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This 13-inch aluminium hawk from OX Tools for plastering, and honestly, it's a solid option for both DIYers and pros. The tempered aluminium is light in your hand but doesn't feel flimsy—pretty important if you’re holding mortar for hours at a time.

The soft grip handle is a real plus, especially during longer sessions. It’s comfortable and doesn’t leave your hand aching, and those rounded corners on the blade help keep mortar in place instead of sliding off at the worst moment.

The 330mm x 330mm blade gives you enough space for a decent load of mortar without being awkward. Cleanup is easy, and the handle comes off if you want to

If you’re working in plastering, tiling, or general construction, you already know just how much difference a proper wash kit can make. We recently gave the OX Trade Wash Kit a shot, and honestly, it’s a practical option for anyone who wants a complete bucket setup without the hassle. This 24-litre kit comes fully loaded, so you’re not scrambling for separate parts when you just want to get going.

The bucket’s made from plastic and has a rounded shape that makes mixing less of a chore. At 24 litres, you’ve got enough space for most jobs, but it’s not so big you can’t lug it around. The handle’s plastic but feels sturdy enough for regular use—nothing fancy, but it gets the job d

If you're in the market for a solid drywall taping tool, the TapeTech EasyClean Automatic Mini-Taper has caught our attention. It seems like a good fit for both pros and serious DIY folks.

This compact taper is built to speed up drywall finishing while keeping things manageable. The EasyClean feature hints that cleaning up won't drive you crazy—which matters, since taping tools always need a good rinse.

Weighing in at just over 4 kilograms, it’s lighter than the big tapers but still does the automatic thing. Its smaller size makes it less of a hassle in cramped spots. The product dimensions suggest it won’t be a burden to carry aroun

Trying to finish drywall faster without cutting corners? We took a close look at the TapeTech MAXXBOX 12-inch finishing box, and honestly, it’s aimed at pros who need speed and consistency. This box fills taped joints on walls and ceilings, applies joint compound, and feathers edges—all in one go. That’s pretty efficient if you ask me.

The MAXXBOX holds about 20% more joint compound than typical 12-inch boxes, so you’re not climbing up and down to refill as often. The EasyRoll wheels are built to handle external corner beads smoothly, and you can adjust the crown setting to control how much compound you’re putting down, whether it’s a first coat or a final pass.

Trying to find a compact wet and dry vacuum that doesn't dominate your workspace? We’ve been digging into the DEWALT DXV15T, and honestly, this toolbox-style vac brings some clever perks if you’re short on room.

It squeezes a punchy 1100W motor into a package that, at first glance, looks more like something you'd store sockets in than a vacuum. You get integrated tool storage, and the hose and accessories are all bundled in.

It’s got both suction and blower modes, so you’re not stuck with just one function. Folks seem to love the compactness and the way the accessories tuck away inside. The automat

Hunting for a wall and ceiling sander that won’t leave your arms aching after an hour? We took a good look at the FLEX Giraffe GE-5, and honestly, it’s got some features that make life easier for both pros and ambitious DIYers.

This sander’s flexible drive shaft is a clever touch—keeps the head light so you’re not fighting gravity the whole time, but you can still steer it precisely. The built-in dust extraction does a decent job of keeping the mess down, and the gimbal-mounted head adapts to weird angles or tricky surfaces.

Trying to get render to actually stick on those annoyingly smooth surfaces? We’ve been checking out the Everbuild Rendagrip, a red bonding agent that claims to sort out common rendering headaches. It’s a polymer-based product loaded with fine aggregate particles to give render something to bite onto.

Rendagrip cuts down the porosity of base substrates and gives a mechanical key thanks to its gritty texture. What’s genuinely handy: you can slap it on damp surfaces, since it’s waterproof.

It’s decent on concrete, lightweight blockwork, and brick. People really like the single coat application—you just brush

Trying to run your 110V tools on a UK construction site? We took a close look at the Faithfull Site Transformer, and honestly, it seems like a pretty practical pick for tradespeople who just want their gear to work without drama.

This 3.3 kVA transformer takes standard 240V mains and drops it down to dual 110V outputs. The tough, waterproof case is IP44 rated—so it shrugs off most of the typical site abuse.

With two 16-amp sockets, you can run more than one tool at the same time. There's also thermal overload protection that resets itself when things cool down, which is a relief if you ever push it a bit too far.

Need a finishing plaster for your next DIY job? We’ve taken a close look at the Thistle Multi Finish from British Gypsum — a go-to brand for plastering supplies in the UK.

This 25kg bag arrives ready to mix, and it’s earned a bit of a reputation among DIYers and tradespeople for it ssmooth finish and it works great for most internal walls and ceilings: nothing too flashy, but it does the job.

It mixes up nicely and covers a fair bit, according to folks who’ve tried it. People seem to like how workable it is, and if you know what you’re doing, it's possible to get a very professional finish without too much

On the hunt for a trusty plastering tool to help you get those clean, professional finishes? We took a closer look at the OX Speedskim Semi Flexible Rule, and honestly, it seems like a smart pick for both pros and folks just tackling a bit of DIY.

This 600mm plastering rule brings together a nylon blade and an aluminium handle, which strikes a pretty good balance between flexibility and sturdiness. That semi-flexible design is handy—it lets you follow slight bumps and curves without the tool feeling floppy or unpredictable.