How to Drill a Hole in a Floor Tile Without Cracking It
A floor tile cracks from heat, vibration or the wrong bit. Here is the tile bit, the speed and the technique that leaves a glazed tile intact.
Honest reviews of the tools and gear UK makers actually need — from power tools to home servers, brewing kits to 3D printers.
A floor tile cracks from heat, vibration or the wrong bit. Here is the tile bit, the speed and the technique that leaves a glazed tile intact.
Most adults want a workbench at 850mm to 900mm. Task-by-task heights, the knuckle and elbow tests, and how to raise or lower a bench you already own.
How to smooth 3D prints without sandpaper: scraping, diamond files, solvent and heat smoothing, and filler primer that hides layer lines.
How to solder copper pipe in tight spaces: draining the run, flame control, shielding and the right kit, with UK steps and 12 product picks.
Where should you sell used power tools in the UK? Tool-buying services, eBay and marketplace routes compared, plus how to get a fair price for your kit.
Which sander is best for a deck? Belt, random orbit and detail sanders compared for stripping, finishing and grooved UK deck boards, plus grits and picks.
We compared the Milwaukee power tools worth buying for car and motorcycle work in the UK, from M12 ratchets to M18 drills and cobalt bits.
How to sand hardwood floors under cabinets: the tools that fit a toe kick gap, the scraping step most people skip, and how to blend the seam.
Makita, DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch and Ryobi compared for UK trade use - battery platforms, real kit prices and what each one locks you into.
The battery platforms behind UK cordless garden tools compared, from Einhell and Ryobi 18V to Makita, STIHL AK and EGO 56V.
Eight UK home tool kits compared, from a £13 compact set to a £75 Wera precision kit, and what you still need to buy separately.
Eight hand planes compared for UK woodworkers, from a GBP17 cast iron starter to a 555mm jointer, and who each one suits.
Corded and cordless angle grinders compared for UK workshops: real power, disc sizes, battery cost and which type suits the jobs you actually do.
Six auto darkening welding helmets compared for UK makers, from a £27 starter mask to a £93 panoramic Parweld, with a shade number guide.
Where to find genuinely free woodworking plans in the UK, how to convert American imperial sizes to metric timber, and the tools a first build needs.
Cutting, grinding, flap, wire and diamond discs explained for UK makers: what each one does, the sizes and speed ratings to check, and which disc to fit first.
Make your first batch of cider this autumn: kit or juice route, fermenter and airlock basics, fermentation timings, bottling, and the mistakes that turn cider into vinegar.
We compared six claw hammers for UK DIY and trade, from forged steel Estwing classics to budget fibreglass. Weight, grip, claw and value assessed.
Start wood burning with the right kit, wood and technique: beginner pyrography pens, basswood practice sheets, safety basics and three first projects.
We compared the best portable generators for UK storm season, from budget Excel Power to premium Hyundai. Output, noise, runtime and value assessed.
We compared five hex key sets from premium Wera to budget Amazon Basics. Holding function, ball ends and value assessed.
Real UK costs for 3D printing in 2026: printer prices, filament, electricity at 26p/kWh, maintenance and tools.
5 house jobs you can do yourself for free instead of calling a tradesman. Every job costs under £30 in tools and takes under 30 minutes.
5 DIY jobs you can do around the house for free, using basic tools you already own. Save hundreds on tradesman fees.
No soldering iron? Six alternative methods compared: butane torch, heat gun, hot plate, lighter, pencil hack and solder pot.
Power tool battery not charging? Try these 7 UK checks for 18V lithium packs, chargers and contacts before you buy a replacement.
From £140bn of new work to 40m days lost to ill health, we collated 24 verified UK stats on making, building and DIY.
Volcanic delays are hitting imported timber. Where to find reclaimed boards, local sawmill stock and engineered alternatives for autumn builds.
What an 18V cordless hammer drill does, when you need hammer mode for UK brick and how to pick the right kit.
We compared 6 stones for chisels and plane irons - diamond plates to Japanese whetstones. Grits, honing guides and value for UK workshops.
7 practical DIY fixes you can do this weekend, from slot-in door barriers to sump pumps and air-brick covers.
Detail and multi-sanders that reach corners and door frame profiles without wrecking the moulding. Triangular pads for tight spaces.
Build a box-fan air filter for under £80: UK parts list, step-by-step assembly, running costs and honest limits.
Random orbital, belt, detail or sheet? Each sander type compared for real woodworking jobs, with 6 top UK picks.
Carbide masonry sets for UK brick, block and concrete compared, plus SDS advice and plug sizes.
Keep your drills, saws and grinders running longer with this maintenance checklist covering cleaning, battery care and lubrication.
Charging, storage and habits that double 18V runtime and save you buying replacements.
The graphite trick does melt solder briefly, but uneven heat, no control and real safety risks make a cheap proper iron the better choice every time.
Hammer vs drill driver, why 2 batteries beats 1, brushless vs brushed and which 18V kits are worth buying.
Solder vs spot weld for 18650 and 21700 cells, the right iron, flux, nickel strip and series and parallel wiring explained.
Which sander strips, smooths and finishes furniture best? 6 models, sander types and the grit progression that actually works.
Six cordless drills from DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Milwaukee, Ryobi and Black+Decker compared on power, batteries and price.
Seven cordless and corded jigsaws from DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch, Ryobi and more compared on power, cutting depth and price.