials, illnesses, unexpected complications and dozens of other issues can all conspire to put things behind schedule. Nevertheless, failing to have a schedule isn’t advisable. By putting down on paper how long your team expect each stage on construction to take, you can better judge their efforts and, if necessary, take them to task. How will you protect my home? Construction work makes a lot of mess, so how will your team work to protect your home? Ask them and find out. If they’re working in the garden, how will they protect your landscaping? If they’re working in your kitchen, how will they protect your countertops and flooring? It’s always useful to establish these sorts of details ahead of them beginning construction. How often can we keep in contact? Most of the time when you’ve got builders working in your home, you won’t be there too. We’re all busy with work and so, largely, we leave builders to their own devices. For much of the week, you might not even cross paths! It’s why establishing a regular date for connection is important. Pick a day of the week where both you and the project lead can sit down and talk about the progress being made, any issues that have cropped up and what’s coming up next. It’ll help avoid any miscommunication issues and ease any tensions which might arise. Read Full Story -
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When you’re working on a project – whether it’s a treehouse for the kids or a commercial project for a client, there’s no use in wasting time with the wrong tools. Forcing a square peg into a round hole is a recipe for going nowhere very slowly, but worse than that, using the wrong tools can prove extremely hazardous. That’s especially true when it comes to saws. They’ve been around for centuries in various forms, but today you’ll find there are more types of saw than ever before. Whether you’re tackling wood, metal or even ceramic, there’s a saw out there for the task. But which saw is right for you? In this guide, we’re going to share with you the various types of saw and their uses. Let’s go. Handsaw Perhaps the most recognisable type of saw on earth. With a comfortable, easy to grip handle and a long serrated blade, handsaws are best used when you’re cutting planks of wood down to size or trimming branches on smaller trees. Hacksaw Taking the form of a metal c-frame and a fine-toothed blade, hacksaws are designed to offer a greater degree of control than a handsaw and are usually used for cutting plastics and metals. Coping Saw Similar in design to a hacksaw, albeit with a different handle shape, coping saws have a c-frame and interchangeable blades that can be used for either wood or metal. They’re most commonly used by artists and artisans thanks to the fine radiuses they’re capable of creating. Circular Saw This powerful tool comes in a couple of forms – worm drive and sidewinder. Worm drive saws have enough power to cut through wet lumber and concrete. Models with a sidewinder motor have less torque but weigh less too. Both types of circular saw feature a large, behind-the-blade handle which makes gripping and manoeuvring easy, whilst reducing kickback. Table Saw Far from portable, a table saw features a centrally located spinning circular blade which can be used for ripping, crosscutting, mitring, and bevelling, making them a very useful tool to have around the workshop. Jigsaw Whilst most saws are designed to cut in a straight line, a jigsaw is designed to cut in custom shapes. With a powerful motor, downwards facing blade and a handle designed to be held from above, a jigsaw gives you total control over the shape you’re cutting, regardless of whether it’s plywood or polycarbonate you’re tackling. Bandsaws Capable of cutting both metal and wood, bandsaws like our Silverline Electric Bandsaw make an excellent addition to any workshop. Standing upright and with a vertically aligned saw blade, they allow you to make quick, precise cuts easily. Mitre Saw Cutting precise angles with a saw is always something of a difficulty if you’re attempting to do so by hand, which is why the mitre saw is so important so for many people working with wood. Specially designed with a handle for lowering and raising the circular blade at fixed angles. Certain models allow you to set your own angles, making them an ideal option for trim work. Read Full Story
