Hyde, leading supplier of quality tools for professionals, has added another high end brand to its portfolio, becoming the exclusive UK distributor of Base Protection safety footwear.  Base has been one of the leading Italian manufacturers of safety footwear for the last decade.

With tradesmen typically spending the majority of their working day on their feet, investing in safety shoes or boots that cushion the feet and put comfort first is essential. Base safety footwear does just this, featuring the latest patented technology to offer an unrivalled level of comfort in boots and shoes that you can barely feel on your feet, whilst giving complete peace of mind that you are always well protected.

Combining design and performance, Base safety footwear is lightweight and flexible, leaving feet feeling less tired than standard safety boots and shoes, and less pinched due to slim toe caps. With Base, comfort is guaranteed through innovative technology that makes the soles on many shoes and boots in the range ultra-flexible so that they bend with you as you work.

With generous cushioning, feet are well supported during the tradesman’s working day, while the brand’s patented Dry’N Air air cooling ensures feet never get too hot, even during the summer months. Base safety footwear even has a patented SmellStop system, meaning shoes and boots can be taken off with confidence that they won’t leave a bad smell behind, an important point for any tradesman working in customers’ homes.

While comfort is all-important, safety is never compromised with Base footwear, which offers the superb non-slip performance, along with puncture resistant soles and composite, non-metal toe caps.

Exceeding the latest legislation for safety footwear on building sites, Base shoes and boots are made with typical Italian design and passion, taking advantage of the highest quality materials to ensure they are strong and durable enough for the most rugged of site-work. Strong bonds between the sole and upper lining also mean that the footwear will last the test of time, making Base a quality investment.

More than just an angle finder, the new Stabila Tech 700 DA is three tools in one, offering quick flexible and measuring on all types of work, from carpentry and joinery to metal work, tiling and drywall building. This one quality tool is more than just a digital angle finder, it is also a bevel gauge and spirit level, making it an essential piece of kit for any tradesman’s tool box.

With an extremely high measuring range from 0 – 270°, the Tech 700 DA quickly determines and transfers interior and exterior angles, with an innovative LOCK function ensuring that angles are transferred accurately and reliably. Thanks to the digital display, reference angles can be easily accepted, saved and transferred to other components, with a HOLD function saving the measured value, while the large digits and lighting that can be activated and dimmed to make the tool suitable for use under any conditions.

Tough, durable and accurate, the Tech 700 DA has two wide contact edges for accurate and reliable marking of angles in all positions, while its sophisticated design enables the high quality Stabila vials to be read even when the arm is folded in for maximum efficiency and convenience, while angle bisectors can be displayed at the touch of a button.

Supplied with a stylish protective case, the Stabila TECH 700 DA Angle Finding Level is an indispensable all-rounder, doing the work of three different tools day in, day out.

The HUDS and REFINA Partnership

The NotchTile™ is a professional adhesive spreading trowel designed and tested for over 3 years. Ken Hudson of HUDS Tiling Services came to REFINA to discuss a new way in which he believed he could improve the tiling application process through various theories and modifications of existing trowels already on the market.

REFINA supported his ideas and began drafting various meticulous designs improving and innovating the traditional tiling trowel design that has failed to evolve for over 50 years. Finally, after much discussion, implementing various industry-leading manufacturing techniques, and intensive testing, the NotchTile™ was created. This premium, durable, lightweight revolutionary tiling trowel is designed for professionals
by professionals, is comfortable to handle and is suitable for all sizes and designs of tiles and slabs.

NotchTile™ Protective Coating

NotchTile™ trowels are skilfully coated in a high-quality, unique colour coded coating that helps identify the notch size, ensures the trowel is easy to clean and adds an additional layer of protection to the premium steel trowel blade over the lifetime of the tool.

This collaboration is the latest addition to the HUDS by REFINA range, building on the success of the PortaRoll; the NotchTile™ is sure to get the tiling industry talking.

NotchTile™ Trowel Design

Manufactured in different trowel lengths, left and righthanded designs, and three colour variations which depict the notch size, the NotchTile™ trowel features a distinctive laser cut H45 notch pattern.

This two-step notch is specifically designed to undercut adhesive to allow ridges to collapse with less pressure and provides maximum coverage along the surface of the application area.

View the full range of REFINA's NotchTile here or contact sales for more information

Dependable, Reliable... DURUM

DURUM tools have been forged out of necessity, With global leading innovation to builid new and better tools, DURUM is also reigniting some tried and tested manufacturing techniques. DURUM’s tools are durable, reliable and strong.

• Get the job done Better
• Get the job done Faster
• Make the tools last Longer

Durum Screwdriver Bits range use the best quality steel and are strengthened to exacting standards they are precision cut to give the user outstanding results with every bit and are ideally suitable for use with impact drivers, drills and screwdrivers.

MYTH:

“Torsion zones are essential for drill bits that are used in impact drills”

TRUTH:

Torsion zones actually reduce the amount of torque delivered to the tip to reduce breakage.

Durum have developed a new screwdriver bit made using a special high grade steel that doesn’t require a torsion zone to work in an impact driver. This results in a bit that delivers more torque to the tip - and a quicker result. In tests, driving a long screw into a piece of hardwood, the Durum bit drove the screw in 38% quicker than a popular impact bit used in the same test.

 MYTH:

“A drill bit made to a din standard is a good bit”

TRUTH:

Din standards are outdated and don’t reflect modern power tools & impact drivers.

A cheap standard steel bit could have the same DIN standard as an expensive Impact bit for example. DURUM bits far exceed the DIN standard - and can deal with the high torque of impact drivers.

 MYTH:

“A good bit is an expensive bit”

TRUTH:

Torsion zones are expensive to manufacture into a bit.

Not only does the DURUM bit provide more efficient driving but because no extra working is required to produce the torsion zone, savings can be made in manufacturing. So although the costs of the steel and hardening method are high, the overall process means that DURUM can produce a “top end bit” at “mid-range pricing”.

 MYTH:

“All PZ2 bits fit PZ2 screws perfectly”

TRUTH:

Not all bits are precision designed & manufactured.

DURUM bits are developed for a precision fit to their respective fasteners; so a PZ2 bit fits snuggly into a PZ2 headed screw. This precision fit results in a longer lasting bit and fastener, with no cam out as well as a better finish when the finish is important (e.g. coloured fasteners).

View the range of Durum products here or contact our sales office on 0121 704 2324

Power tools are a staple of any tradesmen’s tool box these days. From plumbers to sparkies, it will be rare that more than a few hours go by without them reaching for their trusty drill to give them more power to their elbow. Impact drivers are now commonly used, for example, to make light work of loosening stubborn nuts and screws and ensuring a secure fit during installation.

Applying a hammer strike to the bit before turning it continuously 180°, an impact driver has a higher torque than a standard screwdriver, reducing hand fatigue, increasing efficiency and generally making the installer’s job a whole lot easier. The trouble with such products is that they rarely live up to their promise, which is never a good thing for merchants who then risk being faced with an unsatisfied customer. The problem doesn’t lie with the tool itself, but with the bit, which until now, has been unable to cope with the power.

The choice, until now, has been for installers to buy a premium bit that lasts longer than a standard bit or buy cheaper bits that break quickly. The only solution has been for manufacturers to introduce torsion zones to protect the bit and stop them breaking. When driving in a screw with an impact driver using a Torsion Impact Bit, less power gets to the screw. In essence, each 180® turn applied by the drill is being reduced by the torsion zone. Making that shiny new impact driver the installer invested in from their trusty merchant less of a power tool and more of a tool, essentially.

However, there may just be an alternative way for installers to stop suffering from broken drill bits and for merchants to save their bacon. Durum is a new brand from Australian manufacturer Josco, just landing on these shores courtesy of Hyde, which aims to put the impact back into impact drivers. Designed to fit European and UK fasteners, Durum impact screwdriver bits deliver more torque to the tip, maximising the power of the tool itself by transferring virtually all the torque directly to the screw. This means the bits are up to 38% quicker than a torsion bit, while the precision tip offers a perfect fit to the screw for maximum efficiency and reduced cam out.

More power to the screw doesn’t come at the expense of the installer’s pocket in this instance either, as Durum bits are actually cheaper to make, with no requirement for a torsion zone to be engineered in; a cost that the manufacturer is happy to pass on to its customers. Longer-term, they’ve been tested to last as long as a premium bit, so it really is a win-win for merchants who can look forward to satisfied customers thanks to a little more power to their elbow.

For more information on the Durum range and to get stock today contact your local sales rep or contact our sales office on 0121 7042324.

Extensive, expensive and time-consuming touch-up work prior to galvinizing is a thing of the past thanks to the latest launch from Markal; the Galvanizer's Removable Paint Marker.

Simple to use to make durable marks on steel during fabrication, the marks are designed to be removed completely during the pickling process prior to galvanizing. Weather resistant, fast drying and xylene free, the Markal Galvanizer's Removable Paint Marker boasts a durable acrylic nib that marks precisely on smooth, rough and rusty metal surfaces.

With a marking range of 20°F to 130°F, the marker can be used on a wide range of materials aside from metal, including rubber, rood, plastic, stone and glass. Available in a choice of white or yellow, the Markal Galvanizer's Removable Marker is an essential tool for the tradesman’s toolbag.

Product Features

• Durable paint marks during fabrication. Marks are removed completely during the pickling process
• More marks per marker - more than 2x longer write-out vs leading competitor
• Fast drying and xylene free
• Weather resistant paint formula
• Durable acrylic nib marks on smooth, rough and rusty metal surfaces
• Medium bullet tip nib makes precise marks
• Marking range: -20°F to 130°F (-29°C to 55°C)
• Choice of white or yellow

View the products here

The new Kaptiv ™ line of Base boots is a youthful style of work boots featuring i-daptive ™ technology: an intelligent and active system which adapts to different conditions of use. The new patented Base Protection i-daptive ™ technology is added to the catalogue of previous innovations such as Tpu-Skin® and Dry'n Air®. 

As always, the inspiration for this latest innovation is the comfort of the worker. Kaptiv offers a complete system with multiple benefits: movement cushioning, energy dissipation and stabilisation of the foot. The Kaptiv ™ line of footwear, thanks to the i-daptive ™ patent, can be suitably worn on a variety of surfaces and is suitable for use whether the job requires indoor or outdoor work. Kaptiv ™ is comfortable when you are continuously moving around on the jobsite and when you are crouching in one fixed position while working in a task. In both cases, i-daptive ™ is highly flexible and dissipates the energy created from contact between the footwear and the floor, reducing the painful consequences that can be felt along the legs, up to the spinal column.

The new i-daptive ™ technology stabilises your walk to correct posture and help bring the foot back on axis, thereby reducing the risk of trauma and dislocations. The system manages to neutralise uneven or rough terrain like the presence of gravel, making everything feel more stable underfoot. One of the smartest benefits from i-daptive ™ is the way in which it optimises the pace and rebound, as being appropriate either for extreme conditions or during normal movements on flat surfaces. Each of us places our feet differently. It is for this reason that we often see wear on the inside or outside of the soles of shoes. i-daptive ™ constantly addresses this issue, too, and it helps to ensure the foot remains on a stable axis at all times.

View the full BASE range here

Comfortable, protected, affordable and vegan-friendly, welcome to the Izar Top and Matar Top safety boots - new for 2018 from BASE, the stylish Italian safety footwear manufacturers. 

MATAR TOP - B958

The Matar Top is suitable for many types of light trades from plastering and carpentry to driving and fork lifts, but the inclusion of Electro Static Discharge protection also makes it suitable for working with electronics and in manufacturing assembly environments, too. The premium quality synthetic microfibre makes the boot suitable for vegans. With a water-resistant upper and PU over-cap, it is extra hard-wearing and a great investment.

The boot’s 100% metal-free toe cap helps to make it one of the lightest and most comfortable safety boots on the market, with a pre-sharped protective bend to guard against accidental detachment for more peace of mind.

Suitable for every type of floor with a high slip resistance, the Matar Top boot is also good for the health of your feet, with built-in anti-bacterial protection to protect against bacteria and bad odours and BASE’s Dry ‘n Air ESD technology resulting in high breathability to keep feet dry and rested all day long. 

View the Matar Top safety boot here

IZAR TOP - B951

A great all-rounder, the Izar Top is an S3 safety boot suitable for general, multi-trade use, perfect for many types of trades people including plasterers, plumbers, carpenters, fork truck drivers, warehouse operatives and van drivers.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians due to the synthetic microfibre rather than leather, the BASE Izar Top boot is extremely comfortable for everyday wear, featuring the latest technology to keep feet feeling cushioned, fresh and free of blisters.

Keeping feet cushioned and protected all day long, the BASE Izar Top boot has a flexible and light anti-fatigue sole to guard against tired feet thanks to its AirTech feature, with the best classification for slip resistance making it safe to wear on all surfaces.

Featuring SmellStop technology, feet are kept healthy and odours reduced, with an antibacterial lining helping to ensure they always smell fresh and clean. 

View the Izar Top safety boot here

New from Stabila and available from Hyde is the LAX 50 G cross line laser, making light work of measuring across large ranges. Giving an unrivalled level of accuracy on tasks such as tiling walls, the device produces sharp, bright laser lines on any surface thanks to the GREENBEAM technology from Stabila and is very simple to use.

Meeting all safety criteria of laser class 2 ensuring safe, comfortable operation, the LAX 50 G produces vertical and horizontal laser lines and has a wide range of attachment options making it a versatile piece of kit.

The laser has an integrated clamping device for fastening to pipes and a tripod connection thread, supported by an on/off automatic pendulum locking mechanism and rotating multi-purpose platform with a strong rare-earth magnet system.

The Stabila LAX 50 G cross line laser comes with a belt pouch and batteries, with a telescopic laser support and tripod available as optional extras, providing tradesmen with everything they need to carry out fast, accurate measurements. 

View the Stabila LAX50G here

Opening up new possibilities when screwing or gluing boards together at 90° angles, the Wolfcraft Corner Clamp allows for simple, one-handed operation. 

Ideal for tasks such as assembling shelves, small cupboards or frames, the Corner Clamp achieves a strong, secure clamping force and provides a flat surface. Suitable for boards from 10 to 22mm thick, with automatic adjustment, the clamp makes jobs such as shelf building much easier, with drilling and screw driving carried out simultaneously and one hand kept free for the workpiece.

Non-slip padded jaw grips hold the material firmly in place without marking, making the Wolfcraft Corner Clamp an important mounting aid for joining boards together and for corner and T-joints, even with different board thicknesses.

View the wolfcraft corner clamps here