• Bosch SDS-Plus rotary hammer drills: The GBH 36 VF-Li is a new offer from Bosch, available for just £439.00 +VAT. This package includes a Quick Change Chuck and THREE 36v 2.6Ah batteries for a limited time only. Prefer mains-powered machines? The GBH 2-26 DRE is still on offer at just £95.00 +VAT.
• Bosch 18v Combi Drill Kits: The Bosch GSB 18 V-Li combi drill has always been a customer favourite, so we are now offering even more kits! The GSB/GKS twinpack is a limited edition pack containing the combi drill, circular saw, 2 x 4.0Ah Li-ion batteries and charger in an L-Boxx, available at the great price of £379.00 +VAT. The GSB GDR kit is one of our best sellers, so we’re keeping this combi drill/impact driver kit at £239.00 +VAT.
• 10.8v Cordless Kits: First on the list is our limited edition Bosch GSR 10.8-2-Li kit – a drill driver that comes packaged with a drilling and screwdriving set in a handy kitbag – available for just £82.50 +VAT. If you are looking to start a 10.8v tool kit then this next deal might be right up your street. We have the Bosch 10.8v triple pack, which includes a combi drill, an impact driver and a torch packaged with 2 x 1.3Ah Li-ion batteries in an L-Boxx, currently available at the low price of £165.00 +VAT. Prefer DeWalt? Then check out the DCZ211S2R, now available for just £137.00 +VAT.
• The Bosch GOP 250 CE Pro Kit is not only now at the low price of £169.00 +VAT, but on top of the 48 accessories already included this new kit also includes THIRTY free AIZ20EC plunge saw blades that would usually cost you over £170 +VAT.
• The Panasonic EY7880 28.8v SDS-Plus rotary hammer drill is still priced at £329.00 +VAT, but now includes a free Panasonic jacket.
• Panasonic Twin Packs: the EYC210 14.4v drill driver and dual-voltage impact driver kit is available with a free Panasonic polo shirt in a kitbag or carry case for just £275.00 +VAT, and the EYC208 18.0v combi drill and dual voltage impact driver kit now includes a free Panasonic jacket for a total of £329.00 +VAT.
• The Panasonic EY78A1 dual voltage SDS-Plus rotary hammer drill is currently available in a special kit - 1 x 18.0v Li-ion battery, 1 x 14.4v Li-ion battery, charger, EY37C1 torch and carry case, all for £349.00 +VAT
• And finally: the Makita EK6100 petrol saw is currently priced at just £449.00 +VAT and packaged with a free Makita water tank.

Thank you again for fantastic customer care!

- Mike Kaye

(View our Paslode Repair Service page here)

1.  arranging for the swift collection of my Paslode IM65
2. reassembling the nail gun which I had foolishly dismantled
3. servicing said item & replacing numerous parts
4. replacing faulty plug adaptor .
5. completing works and returning tool in 2 days

Also before works were undertaken I was notified of the cost which I gladly agreed too. I have fired approx 3000 nails without a misfire , gun works as new. Impressed with service and will be using Kelvin Power Tools regularly to service maintain the Paslode brad gun.

Many Thanks

Chris Davies, Carpenter @ Perfection Flooring

(View our Paslode Repair Service page here)

- John

(View our Paslode Repair Service page here)

The faulty tool was couriered away the same day I made the call, and was returned the same week for a fraction of the cost I was expecting.

Amazing service for an amazing price; will definitely use you again!

- Alex

(View our Paslode Repair Service page here)

• Our new and improved checkout process should make the buying process quicker and easier for everyone.
• The new live search feature will make searching for specific products quicker and easier.
• We are looking forward to ramping up the special offers this year, and we now have a Newsletter Signup box at the bottom of  our homepage, so you can make sure you stay up to date and never miss out on a deal. We will also send out newsletters informing our customers of special deals, manufacturer demo days, Paslode training days, and other events. But don’t worry, we are strictly spam-free!
• Delivery costs and times are often complicated, especially for the Highlands and Islands, and the new postcode-check feature in the basket will make it much easier for our customers to find out exactly what DPD’s delivery terms are for their area.
• We have now included the facility for product reviews on every product page, to help make sure that you always make the right decision. Please leave any reviews, no matter how long or short, and help your fellow tradesmen out!
• The Paslode service and repair regestration process has been streamlined, making it much easier and quicker.

We hope you like the new design and functionality. If you have any comments or questions please feel free to e-mail sales@kelvinpowertools.com and let us know. As always, we’d love to hear from you!

So What Is The Green Deal?

The Green Deal Hub describes it as a “user-friendly, flexible framework which enables private businesses to offer consumers the opportunity to make energy efficiency improvements to their homes and businesses without the upfront capital costs.”

The main aim is to improve the energy efficiency of buildings throughout the UK in order to reduce carbon emissions to the target set for 2050. Britain’s ageing buildings are some of the least-energy efficient in the world, accounting for 38 per cent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions according to government figures. There is a general consensus across the energy industry and government that improving the energy efficiency of homes is the best way to tackle the growing problem of people being able to afford to heat their homes whilst also dealing with growing concerns about the environment. However, critics have said that the Green Deal is not enough, and that the government has effectively just transfered the responsibility of tackling fuel poverty from themselves to energy companies.

Another important goal is to generate new job opportunities throughout the construction industry for both skilled and unskilled workers. The Department of Energy and Climate Change suggests that he Green Deal could create up to 250,000 new jobs over the next decade. The main benefit for the public is the reduced energy costs that will come as a result of improving the energy efficiency of their houses, which is especially important in a time when energy bills are escalating sharply.

The energy saving measures available include improvements such as the installation of double- and triple-glazing, efficient Green Deal boilers, improved insulation, and perhaps even solar panels and wind turbines.

The overall process certainly appears to be simple:

1. The potential customer contacts a Green Deal Provider, who will then send an accredited adviser to undertake a property assessment and report back to them.
2. Using this information, the Green Deal Provider recommends a package that is appropriate to the customer’s needs and budget.
3. After obtaining any necessary permissions the customer can then sign up to the Deal, and the Green Deal Provider will then source an accredited installer to make all necessary changes to the property.
4. Once these changes are complete, the Green Deal Provider updates the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) register and informs the customer’s energy supplier of the changes.
5. The energy supplier then updates their records and places an additional charge on the customer’s bill until such time as the energy improvements have been totally paid for.
6. The money from this additional charge then goes from the energy company to the Green Deal Provider to pay for their services.

Despite this additional charge being added to the customer’s energy bill they should end up paying less than before, as the total cost of the measures must add up to less than the estimated energy savings, and the payback period must be no longer than the length of time that the improvements will last.

The fact that the costs come in repayment form is also a benefit to the public as they do not have the worry of a huge upfront cost. Although, as with anything bought with credit, the total cost is higher than it would be if it was paid for upfront.

The costs are associated with the property rather than the customer, so there is no risk of the customer needing to move property but still having to take the Green Deal costs with them without getting the benefit.

Basically, the “Golden Rule” set by the government is: The expected financial savings must be equal to or greater than the costs attached to the energy bill.

For more information, visit The Green Deal Hub’s website. There you will find an excellent range of information for home owners, installers, and advisers, as well as more general details such as training information and a business directory. Green Deal Central also have an excellent Installer Guide, available here. Find out more about becomming a Green Deal Product Manufacturer by clicking here.

Keep an eye out for “Part 2: What are the major concerns for the public?”

Excellent service A+++ look forward to using you again.

Regards, Paul ( a very satisfied customer )

So what are the basic requirements of a safety boot? In general, the safety element of a pair of boots is made up of 4 main components:

• Steel toe-cap. This protects your feet from being crushed by falling objects such as concrete, wood and tools. This is important protection, as being struck by moving/falling objects caused 937 injuries in the UK construction industry during 2011/12p. Steel toe-caps also prevent accidental damage from projectiles such as nails fired from a nail gun.
• Steel midsole. This protects you in the event that you step on something sharp such as nail or broken glass. It is important to note that some boots use multi-layer textile composite midsoles, but steel is a much better option as it is stronger, its quality is more consistent, and it is much less likely to become loose through regular wear.
• Grip. There are all sorts of conditions that could result in a slippery surface – a burst pipe, spilled liquids, polished floors, or just good ol’ British rain! According to the HSE, 25% of major UK construction injuries in 2011/12p (558 injuries) were caused by slips, trips and falls on the level, and this risk can be reduced by a good pair of slip-proof work boots that are securely fitted.
• Support. Comfort is important when working on any project; as a professional on site it is important that you are comfortable, undistracted and completely focused on the task at hand when working with dangerous tools and equipment. Some jobsites, especially in demolition work, are littered with rubble and involve walking on very uneven ground. Boots with good foot and ankle support reduce the risk of injuries that at best may result in time off work, but at worst could involve a serious or fatal injury if the fall occurs when using a power tool.

Still don’t believe that safety boots are necessary? Well Buckler Boots have a story that might change your mind. Geoff Stevens from Hampshire was helping to maneuver precast concrete wall sections weighing in excess of 1.5 tonnes, when a section slipped and fell and landed on his right foot. Without his Buckler safety boots Geoff would have lost his toes, but the sturdy boots protected him despite being 2 years old!

Buckler Boots have also launched their own safety campaign that is worth noting here, called “Sling Those Hooks!” To lace many safety boots you must wind the laces through hooks at the top of the boot rather than pull them through holes. The problem is that these hooks don’t only hook when you want them to! There have been incidences of hooks catching on the laces on the opposite boot, catching on wire fences, and catching on twine on the ground. This can lead to serious injury or even death if you are on a ladder or up on scaffolding. In fact, the HSE have found that falls from height made up 29% of serious injuries (647 injuries) and 51% of fatalities (25 fatalities) in the construction industry in 2011/12p, so reducing this risk even slightly with the removal of lace hooks is definitely worth it. Even on the ground, tripping over your laces could prove very painful if carrying a heavy load or working around active power tools.

Safety boots come in many styles – lace up, slip on, hiking boots, Wellington boots, and even have sneaker-style! Other important features to consider when choosing boots are water resistance, flexibility, robustness of materials used, and overall comfort. But don’t forget the most important feature: the safety.

Note: All HSE statistics taken from the report “Construction: Work Related Injuries and Ill Health”