How To Keep Your Blades Sharp March 9, 2021 Power tools are only as good as the power tool accessories you put in them. I’ve lost count of the times we’ve received a burnt-out circular saw into our service centre, only to find the saw blade attached has blunt teeth. In some instances, even half…
Dust Extraction Classes Explained [2022] August 31, 2022 I was recently working on the trade counter at one of our depots and was asked two questions regarding dust extraction… “Why should I use dust extraction?” and “What is the difference between the various classes?” I paused for thought and realised there are numerous reasons why dust extraction…
Encouraging Girls in to Construction [2023] July 8, 2019 STEM learning: Encouraging girls to consider a career in construction In this article we will discuss: Women in engineering and construction Why careers in construction are appealing to females as more opportunities open up How can we encourage girls to consider a career in construction How…
Reducing plastic pollution in the construction industry December 10, 2020 Over the past few years, there have been several awareness campaigns launched by government, corporations, and environmental groups to help us understand the damage plastic – in all of its guises – is having on the environment. With direct influence over our exclusive Maxitek brand,…
Lamello goes from strength to strength with Protrade November 2, 2020 Protrade Co-Managing Directors meeting Lamello CEO Susanne Affolter Originally founded by Hermann Steiner, Lamello has grown to become a major organisation – synonymous with high-quality joining solutions for cabinet makers and joiners around the world. Hermann Steiner From humble beginnings as a cabinet makers…
The Evolution of Sprayable Contact Adhesives February 3, 2020 Contact adhesives have long been used for bonding decorative laminates to substrates such as chipboards, MDF and plywood. The name ‘contact adhesive’ is derived from how the glue makes the bond. These adhesives rely on both surfaces being coated with the glue and they form a…
Different Types of Site LED Work Lights October 25, 2017 With the evolution of Site LED Work Lights, the days of flimsy, rickety and dangerous halogen lights or fluorescent work lights with defunct bulbs, and throwing them away at the end of the job, have gone. The introduction of the latest technology Maxitek LED range…
Five tips to overcome the ongoing supply chain disruptions September 2, 2021 The way we purchase has changed over the last 18 months. That was until COVID-19 hit early last year, of course. What we’ve been left with is supply lines clogged up and a broad range of materials that are scarce across multiple industries….
Supply Chain Issues & Profiteering during the Covid-19 Pandemic June 10, 2020 Since the outbreak of Coronavirus in early 2020, we have seen prices of many personal protective equipment or PPE items increase significantly. We all know about the economic models of supply and demand, and when you have a product that is in…
What the looming recession means for construction and how the industry leaders can respond October 4, 2022 With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Des Duddy, Joint Managing Director of Protrade, analyses the current state of the construction industry and what it can learn from the Great Recession which hit back in 2008…
Are you a DIY enthusiast or have you always wanted to start doing more DIY? We’ve got the guide for you. Take your DIY to the next level with our essential DIY tips. Ditch the ruler – Straight edges are better and safer If you’re measuring up wood or other materials for cutting, you will…
When you’re making jewellery, you want every loop you bend to be as accurate as possible. But if you’ve not got the right tool for the job, you can end up with a sub-par end product. Today we’ll be discussing round nose pliers, and how they’re tailor-made for forming the perfect round loops – every…
Every DIYer, crafter and hobbyist worth their salt knows that a good set of pliers is a toolbox essential. We all know we need them. We all use them. But what other jobs could pliers help you with? And what do pliers do that they’re not yet doing for you? Well as it turns out,…
There’s nothing simple about a straight line. Take it from us. It’s possibly the most important measurement in any job – from hanging a picture to building a high-rise. When straightness is out by a degree, it can amount to centimetres of inaccuracy down the line. One part a few mm out? Nothing fits together,…
With so many different types of pliers on the market these days, you may not know exactly how to use them to fix your problem properly. In this article, we’ll go into the most popular types of pliers, as well as how to use them. How to use pliers safely First of all, let’s make…
A good tool kit should be versatile, and include all the tools you need to complete a job. But with so many tool kits on the market, which one should you choose? In this guide, we take you through our top picks for tool kits for a variety of situations and uses. All made here…
Traditional pliers are a toolbox essential, but what if one pair of pliers could do more than one job? That’s where combination pliers come in, and in this post we’ll look into the best options on the market today. Best Combination Pliers by Type Combination pliers can both grip and cut using the same tool….
WE NEED YOU! Maun has manufactured pliers that are anything but ordinary since 1944. One of our core tools is the Smooth Jaws Flat Nose Parallel Plier 140 mm. A tool that has been expertly adapted throughout the years to resolve the problems of industry and trade professionals. At Maun, we have never-ending curiosity and…
If you’re enthusiastic about making jewellery, but you’re overwhelmed with what you’ll need to get started, then this guide is for you. We’re going to break down all of the essential tools for jewellery making, perfect for a beginner’s jewellery toolbox. Side cutters Jewellery side cutters (also known as diagonal cutting pliers) are likely the…
Pliers are versatile tools that are essential for any toolbox. You can use them for gripping, bending, cutting, crimping, and more. In this post, we’re going in deep to understand what pliers are, their important features and characteristics, and how to use them. What are pliers and how do they work? Pliers are hand tools…