Articles


All Articles Frequently Asked Questions Product Focused

18

Oct
Polymer adhesive showdown: Stuck-It Extreme vs. the CT1

There are several things to factor in when picking what polymer adhesive to use. Cost, performance, what’s in it, smell…a lot of boxes must be ticked before deciding. It’s an important decision as it’s imperative that whatever polymer adhesive you use doesn’t lead to snagging. Snagging can cause you a lot of issues, which is inconvenient, to put it mildly. The last thing you’ll need is to spend more time fixing something that could’ve been done right the first time of asking. When time is money, this is an extra task you don’t need. As such, getting the right sealant is crucial. This is one of the reasons why Multifix opted to own-brand the Stuck-It Extreme. A premium performance polymer adhesive and sealant, it’s been used by you for many a project with great effect. In fact, it’s certainly proved popular with you as it’s on our top five most popular Multifix own-brand products list. However, it is not the market-leading product and nor would we pretend it to be. That honour lies with the CT1, which – like the Hoover – is so good that it’s the go-to name for polymer adhesive now. But how does it compare to the CT1? Can it match it in performance, can it beat it on price, is there anything it can do differently? Those are the questions we will be looking at for this article, as we explore the pros and cons of both products and how they fare against each other. While we own-brand the Stuck-It Extreme, we will be objective in our comparison. What are the pros for the CT1? The CT1 is a solvent-free polymer adhesive, which is UV resistant and can work in both wet and dry conditions. It doesn’t shrink after application, it’s weather resistant and it is also odourless. In addition, it is extremely resistant to chemicals and vibration, which makes it ideal for areas with lots of traffic or heavy winds. It is also fast curing and has a high-strength grab. What makes it very handy though is that it comes in a plethora of colours. You can get the CT1 in nine colours, including white, clear, black, beige and grey. There is no difference in cost for a different colour either, which is very useful. It has also acquired certification from the Norwegian Asthma and Allergy Association. This further emphasises how safe it is to use in a household. And the cons of the CT1? The cost of the CT1 is significantly higher than either version of the Stuck-It Extreme. In fact, the clear Stuck-It Extreme is less than half the price of a CT1. Given that the CT1 is seen as the market leader, it’s possible these prices are set because of that. However, that isn’t especially helpful when you can get two similarly performing cartridges for the same price as one. With the CT1, you do get an excellent, brilliantly marketed product that has many strengths and can be used on a variety of surfaces. But that comes at a cost. We aren’t just talking about £1 or £2 difference, either. It’s either 41% or 55% more expensive than the Stuck-It Extreme, which is a big difference. What about the pros of the Stuck-It Extreme? The Stuck-It Extreme can do everything listed in the first two sentences for the CT1 pros. Performance-wise, there really isn’t a great deal between the pair and that is something that has taken a lot of effort. The main pro for the Stuck-It Extreme is its price tag. There are two variants of the Stuck-It Extreme that you can buy; white or clear. The white variant has a list price of £6.23 ex. VAT, while the clear version has a list price of £8.14 ex. VAT. Both cartridges are 290ml, which is the same as the CT1. For context, a 290ml cartridge of CT1 has a list price of £13.80, so the cost difference between the two is very notable. And what cons does the Stuck-It Extreme have? Unlike the CT1, the Stuck-It Extreme only comes in two colours – clear and white. In addition, the clear one has a higher list price than the white one, with a £1.91 difference between the two. By contrast, the CT1 has nine different colours and they are all priced the same. While the clear Stuck-It Extreme does cost more to make, it is a jump between the two and can be seen as off-putting. The lack of aesthetic choices does present a problem as well, which is a problem the CT1 doesn’t have, thanks to its wide selection. Finally, the mere fact it’s a competitor can be seen as a con, due to CT1’s brand superiority. As we touched upon earlier, no-one refers to a vacuum cleaner as that – they just call it a Hoover. It’s no different with a polymer adhesive, which people subconsciously refer to as a CT1. Shaking that is difficult as people want products that have stood the test of time for years. How do I choose between the two? The things we mentioned at the start of the article – performance, what’s in it and smell – are all pretty even. Both are solvent-free, both have very high performance levels and both are odourless. Choosing between the two will come down to two things; your budget and the materials you’re working with on your project. If you are working with something with a brown, oak or beige-coloured surface, then you can get a better aesthetic fit with the CT1. However, if price is your primary concern, then you can get a similarly performing product in the Stuck-It Extreme for much less than you’d pay for a CT1. If you would like to find out more about the Stuck-It Extreme, then a member of our expert team would be happy to assist you. You can find out how to do so here.  Equally, if you would like to look at purchasing it, you can do so here.

16

Dec
5 Common Fire Door Faults

Fire doors are an essential part of the fire safety protocol in many residential buildings. Due to the importance, it must be carried out by a professional in the field who not only knows which specified products to use but is specifically trained in the installation of fire doors. The fire suppressing capabilities of a fire door can be compromised if not correctly installed. So what should you consider when fitting a fire door? Here are the 5 most common installation faults; Faulty Fire Seals 61% of fire or smoke seals on Fire Doors do not comply with the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005. All fire doors need a gap between the perimeter of the door and the frame so it can function correctly. However, to be complaint, an intumescent fire or smoke seal is required. This expands to minimise the amount of smoke and fire getting through the perimeter gap in the event of a fire. Incorrect Signage 1 in 3 fire doors have signage that display incorrect or outdated information. Fire door signage must be kept up to date as it is used to guide people in an emergency and to instruct people to keep the fire door shut at all times. Fire Door Damage 15% of fire doors have visible damage that could prove fatal in a fire. The door leaf is an important component of a fire door, and it must sit properly against the door stop. To work effectively, it must be free of distortion and any dents or holes. Unsuitable Hinges 1 in 5 fire doors have unsuitable hinges. Fire doors must have a minimum of 3 hinges all secured with the right sized screws and be free of metal fragments and oil leakage. All non-combustible packing should be removed. Excessive Gaps 34% of fire doors have excessive gaps between the door and the frame. Gaps of more than 3 mm between a fire door and its frame will not hold back fire, smoke, or gasses in an emergency situation. Excessive gaps also fuel the fire by enabling oxygen to get through and can collapse easily when a fire hose is used. Fitting a Fire Door? Look at our 750ml Fire Door Foam by Fire & Acoustic Seals. 

02

Oct
The two key things to look for in a brickwork supplier

When it comes to choosing your brickwork supplier, you need to know you’re in safe hands. Poor service or quality can lead to delays, lost revenue and even a damaged reputation. As such, you must know exactly what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up with anyone. At Multifix, we have been supplying contractors in the construction industry for over 30 years now. In that time, we’ve picked a few things up along the way. Given brickwork is one of our specialist sectors, we believe we have found a winning formula to give you what you need when shopping for supplies. With that in mind, we have listed the two main things you need to find out when you’re looking for a brickwork supplier. Do they stock the best brickwork products? With brickwork especially, you must be using good products. Whether it be for durability, weather resistance or structural integrity, shortcuts are quickly exposed. As such, having proven products is essential. It’s one of the main reasons why we stock leading brands, such as ARC, Vista, Timlock, Rytons and Ancon. In addition, we are proud to be a premium distributor of industry leaders Visqueen and their DPC. For those unaware, DPC is short for damp-proof course membrane and stops moisture rising through walls or floors in homes. Taking this into account, when you’re looking at who to be your supplier, check to see exactly what kind of products they have. If you see their ranges or product agreements and don’t feel confident in what you’re seeing, even if it’s cheap, walk away and find someone else. If you’re using excessively cheap products, there’s a good chance things will end up being more expensive for you in the long run. This is because the materials will likely have to be replaced when you could’ve got it right the first time of asking. Exactly what kind of service is the brickwork supplier providing? If the supplier you’re after has a product range that you can trust and feel comfortable about using, then the next thing to determine is how they operate. There are quite a few things here you have to consider. Is next-day delivery an option? If so, what is the latest time to order? And do I have to pay for the delivery? On the topic of delivery, will my goods come on a courier or will they be delivered by a van as part of the company’s fleet? How about their customer service team? Are they reachable at all times during the business day, or is it email contact only? When it comes to ordering, how can I do so? Is it only by phone or by email, or is there an online portal? Every single one of these questions will have to be asked and the information should be very easy to discover. What do Multifix offer? In our case, we do offer next-day delivery and the cut-off time is 5pm. However, for pallet couriers and nationwide delivery, the cut-off time is 4pm. We also have a minimum order value of £50 for free delivery.   Depending on where you are ordering from, your delivery will come on one of our own vans, driven by one of our own drivers. You can check every postcode that we deliver to here.  Our knowledgeable customer service team is available 8:30-5 via phone, WhatsApp or email and will take orders for you. Equally, we do have an online customer portal you can use for ordering. If you come across a company that isn’t being transparent in what they offer, you are better off avoiding them altogether. Choosing a brickwork supplier that is right for you Like we said at the beginning, what matters most is that you have a supplier that is right for you. They need to be able to work to your schedule. The chances are, if you can find one with a good product range and with good service, you’ll be onto a winner. In turn, this makes your life a lot easier as you can order with confidence and build a great relationship with that supplier. If you wish to speak with us about the possibility of being your brickwork sundries supplier, or even recommending one, you can get in contact with us here.

16

Aug
Comparing the Paslode IM350+ and IM360XI: which nail gun is right for you?

For many carpenters, the Paslode IM350+ is one of the most reliable nail guns on the market. You’ve likely used it for many jobs, it’s never let you down and it’s something you’d recommend. But, the introduction of the IM360XI somewhat complicates things. Is it better? Can it make your work more efficient or easier? Is it cheaper to maintain? As Multifix, we stock both products and the nails for them, these are questions we’re asked by carpenters who are always exploring how they can do their job better. The truth is, you might not actually need to change. With some unsure in which direction to go in, we’ve put together a comparison article that identifies the pros and cons of each product. After reading this article, you’ll be able to identify what each nail gun does and which one is best for your needs. The IM350+ and IM360XI – what’s the difference? For those of you who have read our Your Paslode questions answered article, you’ll know that the long and short of it is that the IM350+ is lighter. However, the IM360XI is more powerful and much more technologically advanced. They also both require different gas cells. Perhaps the main key difference is the type of nail, though. The IM350+ will only take clipped head nails, or D head nails. By contrast, the IM360XI will only take full roundhead nails. Aside from that though, they are very similar. The nail length range on both is 50-90mm and it’s the same 2.1 Ah Li-ion battery for both as well, which takes 90 minutes to recharge. Additionally, both will manage two to three fixings per second, which equates to around 1000 fixings per hour. Now, we’ll delve into the specifics to help you understand each product better. Weight and handling As mentioned above, the IM350+ is a lighter nail gun than the IM360XI. There isn’t much in it – half a kilogram, in fact (3.3kg vs 3.8kg) – but it’s lighter nonetheless. You may think half a kilogram doesn’t mean much, but it has a huge impact on the levels of vibration both emit. The vibration value in metres per second squared for the IM350+ is 2.6kg, whereas on the IM360XI it’s 3.9kg. That’s quite the difference in kickback. The IM350+ is also smaller than the IM360XI, which makes sense given the weight difference. The IM350+ is 370 x 305 x 110mm, while the IM360XI is 381 x 328 x 127mm. There’s also quite a difference in noise, too. The IM350+ is quieter than the IM360XI, with the sound level of the IM350+ being 89 dB (A), compared to 96 dB (A) for the IM360XI. Taking everything into account then, the IM350+ is easier to handle, lighter, quieter and doesn’t vibrate as much. Winner: IM350+ Power and performance While the IM360XI isn’t as light or compact as the IM350+, it certainly makes up for that in other areas.  With the IM360XI, you will get 1250 shots from each gas cell. By contrast, the IM350+ will give you 1100, so you get 150 extra shots with the IM360XI.  Most impressively though, you will get 13,000 shots per battery charge with the IM360XI. This is a huge upgrade on the IM350+, which will give you 9000 shots per battery charge.  The IM360XI is also significantly more powerful than the IM350+. In terms of impact force per shot, the IM360XI will give you 105 joules, while the IM350+ will give you 82. As far as power-to-weight goes then, the IM360 really does pack a huge punch.  There is a slight caveat, however. The magazine capacity for the IM360XI is 47 nails, whereas on the IM350+, it’s 55 nails.  Despite that though, the IM360XI is head and shoulders above the IM350+ when it comes to power and performance. Winner: IM360XI Technology, nails and cost  Nail gun technology Given the IM360XI is a much newer model, there’s no surprise that it comes with a few gadgets that the IM350+ doesn’t have. Aside from the obligatory on/off switch, both also come with a rafter and belt hook. Where they differ though, is that the IM360 has a battery and fuel gauge, in addition to a Start & Go sensor. The Start & Go sensor is essentially a power-saving tool, as it turns the battery off if there hasn’t been any movement for 60 seconds. This is great for conserving battery life. The battery and fuel gauge is very useful as it tells you exactly how much gas and juice is left in your cell and battery respectively. For something so simple, it’s odd that the IM350+ doesn’t have this function. Naturally, this leads to some unpleasant surprises as your IM350+ can suddenly stop working due to the battery or gas cell running out. This is at least prevented with the IM360, allowing you more control over the nail gun. The nails themselves Moving onto nails and as stated earlier, they are rather different. The IM350+ only takes clipped or D head screws, which allows the user to stack them closer together. The IM360XI meanwhile, only takes full-sized roundhead screws. It is crucial to note that you can’t swap them over – IM350+ nails will not work with the IM360XI and vice versa. On average, IM360XI nails are around £4-8 cheaper per pack than IM350+ nails. As an example, the nail/fuel pack straight shank 3.1 x 90mm for the IM360XI list price is £71.92 after VAT. The nail/fuel pack smooth shank 90 x 3.1mm nails for the IM350+ however, has a list price of £79.96 after VAT. Despite the nails being cheaper for the IM360 though, there’s a good chance the contractor-supplied nails for a job are for the IM350+. This is because the IM350+ is still hugely popular, so the natural assumption is that it is being used for the project. Cost of each nail gun  As for the cost of the nail gun itself, it’s a dead heat. Both list prices are exactly the same – £527.99 after VAT. You can purchase the IM350+ here or the IM360XI here.   Technology winner – IM360XI  Nail cost winner – IM360XI  Product cost winner – draw  The IM350+ - who is it right for? There is a reason why the IM350+ is so popular among carpenters and even with the IM360 being on the market, that won’t change. It’s very easy to use, the nails for it are more accessible, it’s light and mobile – there are a lot of pros for using it. It all depends on how you work. If you like something light, reliable and doesn’t kick back despite having some power behind it, this is perfect. It’s very compact, it isn’t as loud and it’ll let you get the job done quickly. The IM360XI – who is it right for? Equally, if you want something with more punch, then the IM360 is the best fit for you. It does everything that the IM350+ can do and does it better. There’s more capacity, more shots per charge and cell and more power. This comes at a cost of being heavier, louder and with more vibration, but it’s also more efficient thanks to its technology. It’s amazing how something so simple can be such a huge point of difference, but being able to see how much charge/gas you have left is very important. What to choose? Ultimately, this depends on preference. There’s no doubt the IM360XI is a better nail gun, but it’s also not as easy to handle as the IM350+. Also, the accessibility point is something to consider. It would be very annoying, to put it mildly, to turn up to a job with an IM360XI and find there are only IM350+ nails supplied. In truth, both are outstanding products. Paslode has essentially taken a great nail gun and found a way to make it better. It doesn’t mean the old one is suddenly bad, as both will be a huge asset for any project. You are now armed with the information to make an informed decision based on your preference, though. And knowing this information, you can make a decision that’s best for your purposes and needs. If you would like to speak to an advisor about our Paslode range, you can do so here. Equally, you can buy the IM350+ here or the IM360XI here. If you are after the nails themselves, you can find those here.

01

Sep
Multifix Stuck It vs Grab It: Comparing benefits and uses

Finding a quality polymer adhesive can be something of a challenge. Whether it’s CT1, Stix All or Sticks Like, you need to have full confidence that it will hold because otherwise, it’ll cause huge complications.   If the adhesive isn’t strong enough, then the materials simply won’t stick. You may have to compensate for that by using excessive amounts and still might have the same problem. As such, you must use a good one.   That is why at Multifix, we have branched out and come up with our own! We have both the Stuck-It Extreme and the Grab-It, which are both solvent-free. They are versatile, high-strength products for bonding virtually any construction material.   They’re products we’re extremely proud to have our name attached to and it’s been brilliant to see so many of you using them with great results.  However, we are often asked what the differences between the two are. To avoid confusion and to prevent you from buying the wrong one by mistake, we have put together a pros and cons list for you. We understand that by having our name attached to both items, you may feel we’re being biased. But, we feel we’ve been as objective as we can, as ultimately, you having the right product means more to us than selling something you don’t need. The article will explain fully what each one does and which one is better for what application, allowing you to know exactly which one is which.  What is the difference between the Stuck-It and the Grab-It? We’ll start with the similarities first. Both have a polymer-based formula and both are solvent-free, which makes them safer to use in a closed space.  Solvent-based polymers are not only highly flammable, but also harm the environment.  In addition, prolonged exposure to solvent-based polymers can lead to health issues for people, so it was imperative to make a product VOC-free Also, both can be used on wet or damp surfaces. Both can even be used for underwater applications, should the need arise.  The differences come in what they are used for. The Stuck-It Extreme is designed to seal gaps where both a strong and waterproof finish is needed. It is also used for bonding materials, such as metal, wood, glass and plastic.  In addition, it’s used for movement joints and is ideal if you want to hang mirrors, as it won’t bleed or damage the finish.  The Grab-It, on the other hand, is used for anything you would otherwise use a panel adhesive for. It is also designed to bond skirtings and architraves.  Also, if you make the surface slightly damp before you apply the Grab-It, the bond will not only be better, but will also cure a lot faster.  Stuck-It Extreme – the pros The main pro for the Stuck-It Extreme is that it is not only an adhesive, but can also be used as a sealant. Given its multi-purpose, it saves you from having to buy a sealant as well as an adhesive.  It will also save you money in general, as price-wise, it is cheaper than several popular brands in the market.  This includes the likes of CT1, Stix All and Sticks Like.  This doesn’t necessarily mean that you get less from it as a result, as it can also be applied universally. Whether it’s to replace silicone, or to be used as a panel adhesive, the Stuck-It Extreme can do it. It can even replace screws or nails in many situations.  For example, a bathroom mirror. Finally, there are several different colours for the Stuck-It Extreme, depending on what you need to do. It is available in clear, brown, black or white, so there’s a lot of versatility.   Grab-It – the pros   As per the name, the Grab-It is a specialist grab adhesive. It has a very high initial grab and there is also very little slip, meaning there’s less effort and time spent on clamping and fixing the material.  The main pro, however, is down to what’s inside the Grab-It. The Grab-It is devised from a polymer-based formula, which means it is VOC-free. It also doesn’t emit any heavy vapours, so it won’t smell when using it or leave any unpleasant, lingering aromas.  Given many contractors will prefer a VOC-free product, this is a big bonus.  Another pro for the Grab-It is that reduces snagging thanks to its grab and strength. The last thing any new homeowner wants is to do a check of their property and find there are defects or that things aren’t fitted properly. With the Grab-It, the possibility of snagging drops significantly thanks to these advantages.   Finally, you get a lot of value for money with the Grab-It. It comes in a large 350ml tube, which is 60ml more than what you get in the Stuck-It Extreme.  Also, it’s comparatively priced with more standard panel adhesives, so you get more for what you pay for.  Stuck-It Extreme – the cons While the Stuck-It Extreme doubles up as an adhesive and a sealant, the initial grab for it isn’t as good as the Grab-It. By grab, we mean the connection between the two materials and the product. This is naturally an issue and means that if you are interested in the Stuck-It Extreme, you’ll have to make sure it’s right for your project.  In addition, from a cost perspective, it also costs more than the Grab-It. The Stuck-It Extreme costs £6.23 ex. VAT for the white one, or £8.18 ex. VAT for the clear one.     The clear one costs more as it’s a more expensive product to produce, so we would advise using white unless you need the clear one.   By contrast, the Grab-It costs £4.08 ex. VAT, so at least £2 cheaper than both, although trade discounts are available.  Grab-It – the cons The biggest con for the Grab-It is that it is only for use as an adhesive – it can’t be used as a sealant as well. While its strengths lie in one area, if you are looking for something to do both, this isn’t the product for you.  In addition, if you need to take it down for whatever reason, it could leave a notable mark on the wall. This is because it’s only available in white, so this will need to be considered before purchase.   Finally, we have discovered that if a completely flushed fit is required, the Grab-It can be slightly thick when applied.  This isn’t great aesthetically and in this instance, you would be better off using something better suited.  Stuck-It Extreme – who is it right for? If you want a sealant as well as an adhesive, then the Stuck-It Extreme is a great fit for you. Equally, if you also have a tighter budget and still want a product that is up to the task, it’s a good solution.  Given it’s very versatile and covers a variety of different applications, it’s right for someone who wants something of an all-rounder.  Also, the white option means it will cover just about any task that you need it for. This is especially important for those who need work done in bathrooms and kitchens. If you don’t need white, the clear option is available too.  Grab-It – who is it right for? If it’s something with a great grab that you want, then the Grab-It is the answer. This is especially the case if potential cosmetic issues aren’t too much of a concern, as it only comes in white.   Also, to save yourself from potentially having to do something twice, the Grab-It will ensure you won’t need to do much snagging.  The fact you get 350ml for £4.90 as well means that you are getting a lot of value for money, but it won’t be suited to someone needing a completely flush fit. For example, cabinet doors or flooring materials would require an alternative product. The next steps This article was to make you aware of the differences between the Stuck-It Extreme and the Grab-It and by now, you’ll know that.  More importantly, you’ll know which is right for your project. We don’t want people buying the wrong thing from us, we want you to get the right product the first time around.  We very much believe in both the Stuck-It Extreme and the Grab-It, which is why we’re proud to have our name on it. But, it has to be the right product for you, which is also why we made this article.  If you would like to purchase the Stuck-It Extreme, you can do so here. Alternatively, if you want to buy the Grab-It, you can do that here.   Our team are also available for contact for any further questions you might have, all you have to do is follow this link to find out how. 

04

Aug
Multifix’s PPE: Enhancing safety and protection

PPE is naturally a hugely vital part of the job. Whether it’s a hi-vis, a helmet or eye protection, in order to work in the construction sector, you’re going to need PPE. It can’t just be any PPE, either. PPE such as helmets, head protection and gloves all need to be at an EN standard; otherwise, you won’t be deemed safe when on a site.  One issue we keep hearing about is finding a reliable provider of PPE, to help you with your projects and tasks. This is where we come in.  By no means are we suggesting that we are PPE specialists, but we do have a lot of PPE in stock, ready for immediate dispatch, to help you get the job done.  Our PPE comes from a number of manufacturers and is professionally graded. We can also get it to you as soon as possible, thanks to our fleet of dedicated drivers.  To give you an idea of what we have in stock, here is a rundown of the PPE that we have available.  Unbranded helmets and hi-vis The primary form of PPE in the workplace is either a hi-vis or a helmet – and we have lots of both in supply. The only caveat to this is that it is all unbranded, but if that isn’t an issue, then we have everything and more that you’ll need.  Be it orange or yellow hi-vis waistcoats, waterproof bomber jackets with a hood or orange hi-vis trousers, we can have you fully kitted out.  As far as safety helmets go, we stock these in a number of different colours. Our helmets come in an assortment of colours with additional add-ons, if needed. Boots No matter if you’re a size four or a size 12, we’ll have a pair of steel-capped boots for you. Our range of boots comes in either black or honey leather, so there is some slight choice in colour.  It’s important to work in comfort, but also to work knowing your feet are safe in the event of anything happening.  Gloves and sleeves Whether it’s rigger gloves, builder’s gloves, or just disposable gloves, we have you covered.  We offer gloves either as a pair or in large boxes up to 100, depending on what it is you’re after and even have some speciality gloves in our collection as well.  Also, except for our disposable gloves or household gloves, every one of our gloves is rated at EN388. We try to have all our gloves in small, medium, large or extra-large.  In addition, we also offer an EN388-rated 350mm Kevlar sleeve with a thumbhole, to fully protect your arm when in the workplace.  Eye and ear protection It’s important to protect your senses when in the workplace, which is why we also have a number of options for your ears and eyes.  We stock EN 352-2 graded overhead ear defenders, as well as your generic earplugs. We have corded hi-vis earplugs or disposable ones that come in a box of 200. As for eyes, we stock a number of safety goggles and safety specs. Respirators and face masks Finally, our respirator and face mask options certainly go from one extreme to the other. Whether it’s a three-ply disposable face mask in a box of 50 or a JSP Powercap Infinity respirator, we’ll have something for your needs.  We also stock FFP2 valved masks, FFP3 masks and also a number of half-masks, including the JSP Force 8.  As uncomfortable as they can be, we also supply face fit tests, which can be essential depending on what mask or respirator you choose.  That is a full rundown of the type of PPE that we can offer you. If you are seeking a reliable supplier of PPE, we are more than happy to assist you in any way we can with your projects.  If you would like to find out more about the PPE offerings we have here, or our delivery service, please get in touch with us here. 

06

Sep
Five ways the Multifix customer portal can solve critical construction issues

Placing orders can be a stressful experience for Buyers and Site Managers alike. If time is of the essence, an order taking ages is far from helpful. Waiting around for a quote because there’s no price information for what you need is also very annoying. On top of that, there might also be no product description, so you’re taking a shot in the dark. All while the clock is ticking, with Contractors breathing down your neck asking for regular updates. It doesn’t have to be this way. One of the reasons why Multifix has been going strong for 30 years and counting is because we get this. We understand these pain points and the knock-on effect they can cause. It’s the reason why our core values as a company focus on doing what’s right for you; “save you time, make life easy.” It’s also the reason why we’ve designed our customer portal the way we have. We want to make your transactions as seamless as possible, leaving you with less to worry about and with more time to get the job done. We have a lot of customers who prefer to conduct their business with us over the phone – and that’s OK. We love the interactions we have with you. But what if we told you there’s an easier way? A quicker way? A less stressful way? In this article, we will show you five ways our customer portal can simplify things for you and improve your workplace productivity. 1. It’ll help you beat tight deadlines While most planning is done on a day-by-day basis, it can be a problem when you think you’ve got all you need and then suddenly, you don’t. Whether it’s a miscalculation or bad luck, finding yourself close to the end of a project without having everything to finish it is irritating.  However, with just a few clicks, our online portal can help you with that. Available at any time of day, you can pick out whatever you need and rest easy knowing your much-needed items are in safe hands. With next-day delivery as standard, you have the power to lift a huge weight from your shoulders. Also, thanks to our ‘Quick Order’ function for users, you can set your most commonly used products as your favourites, making it even faster to order. 2. You have full visibility of the cost Budgeting can be difficult. Any delay or staff issue has the potential to hurt your pocket and balancing that out against what you need to order isn’t always easy. What makes this task even harder is when you go to order something…and there’s no price. In fact, there’s no price for anything. You then ask for a quote for what you need, wait for them to put it together and bemoan how compromised your position is. If the quote comes through and it’s too high, with time running out, it certainly leaves you in a spot. With our portal, there are no surprises with our prices. You can see all of them, for whatever product you want, whenever you like. And what’s more, there are no hidden surprises or secret charges. When you shop with us through our portal, your final price will be exactly what you expect it to be – as it should be.   3. You get what you need when you order Not everyone in construction comes from a construction background and sometimes that shows. This tends to be more noticeable in the admin departments for Site Managers, especially with specifics. As an example, say you’ve got a job where you’re using a Paslode IM350+. You’re running low on your 2.8 x 51mm ring shank nails and need some more. You ask admin to get you some and the next day, you get them, but they’re for the IM360 instead, rendering them useless.  Now, this can of course come down to a lack of communication from your side and in this instance, it’s not entirely the admin’s fault. They’ve put in an order for the exact product, but because there was no description, they couldn’t see the difference and maybe thought it was a generic nail. Thankfully, those ordering from our portal will hopefully believe that’s a thing of the past. With full product descriptions for everything we stock, it’s very difficult to get something wrong. Taking the example of the screws, the admin team will go back to the site manager and ask for what size, making sure it’s the right order. Given how much confusion can wreak havoc on a site, our portal product descriptions are designed to minimise that as much as possible. 4. It can manage and control all of your orders If you’re a Carpenter, you’re probably used to your phone going off every 20 seconds or so. Whether it’s a Purchaser or a Site Manager reaching out to you, you’ll know they tend to have a lot of requests! This can be time-consuming and frustrating. It’s also very annoying when you have an order placed and then one of your team goes, “Sorry mate, can you add on one of these as well?” Well, to save you from bombardment and to prevent this, we have a requisitions section on our portal. This enables your team to order without bothering you, but gives you the power to sign off or not. All the hours spent combing through WhatsApps, texts, emails…gone. With a requisition order, someone on your team will make a provisional order, you’ll be notified by email and then you can decide whether to place it. This makes your projects much more streamlined and on top of that, will reduce your screen time on your phone. 5. It adds accountability There’s a good chance you’ve led a job, ordered what your crew asked for…and noticed a lot of it mysteriously went missing. Your team of external workers will all be professional, but everyone is prone to mistakes. In their case, it could be they’ve opened some nails and left them carelessly, they’ve been run over by a forklift and now can’t be used. Wastage is a big issue for any site and one that burns a hole in your pocket. Thanks to our requisitions section within the portal though, you can try and limit it.  This prevents workers from buying whatever they want, which offers buyers a lot of peace of mind. Should you want to, you can even hide pricing if you don’t want your workers to see what things cost when they submit their order forms. As such, you have more power and can have more accountability with your ordering and your projects, which can only be a good thing.  But, you don’t have to use it We know that old habits die hard. We also know that the mantra, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” is largely correct. And for those who used to order over the phone – and those that still do – we, of course, can facilitate that.  Our phone lines are still going to be open for you if you need advice, want to talk about delivery options or just prefer to order over the phone.  While the portal can do everything you could want in terms of an ordering perspective, it can’t give you that human touch. It won’t be able to have a chat with you, or ask how things are going, which can feel robotic to some.  As such, we understand that phoning us can be better for you. You can find out all of our contact info here and we’ll be delighted to take your call.  By no means are we saying that the portal is perfect and we have identified a number of solutions to make it better for you. We are keeping these close to our chests for now, but we are determined to make it as streamlined and helpful as possible.  After reading this article though, we hope you’ll agree that moving to the portal is the way forward. The five pain points we’ve identified can impact anyone, but by letting us help you with our portal, they can be consigned to the past.  If you would like to give it a try, you can sign up for our portal here.

20

Oct
Why has Multifix partnered with Protecta?

The passive fire protection sector is home to many outstanding companies. All of these offer revolutionary and life-saving solutions, which is hugely important.  In a strange way, that makes choosing the right one difficult. While there’s a lot of choice, you want to pick one that’s best suited for you and your needs.  As such, one question we get quite regularly is “Why have you partnered with Protecta? Why don’t you supply other fire-stopping products as well?” There are several reasons why we chose to partner with Protecta in late 2021 and it’s a decision that we believe has been an exceptional one. After reaching out to us because of our service, we’ve not looked back and it’s been a hugely productive relationship. In this article, we will highlight three of the main reasons why we wanted to partner with Protecta and how they can help you with your projects.  We want to give you full transparency as to why we’re doing what we’re doing, so this is one method of doing so.  1. We feel Protecta’s product testing is superior While the saying “if you stand still, you fall behind” is certainly true in most walks of life, it is especially pertinent in the PFP sector.  As such, Protecta are continuously testing to make sure they stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new regulations. Protecta has a dedicated testing facility in Norway, which is frequently used as they seek to add as many ratings as they can. In addition, they also regularly carry out tests at Warrington Fire. Whether it’s European Technical Assessments (ETAs) or CE-marked ratings, Protecta uses its testing facilities to the maximum to make its products as safe as possible.  In fact, every single Protecta product is CE-marked and all of them come with their own ETAs and UK Certificates of Competency (COCs).  2. Protecta are constantly developing their products Following on from testing, the development of Protecta’s products is continuous. As mentioned above, the company are always seeking to add additional ratings, thus making them safe in other aspects.  The result is that Protecta ends up with a host of innovative products, all of which comply with various fire ratings. Perhaps the most notable recent example is the 80mm FR Board. This has been developed to the point it outperforms some competitor products. The 80mm board has a 160kg density, but the FSi, Quelfire and Nullifire fire boards have a density of 140kg. This means that the Protecta board is sturdier, but it also makes it easier to cut as a result. As a rule of thumb, the denser the board, the easier it is to operate. That being said, some do prefer a lower-density board due to its flexibility when it comes to fitting into openings. However, the Protecta board will be easier to work with.  It has that improved aspect because Protecta is always working on upgrades, which is also why we have partnered with them.  3. Protecta’s technical support is outstanding As we have touched upon in our ‘The two key problems with technical support in the PFP technical sector’ article, we believe Protecta’s technical support is exceptional. Whether it’s providing assessment details with good communication, or being able to test something for you, Protecta is always on hand.  They aim to respond to all queries within 24 hours and if they can do an assessment detail, the wait time is generally three to five days.  Given time can be of the essence, having that kind of technical support on hand is a huge plus. In addition, the level of training Protecta provide is very good.  The training doesn’t cost anything and Protecta experts can be at your office to teach, or you can have access to them at an external site.  Besides doing product training, the Protecta experts excel elsewhere, too. They can also deliver RIBA-accredited Continuing Professional Development (CPD) seminars, which are useful.  We believe you can benefit from using Protecta While we try to be impartial and unbiased when we write articles, on this occasion it’s slightly different as we’re explaining ourselves.  Ultimately, the three things we’ve listed are all things we believe set them apart from what is a very competitive field.  We mentioned other fire-stopping contractors earlier. We know they have outstanding offerings that can very comfortably give you what you need.  However, we feel that Protecta’s offering is something that suits us and more importantly, can suit you as installers.  If you would like any further information about Protecta or its product portfolio, you can get in touch with a team member here. Equally, if you would like to read more about Protecta, you can find out more about their FR Acrylic here. 

08

Sep
Three reasons why Multifix brand jigsaw and reciprocating blades

Having a good jigsaw or reciprocating blade when doing a job is incredibly important. If the blades are poorly made or weak, you’ll replace them often, while also running the risk of delivering poor results and costing you money. That is one of the reasons why we stock Bosch blades, both recip and jigsaw. They are proven, reliable and brilliantly made. It is also one of the reasons why Multifix have decided to own-brand quality jigsaw and reciprocating blades. That isn’t to say we’re going to be a direct competitor to Bosch – that isn’t the case at all. However, we feel we have something that can help you. Here are three ways we believe that Multifix-branded jigsaw and recip blades can help you with your projects. The blades are good The need for proven quality when working with blades is huge and a big part of that comes from where the blades were made.  The Multifix branded blades, like other leading manufacturers, are made in Germany. This isn’t to say that they’re better or worse, just made with the same quality aspirations.  Having the blades German-made was a requirement for us, as we know that is synonymous with reliable quality. In addition, we have factored in the most popular types and sizes for our range. We have wood and metal jigsaw blades that cut to 50mm, 60mm and 67mm, while also having options for clean, coarse and clean fine cuts. As for our recip range, we have blades for wood and bi-metal, that can cut to 60, 190mm, 100mm and 180mm. These come in clean and coarse fast cut for wood blades, while we offer clean to 3-8mm thickness for the bi-metal blades. We have more control over our stock From a logistical perspective, having our own-branded blades does make life a lot easier for both ourselves and you. As they are our own brand, we have full say over production, quality and stock control. As we don’t have to go to a middle-man in the manufacturer, we have greater control. This means that we can stick to our policy of having at least three months’ worth of stock in our warehouse at any one point. It’s worth noting that we strive to do this for other blades too, but naturally, controlling branded stock is going to be easier for us. By having greater availability, if you’re ever in a spot, we will have something that can help you at very short notice, no questions asked. It’ll be cheaper for you Perhaps most importantly from a financial perspective, by branding our blades, we can set the prices. As there’s no additional margin to share, that therefore allows us to sell the blades to you at a much cheaper price than other blades. For context, you can get a pack of five jigsaw blades clean cut to 30mm for £5.90 ex. VAT. By contrast, our Bosch jigsaw blades for wood clean fine cut will cost £14.70 ex. VAT, so there is quite a difference.  The blades are designed to be long lasting too, so we very much believe that we are offering value for money with them. A different solution Ultimately, we want to move into this market as we feel we have something to offer. We couldn’t be prouder of the blades and we believe they’ll be an asset for you. We understand that there may be some hesitation to switching from a leading brand for our branded blades and that’s ok.  As mentioned earlier, we do still sell Bosch blades and that won’t be stopping anytime soon. If you still wish to purchase those, then we will gladly assist. However, we are confident that we have a product that can make a difference for you, while also costing you less and being more readily available. If you would like to speak to our customer service team to find out more about the blades, you can find out how to do so here. Equally, if you wish to see the range for yourself, you can find that here. *prices correct as of September 2023

09

Aug
The good, better and best JSP respiratory masks

If you’re reading this, you’ve likely concluded that single-use disposable masks aren’t for you anymore. They’re hot to use, you need to get your face fitted every time and they can’t be used for that long. They do a job, but they’re a bit of a faff.  As such, now you’re after something more long-term. If that’s the case, then you’re in the right place. Many of our customers often ask about JSP masks, but aren’t sure which one will suit them best. At Multifix, we’ve stocked JSP products for a while now. Our range is only growing, so we have put this article together for you, covering the key points of the JSP range.  Come the end of the article, you’ll be able to distinguish the capabilities of the JSP range and what respiratory mask is best for you.  Good – JSP Force 8 If you’re after an entry-level respiratory mask, the Force 8 is a good place to start. One reason for this is that it’s compatible with PressToCheck filters, which temporarily stops air passing through.  This lets the user know whether the mask is airtight or not, although please note that you will need to be clean-shaven to wear this mask.  The Force 8 also comes with a typhoon exhalation valve for reduced breathing resistance, moisture build-up and heat. The twin-filter half mask is available in three different sizes (small, medium and large) and can also be worn with a hard hat. There are also other filters available, depending on what you need for your carpentry requirements.  In addition, while the Force 8 is designed for eight-hour use, it is reusable so long as you clean it after every job. The Force 8 is easily detachable, so the mask body, exhalation valve and diaphragm can last you a long time with a regular wash and clean.  For those who won’t need a respiratory mask that often, the Force 8 is ideal. Reliable, light and protective, this will protect you against dust, paint fumes and fibreglass as and when you need it. Better yet, it’ll do so without hurting your bank account too much.  However, if your work requires you to wear a respiratory mask frequently, it may be best to look at ones with more functions and more longevity.  RSP - £32. You can get the Force 8 for £10.79 elsewhere, but that’s just for the mask. The full price of £32 meanwhile, comes with two filters.  Better – JSP Jetstream Constructor It’s worth noting that we don’t stock the Jetstream Constructor, although we can get it in by request. However, up until very recently, the Jetstream Constructor was something of a flagship product for JSP. The leap in advancement, capability and price from the Force 8 is huge, but you also get so much more for your money.  It incorporates powered air. In short, powered air respirators ensure that a high volume of clean air is being sent to the breathing area, offering a greater level of protection.  The first thing to observe is that the Jetstream Constructor is rather unique in that everything isn’t in the helmet. The rechargeable respirator is attached to a belt and connected to the helmet through a very flexible hose, saving head weight.   The filter is graded at EN 12941 TH2P, which is the second highest standard, while the hose delivers 180 litres per minute of air through the filter.  Meanwhile, the EVO5 safety helmet has an EN397 standard and the polycarbonate visor has been graded at EN166 1.B.  One thing that causes discomfort for some is the need for a face fit when trying on respiratory masks. However, with the Jetstream Constructor, you don’t need one.  Thanks to the design, those with facial hair and glasses can wear it with no problems, which is incredibly helpful.  From a work perspective, there’s a lot right with the Jetstream Constructor, but it’s not perfect. While the hose is designed to be convenient, some may find it gets in the way when moving about. It can also be an issue if the belt or hose catches on something. That said, the battery for the Jetstream Constructor lasts eight hours and the kit package comes with everything you need.  The filter, hose, charger, battery, belt, helmet, visor, flow meter and carry case all come with the kit, which has proved very popular.  RSP - £489.95. The all-in-one package certainly suits, as it would be much more expensive to buy them all individually.  Best – JSP Powercap Infinity We are now at the top end of the JSP scale in terms of performance and price, but the cream certainly rises to the top in JSP’s case. The new Powercap Infinity doubles up as a four-in-one safety solution for those wearing it, covering the head, eyes, respiratory and ears. However, the Sonis ear protectors that can attach to it don’t come with it.  Onto specifics, the Powercap Infinity provides a minimum of 160 litres of clear, purified air per minute. It is also graded at protection level TH3, which is the highest possible rating in the EN12941:1988 + A2:2008 standard. The head protection is rated at EN397, while the optical class 1 visor has an EN166.B rating. This not only improves safety, but will offer you impact protection of up to 270mph.  There are three types of Sonis ear protectors available to clip onto the Powercap Infinity. For those landscaping or in workshops, the Sonis 1 is ideal and provides protection up to 26db.  If you’re using construction machinery amidst industrial noise, the Sonis Compact offers protection up to 31db. Finally, the Sonis 3 is ideal for quarrying and gives protection up to 36db.  In regard to usage, the Powercap Infinity’s battery gives eight hours of use before needing to be recharged. The battery takes eight hours to charge, which is a while, but has a lifespan of 500 full uses.  Also, much like the Jetstream, face fit tests are a thing of the past with the Powercap Infinity. More importantly, those with facial hair and glasses can wear it with no issues and no visibility problems.  Perhaps the biggest draw to the Powercap Infinity though is the smart PPE incorporated within it. Twice a second, real-time diagnostics will be monitoring both yourself and the system and then give you feedback based on that.  Battery and filter condition is available on the heads-up display and you will also get audio warnings if either needs replacing. The technology will also check high respiratory demand and maintain positive pressure inside.  Finally – and rather uniquely as a safety design – the battery isn’t at the top of the helmet. JSP has identified that while helmets protect you from debris falling from heights, there is a caveat.  If something falls and hits you on the head, the helmet will absorb it, but the battery area will not. With nowhere else to go, it’ll be the battery that causes you more damage than the debris, as it has to push downwards. As such, you can choose whether the battery is at the front or the back of the helmet instead.  Of course, if something were to land on the battery, there’s a good chance it’ll be damaged beyond repair, but you’d at least escape serious harm. Also, a lot of high-profile projects have trusted the Powercap Infinity. Network Rail has sanctioned them for use on HS2, while Berkley Homes and Taylor Wimpey will be using them for their upcoming ventures. They are also being used at Hinkley Point.  RSP – £623.50. The top end of the budget scale, but also a complete package. Will last the test of time and still be a top product years down the line.  The JSP range is very much a quality-first brand and everything here will be a huge asset for your endeavours.  If you’re on a budget and need to use something sparingly, then the JSP Force 8 is ideal. If you’re looking for something that could last decades with care, the Jetstream Constructor is for you. If you want something for life or want the top-of-the-range spec, the Powercap Infinity is your best bet.  As mentioned earlier, we don’t stock the Jetstream Constructor, but we can get it in by request. We do stock the Force 8, which you can acquire here.  Equally, if you did want the Powercap Infinity, you can find out more about that – and discuss pricing options – here.

19

Sep
Diisocyanates regulations in 2023: how do they affect you?

If you work in carpentry, then your professional life would’ve changed overnight on August 24, 2023, because of a new regulation. As of that date, the laws around using diisocyanates changed and we’ve heard from a few of you that you aren’t entirely sure where you now stand. For those unaware, diisocyantes are used to make polyurethanes. They can be found in sealants, adhesives and foams, amongst other things. They are dangerous for humans and can cause irritation on the skin and in the eyes. More serious side effects include having occupational asthma. To help confusion, we have put this article together for you to tell you all you need to know and to save you a headache. That being said, you can read the whole regulation here. Come the end of it, you’ll know exactly what’s happened, how it affects you and what your next steps are moving forward. What are the regulations? On January 1, 2021, it was announced that the EU REACH regulation would be brought into effect in the UK. In short, EU REACH is a regulation of the European Union. It seeks “to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals,” as per its website. Given the harm diisocyanates can cause humans, since 2008, EU regulations have classified them as a category one skin sensitiser and respiratory sensitiser. As per the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), this means that diisocyanates “may cause an allergic skin reaction.” In addition, they also “may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled.” You may also be wondering how the UK can be governed by an EU law post-Brexit, but that is because EU REACH falls under the retained EU legislation list. Polyurethanes are quite commonplace within the carpentry world, so having the regulation set in stone is a big deal. So are diisocyanates banned as of now, then? No, not at all. What is new though, is that unless you are using diisocyanates in an extremely small concentration, you will need training. By extremely small concentration, we mean products with a total diisocyante concentration of less than 0.1%.  However, products with less than 0.1% are extremely rare. Even a normal 750ml tube of Fire and Acoustic Seals’ Fire Door Foam has more than 0.1%, for context. This is stated in the new regulation; “As from 24 August 2023, adequate training is required before industrial or professional use.” The training courses aren’t particularly long, with the ones most applicable ranging from 30-40 minutes in length. In addition, your training certificate will need to be renewed every five years. You can do all the training online though, which is useful. It will cost you €5, but can be free - we explain where, when and how below.  Where can I get the training? A new website from Safe Use of Diisocyantes has gone live, for the purpose of training. This gives you the choice of either doing self-learning or registering for sessions with a trainer. The link for the Safe Use of Diisocyantes website is here. If you choose to do the self-learning, this costs €5 (about £4.29) per user or certificate. However, you can also get the training for free. The Association of the European Adhesive and Sealant Industry, otherwise known as FEICA, is offering a code that’ll remove the €5 cost. You can access that code here. The discount code only covers certain parts, but it covers everything you need to work in the construction industry. It covers: One-component PU foams (048) Joint sealants (048) Flooring adhesives and coatings (049, includes 048) Crack injection resins (050, includes 048) Plumbing (048) Carpentry (048) Realistically, it’ll be course 048 that you’ll need to do, as it covers carpentry, one-component PU foams and joint sealants. If you need to do flooring adhesives (049) or coatings or crack injection resins (050), both include 048 as well. More information can be found on the link with the code, including a designated email address for questions about the training. Clearing up the confusion around the new regulations New regulations happen all the time and while there is the initial stage of confusion, once you get your head around them, everything becomes easier. Hopefully after reading this article, you’ll know what the new regs are and how to get the training you’ll need to move forwards. Thankfully, the training courses are quite short and can be booked for free thanks to FEICA, so they won’t be too much of an inconvenience for you. If you have any further questions about the regulations, we will gladly try and help as best as we can. You can find out how to contact us here.

21

Sep
Three ways Multifix is serious about sustainability

As the days, months and years go by, the need for companies to be more energy-efficient and sustainable continues to grow. After all, if every company actively tries to have more sustainable measures, that can only be a good thing for the planet, right? It’s certainly something we believe at Multifix as we have actively tried to be more responsible with how we operate. Even things like our LED motion-activated lighting, which turns off automatically if there’s no movement for a time, play a part. You may be wondering why this is important to you, but it can be a good thing for your ESG, too. For those unaware, ESG is a framework that stands for environmental, social and governance.  Construction companies in the UK are judged on their ESG and those with net zero claims are judged on their output.  As such, using a more sustainable company is a huge boost for you as a customer. However, we have a few things that we do with one eye firmly on our sustainability as we constantly look for ways to be net zero. While we are far from perfect, we believe these three things in particular prove that we are taking sustainability seriously. Our packaging To drastically reduce our use of single-use plastic, we have made it mandatory that all our deliveries are sent in cardboard packaging. While we know that paper/cardboard comes from trees, trees are regenerative, so it’s the most ecological way of carrying your goods.  This packaging can also be recycled, which is also helpful. Single-use plastic, as well as being non-biodegradable, frequently ends up in oceans or waterways and that can harm wildlife.  As well as that, even creating single-use plastic adds to greenhouse emissions due to what is needed to make it, so we’re happy to not use it.   When it comes to pallets, it’s a slightly different story, but we still try and do what we can. All of our shrink wrapping is recyclable and we have a robot that wraps the pallets themselves. The robot stretches the shrink wrap to the perfect point, which gives us maximum efficiency. It also stops the customer from having too much and cuts down our waste as we’re only using the correct amount. The materials that bring the shrink wrap to our warehouse are also recycled. Again, if you’re looking to go net zero, actions like this will indirectly help you. We’ve installed air-source heat pumps Instead of having a gas or electric heating system, we have installed air-source heat pumps at our main office in Maidstone, Kent. Compared to traditional heating systems, air-source heat pumps are much more environmentally sound. That’s because they use air as their heat source instead of fossil fuels, so there are no greenhouse gas emissions. For those wondering how they work, the heat pumps extract outside air and use that to generate heat. This works even in the harsh winter, so it’s an all-year-round solution. Out of all the things we do to try and achieve net zero, having air-source heat pumps is perhaps one of the most innovative ways to do so. Considering the environment with our vans This is perhaps the hardest one to try and manage given the need for fuel, but we still make an effort to cut our carbon footprint with our vans. All of our routes are mapped carefully so that we only use the fuel that we need, thus avoiding any unnecessary journeys. For example, we won’t have a driver doing a triangle trip of Bristol, Norwich and then Romford. In addition, our FORS Silver accredited vans are all Euro 6 compliant. Euro 6 is a regulation that comes with an emissions limit, requiring engine gases to be treated before being released through the exhaust. When acquiring our fleet of vans, this was something that was considered before every purchase, as we try and limit our carbon footprint.  Also, the cars our sales fleet have are all hybrid or electric. We also have electric charging points at our head office. A sustainable future As mentioned earlier, we know that we aren’t perfect. There is more we can do and we are always looking into ways we can be more sustainable. One example of something we have an eye on is the emergence of electric-powered vans. While we aren’t in a position to utilise them just now, it’s something definitely on our radar. Ultimately, if every company sticks to the ethos of being greener and more sustainable, it can only benefit all of us. If you would like any further information on how we’re trying to be more sustainable at Multifix, you can get in touch with us here. Equally, you can see our sustainability pledges here. 

17

Aug
Your Paslode questions answered

Paslode is arguably the biggest and most well-known brand when it comes to carpentry, which means people always want to know more.  After all, if you’re committing to buying a Paslode power tool, you’ll want to know everything before doing so. The last thing you want is buyer’s remorse, where you’ve got a product you don’t need. That’s something we want to avoid, as we would much rather that you make well-informed and knowledgeable buying decisions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we get several Paslode questions every day. People always want to know more about their products and with good reason.  However, while our expert sales and customer service teams are happy to field your questions, there is a more practical route. By working with those teams, we have put together a list of our 20 most frequently answered Paslode questions and have provided answers for you, too.  This way, when it comes to making a decision on Paslode products, you have everything you need right in front of you.  Do you offer Paslode training? Yes! We have Paslode specialists at Multifix who can offer training, which is normally done on-site but can also be done online. You can find out more about the online course here.  The training covers familiarisation of the tools, how to use them properly, health and safety and environmental issues. At the end of the course, you’ll receive a certificate. Is there a surcharge with your Paslode products? No – the price that you see on the portal is the price that you’ll pay for the item. There are no hidden fees or surprises, although there may be a delivery cost depending on your order total.  Will Fischer nails fit a Paslode power gun? Yes and no. So, the Fischer nails will fit a Paslode IM350 as the IM350 can take other nails. But, Fischer nails will not fit the Paslode IM360, which only takes specific nails for that power tool. However… Will using other nails void my warranty? Yes – if you’re using a Paslode nail gun and it jams/breaks because you’ve used other nails, your warranty will be invalid. It’s the same with other gas cells for the IM350+. These will largely work fine and are compatible, but if they cause the gun to break, your warranty will be void.  Will using other nails invalidate my Paslode training? Also yes. The Health & Safety training part of the course specifically states you have to use Paslode nails for a Paslode product.  What is the difference between the IM350+ and the IM360XI? In short, the IM350+ is lighter, more compact, less noisy and vibrates less. However, the IM360XI is more powerful, can last a lot longer and is much more technologically advanced. The nails for the IM360XI are specifically made, but they’re cheaper than the IM350+ nails.  We have covered this in more depth in an article, which you can read here. Which nails fit what Paslode gun? The clipped nails, or D head nails, are for the IM350. Full-sized nails, or moon head nails depending on what part of the country you’re from, are for the IM360.  How many nails can my Paslode gun fire in a day? There are two ways to answer this question; how many shots per gas cell and how many shots per battery charge. The IM350 can shoot 1100 shots per gas cell and 9000 shots per battery charge. Meanwhile, the IM360 can shoot 1250 shots per gas cell and 13000 shots per battery charge.  Why is my Paslode gun not firing in cold weather? That’ll be to do with the gas – basically, the gas doesn’t work as well in the cold. As such, don’t leave it in the back of a van! In the winter, it’s advisable to keep a Paslode gas cell in your pocket, or you can try and warm the gas up with your hands.  What’s the difference between first and second fix? First fix nail guns are for pretty much anything structural. This includes roofing, fencing, cladding, decking etc. You can also use them for panelling and stud work.  Second fix nail guns, on the other hand, are for skirting and architrave.   What Paslode gun nailer does what job? The IM350+ and IM360XI are first fix, while the IM65 straight and IM65 angled are second fix.  Is Paslode the only brand that does nail guns? No, there are plenty in the market. These include Fischer, DeWalt, Hikoki, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch and Senco, amongst others. While we can assist with Paslode and Makita, we can’t with some of the other brands listed. You can find a list of our recommended power tool retailers here.  How can I prolong the lifespan of my nailer?  In order to ensure your nailer lasts for a long time, you need to clean it to maintain its functionality. We stock a cleaning/maintenance kit here and you can watch a how-to YouTube video here.  What are the key differences between a gas nailer and a mechanical one? A gas nailer will need fuel for it to work, whereas a mechanical nailer is entirely battery-powered. It can be cheaper to use a mechanical nailer, as it requires less maintenance. For example, a battery’s lifespan can last three years, whereas a fuel cell can last 1100 shots. However, gas nailers are lighter and a fuel cell tends to last longer than most batteries. What does the blue cap do on the IM360XI fuel cells? It doesn’t do anything special per se – it just denotes that the nails are for the IM360XI and not for the IM350+.   Is there a shelf life on the Paslode fuel cells? There is an expiry date on each fuel cell, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it if it goes beyond that. You’ll lose performance with cells that go beyond that date, but they don’t just stop working.   What PPE do I need with my Paslode power tool? You’ll need protective gloves, steel toecaps, a helmet, a hi-vis, ear protectors and eye goggles to operate a Paslode power tool . You will only be using them on-site, so you’ll need the site PPE essentials to use it.  How loud is my gun? The IM350+ is 89 dB (A), the IM360XI is 96 dB (A).  How heavy is a Paslode compared to a Fischer? There isn’t a lot in it; the Paslode IM350+ weighs 3.3kg, while the IM360XI weighs 3.8kg. The Fischer FGW 90F fits somewhere in-between, weighing 3.5kg.  What’s the difference between a straight and an angled gun? Both are second fix nail guns, but the angled gun is more for tight spaces. It’s much easier to get around corners and doors with an angled one, although their nails are more expensive.  The straight nail gun is more for straightforward construction, but is also much bulkier than its angled counterpart.  That just about covers it! Those are the 20 most frequently asked questions we get about Paslode and you should now have all the answers you need before making the next step.  If we haven’t answered a question you have in mind, please get in touch with our expert team and we will get you the answer you need. 

05

Oct
Our five most frequently asked questions about Paslode training

Being one of the leading brands in carpentry, there is always a lot that people want to know about Paslode. Given nail guns are an investment, people want to know everything they can about what they offer before they commit to buying their products.  At Multifix, we have answered 20 of your most frequently asked Paslode questions here, but we also get a fair few questions in relation to training.  The training relates to the nail guns specifically, so to save you a phone call or an email, we thought it would be best to have the key answers in one place.  As such, we have spoken to both our expert sales and customer service teams and collated the five most pressing questions that we are asked.  What exactly does Paslode nail gun training entail? Paslode nail gun training is split into two parts: installer training and staff training. Nearly all of the times we are asked about it, it is related to installer training, but we’ll explain both anyway.  Installer training is an introduction to Paslode tools. It is devised to train you on how to operate the nail guns, how to use the fuel cells and batteries and how to maintain them. You will also be told what PPE you need when using a Paslode nail gun, so the health and safety side of it is covered too.  Staff training on the other hand is specifically for those in the office. It offers insight as to why people use Paslode nails, in addition to giving information on nail packs, fuel cells and the nailers themselves.  How much does Paslode nail gun training cost? All Paslode nail gun training comes at zero cost – it’s completely free.  Can you come down to a site and do the training? At Multifix, we have two Paslode-trained experts who can come down to a site and perform training, yes. However, there is a much simpler way, which we will come onto next… Can you do Paslode training online? Yes, you can and in fact, this way is better and more convenient for you as well. By following this website, you can access both training courses and do whichever one is best for you.  There is a small test at the end of each course, all based on the training before it and if you pass that, you immediately get your certificate.  One of the issues with doing the training in person is that it can take some time for your certificate to be processed and then posted. As such, the online course is much more efficient as you get it immediately after.  Naturally, if you have someone physically showing you and talking through everything, that is going to be better training for you. However, the online course is probably more convenient for you.  Both the installer and staff training courses take about half an hour or so to complete, so neither will eat up too much of your time.   On the topic of certification, your training certificate lasts two years, so you’ll need to redo it whenever the time comes.  Are the courses available in any other languages?  Unfortunately, the online course is only available in English. If you have non-English speaking staff, it could be an idea to do it in person and have a translator present.  The importance of the Paslode training The reason why we get asked so much is because Paslode training is very important. Without it, you aren’t technically qualified or deemed safe to use their nail guns.  With this article though, you should hopefully be more informed when it comes to what’s involved in the training and how to actually get it done.  It’s also a very nice bonus that the training is free, so aside from half an hour of your time, it comes at no cost to you.  If you would like to know more about Paslode products or the training itself, please feel free to contact our team here. 

25

Sep
The two key problems with technical support in the PFP sector and how Multifix can help

Having great technical support in the PFP sector is something of a necessity. Whether it’s having a direct line to technicians or needing training, it’s needed. However, some can find it challenging to come across. This is a concern, as with something as imperative as safety on the line, you will need good technical support. Without it, life becomes very difficult. You run the risk of being using certain products wrong and could face delays from waiting for things to be sorted.  In this article, we will highlight how our technical support stands out and how it can be a real asset for you moving forward. It is worth noting that the technical support we offer is run by Protecta, who are a partner of ours.  We are choosing to reference them in this article as we have picked out the two most common pain points. As such, we’ve also been able to identify how we believe we can solve them for you. Assessment details taking too long Picture the scene. A firestopping contractor or a surveying company has gone for a site inspection. After looking at it, they realise they’ll need an assessment test before continuing. For those unaware, assessment details are where the manufacturer carries out a non-standard detail on what you require, then approves it or not. The manufacturer writes an assessment based on evidence from tested details and if there is enough evidence, will give sign off. This can prove especially useful when you have something of a unique challenge that you need to overcome. The issue comes from site managers being told they won’t be able to have one for three weeks due to a lack of time or availability.  That subsequently means three weeks of standstill or scrambling about for other products to get the job done. However, it doesn’t have to be so drastic. Just what does an assessment detail entail? As per the Passive Fire Protection Forum (PFPF) ‘Guide to Undertaking Technical Assessments of the Fire Performance of Construction Products Based on Fire Test Evidence’, this is what an assessment detail looks for: Whether they can “extend the scope of the design/application of a product” To “provide confidence and compliance in the product” To “underpin the scope of certification” The assessment detail must be “robust and written by competent individuals,” which is to be expected given safety is on the line.  If the product fails in any of these categories, it’s essentially back to the drawing board. But what’s imperative is that you know sooner, rather than later.  Whenever one of our customers needs an assessment, we turn to Protecta. Protecta normally respond to such queries on the same day and they aspire to respond to all queries within 24 hours. If they can detail it, the wait time for the detail is three to five days. It’s hard to be exact because of things like drawings that could be needed, but you’ll have an answer within a full working week. It’s worth noting that Protecta always try to adhere to standard, tested details where possible. This is because any assessment is site specific.  You may have limited access to training Whether it’s for new starters or just to fully maximise your output, training sessions are essential and can have a very positive impact. Be it to fully learn how to utilise a product or to gain a better understanding of why PFP is needed, training is essential.  However, it can be difficult to arrange for training sessions to take place. Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint a location and sometimes it’s difficult to get instructors to come at a time that suits. What we can do is offer you professional training with a Protecta expert, free of charge, in a location of your convenience. We can have a Protecta expert at your customer office, or in some instances on site, to talk you through the products and the training. It’s worth noting though, that this face-to-face training is primarily educational. There are only a few customer offices that can accommodate hands-on, practical training, which can be problematic. However, we are one of those. Our training room at our warehouse in Barking can be booked for training, at no cost to Multifix customers, for you and your team. Here, we can show you exactly how to use the products and answer any questions you may have, removing the chance of mistakes on-site. Multifix can help you get things right Delays or improper use of products can be hugely detrimental to those in the passive fire protection industry, so good technical support is vital.  As we said earlier in the article, there are a lot of companies out there supplying the PFP sector that offer a great level of technical support. But, with the free training, quick response times and assessment details, we have something maybe better for you. Combined with Protecta’s expertise, we are confident that our technical support can boost efficiency and make life easier. It’s certainly something that we believe and it’s certainly something that we will be more than happy to try and prove to you. If you would like to find out more about technical support, please get in touch here to speak to one of our expert team. Equally, if you want to directly get in touch with the Protecta technical support team, you can email them here. 

27

Sep
Battle of the screws: Plug and screw vs masonry screw

For years, it’s seemed as if the plug and screw has been the go-to screw for carpenters. Reliable, effective and trustworthy, it’s easy to see why it’s been such a staple.  However, some have voiced that they take too long to install and have been looking for alternatives. In fact, some of you have told us that you’re preferring to go with masonry screws instead, which is very interesting. Which is better though? Is the plug and screw still the undisputed number one for carpenters, or have things changed? In light of your comments, we have decided to put a comparison article together to try and find out. We stock both plug and screws and masonry screws, so we have no bias either way, but we’ve provided an objective touch to the question. By the end, you’ll know the strengths and weaknesses of each and that in itself will hopefully be enough to let you decide which is best for your projects. What are the key differences between the two screws? A plug and screw is a plastic plug and a screw. The plug goes into a pre-drilled hole in the wall and then the screw is threaded into it. As you thread the screw, the plug expands within the wall and you get a very strong grip as a result. A plug and screw can be used for things like joinery, furniture assembly, trim work and more.  Meanwhile, a masonry screw also needs a pre-drilled hole, but it’s much stronger than a plug and screw. So much so, that it can be used for harder materials, such as concrete. A masonry screw can also be used for securing wooden fixtures, attaching wood to concrete and staircase installation.  In addition, a masonry screw won’t need a plug either as it will self-tap its way into the material. It’s worth noting that you wouldn’t use either for things like fine joinery, wood-to-wood joinery or hardwood applications.  What makes the plug and screw stand out? There are a number of reasons why the plug and screw is favoured, none more so than the fact it’s widely available and also cheap. A box of 200 Nylon Hammer Through Fixings - Plug & Screw M5 x 50mm - 25mm Fixing costs £9.73 ex. VAT, for example.  If you ever run out, you’ll likely never have the issue of scrambling around trying to find some, as everyone will have them. When it comes to actually installing a plug and screw, you don’t need too much either. Aside from a pre-drilled hole, all you need is a screwdriver and then you’re good to go. Also, you’re much less likely to cause damage to the wall you’re screwing into. This is because of the plug part, which spreads the impact load over a wider area. As such, you’re less likely to have cracks or holes in the wall when using a plug and screw. And what makes a masonry screw so useful? The main pro for a masonry screw is its strength. They are very strong and can handle a sizable amount of weight, which is especially useful when attaching shelves or brackets. It’s difficult to put an exact weight limit on a masonry screw, as many things have to be taken into consideration. This includes the strength of the material and the size of the screw. That being said, anything up to 45kg should be fine.  They are also much easier to install, as you don’t need the plug element of the plug and screw to get it to fit. As soon as the hole is pre-drilled, you’re away. Also, while they are predominantly designed for heavier materials such as concrete, they can also be used for wood. This makes them quite versatile too, which can come in extremely handy depending on what your project is. Where does a plug and screw come short? The main con for a plug and screw is the one we led this article with; the time it takes to actually install. As you have to pre-drill a hole first, then line up the plug right, then finally thread the screw, what’s a simple task can take a while. In addition, that isn’t necessarily enough to guarantee proper installation. If any of the hole size, alignment or screw insertion is wrong, you risk both damage and a weak hold. If you do want something slightly heavier than normal too, the plug and screw can struggle. They can provide some strength and aren’t exactly weak, but they maybe aren’t the best bet for heavier items. And the cons of a masonry screw? While you can use a masonry screw in a lighter material, such as drywall and timber, there is the possibility it’s excessive. You could end up splitting the timber by pushing the masonry screw too far, while it might not be as strong in a lighter material as it is in a heavier one. This happens when the thread doesn’t work with the material as well as it would in say, concrete or brick. As such, it gives a weaker hold. Also, due to the force of the masonry screw, you do run the risk of surface damage. As such, you’ll have to take care when using it, so there’s also an element of skill needed to utilise it properly. How to choose between plug and screw and masonry screws If time is on your side, then the plug and screw is still the best choice, all things considered. It’s cheap, it’s effective, it’s reliable and while it can be a little fiddly with the pre-drilled hole and the fitting, it’s still a top solution. Equally, if you’re against the clock and you’re well within your budget, then a masonry screw is a better choice. You’ll be able to get a job done very quickly using masonry screws, assuming the material you’re working with isn’t too weak.  If you would like to browse our plug and screws and masonry screws range, you can do so by clicking the links. Equally, if you would like to discuss pricing options or to find out more, you can do so here.

29

Sep
Should you split your business or use one supplier?

As a company, you just want things to run smoothly. You want to know you’re getting reliability, good service and ultimately, a good deal for what you’re paying for. If you’re getting late deliveries and noticing product order costs are going up despite being cheaper elsewhere, it’s going to rankle you. You start to get the feeling that you’re being treated like just another number instead of a human being. No one likes being treated as a number instead of a customer. If this sounds relatable to you, then it may be time for a supplier switch. However, it isn’t always as simple as that. It is also one of the reasons why some split their business among multiple suppliers, rather than just using one. Even with bad service, some would rather stick with a company in some capacity as it’s a lot less hassle than making a change, as opposed to cutting ties. Which is best for you, though? Is it better to put all your eggs in one basket with one company, or play the field and use several? One way to come to a decision is by trialling a supplier first. That way, you stick with your existing supplier in the short term, but can test the waters with another and then decide whether to split or switch. While we can’t (and won’t) directly tell you and your company what to do, we can outline the pros and cons of both scenarios, so you can make a more informed decision. Ultimately, we want what is best for you and your company and as such, we are going to explore both options in this article for you. What are the pros of splitting your business? In some ways, you arguably have more power when you split your business. It’s the same when doing a food shop and you go to different supermarkets; some will have items cheaper than others, so you use all of them to get the best price. You also aren’t stuck if something goes wrong. If you need something the next day for example and one company can’t do it, there’s a good chance you’ll find one who can. This also extends to product quality or preference. You may prefer a certain type of product that one company does over another, so you aren’t restricted as to what you can or can’t get. Following on from that, there may be a product that one company stocks that another doesn’t. Keeping your options open means you won’t have to settle for less.  What about the pros of staying with one company? In terms of ease, having one company is definitely simpler than juggling several. If you only have one company to order from, that saves time than ordering with many. As such, it can be more efficient to just have one. You will also have much better relationships with the one supplier, as over time, your business will be valued and appreciated. It also stops you trying to spin a lot of plates. Rather than try and manage relationships with multiple suppliers, you can focus on gaining the most from one.  In fact, this can work in your favour as if you are a long-term customer, you’re likely to get preferential treatment compared to a new customer. This can even extend to having better support and even discounts. That is something we do at Multifix, with a policy that the more you spend, the better the rewards for you. What cons are there for splitting your business? The main con is the amount of extra admin to juggle. More suppliers means more relationships and that means more effort. It means multiple invoices, as well as different systems to navigate. This in itself is an issue. According to research from Gartner, the average UK cost of processing an invoice ranges between £4 and £25. In some instances, if errors are made, it can be up to £50 per invoice. Also, while you may be sniping for all the cheapest prices, that can actually work against you. As an example, let’s say you make three orders from three companies because they have the cheapest prices. That’s great, but if it’s under the minimum delivery cost for each, you’ll end up paying more. It could be cheaper to buy it all with one and get free delivery than split it all among several and pay added costs. Finally, you’ll always likely be treated as a number with multiple suppliers. Because you won’t be using them exclusively, you’re likely to miss out on the best rates and the best level of service.  As such, you also won’t have much of an opportunity to strike long-lasting relationships. Your business will still be appreciated, of course, but they’ll see it as having little reason to give you special treatment.  And the cons of using only one supplier? The main con of only using one supplier is that you potentially run the risk of being taken for granted. You might find you’re not getting discounts or improved service despite your loyalty, which can be hugely frustrating. Likewise, they may become complacent with you on other things. Say a delivery is a day late, they may take the approach of, “oh it’s only so and so, that’s alright.” Naturally, you don’t want this. If something happens with that company as well, whether it's a logistical disruption or financially related, you’re a bit stuck. At least with other suppliers, you can navigate this, but with one, it’s difficult. Lastly, you might be missing out on better products elsewhere. The company you’re solely using might have a good alternative, but if they don’t stock exactly what you want, that can be challenging. So, what’s best for me? Ultimately, that’s only a question you can answer. As we said at the start of the article, we won’t tell you what to do with your business. What we will say though, is if you are using one supplier and you aren’t getting the benefits listed, you should definitely consider finding a new one. No one wants to be taken for granted and everyone wants the best offers, so it’s important you get the maximum from your supplier. If you would like to open a dialogue on how Multifix can help you, as either a sole supplier or as another one for you to use, you can contact us here. 

05

Oct
Your top five most popular Multifix own-brand products

It’s always fascinating to see what products are popular and at Multifix, we are no different. We’re always keen to see what you’re liking and how we can improve on that product range, if indeed we can.  We have a number of own-branded products that we stock, but which ones are really taking your fancy? Which ones are the most popular? That is what we sought to find out for this article. By doing some number crunching from sales data in 2023, we have identified our top five best-selling own-branded products. Without further ado, here is the list, from five to one.  5) General Purpose Silicone Starting us off is our General Purpose (GP) Silicone, which comes in 280ml cartridges in either clear or white. GP Silicone is a general-purpose sealant and can be used for a variety of tasks. These include glazing, joint sealing, roofing, concrete repair and more.  The GP Silicone is acid-curing and is suitable for use on all common non-porous building materials. This would include glass, metal, plastic and concrete, amongst others.  In addition, the GP Silicone has a strong adhesion and also contains anti-fungicide, which makes it ideal for bathrooms.  4) Stuck-It Extreme Up next is the Stuck-It Extreme, which is our solvent-free polymer adhesive. Designed to seal gaps where a strong and waterproof finish is needed, the product, which is VOC-free, is rather popular.  One possible reason for this is because it can be used as a sealant, in addition to its primary use as an adhesive. This, in turn, saves you from getting both! It can also replace screws or nails in some situations, for example when putting up a bathroom mirror, while it also comes in a variety of colours.  3) Grab-It Much like the Stuck-It Extreme, the Grab-It is also solvent-free, but has a slightly different primary purpose. It’s mainly used as a panel adhesive, so it can bond skirtings and architraves.  It can be used on wet or damp surfaces and even underwater applications, if needed. The Grab-It also does a great job of reducing snagging, which is down to the high initial grab and lack of slip.  Finally, it comes in a 350ml tube, so you get quite a fair bit for your money – something you clearly agree with! 2) Probuild Gold screws Coming in second place are our Probuild Gold screws, which are trade woodscrews and come in a number of different sizes and capacities.  The screws themselves are deep threaded, while they also come with yellow passivated coating. This coating means they are more durable and resistant to corrosion than non-passivated coated screws.  In addition, the screws come with a self-starting point, a double countersunk head and a Pozi recess. All of this is for ease of use, as making installation easier can only be a good thing. 1) FSA intumescent At number one is our FSA Fire Rated Intumescent & Acoustic Sealant Mastic! The acrylic sealant’s primary purpose is to stop fire from penetrating a door space, which it does by swelling at 125 degrees. The sealant, which is available in both 310ml and 900ml cartridges, has been fire-graded at BS EN 1366-4, BS476-20 and BS476-22 ratings. In addition, it also has a four-hour integrity and insulation rating and can also be used around pipes and cables to try and prevent the spread of a fire.  Multifix products are here to help you The main reason why we do our own-brand products is because we want to help you. We want you to have good quality products that can get the job done well and in some instances, for less money.  That’s why we’re continuously looking for other ways in which we can expand our range, so to see our own-brand products fare so well is always hugely promising.  We also stock a host of other own-branded products which aren’t on this list, such as blades, masonry screws and packers, amongst others.  If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to find out more about them, you can get in touch with us here. 

01

Sep
Where does Multifix deliver to?

Not having what you need can be disastrous and can lead to project delays and idle labour on site. As such, it’s imperative that when you’re ordering supplies, you know that they will turn up on time and when they say your delivery will arrive.  At Multifix, delivery reliability is one of our priorities. We have our own fleet of drivers and vehicles to deliver your goods and they have a 99.3% delivery success rate. 75% of our orders from our own vans are on-site before 12pm midday.  In addition, you can track your delivery via the portal and our driver will call you shortly before they are on-site to let you know they’ve arrived. We’re not in the business of just dumping your parcel and leaving; our drivers require a signature on all deliveries and take a picture to prove it’s turned up. But, where does Multifix deliver to? That is the number one question we are asked. The answer is nationwide. We will deliver your goods to any part of the country, without question or issue. Be it Liverpool, Nottingham, Plymouth or Carlisle, we'll get you what you need.  However, our fleet of vans doesn't go nationwide. We are mainly south/southeastern based, so anything north of the Midlands and west of Swindon is currently out of bounds for our delivery drivers. As such, we have compiled a full list of where our vans will go for you. You can either scroll down and browse or press Ctrl and F at the same time (Cmd and F if you’re on a Mac) and type in your postcode to check.  Please note, we are always looking to expand our reach. Therefore, keep an eye on this page if and when we do so, as we will update it accordingly. As mentioned above, we do deliver nationwide, so if you do not see your postcode or part of the world on the list, we can arrange delivery by courier to anywhere outside of our delivery routes. Equally, if you can’t see your postcode but can see one very near you, please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do! You can find out how to contact us here.  Bedfordshire Arlesey (SG15) Bedford (MK40, MK41, MK42, MK43, MK44, MK45) Biggleswade (SG18) Dunstable (LU5, LU6) Henlow (SG16) Leighton Buzzard (LU7) Luton (LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4) Sandy (SG19) Shefford (SG17) Berkshire Ascot (SL5) Bracknell (RG12, RG42) Crowthorne (RG45) Hungerford (RG17) Maidenhead (SL6) Newbury (RG14, RG20) Reading (RG7, RG8, RG10) Slough (SL1, SL2, SL3) Thatcham (RG18, RG19) Windsor (SL4) Wokingham (RG40, RG41) Bristol Bristol (BS1, BS2, BS3, BS4, BS5, BS6, BS7, BS8, BS9, BS10, BS11, BS13, BS14, BS15, BS16, BS20, BS30, BS31, BS32, BS34, BS36, BS37, BS39, BS40, BS41, BS48, BS49) Buckinghamshire Amersham (HP6, HP7) Aylesbury (HP17, HP18, HP19, HP20, HP21, HP22) Beaconsfield (HP9) Bourne End (SL8) Buckingham (MK18) Chalfont St. Giles (HP8) Chesham (HP5) Gerrards Cross (SL9) Great Missenden (HP16) High Wycombe (HP10, HP11, HP12, HP13, HP14, HP15) Iver (SL0) Marlow (SL7) Milton Keynes (MK1, MK2, MK3, MK4, MK5, MK6, MK7, MK8, MK9, MK10, MK11, MK12, MK13, MK14, MK15, MK17, MK19) Newport Pagnell (MK16) Olney (MK46) Princes Risborough (HP22, HP27) Tring (HP23) East Anglia Aldeburgh (IP15) Attleborough (NR17) Beccles (NR34) Brandon (IP27) Bungay (NR35) Bury St. Edmunds (IP28, IP29, IP30, IP31, IP32, IP33) Cambridge (CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5, CB21, CB22, CB23, CB24, CB25) Chatteris (PE16) Diss (IP21, IP22) Downham Market (PE38) Ely (CB6, CB7) Eye (IP21, IP23) Felixstowe (IP11) Halesworth (IP19) Harleston (IP20) Haverhill (CB9) Huntingdon (PE26, PE28, PE29) Ipswich (IP1, IP2, IP3, IP4, IP5, IP6, IP7, IP8, IP9, IP10) King’s Lynn (PE33) Leiston (IP16) March (PE15) Newmarket (CB8) Norwich (NR1, NR2, NR3, NR4, NR5, NR6, NR7, NR8, NR9, NR13, NR14, NR15, NR16, NR18) Peterborough (PE1, PE2, PE3, PE4, PE5, PE6, PE7, PE8) Saffron Walden (CB10, CB11) Saxmundham (IP17) Southwold (IP18) St. Ives (PE27) St. Neotts (PE19) Stamford (PE9) Stowmarket (IP14) Sudbury (CO10) Swaffham (PE37) Thetford (IP24, IP25, IP26) Wisbech (PE13, PE14) Woodbridge (IP12, IP13) Essex Basildon (SS13, SS14, SS15, SS16) Benfleet (SS7) Billericay (CM11, CM12) Bishop’s Stortford (CM22, CM23) Braintree (CM7, CM77) Brentwood (CM13, CM14, CM15) Buckhurst Hill (IG9) Bures (CO8) Burnham-on-Crouch (CM0) Canvey Island (SS8) Chelmsford (CM1, CM2, CM3) Chigwell (IG7) Clacton-on-Sea (CO15, CO16) Colchester (CO1, CO2, CO3, CO4, CO5, CO6, CO7) Dagenham (RM8, RM9, RM10)  Dunmow (CM6, CM7) Epping (CM16) Frinton-on-Sea (CO13) Grays (RM16, RM17, RM20) Halstead (CO9) Harlow (CM17, CM18, CM19, CM20) Harwich (CO12) Hockley (SS5) Hornchurch (RM11, RM12) Ilford (RM6) Ingatestone (CM4) Leigh-on-Sea (SS9) Loughton (IG10) Ongar (CM5) Maldon (CM9) Manningtree (CO11) Purfleet (RM19) Rainham (RM13) Rayleigh (SS6) Rochford (SS4) Romford (RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RM5, RM6, RM7) Sawbridgeworth (CM21) Southend-on-Sea (SS1, SS2, SS3, SS99) Southminster (CM0) South Ockendon (RM15) Stansted (CM24) Stanford-le-Hope (SS17) Tilbury (RM18) Waltham Abbey (EN9) Walton-on-the-Naze (CO14) Westcliff-on-Sea (SS0, SS1) Wickford (SS11, SS12) Witham (CM8) Gloucestershire Badminton (GL9) Cirencester (GL7) Fairford (GL7) Lechlade (GL7) Tetbury (GL8) Wotton-under-Edge (GL12) Hampshire Alresford (SO24) Bognor Regis (PO21, PO22) Brockenhurst (SO42) Chichester (PO18, PO19, PO20) Eastleigh (SO50, SO53) Emsworth (PO10) Fareham (PO14, PO15, PO16, PO17) Fleet (GU51, GU52) Gosport (PO12, PO13) Havant (PO9) Hayling Island (PO11) Hook (RG27, RG29) Lee-on-the-Solent (PO12, PO13) Lymington (SO41) Lyndhurst (SO40, SO43) Portsmouth (PO1, PO2, PO3, PO6, PO24) Romsey (SO51) Southampton (SO14, SO15, SO16, SO17, SO18, SO19, SO30, SO31, SO32, SO45, SO52)  Southsea (PO4, PO5) Stockbridge (SO20) Waterlooville (PO7, PO8) Winchester (SO21, SO22, SO23, SO25)  Hertfordshire Baldock (SG7) Berkhamsted (HP4) Borehamwood (WD6) Broxbourne (EN10) Buntingford (SG9) Bushey (WD23) Harpenden (AL5) Hatfield (AL9, AL10) Hemel Hempstead (HP1, HP2, HP3) Hertford (SG13, SG14) Hitchin (SG4, SG5, SG6) Hoddesdon (EN11) Kings Langley (WD4, WD5) Knebworth (SG3) Much Haddam (SG10) Potters Bar (EN6) Radlett (WD7) Rickmansworth (WD3) Royston (SG8) St Albans (AL1, AL2, AL3, AL4) Stevenage (SG1, SG2) Waltham Cross (EN7, EN8) Ware (SG11, SG12) Watford (WD17, WD18, WD19, WD24, WD25) Welwyn (AL6) Welwyn Garden City (AL7, AL8) Kent Ashford (TN23, TN24, TN25, TN26, TN27) Aylesford (ME20) Birchington (CT7) Broadstairs (CT10) Bromley (BR1, BR2) Canterbury (CT1, CT2, CT3, CT4) Chatham (ME4, ME5) Cranbrook (TN17, TN18) Crowborough (TN6) Dartford (DA1, DA2, DA4) Deal (CT14) Dover (CT15, CT16, CT17) Edenbridge (TN8) Etchingham (TN19) Faversham (ME13) Folkestone (CT18, CT19, CT20) Gillingham (ME7, ME8) Gravesend (DA11, DA12, DA13) Greenhithe (DA9) Hartfield (TN7) Heathfield (TN21) Herne Bay (CT6) Hythe (CT21) Longfield (DA3) Margate (CT9) Maidstone (ME14, ME15, ME16, ME17, ME18) Mayfield (TN20) New Romney (TN28) Orpington (BR5, BR6) Queenborough (ME11) Ramsgate (CT11, CT12) Rochester (ME1, ME2, ME3) Romney Marsh (TN29) Sandwich (CT13) Sevenoaks (TN13, TN14, TN15) Sheerness (ME12) Sittingbourne (ME9, ME10) Snodland (ME6) Swanscombe (DA10) Swanley (BR8) Tenterden (TN30) Tonbridge (TN9, TN10, TN11, TN12) Tunbridge Wells (TN1, TN2, TN3, TN4) Wadhurst (TN2, TN5) Westerham (TN16) Westgate-on-Sea (CT8) West Malling (ME6, ME19) Whitstable (CT5) Uckfield (TN22) London Barking (IG11) Banstead (SM7) Barnet (EN4, EN5) Beckenham (BR3) Belvedere (DA17) Bexley (DA5) Bexleyheath (DA6, DA7) Brentford (TW8) Carshalton (SM5) Chislehurst (BR7) Coulsdon (CR5) Croydon (CR0, CR9) East London (E1, E2, E3, E4, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9, E10, E11, E12, E13, E14, E15, E16, E17, E18, E20, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4) Edgware (HA8) Enfield (EN1, EN2, EN3) Erith (DA8, DA18) Feltham (TW13, TW14) Greenford (UB5, UB6, UB18) Hampton (TW12) Harrow (HA1, HA2, HA3) Hayes (UB3, UB4) Hounslow (TW3, TW4, TW5, TW6) Ilford (IG1, IG2, IG3, IG4, IG5, IG6) Isleworth (TW7) Kenley (CR8) Mitcham (CR4) Morden (SM4) North London (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N9, N10, N11, N12, N13, N14, N15, N16, N17, N18, N19. N20, N21, N22, NW1, NW2, NW3, NW4, NW5, NW6, NW7, NW8, NW9, NW10, NW11) Northolt (UB5) Northwood (HA6) Pinner (HA5) Purley (CR8) Richmond (TW9, TW10) Ruislip (HA4) Sidcup (DA14, DA15) South Croydon (CR2) South London (SE,1, SE2, SE3, SE4, SE5, SE6, SE7, SE8, SE9, SE10, SE11, SE12, SE13, SE14, SE15, SE16, SE17, SE18, SE19, SE20, SE21, SE22, SE23, SE24, SE25, SE26, SE27, SE28, SW1, SW2, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW13, SW14, SW15, SW16, SW17, SW18, SW19, SW20, SW1X) Southall (UB1, UB2, UB3) Stanmore (HA7) Sutton (SM1, SM2, SM3) Thornton Heath (CR7) Twickenham (TW1, TW2) Wallington (SM6) Welling (DA16) Wembley (HA0, HA9) West Drayton (UB7, UB8) West London (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7, W8, W9, W10, W11, W12, W13, WC1, WC2) West Wickham (BR4) Woodford Green (IG8) Upminster (RM14) Uxbridge (UB8, UB9, UB10, UB11)  Oxfordshire Abingdon (OX13, OX14) Bampton (OX18) Bicester (OX25, OX26, OX27) Burford (OX18) Carterton (OX20) Chinnor (OX39) Didcot (OX11) Faringdon (SN7) Henley-on-Thames (RG9) Kidlington (OX5) Oxford (OX1, OX2, OX3, OX4, OX33, OX44) Thame (OX9) Wallingford (OX10) Wantage (OX12) Watlington (OX49) Witney (OX28, OX29) Woodstock (OX20) Somerset Banwell (BS29) Bath (BA1, BA2) Clevedon (BS21) Weston-Super-Mare (BS22, BS23, BS24) Winscombe (BS25) Surrey Addlestone (KT15) Aldershot (GU11, GU12) Alton (GU34) Ashford (TW15) Ashtead (KT21) Bagshot (GU19) Betchworth (RH3) Bordon (GU35) Camberley (GU15, GU16, GU17) Caterham (CR3) Chertsey (KT16) Chessington (KT9) Cobham (KT11) Cranleigh (GU6) Dorking (RH4, RH5) East Molesey (KT8) Egham (TW20) Esher (KT10) Epsom (KT17, KT18, KT19) Farnborough (GU14) Farnham (GU9, GU10) Gatwick (RH6) Godalming (GU7, GU8) Godstone (RH9) Guildford (GU1, GU2, GU3, GU4, GU5, GU13) Hindhead (GU26, GU27) Horley (RH6) Kingston Upon Thames (KT1, KT2) Leatherhead (KT22, KT23, KT24) Lightwater (GU18) Liphook (GU30) Lingfield (RH7) Liss (GU33) Oxted (RH8) Petersfield (GU31, GU32) Petworth (GU28) Midhurst (GU29) New Malden (KT3) Redhill (RH1) Reigate (RH2) Sandhurst (GU47) Shepperton (TW17) Staines-upon-Thames (TW18, TW19) Sunbury-on-Thames (TW16) Surbiton (KT5, KT6) Tadworth (KT20) Thames Ditton (KT7) Teddington (TW11) Virginia Water (GU25) Walton-on-Thames (KT12) Warlingham (CR6) West Byfleet (KT14) West Molesey (KT8) Weybridge (KT13) Whyteleafe (CR3) Windlesham (GU20) Woking (GU21, GU22, GU23, GU24) Worcester Park (KT4) Yateley (GU46) Sussex Arundel (BN18) Battle (TN33) Bexhill-on-Sea (TN39, TN40) Billingshurst (RH14) Brighton (BN1, BN2, BN4, BN41, BN42, BN45) Burgess Hill (RH15) Crawley (RH10, RH11) Eastbourne (BN20, BN21, BN22, BN23) East Grinstead (RH19) Forest Row (RH18) Hailsham (BN27) Hassocks (BN6) Hastings (TN34, TN35) Haywards Heath (RH16, RH17) Henfield (BN5) Horsham (RH12, RH13) Hove (BN3) Lancing (BN15) Littlehampton (BN16, BN17) Lewes (BN7, BN8) Newhaven (BN9) Peacehaven (BN10) Pevensey (BN24) Polegate (BN26) Pulborough (RH20) Robertsbridge (TN32) Rye (TN31) Seaford (BN25) Shoreham-by-Sea (BN43) Steyning (BN44) St. Leonards-on Sea (TN37, TN38) Winchelsea (TN36) Worthing (BN11, BN12, BN13, BN14) Wiltshire Bradford-upon-Avon (BA15) Calne (SN11) Chippenham (SN14, SN15) Corsham (SN13, SN15) Devizes (SN10) Malmesbury (SN16) Marlborough (SN8) Melksham (SN12) Pewsey (SN9) Swindon (SN1, SN2, SN3, SN4, SN5, SN6, SN25, SN26) Trowbridge (BA14)

10

Oct
Should you use a PPN nailer over loose twist nails?

No matter what we do for work, we will always be on the lookout for ways to make our lives easier and carpenters are no different. Whether it’s to do a job better or to do it quicker without cutting corners, we’re always hearing about how you want to boost efficiency. One recent suggestion was whether it was worth using a PPN nailer instead of using loose twist nails for projects. Some have claimed that the time saved by using one is notable, which is helping you complete projects quicker, but without losing out on quality.  At Multifix, we stock both PPN nails and loose twist nails, so we’re well-placed to offer an objective view on the matter. That’s why we’ve written this article, as we have weighed up the pros and cons of both. Come the end of the article, you’ll know their strong points, weaknesses and what projects they’re best suited to. What is the main difference between a PPN nailer and loose twist nails? When you use a PPN nailer, you are using a nail gun to fire nails into a material. When you are using loose twist nails, you are physically taking the nail with your hands and placing it into the material with a hammer. Essentially then, it is a case of determining whether using a machine is better than using your own two hands for a project. What are the pros of a PPN nailer? Speed and precision are two of the most important aspects of a carpenter’s job and a PPN nailer can provide both in abundance. The nailers themselves are designed for consistent speed and it’s also very quick to reload them, so if you’re up against it, they are valuable. They also have a collation system installed, which will give you a very uniform and precise finish when you actually fire the nails. Above all else though, they are simply very easy to use. PPN nailers are extremely user-friendly; they are easy to load and you can use them for a while without being tired. As such, you can crack on with them without having to worry about too much. And the pros for loose twist nails? If you want an exact finish, then loose twist nails are the way to guarantee it. For those who may not know, an exact finish is something that is incredibly precise. With loose twist nails, there’s no anticipating where a nail might go, as you decide exactly where it is inserted into the material. Therefore, if you want the highest level of control, then loose twist nails are the best thing you can use. You also have much more manoeuvrability when using loose twist nails, too. They couldn’t be much simpler to use, either. All you need to do is pinpoint where you want the nail to go with one hand and hammer it in with the other. It’s a method that has stood the test of time, as for decades this has been a highly effective way of getting the job done. They’re also very cheap, which is a big pro. What about the cons of PPN nailers? While they are quick and accurate, PPN nailers are generally quite heavy. This is because they’re quite bulky, so they’re not the most comfortable or easy to move about. This in turn means that they’re not the best suited for small projects. When it comes to things like trim work or furniture assembly, where it’s not so much about speed, but being able to move freely to be precise, they’re a bit heavy-handed. You may also have a misfire or a jam when using a PPN nailer, which can add time to your day if it’s not a quick fix. What cons do loose twist nails have? Speed. If you don’t have time on your side, you could spend hours on a project individually hammering each nail in. By contrast, using a nailer would do it in a fraction of the time. If you’re on a big project and have to use loose twist nails, you could potentially add days onto the projected completion time. As a result, not only are you going to suffer from a lack of speed, but you’re going to have deadlines bearing on you as well. Which is best for my project? Unless you’re working on a small project, using a PPN nailer is always going to be more efficient. Everything is faster, you still get precise finishing and you can get so much more done. However, if you are working on a smaller project and space isn’t on your side, using loose twist nails is likely to be a great shout. They’re a massive budget saver compared to using a PPN nailer, you can afford to be exact and while it will take longer, you can almost guarantee accuracy. We understand that the cost of a nailer and the nails that come with it can seem steep, but if you would like to discuss pricing with our team, you can do so here.

11

Oct
October 2023 Portal Updates

The Multifix Customer Portal Multifix strives to continually build and improve our Customer Portal to ensure your procurement is an easy and simple process. Our quotation process is improving. Here's what that will mean for you: All quotations and order acknowledgments will now be automatically sent through email. The 'View Quote' button will then take you to your quote within our Customer Portal.  Note that if you are the company admin, you will see all company quotes. If you do not have a Customer Portal account, you will be able to view the quotations and order acknowledgments but you will not be able to do anything further.  Sign up to the Customer Portal now for full access. As seen to the left, you are then taken to your quote. At the bottom of each quote will be 3 buttons.  Reject Quote: This will then pop up a quick message asking the reasons for rejection.  Save For Later: This will save your quote so you can place it another time.  Edit & Confirm Quote: This will allow you to add or take items off your order and place your order once you are happy.  You can also add a comment under the 'Comments' section where you can ask any questions or queries which will go straight to our Sales team. Watch the video below for the step-by-step run-through. What else has improved? You can now set a spend limit for each user within your organisation. This means, if a user puts through an order over the spend limit, the pop-up to the left will show. You can then click the 'Create Requisition' button which will send a requisition request to the account administrator for approval. Note: Spend limit is set within the user permission of each user. Requisitions have to be enabled on each user for this to work. To set up spend limits, watch the video below: Lastly, for our mobile users on the Portal, our footer has changed.  Your footer will now contain short cuts to the most used items from our Portal interface  

13

Oct
The cost of construction: four factors why Multifix isn’t the cheapest

The cost of construction isn’t cheap. Project prices are rising and we know that it is currently a difficult market for housebuilders at present. With this in mind, one of the main courses of dialogue we have is around pricing. Understandably, you want to know that you’re getting value for your hard-earned money. You want to know that the products you’ve bought will be more than good enough to get the job done. Risks can’t be afforded as time is money.  Multifix has always tried to be cost-effective in how we operate, however, we can’t always guarantee that we’re going to be the cheapest option on the market.  That leads to us being asked questions on occasion. You will have seen something somewhere else and understandably want to know why we are charging more.  With that in mind, we thought it would be best to be transparent with you and explain our reasons. We always want to be honest with you and that extends to how we run our business, too. In this article, we will highlight four factors why we don’t have the lowest prices and explain our reasoning. 1. We utilise our own fleet of vans To give you the best service, we have our own fleet of vans and our own drivers, who operate from our warehouse in Barking. It would be cheaper for us to only operate with couriers, but that comes with the risk of missed or late deliveries that result in generally poor service. As the old saying goes, if you want a job done right, do it yourself. Our van delivery success rate is 99.3% and we simply cannot guarantee that percentage with couriers. This impacts you because it means that, assuming you are within our geographic reach, you’re almost guaranteed to get your delivery on time. There is minimal risk of delay and 70% of the time, the delivery is with you before 12pm midday.  This means that you can get cracking straight away, without losing time and going a step closer to getting the job done.  Of course, we do use couriers for areas our fleet can’t get to if so required, but the vast majority of our deliveries are done by our internal fleet. That is one of the reasons why we aren’t the least expensive. In addition to paying our drivers a fair salary while maintaining and supplying our fleet, we’re also always looking to improve. 2. Centralised operations in Barking come with a higher cost of business We are very fortunate to be in a strategic location here in the southeast for our customers. However, that real estate does have its price tag. Put bluntly, our overheads for being located where we are in Barking are much higher than they would be for other parts of the country. However, being where we are is much more sustainable than being in another part of the UK. If we did, we would need to put absolutely everything on couriers, which would be much cheaper but wouldn’t give you the same service. As we mentioned above, having speedy deliveries that reliably turn up on time is so important. It’s something that we’re happy to pay the cost for, as it makes your lives much easier.  In addition, the environmental side of things is better as we can plot our routes with our sustainable focus in mind. As a company, we have pledged to be much more sustainable and have already made a lot of changes to try and ensure that we are doing so. You can find out more about that here.   We wouldn’t want to sacrifice our service by being anywhere else, but unfortunately, it is a factor as to why we aren’t super cheap. 3. Multifix only stocks products of very high quality A crucial factor contributing to overall cost is the actual products themselves. At Multifix, we insist on stocking good products of good quality, as we feel that is the very least you should be operating with. As such, we don’t go for the super cheap materials because we know they won’t do the job your standards demand. In addition, we also stock a plethora of big-name brands that have been supplying items for decades. This includes the likes of Paslode, Ancon, Bosch, Protecta and Visqueen, all of whom excel in their respective sectors.   This is perhaps the most straightforward reason for our prices not being the lowest, as we aren’t selling the cheapest products. That isn’t to say there aren’t bargains to be found, but everything we stock is of proven industry-level quality. 4. Our customer service team is always ready to help While we do have a 99.3% delivery success rate with our own vans, sometimes things don’t go as planned. Equally, maybe something has come up and you need advice quickly. In these scenarios, we would much rather you speak to a human being rather than wait for an email response. As such, we are proud to have a hard-working and knowledgeable customer service team, who are only a phone call away to field your questions. The option to talk through an issue with a human being isn’t something to be underestimated. We are also currently in the process of getting a live chat ready, as we understand the importance of time.  The quicker the response, the quicker you can get back to your tasks. The best way to give you a quick response is to speak to you in real-time, so that is why we insist on having a dedicated customer service team. When you have a query or an issue, we don’t want you waiting for an email response or to have bad service. It can disrupt your projects and that’s the last thing we want for you.  Ultimately though, it does come at a cost and that is one of the key factors why we don’t have the lowest prices.  A belief we are the best for the job Taking everything into consideration, we do believe that we offer fair and competitive pricing. We accept we don’t have the lowest prices, but there is a good reason for that. Hopefully after reading this article and seeing the four points in question, you’ll be more understanding as to why we charge what we do. If you would like to discuss our price options in further detail with a member of our expert team, you can find out how to do so here.

17

Oct
Why does Protecta FR Acrylic cost more?

When it comes to passive fire protection, the product price isn’t the be-all and end-all. The main thing that matters is safety, which you can’t put a price on.  However, if you can get a product that can keep people safe for cheaper, we understand this is a path you’re likely to take.  But, if you can get all the standards and proven quality, we believe that is worth a bit extra. That is why Multifix stocks Protecta’s FR Acrylic as, even though it costs more, we believe it’s worth it. Why do we believe it’s worth it, though? Why is the higher price justified? Why shouldn’t you just go with a cheaper option that does the same thing and is as safe? Those are some of the questions that we’ll be looking to cover in this article. We’ll explain why we value it the way we do, what it’s capable of and why it might be right for you. What is the price of Protecta FR acrylic? There are two versions of the Protecta FR Acrylic that we sell. The first is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Sealant, which has a list price of £3.06 ex. VAT. The second is the FR Acrylic 310ml Cart 4Hr Intumescent Pure White, which has a list price of £4.06 ex. VAT. The difference between the two is that the cheaper one is off-white, whereas the more expensive one is pure white. The pure white one is a better fit if cosmetics are a factor, as it’s not as obvious on the surface. Aside from that, it’s the same product. In addition, we also sell two foils to complement the FR Acrylic. The Eco-Foil is designed to reduce waste on-site, as you simply put the foils into the empty cartridges. Multifix stocks the 300ml and 600ml foils, which have list prices of £2.77 and £4.51 respectively, ex. VAT. How much more expensive are FR Acrylics compared to competitors? The answer ranges from a little bit, to quite a bit. The list price of the Quelfire QuelStop 310ml costs £2.95 ex. VAT, while the Nullifire FS702 310ml list price is £3.35 ex. VAT. Meanwhile, the FSi Pyrocoustic 310ml has a list price of £2.15 ex. VAT.  Equally, the Pyroplex Intumescent Acrylic Sealant costs £2.09 ex. VAT and the FS4 Fireshield AC Intumescent Acrylic costs £1.94 ex. VAT. It is worth noting that we do not stock any of these products.  As such then, only one of the five mentioned is more expensive than the FR Acrylic, while none cost more than the FR Acrylic in white.  Why is the FR Acrylic more expensive? There are two reasons why Protecta’s FR Acrylic is more expensive: It isn’t just exclusively used for non-combustible pipes, as it can also be used for cable bundles It can be used in pipes up to 32mm diameter The first point is arguably ample reason as is, given the versatility aspects can really help you when firestopping. However, it is the second point where the FR Acrylic really earns its value.  Whether non-combustible or combustible, FR Acrylic be used on pipes up to 32mm in diameter. This is a notable difference as none of the competitors listed can go to 32mm pipe diameter. Acrylics are suited for 10-30mm openings and for anything above 30mm, you would normally have to use graphite instead. Graphite is more expensive than acrylics; for context, a 310ml cartridge of FR Graphite from Protecta costs £6.04 ex. VAT.  Therefore, if you have a diameter space that the acrylic can fill instead of graphite, you’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run. Is there anything else that makes it more expensive? Yes – the movement it offers. The QuelStop and Pyroplex can allow a maximum movement capability of 7.5%, but the FR Acrylic goes further and offers you 12.5%. The maximum movement capability is how much the sealant will expand in the event of a fire before cracking. The more it can expand, the better it can protect you, so to be 5% up on competitor products is huge. It has also been independently verified for use with cPVC pipes, such as the Blazemaster. It isn’t on the Lubrizol-approved list but is still cleared for use.  Is there anything another product can do better? In the balance of fairness, we will highlight a few areas where other products have something of an advantage over the FR Acrylic. The most notable one is the gaps for linear joints, whether they’re concrete or gypsum board. The FR Acrylic has a maximum width of 30mm; any wider than that and the product can crack and shrink. By comparison, the QuelStop is suitable for linear joints up to 50mm wide when it comes to concrete to concrete, steel or softwood. However, it only goes to 20mm wide for a gypsum board with a steelhead track. The FSi Pyrocoustic eclipses both as it also goes to 50mm wide gaps for linear joints but for all materials. Finally, when it comes to acoustic protection, there’s very little in it. That being said, while the FR Acrylic can offer acoustic protection of Rw 62 dB, both the QuelStop and the FSi Pyrocoustic can offer up to Rw 63 dB. Is the FR Acrylic worth the extra then? As we said at the start of the article, we do believe so. The extra 5% manoeuvrability is a big plus, but being able to use it for diameter gaps up to 32mm is huge. Also, the fact it can be used with cPVC pipes isn’t to be dismissed. When the alternative is graphite, the FR Acrylic is a cheaper option in the long run. The maximum width of 30mm for linear joints can be an issue, but considering everything, you’ll get your money’s worth with the FR Acrylic. You also get a lot of technical support with the FR Acrylic as well. To find out more about the technical support and what you should be looking for with it, read this article. 

26

Oct
Top three Ancon products (and what we stock at Multifix)

If the structural integrity of a building isn’t strong enough, the most extreme possibility is collapse.  Therefore, it cannot be stressed enough how vital the structural integrity of a building is; especially a high-rise building. Ultimately, it’s safety on the line. Without structural integrity, the damage possibilities are huge. In addition, the harm to your reputation for a poorly constructed high-rise would be catastrophic for you. Other legal issues could come from that, which will likely lead to fines or lawsuits. The building itself would lose value and residents may have to be evacuated while it gets sorted. All of this hassle, all of this financial expense and all of this reputational damage can be avoided if the right materials are used in the first place. This is one of the reasons we insist on stocking products of good quality, to prevent this issue. It’s also one of the reasons we stock Ancon products. Ancon’s products are renowned for their quality and above all else, for being trustworthy and reliable. In this article, we have cherry-picked our top three Ancon products and explored how they can help you. 1. The Ancon 25/14 channel system The 25/14 restraint system is designed to fix the outer leaf of brickwork onto a light steel frame. It can do so through any type of insulation. By doing so, it secures and stabilises the brickwork in a building. This in turn stops the brickwork from failing, in addition to stopping things like cracking or movement. The system comprises three parts: the wall ties, the high-thread fixing screws and the compression sleeves. The high-thread fixing screws are self-drilling and they go straight through the channel and insulation into the steel. The maximum combined insulation and backing board thickness is 220mm, while any insulation board that goes with it has a maximum thickness of 180mm. Multifix can deliver all three components for the 25/14 channel system; you can find the wall ties here and the fixing screws here. The compression sleeves are made to measure, but we can get them for you with some advanced information. As we mentioned earlier, Ancon products are renowned for their quality and they are more than happy to back that up. If you install a 25/14 channel system, you will have a 60-year warranty for that. 2. Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement If you need to strengthen masonry panels without thickening the wall, then the Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement is ideal. A fabricated steel reinforcement system, the Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement is located in the bed joint to bolster it. To make sure there’s always good mortar cover, even when used with wall ties or lapped, the longitudinal steel wires have been flattened. It also meets the requirements of BS EN 845-3:2003, which gives peace of mind as that rating is an NHBC requirement when it comes to bed joint reinforcements. The widths come in either 60mm, 100mm, 150mm or 175mm and are designed for use with wall widths from 100mm to 215mm. The Ancon AMR Masonry Reinforcement comes in packs of 20 and you can see our whole range for the product here. 3. Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint The Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint serves as a method of securing the upper part of internal walls, or the upper section of the inner leaf in a cavity wall. Designed with a sealed front to prevent mortar from entering, the stem channel is also able to allow for vertical movement between the blockwork and the structure. The restraint is made up of two parts – a moveable top section and a stem. The standard length of the sliding top section can accommodate a 50mm gap, however, extended sections are available. The extended sections will go to 75mm, which is very handy if you’re looking to incorporate a firestopping solution at the top of the wall. In addition, it’s useful if you’re expecting more deflection inside the floor. As for the stem, it’s perfectly suitable for a 215mm high block. If you are working on a taller block, then it is possible to request IHR stems that can do the job. However, it might not be possible to get a stem for a gap exceeding 40mm above the block. You can purchase the Ancon IHR-V Internal Head Restraint (IHR-V) here. Get the best Ancon products to help you As we said earlier, the structural integrity of a building must be not only kept but also protected. It is for that reason that we stock Ancon, as we really believe that their products will do a lot more than just tick a box. We only have a limited range of Ancon products for now, with a focus on the essentials, but we are looking to grow that. We will be the first to let you know when we add more products to the range. If you would like to see our Ancon range, you can do so here. However, whether you choose Ancon or another manufacturer, you will need a good brickwork supplier to get the job done. Find out what to look for in a brickwork supplier here.

27

Oct
The two main factors impacting on-site wastage

Wastage is a problem that has consistently plagued carpenters and keeping a lid on it can be tricky. In fact, if you’re working on a large project with 250 people, it can be very tricky. Here’s a stat for you. As per our sales data for Q1 and 2 for 2023, 33% of a carpenter’s fixings spend on average is on nails.  Whether it’s Paslode or Fischer, a third of your fixing spending will be on nails to get the job done. However, nails are also one of the biggest reasons for on-site wastage. This happens when half-full boxes are left in the rain, or strips of nails are just left on the floor. Knowing you have to spend more than planned to replace those products can be infuriating. As such, we have spoken to you about the problems faced in the field and have compiled an article outlining the two biggest examples of waste. While we may not have the perfect solution ourselves to fix these examples, we’ll offer helpful advice to cut your wastage percentage down. We may also have a few possible solutions ourselves. As and when we feel appropriate, we will suggest something that we offer that we feel could help.  Problem one – nails As mentioned above, nails are a huge potential contributing factor to waste on site. To help you visualise this, we’ll use the example of boxes being left out in the rain or seeing strips spread over the floor. If half a box is left lying on the floor or out in the rain, assuming a full box has a list price between £72-80, that’ll cost you around £35-40. Now, to some, that might make you go, “oh that’s not too bad. Just a round at the pub, I can deal with that.” Now apply that scenario to every box, where half of it is unusable for various different reasons. And picture that the overall fixings cost of the project was £100k. Out of that £100k, £33k would’ve been spent on nails, as per our data. If half of that has been wasted, you’ve essentially launched £16,500 into a bonfire. Not such a small sum now, is it? It’s worth noting that nail wastage is much easier to control on smaller sites and smaller projects, where there are fewer of you. The accountability level is much higher, as there are fewer people to manage. With a bigger project, however, it can be very difficult to keep track. Unsurprisingly then, this is when you’re most likely to see nail wastage. Solutions There are a few solutions, but sadly they are rather vague. Suggesting things like ‘only order what you need’ falls flat in the event someone misplaces a box of nails and you have to order a replacement anyway. That being said, it would allow a layer of accountability – even on a bigger project – as you’d likely know exactly who has the box. One possible idea is to have a QR code on everything and scan each item in and out with your phone. Some apps, such as PlanRadar or QR Tiger, could be a solution for you. The caveat to that is that it’s another cost and it would take some time to put a QR code on every product. However, if the pricing options cost less than what you’re frequently losing, it could be worth the time and outlay. Problem two – inventory shrinkage It’s a hugely difficult topic to discuss, but unfortunately, one that does happen with some regularity. Much like nail wastage, this is much more pertinent on bigger projects, but it remains a big issue. Generally speaking, out of a spend for a project, 95% will go towards labour. If you’re managing 10 people, the opportunity for shrinkage is naturally a lot lower, as there’s more accountability. However, as mentioned, the issues arise on bigger projects, when there are say, 250 people. These people aren’t necessarily loyal to your company, so some won’t have many issues taking items home and using them for other jobs. Naturally, this comes at a financial cost to you. Not only will you have to order things again, which can include very expensive products, but you likely won’t have any idea who has taken them. As such, shrinkage is a huge issue and one that can be especially detrimental to your budget. Solution Unlike nail wastage, there is more that can be done to limit shrinkage. The QR code option is also a possibility, but there are also other methods that can prevent things from being stolen. One possible solution is our customer portal. With the portal, we have a number of options that can limit the possibility of shrinkage. For a start, requisition orders can be policed or controlled by someone in the office. This then allows the Senior Manager to sign off, rather than letting site workers just order what they want on your card. You can also edit requisition requests, which prevents over-ordering and allows you to spot those who could be doing it. The portal also has a start and end date for your project, so you can mentally know how much should be spent around that sort of time. We can also provide you with detailed, monthly reporting on your spending. This allows you to see what’s being spent to the penny, so if there is anything odd, you can spot it and act accordingly. All of this contributes towards shrinkage as it gives you more control over what is being spent. With that, you can then hold your team to account more if something goes missing. Dealing with on-site wastage Managing these two problems can be very difficult. Even when putting in the most stringent of countermeasures, they can still happen. We know site managers fine those who contribute to wastage and fire those who contribute towards shrinkage, but it’s difficult. While we don’t have all the answers, we do believe that the portal can help you keep a firmer grip to prevent both. To find out more about the portal and what it can offer, you can read this article. Equally, if you would like to speak to one of our expert team to talk through the portal in more depth, you can do so here.

30

Oct
What to expect at a Multifix trial review meeting

Within one to three months of Multifix supplying one or some of your sites, you’ll now know how we operate and what we’re like to work with. However, once that time is up, it’ll be time to make some decisions. As you’d have been made aware at the start of your trial run, a review meeting will be at the end of it. But what happens in this review meeting? What should you be preparing yourself for? Furthermore, what is the point of it? The short answer is that the review meeting is important as it determines the next steps for you and us. Come the end of it, we’ll both have a clear view of what comes next. As such, we have put together this article for you to help you go into your review meeting with 100% transparency of what to expect. We don’t want you to feel there are any hidden surprises or anything like that, so we hope this will help you. The point of a trial review meeting In short, the point of the trial review meeting is to determine whether or not you want to use us as a supplier moving forward. By this stage, we would have been regularly providing your supplies for one or more sites, so we would also expect and welcome any feedback on how we have performed. We want to hear your thoughts, whether they're positive or negative. We’ll use your feedback to improve our service, so please be completely honest during this meeting.  The meeting itself, much like the introductory trial meeting, will likely be conducted by one of the business leads and the Head of Sales and Marketing.  There is a possibility different personnel will be there, but it’s unlikely to be someone you’ve not met before. What happens if I want to keep Multifix as a supplier? Many clients want to keep working with us after the trial period. If that’s you, what will happen next is a continuation of the meeting, which will work out the logistics of this. We would understandably be keen to know whether you would want us to be your exclusive supplier, or whether we’d be sharing your business with another supplier. You can read an article on the pros and cons of splitting your business or using one supplier here. In addition, we would also provisionally map out the sites you would want us to be delivering to in the near future. In order for us to really give you the service you need, we feel this is an important step. Ultimately, we want to be fully aware of what you’ll be looking for in advance so that we can prepare accordingly. And what happens if I don’t want to keep Multifix as a supplier? Occasionally, clients in the trial period won’t want to keep us on as a supplier. If that’s the case for you and if you don’t wish to keep us on in any capacity after your trial, then we’ll both shake hands and move on accordingly. We would also thank you for giving us a try and for allowing us to help you with your site projects and keep the door open for a change of heart in the future. In the event you choose not to go with us though, we would like some detailed feedback on your reasonings. As we said earlier, this is for our benefit so we can take the criticism onboard and be better as a result of it. If there is something that has happened that we can improve upon, then we will naturally take the chance to do so. What happens if I need more time? In the event that you need more time after one to three months, unless told otherwise, we would safely assume something is going right. Even after a prolonged spell, it can be hard to know whether you’re making the right choice. As such, if you still aren’t fully sure or just need more time to think, we’ll continue working with you as a split supplier. If you would like this to change either way, then you can do so by either arranging a meeting or just letting us know by email. By this time, you’d be well versed with our staff members in your particular sector. They will very gladly hear your reasons one way or the other, when you are ready to make a decision. Prioritising your needs at the decision stage We hope that after some time with our service, you’ll choose to stick with us, but naturally we can’t guarantee that. That is why this meeting is so important, as in the event you don’t want to continue, you have a get-out clause if you like. However, in the event you do want to stick with us, the groundwork we can lay for the future will come out as a result of this meeting. To find out more information about the trial process, or to arrange one, you can get in touch with us here. Also, if you would like to see some of our customer testimonials, you can find those on this link. 

31

Oct
Five different types of DPC (and what Multifix stocks)

Damp-proof course membrane, also called DPC, is very important for people who work in brickwork. Ultimately, it prevents dampness and stops moisture from rising through and without it, the structural integrity of a building is at risk. We care about your building’s safety, so we’re proud to sell Visqueen DPC, which is known as the best in the industry. We have five different types to choose from and each one has something unique to offer.  However, having five types can be confusing. If we’re asked on the phone “Can I have some DPC?”, we naturally follow that up with “What type?” and in some instances, you’re not fully sure. As such, we have put this article together to go through the five core types of DPC, which are the five that we stock. Come to the end of the article, you’ll know exactly what we can offer and what that type of DPC can do for you. 1. Standard DPC Ideal for small extensions or for garden walls, polythene DPC – or standard DPC – requires little maintenance and is water resistant. It is also highly durable, in that it has a very high resistance when it comes to degradation. If installed properly, you won’t have to worry about dampness impacting the property. It does have limitations in that it isn’t ideal for houses, but for smaller projects, such as an extension or a conservatory, it’s a go-to product. Multifix stocks polythene DPC from Visqueen in a number of different measurements, all of which come in a 30-metre roll. The measurements that we stock are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 300mm, 450mm and 600mm, which will all cover a wide range of smaller projects. 2. House grade DPC If you are working on a bigger project, then house-grade DPC is likely to be right for you, as it can be used for all residential housing projects. House-grade DPC is also very handy if you need something for sleeper walls that lie underneath a ground-floor construction. A perfect example of this would be a beam and block floor system. Our DPC range for house grade isn’t quite as big as it is for polythene DPC, but we still have three options for you to choose from. These are either 100mm, 450mm or 600mm, with all three options coming in a 20-metre roll. The pricing for this type varies slightly, too. The 100mm costs £9.54, the 450mm costs £42.91 and the 600mm costs £57.21. List prices shown are ex. VAT. You can see our house grade range here. 3. High-performance DPC (Zedex) The industry standard itself, the high-performance DPC from Visqueen, which is also referred to as Zedex, is what you’re likely to be working with.  Much like the house grade, it can be used on all residential housing projects, but there are a few things that make it stand out. The biggest difference between Zedex and house-grade is that ZX is radon gas-resistant, achieving a BBA 94/3059 rating.   It can also be used with Visqueen radon membranes to further protect from gas, but it’s part of the Visqueen Low Permeability Gas Membrane system. This means that it has been proven to offer gas protection to NHBC Amber 1 requirements. In addition, it’s also extremely tear-resistant and very strong. Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, it can be used for masonry applications. This includes commercial buildings up to and including three-storey buildings.  It can also be used to construct a cavity tray in cavity wall construction. You can read our summary of the November 2022 NHBC Technical Guidance here. There are five different sizes of Zedex DPC that we stock, which are 100mm, 150mm, 225mm, 450mm and 600mm. Much like the house grade, it comes in a 20-metre roll. You can see the full Zedex DPC range here. 4. High-bond DPC Much like the Zedex DPC, high bond can be used for a number of masonry applications. These include residential and commercial up to and including three-storey buildings. However, what makes the high-bond DPC stand out is the way it bonds with the mortar. The mortar bonding is at its best with high-bond DPC, which is good for several reasons. The better the bond with the mortar, the better the waterproofing, the better the durability and the better the structural integrity. As such, high bond DPC has a lot of purpose and is very popular for good reason. We do list high bond DPC, however as it’s rather unique, it’s something you’d have to call up for to arrange a purchase.  5. Non-combustible DPC Lastly, if you need a type of DPC that will help you reach A2 fire classification, then Visqueen’s non-combustible DPC is your answer. It is designed for use for cavity wall construction and it can be applied in residential, commercial and multi-storey buildings. This also includes structural framing and is the most premium type of DPC that Visqueen offer. This is because of its non-combustible nature, as fire-preventing DPC is of high value. Much like the high-bond DPC, we do list it, but it’s not something you can buy from the website. If you are looking to purchase, you’ll need to do so by phone. Visqueen DPC to cover all grounds The main reason for putting this article together was to show you exactly what kind of DPC that we can provide you with. Whether it’s a conservatory or a three-storey building, we have a type of Visqueen DPC that can help you with your project. We can help you if you’re in a hurry too, as we offer next-day delivery on our DPC range, just so long as you order before 4pm. To find out more, whether it’s about pricing or other DPC-related questions, you can get in touch with us and our expert teams here. In any case though, it’s important that your brickwork supplier has what it takes to meet your needs. Find out what two things you need to look for in a brickwork supplier here. 

01

Nov
Does Protecta have tested details for using graphite on the FR Board?

When working with firestopping at any point, you will only be using products that have been regulated for the project at hand. This is for safety above all else, but it does mean that you have enquiries as to what is approved and what isn’t for certain tasks. One of our more recent queries relates to the Protecta FR Graphite and whether it has tested details for use with the FR Board. The answer to that question isn’t quite as cut and dry as you’d maybe hope. In short, it has tested details for use with metal and copper pipes, but it doesn’t yet for plastic pipes.   For those unaware, a tested detail is a certification that demonstrates the product is safe to be used for firestopping. In this article, we will fully explore the answer and explain the situation, what Protecta are doing about it and what could come next. It is also worth noting that we are partners with Protecta, but will remain objective. What exactly is FR Graphite and why is this important? Protecta’s FR Graphite is a firestopping solution that goes around pipes. The graphite expands to 40x its original size in the event of a fire, which effectively cuts off the pipe supply. This, in turn, protects you, as it stops smoke from coming through the pipe. The tested details for use with the FR Board are important as the graphite can be used with all types of pipes within walls. This includes cPVC (plastic), metal and copper pipes. In fact, graphite is advised for such projects. As such, some may understandably assume that graphite is fine for dealing with pipes within an FR board. However, that is not necessarily the case. Why can’t I use FR Graphite on cPVC pipes in an FR Board? The simple answer is that Protecta hasn’t found a way to get a tested detail yet. However, given recent events, it might not be too much longer until they do. In August 2023, Protecta revealed that they had found a way for the graphite to be used with “penetrating insulated metal pipes” with the FR board. According to Protecta, the EI fire rating varies depending on the type of insulation used, the diameter and the type of pipe. The EI fire rating itself judges integrity and insulation. So, while plastic, or cPVC, pipes currently aren’t compatible with the graphite, metal and copper pipes are. Is there a set date when this might change? At this moment in time, there is not. However, as mentioned above and given how frequently Protecta upgrades its own products, it’s likely on their agenda. Protecta constantly seeks to improve and upgrade its products, be it from a functionality standpoint or from a technical one; i.e., new ratings. Given the Protecta technical team will have likely been fielding the same enquiry, there’s a good chance they’re already working on ways to achieve the assessment detail. As mentioned though, there is currently no estimated time as to when this might happen, so it’s important for you to factor that in when purchasing. Is there anything else I need to know? Not at this moment in time, no. Hopefully, though, you’ll at least be more aware as to why you can’t use the FR Graphite with an FR board for a cPVC pipe yet. However, if something is to change, then we will update this article accordingly and inform you. Given the way Protecta operate, it may be sooner rather than later! If you would like to speak to a member of our expert team to discuss the FR Graphite or the Protecta range, you can get in touch with us here.  Alternatively, if you would like to see why Multifix has partnered with Protecta, you can read this article to find out more.

08

Sep
Comparing the benefits of fully and partially threaded screws

When it comes to picking between a fully or partially threaded screw, you’ll know that it’s normally one or the other. Both have their benefits and flaws, so it’s important that whatever one you choose is the right one for the project at hand. But what exactly do they do? What makes them different, besides the obvious? What do they do differently? That’s what we’re going to answer for you in this article. Multifix supplies a wide range of screws, so we will take a look at what both of them do, what their pros and cons are and how they differ. Come the end of the article, you’ll have everything you need to know which screw is right for your upcoming project! Fully threaded vs. partially threaded – what are the key differences? As you can tell by the name, the main difference is the screw itself. A fully-threaded screw will have a thread going all the way to the tip of the screw head. It is also made up of three parts – the head, shaft and tip. Meanwhile, a partially threaded screw will have a thread about half the length of the screw. The remaining part of the screw is a completely smooth section, which helps with clamping (more on that later). Like the fully-threaded screw, it is made up of a head, shaft and tip, but the shaft is both threaded and unthreaded. Pros of the fully-threaded screw With a fully-threaded screw, you can drill straight into the material and the surface it’s being drilled into won’t split. When it comes to working with wood, this is especially important to note. This is down to the way the screw is designed and in addition, they generally come with a self-tapping tip, which ensures the hold. Because the thread goes all the way to the top, fully-threaded screws are a one-and-done type of screw, in that it shouldn’t come loose in the future. Pros of the partially threaded screw                                              What makes a partially threaded screw so useful is that it guarantees a better fit. Basically, the threaded part of the screw only goes into the bottom piece, so it pulls it in tighter and clamps it down better. This is made possible because of the smooth part of the screw. As there is only part of the screw that has a thread, the thread hones in on the bottom piece, with the smooth part flowing through to keep things tight. Effectively having a level of auto-clamping is a huge boost. Sometimes, it’s just not possible to be able to clamp two pieces of material together with a vice. Cons of fully-threaded screw The main con to a fully-threaded screw is that it is very prone to jacking. Jacking is when the threads in both materials become separated. The thread in the top part of the material holds it up, thus making it impossible to clamp properly. Unless both materials are physically clamped down with a vice, there is a high risk that a fully-threaded screw will cause jacking. As mentioned above, sometimes it isn’t easy or possible to have two materials physically clamped together. If you’re working in a tight space, this is something you need to consider. Cons of a partially threaded screw Getting sizing right is key when it comes to partially threaded screws as if you get it wrong, you run the risk of splitting the material. If any part of the smooth side of the screw goes into the material you’re drilling into, the top material will likely bulge or split. This is because the screw would’ve gone too deep. As such, you’ll have to make sure that the screw is measured properly before use, which can be a drawback depending on what materials you’re working with. Choosing between the two There are clear differences and strengths between both screws, but whatever one you pick is going to depend on what project you’re working on. If you’ve got a lot of space and can use a vice to secure materials together, then a fully-threaded screw won’t let you down. You can also provide a lot of long-term security by having one fitted properly, too. If things are a bit tighter space-wise, or if you just want a better fit, then partially-threaded screws should be your go-to. Just be sure to make sure that your partially threaded screws are the right size before you use them, if you so choose to go down that route. If you would like some further information on the type of screws we provide, or some extra clarification, you can reach our expert team here. Equally, if you need something now, you can see the variety of screws we stock at Multifix here.  

16

Dec
Challenges in Carpentry & Construction

The construction Industry seems to be in an endless battle of ensuring the client is satisfied and battling external challenges that occur throughout a project. 2021 has definitely thrown a lot of challenges at the construction industry. Let's take a look at them; 1.There's a Labour Shortage. The construction industry in the UK has long relied on skilled workers from overseas. However, over the past year, contractors have reported losing up to 50% of their workforce. Why? The pandemic saw many skilled workers return to their families in foreign countries for fear of being separated for long periods. Then, of course, there are the consequences of Brexit, which saw many decide to return to their home countries. 2. There's a Material Shortage. Not only is there a labour shortage, but there's a material shortage too. Raw materials are in short supply everywhere, not just in the UK. There are a few external factors that have contributed to it. Firstly, global demand, in general, is high. Secondly, thanks to Covid, there have been many factory closures, and production has slowed down considerably. This is true of particular products such as insulation, paints, adhesives and packaging. 3. There's an Increase in Price. The shortage in raw materials has caused prices to increase at an alarming rate. Lengthening lead times and an increase in demand has seen some products rocket in price by 250%. There's certainly never been another year quite like it for soaring costs.


← Previous 1