Guides & advice
All guides and advice
How-tos, explainers, fixes and comparisons, newest first.
- Which drill bit for which wall plug?Common UK colour coded wall plugs matched to typical masonry bit sizes and screw gauges, with tips for brick, block, plasterboard and SDS bits.Guide
- What size mitre saw do you need?210, 216, 254 and 305 mm mitre saw blades compared by cut width and depth, with skirting, decking and post examples and real listing figures.Guide
- What size circular saw do you need?Circular saw blade sizes from 165 mm to 235 mm and beyond, with typical cutting depths at 90 and 45 degrees and which size suits sheet goods, decking and joists.Guide
- What is an SDS drill and when do you need one?SDS plus and SDS max chucks, the rotary hammer action and the jobs where a combi drill struggles, explained for UK homes and renovations.Guide
- What is an impact driver used for?How an impact driver's rotational impacts and hex bit holder work, and the jobs from decking screws to coach bolts where it beats a drill.Guide
- What is an oscillating multi-tool used for?Flush cuts in door frames, plunge cuts in floors, grout removal and detail sanding: what an oscillating multi-tool does and how to use one.Guide
- What is a combi drill?A combi drill combines drilling, screw driving and a hammer mode for masonry in one cordless tool. Here is how the modes, clutch and gears work.Guide
- What does body only, bare or tool only mean?Body only, bare, skin and tool only all mean a power tool without battery or charger. See what Z, N and 0 model codes mean and when bare tools make sense.Guide
- Volts, amp hours and watt hours on tool batteriesWhy 18 V and 20 V max are the same cells, what amp hours mean for runtime, and how watt hours let you compare packs from different brands.Guide
- How to store power tool batteries in a cold shed or vanCharge level for storage, temperatures that pause charging, and why tool batteries are best kept out of an unheated UK shed or van overnight.How-to
- How to spot fake Makita and DeWalt toolsModel codes, battery labels, packaging and seller checks that help separate genuine Makita and DeWalt tools and batteries from copies.Guide
- SDS drill vs combi drill for brick, block and concretePiston hammer against ratchet hammer: how SDS and combi drills differ, typical hole sizes in brick and concrete, and when each is worth buying.Comparison
- SDS drill settings: rotary stop, hammer and chisel modesWhat each SDS drill mode does, from rotary only to hammer only, plus the chisel angle setting, safety clutch and electronic kickback control.Guide
- SDS drill bits explained: types, lengths and tipsSDS plus and SDS max bits explained: two and four cutter tips, flutes, working and overall length, chisels and when to replace a worn SDS drill bit.Guide
- Power tool vibration figures and HAVS explainedWhat the vibration figure in m/s² and the uncertainty K on a power tool listing mean, how exposure adds up over a day, and HSE guidance on hand arm vibration.Guide
- Power tool charger lights flashing: what it meansHot or cold pack delays, faulty pack signals and dead cells on DeWalt, Makita and Milwaukee chargers, and the safe checks to try at home.Fix
- Multi-tool vs reciprocating sawOscillating multi-tools make precise plunge and flush cuts; reciprocating saws make fast rough cuts. See which jobs suit each and whether you need both.Comparison
- Are multi-tool blades universal? OIS, Starlock and moreUniversal fit blades, OIS and the three Starlock levels explained, and which oscillating multi-tools take which blades, with listing examples.Guide
- Mitre saw vs circular saw for decking and flooringRepeatable square crosscuts against long rips and sheet cuts: when a mitre saw or a circular saw is the better buy, with decking and flooring examples.Comparison
- Mitre saw vs chop saw vs drop sawMitre saw, chop saw and drop saw are often used for the same tool in the UK. Learn what each name means and which one suits trim, skirting and decking.Comparison
- Mitre saw not cutting square: how to calibrate itCheck fence and blade with a square, run the five cut test, and adjust mitre detents and bevel stops so your mitre saw cuts true again.Fix
- Mitre and circular saw blades: teeth, bore and kerfTooth count, hook angle, bore size and thin kerf blades for cordless saws explained, with which blade to fit for ripping, crosscuts and trim.Guide
- Makita vs Milwaukee cordless tools comparedMakita LXT against Milwaukee M18 for trades and keen DIYers, plus M12, Makita's twin 18 V tools and the 40 V XGT range, with a drill spec table.Comparison
- Impact driver vs impact wrench: hex bits or square drive?Hex bit holder against square anvil, typical torque ranges and why wheel nuts and large bolts usually call for an impact wrench, not a driver.Comparison
- Impact driver vs cordless screwdriverSmall cordless screwdrivers suit flat-pack and electrics; impact drivers sink long screws and coach bolts. Compare torque, size and when to use a drill instead.Comparison
- Impact driver torque settings and speed modes explainedWhy impact drivers have speed modes not a clutch, what the Nm figure means, and how to use modes for self drilling screws, small screws and bolts.Guide
- Impact driver bits: what makes them impact ratedHex shank sizes, torsion zones, PZ, PH and Torx tips for UK screws, and hex shank drill bits for impact drivers, explained simply.Guide
- How to use an SDS drillA step by step guide to using an SDS drill: fitting and greasing bits, picking the right mode, drilling clean holes in concrete and staying safe with dust.How-to
- How to use an impact driverHow to use an impact driver safely and well: loading hex bits, speed modes, pilot holes, avoiding stripped heads and snapped screws in timber and metal.How-to
- How to use a mitre sawSetting mitre and bevel, holding the work, letting the blade stop, using the depth stop and checking the guard, for safe and accurate cuts.How-to
- How to use a combi drillFitting bits, choosing drill, driver or hammer mode, setting the clutch and gear, and drilling clean pilot holes, with standard eye protection.How-to
- How to use a circular sawBlade depth, supporting the offcut, using the line guide and starting the cut, with standard kickback precautions for corded and cordless saws.How-to
- How to set up a mitre saw stand or benchLeg stands, wheeled stands and DIY benches for mitre saws: mounting the saw, levelling supports to the saw table and supporting long boards safely.How-to
- How to remove grout with a multi-toolHow to remove old grout quickly with an oscillating multi-tool: choosing carbide or diamond grout blades, depth, angle, dust control and protecting tile edges.How-to
- How to drill into brick, block and concreteHammer mode, masonry bits, plug sizes and checking for cables and pipes before drilling a UK wall, plus when to switch to an SDS drill.How-to
- How to cut straight with a circular saw and guide railClamped straight edges, rail adaptors and offset measuring for clean, straight cuts in sheet material with a standard circular saw.How-to
- How to cut skirting board corners with a mitre sawInternal, external and out of square skirting corners on a mitre saw, when to scribe instead of mitre, and how to work out the right angle.How-to
- How to core drill with an SDS drillHow to cut large holes in brick with SDS core bits: choosing TCT or diamond cores, pilot drills, hammer or rotary mode, and when a dedicated core drill is needed.How-to
- How to change a mitre saw bladeStep by step: isolating the saw, using the spindle lock, the left hand thread on many arbor bolts, flange order and checking blade size and bore before you buy.How-to
- How to break up concrete with an SDS drillUsing an SDS drill in hammer only mode with point and flat chisels to remove tiles, break small slabs and chase walls, and when to hire a bigger breaker.How-to
- How long do power tool batteries last?Runtime per charge and lifespan in years for lithium-ion tool batteries, what wears them out, how to make them last and why rebuilding packs is risky.Guide
- How long do circular saw blades last?Signs a circular or mitre saw blade is dull, how to clean resin build up, when resharpening a TCT blade is worth it and what shortens blade life.Guide
- Should you hire or buy an SDS drill?When hiring an SDS drill or breaker makes sense, when buying is better value, and what to check when you collect a hire drill for a one off job.Guide
- Drill clutch and speed settings explainedWhat the numbered clutch ring and the 1 and 2 gear switch on a cordless drill do, with starting settings for screws, wood, metal and masonry.Guide
- Drill chuck slipping or bit wobbling: causes and fixesWhy drill bits slip or wobble in a keyless chuck: tightening technique, worn jaws, round bits in hammer mode, and when to replace the chuck.Fix
- Drill bit stuck in the chuck: how to get it outHow to free a drill bit stuck in a keyless chuck on DeWalt, Makita and other cordless drills, plus how to change bits so they grip without jamming.Fix
- DeWalt vs Milwaukee cordless tools comparedDeWalt XR and FlexVolt against Milwaukee M18 Fuel, the two platforms most often weighed up on UK sites, with a bare drill spec comparison.Comparison
- DeWalt vs Makita cordless tools comparedTwo of the biggest 18 V platforms compared on tool range, batteries, ergonomics and warranty, with a compact drill spec table from each brand.Comparison
- Cordless drill smoking or smelling hot: what to doWhat to do if your cordless drill smokes or smells of burning, how to tell a hot motor from a battery problem, and the common causes and fixes.Fix
- Cordless drill not working: what to checkBattery contacts, the direction switch lock, overheating cut outs, worn brushes on older drills and when to get a cordless drill repaired.Fix
- Corded vs cordless SDS drill: which should you buy?Corded and cordless SDS drills compared on impact energy, runtime, weight and battery cost, and which jobs still suit a 240 V or 110 V model.Comparison
- Corded vs cordless circular sawCorded and cordless circular saws compared on power, cutting depth, runtime for sheet goods and decking, and when a 240 V or 110 V saw still makes sense.Comparison
- Compound vs sliding mitre saw explainedWhat compound and sliding mean on a mitre saw, the board widths that make a slide worth it, and the bench depth a sliding saw needs behind it.Comparison
- Combi drill vs impact driver: which do you need first?How a combi drill and an impact driver differ in action, bits and jobs, with a spec table and advice on which to buy first for UK homes.Comparison
- Combi drill vs hammer drill: is there a difference?Combi, hammer, percussion and impact drill all describe similar tools in the UK. Here is what each name means and which one suits your walls and jobs.Comparison
- Combi drill vs drill driver: do you need the hammer?The only real difference between a combi drill and a drill driver is the hammer mode. Here is when you need it, with a Makita spec comparison.Comparison
- Circular saw vs track saw for sheet materialRail guided plunge cuts against a standard circular saw with a clamped straight edge, compared by finish, accuracy, setup and cost.Comparison
- Circular saw vs reciprocating sawCircular saws make straight, accurate cuts in sheet and timber; reciprocating saws make fast rough cuts in place. See which suits your project and why.Comparison
- Circular saw vs jigsaw: straight cuts or curves?Straight, fast cuts against curves and cut outs: how circular saws and jigsaws differ and which to buy first for kitchen and decking jobs.Comparison
- Circular saw kickback: why it happens and how to stop itWhy a circular saw kicks back, from pinched kerfs and twisted cuts to dull blades, and how to set up, support and cut so the saw stays under control.Fix
- Circular saw binding or burning the wood: fixesBlunt or wrong blades, pinched kerfs, poor support and a misaligned base plate: why circular saws bind and burn wood, and how to fix each cause.Fix
- How to choose a cordless battery platformRange of tools, battery costs, garden kit on the same pack and why your first cordless purchase locks you in, plus corded or cordless advice.Guide
- Can you use normal drill bits in an SDS drill?How to use round shank and hex drill bits in an SDS drill with an adapter or quick change chuck, why hammer must be off, and why SDS bits need an SDS chuck.Guide
- Can you take power tools and batteries on a plane?UK rules for flying with cordless drills and tool batteries: tools in hold luggage, spare lithium batteries in the cabin, watt hour limits and airline checks.Guide
- Can an impact driver remove wheel nuts?Typical wheel nut torque against impact driver output, hex to socket adaptors, and why a torque wrench should always finish the job.Guide
- Brushless vs brushed cordless drillsHow brushless and brushed motors differ in runtime, size and power from the same battery, and when a brushed cordless drill is still enough.Comparison
- Bosch Professional vs Makita cordless toolsBosch Professional 18V and AMPShare against Makita LXT: battery systems, tool ranges, home drill kits and the difference between green and blue Bosch.Comparison
- Are power tool batteries interchangeable between brands?Which cordless batteries fit which tools: brand platforms, shared alliances such as AMPShare, CAS and Power X-Change, and the risks of third party adapters.Guide