Planing wood doesn’t have to be difficult. But when you’re working with tricky materials or unusual conditions, it can certainly become that way. You can soon find yourself putting in far too much time and effort. Don’t worry – our guide can help. Read on for 4 quick and easy tips to achieve perfect planing without the extra effort. 1. Prepare the wood When you’re working with thicker wood, it’s common for it to come rough-sawn. You can’t make this perfectly smooth with just one tool. A jack plane helps prepare the wood’s surface for finer planing, by removing coarse, thick shavings to eliminate the obvious irregularities like saw marks and bowing. A trying or jointer plane can get you further towards a refined surface, before you move onto the smoothing plane. 2. Choose the right tool Now, onto the smoothing plane. It’s important to choose the right smoothing plane for your job, or jobs. A good quality smoothing plane will have a completely flat surface first and foremost. It’s also important that its parts, such as the blade, chip breaker and frog, run true and tight – so you get less or no backlash as you work. You should also check that your smoothing plane has a good grip, allowing for hassle free operation. Non-rusting metal and added weight are additional benefits of top quality smoothing planes. With a more substantial smoothing plane, you won’t need to put in as much force when you use it. 3. Invest in a power planer If your woodwork becomes larger in scale, you may find yourself in need of a power planer. While hand planers are best for fine wood work, it’s best to invest in a power planer if you find yourself working on larger carpentry projects – such as doors and floors. Why? Quite simply, it does the work of a hand planer with much more speed and less effort. 4. Keep tools in good condition You get out what you put in. So, if you want a high-quality finish, it’s important to use high-quality tools – whether it’s a hand tool or a power tool. You should also keep these tools in tip top condition to ensure easier work and better results. As well as keeping things clean, the blades should be kept sharp. For hand planers, you should sharpen the blades when you find it sticking or pulling on any wood. Some power planers, on the other hand, come with disposable blades – so it’s best to check your model before sharpening. If they’re not suitable for sharpening, then be sure to replace them when you have any problems. Top quality tools Need tools for your woodwork and carpentry? You’re in the right place. My Tool Shed stocks a wide range of hand tools, power tools and DIY supplies to make sure you’re fully tooled up for the job. Browse through our collection of hand planes and power planers to find what you need, with great savings on the RRP of all the best brands. Any problems? Feel free to get in touch with our team with any queries or issues.

The Group Stages. If you're a big football fan or simply enjoy the feel-good factor of supporting your own country, there's no hiding from the fact, one of the biggest sporting events of the year has begun! The World Cup 2018 kicked off last Friday 15th June and the finalists will play head-to-head a month later, on Sunday 15th July 2018. At My Tool Shed we are celebrating with some extra special deals for everyone! We've designed a unique way to follow the matches, with our own spin on the World Cup time-table. This is how it works.... Each country is represented by a brand. The brands are grouped into various types of tools/trades. For example; Group A is "Drilling" represented by four well-known power tool manufacturers : DeWalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee and Makita. All deals in the Group Stages are valid until Thursday 28th June - but we have limited stock, so when it's gone, it's gone! See all Group Stage offers Here. The GROUPS Group A : DRILLING DeWalt, Hitachi, Milwaukee & Makita. Group B : CARPENTRY Paslode, Fein, Irwin & Trend. Group C : MEASURING Leica, Bosch, LaserLiner & Stabila. Group D : OUTDOORS Karcher, Fiskars, Gerber & Bahco. Group E : SOCKETRY Knipex, Wera, Crescent & Britool. Group F : CONSTRUCTION Stanley, Roughneck, Wiss & Edma. Group G : DECORATING Vitrex, Wagner, Faithfull & FrogTape. Group H : SECURITY Abus, Masterlock, Kidde & LED Lenser. Round 2. This starts on Saturday 30th June 2018. With 16 NEW deals - 2 deals/brands per group. Quarter Finals. On Friday 6th July - Sunday 8th July 2018. With 8 NEW deals - 1 deal/brand per group. Semi-Finals. Take place Tuesday 10th July - Wednesday 11th July 2018. With 4 NEW deals - 1 deal/brand per group. Only 4 groups remaining. The Final. Don't miss it - Sunday 15th July 2018. 2 x Extra Special Deals!  We will be giving you all the deals on email over the coming weeks. If you're not signed up to our newsletter - now is the time to do so, so you don't miss out! Sign up Here.

NEW for May 2018 - Cordless Bosch power tools are here! Bosch are a household name that are recognised for developing electricals of excellent quality. Known for their innovative and widespread portfolio across domestic appliances, they have developed a professional range of trade-trusted power tools using their experitise and best-in-class technology to give the user optimum power, precision and run-time. To complement our new arrivals, we've created some FANTASTIC bundle packs offering FREE bits and accessories - to give you more bang for your buck! Here are a few highlights below... The new Bosch GSB18-2-LI 3.0Ah Combi Drill is the lightest and most compact model out there. Perfect for handling and a lower level of user fatigue. It incorporates a newly developed 2-speed motor for powerful drilling and screwdriving. In the box are 2 x 3.0Ah batteries and a charger. In addition to the standard kit, we've bundled the combi drill with three different bit-sets to accomodate a wide choice of applications and materials. The FREE accessories consist of: 6pc self-cut speed flat-bit set, 4pc multi-construction set and a 25pc screwdriver bit set. All of this is available as one kit for just under £150! Shop here > For the same price as the body-only, our Bosch GST12V-70 is a lightweight and professional 12v Jigsaw with a 70mm wood-cutting capacity. We've tranformed what was essentially a naked unit into a mini-kit, including a FREE Bosch 2.0Ah Li-Ion battery and 2 x jigsaw blades - giving you a fully-operational tool to swiftly get the job done. Get yours today for only £79.99! Shop here > Admittedly, the Bosch GSA1100E Reciprocating Saw is not new to the market, but (if you read the reviews on our product page - and we hope you do!), you'll see it has a brilliant track-record for both build quality and performance. No doubt this is because it has a powerful 1,100 watt motor for fast sawing progress and a generous sized 28mm stroke length. We knew we needed to mention it - because not only is it back in stock ready to fly off the shelves again, it is also retailing at our ever lowest price AND with FREE sabre saw blades! So what's not to love? Available now in both voltages at £119.99. Shop here > Bosch GHO12V-20 Brushless Planer is the first professional 12v brushless planer. Benefits of having a brushless motor include; longer runtime, better efficiency and a longer service life. Comparible to the DeWalt DCP580 (the first 18v brushless planer released in 2016), the Bosch version is available as a kit at a much lower price-point. Depth of cut is the same as the DeWalt version with a greater rebate depth up to 17mm. As standard the GHO12V-20 comes with a 12v battery, however, for a limited-time we are offering an additional battery, all for the same price of just £169.99! Shop here > Another World's 1st for Bosch, the GKF12V-8 Brushless 12v Router. Comparible to the Makita DRT50ZJ, it has the same plunge capacity of 40mm and same collet of 1/4in and 3/8in. However, it's innovative shape is designed for perfect control. The brushless motor combined with the 12v system offers a much more compact body. Cordless routing is a far more convenient solution offering you complete freedom on the job. We've thrown in additional FREE battery with this kit to keep you going even longer! Pick up yours for only £119.99!  Shop here > These Bosch bundles are a great opportunity to save ££'s and get exactly what you need in one go, without the need to browse for compatible accessories. Enjoy the Best of Bosch at My Tool Shed. See all Bosch here. NB. Prices accurate as of 09.05.2018. Prices are subject to change without prior notification. All prices advertised in this post include VAT.

Shopping around for your first Mitre Saw can be a bit of a minefield and understanding the key features or applications of each machine is essential to getting the best saw for your money. A Brief Explanation of Mitre Saws Mitre Saws exist to perform those complex jobs, for repeated accurate and precise cuts in a variety of tasks. Spring can be a popular time in the Decorating / Kitching Fitting Trade, and for fitting skirting and door frames, hopping from house to house on strict deadlines, there is no better machine for the job to allow for optimum time efficiency. Now that the dust has settled, we welcome you to the My Tool Shed: Mitre Saw Buying Guide 2018! Here at My Tool Shed, we have categorised our Mitre Saw range into two sections. These are: Slide Compound Mitre Saws – An excellent choice for the bigger jobs, and increased versatility in the functions and cuts it can perform. The slide function allows for extension of the blade. Crosscut Mitre Saws – A fixed saw is a common theme amongst this category of Mitre Saw. Smaller and compact, this is the perfect choice when your van is bursting at the seams! What to Look Out For In our Mitre Saw Category we have taken the time to add a filter to differentiate between the blade sizes of each machine. There are four main sizes to consider: 305mm / 12in 250mm / 10in 216mm / 8.5in 190mm / 7.5in 305mm Mitre Saws – The absolute DADDY. The perfect choice for any professional builder or contractor, and very popular on a building site. The 12in Mitre Saws are double-bevelled, and by rule-of-thumb will cut up to around 300mm x 100mm timber at the minimum. Check out the Key Features of each product to compare the exact specifications. Our Choice The DWS780 is the all-singing, all-dancing offering from DeWalt. A staple in their corded range for many years, this is our most popular selling 12in Mitre Saw to date! DeWalt’s DWS717 (10in) and DWS780 (12in) Models use a slightly different take on accuracy. Instead of a built-in laser beam, DeWalt use an XPS Shadow system on their larger saws, and this essentially projects an LED Light down both sides of the blade. This in turn then forms a shadow on the workpiece, and as the blade lowers, the visibility of the shadow is increased and mirrors the exact spot where the blade will contact the material. But a laser beam is surely more accurate, right? Well, not exactly. We know some of the more rough-and-ready builders out there like throwing their machines straight in the back of the van after a hard day’s labour, and this can knock the laser off kilter. If knocked hard enough, the next time you go to use the machine, the laser will not accurately reflect where the blade will contact. This is unlike the Shadow System, which will always show a true reflection, even if the blade is slightly off centre! The option is also there is purchase the DWS780 with a Universal Leg Stand as a package. The DE7023 included has collapsible legs and can extend up to 3.9 metres. Perfect for the jobsite. 250mm / 260mm Mitre Saws – The smaller brother of the 305mm. These machines are slightly easier to transport due to weighing less, but they still pack as big a punch! Preferred amongst the tradesman with everything in his locker, as the 10in Blade can be switched between use in both the Mitre Saw and Table Saw equivalent. Our Choice We couldn’t write this without overlooking the brand new Spring 2018 offering from Makita! The Brushless Motor on the DLS110 prolongs the life of both the Li-Ion Batteries when in use, and the machine itself from a maintenance standpoint. The DLS110 is an excellent addition to the 18v LXT Range, without actually being one. This is a monster 36v machine, as it has a dual-port to incorporate two 18v Li-Ion Batteries. The Automatic Torque Drive Technology is new and will automatically change the cutting speed according to the load condition for optimum performance. The brand new “Close To Wall – Zero Clearance” Design is a first. Whereas with most Mitre Saws, the sliding bars are set-back from the head and protrude from the back, on the DLS110 the bars are at the front of the machine, with the head (blade and guard) at the furthest point back. The head then pulls forward separate from the sliding bars, which allows an increased work area as you can position the Mitre Saw right up against the wall. 190mm & 216mm Mitre Saws – Now we start venturing into the DIY’er and occasional Tradesman’s field. Compact in size, but still packing a powerful motor, at a standard they will still cut around 250mm x 60mm timber. Perfect if your apprentice has still got a bit of muscle to put on, and struggles lugging the bigger machines out of the van! Our Choice – 216mm It must be the DWS774 offering from DeWalt. Utilising that ever-so-popular Shadow System and with a 1400 Watt Motor, this is brand new, updated and looks the part! Included in the kit itself are side-handles which can be bolted on for easy transportation. The DWS774 as well as all of DeWalt’s smaller Mitre Saws will lock on to the Universal Leg Stand. Our Choice – 190mm The most popular offering in Makita’s range of Mitre Saws, the LS0714 makes up for what it lacks in size, with versatility and sturdiness. An ability to cut up to 300mm x 52mm timber and with a total weight of just over 10kg, this is the dream compact machine. A few added features include an Electronic Brake for increased user safety, a soft-start function to prevent material zipping off the surface upon contact with the blade, and a constant speed control. So, there you have it! If you have taken the time to read this, many thanks. We always a appreciate a comment or a like on Facebook, so let us know what you have decided on and any handy tips for your fellow enthusiasts! Keep an eye out soon for a follow-up guide on Mitre Saw Blades and Accessories at the start of May!

If you're thinking of replacing an internal door because the paint has tired, there could be a more cost-effective option. Stripping and sanding the surface could bring the existing door back to life and even give you a blank canvas for a colour change. There are 2 ways to strip old paint from a wooden door. 1. Use a chemical paint stripper. Apply the stripper with an old paint brush liberally over the door. As the chemical reacts the surface will rupture and bubble. Using a scraper test an area to see if you are able to get back to the original layer. If the paint is several layers thick you may need to apply more stripper and leave it for longer. The scraper should be sufficient for flat sections, but you will need to use a shave hook to scrape paint off in the intricate places like mouldings. Once all the paint has been removed and you are left with the bare wood, you will need to neutralise the wood to remove all traces of the paint stripper. White spirit or water should do the job, depending on which chemical you have applied - always read the instructions first. 2. Use a hot-air gun. Direct the heat to an area of paint and move forwards and backwards to soften the old paint. With a scraper lift the paint off. Apply the same method to the mouldings and intricate areas but using a shave hook pull it towards to working in an organised manner to do one section at a time. Never hold the air gun still in the same place as this could scorch the wood. When the door is completely stripped it's possible it could reveal cracks or blemishes, a wood filler can be applied to hide these. If you are staining or varnishing, choose a filler to match the chosen colour.  You can sand the surface by hand with a medium-grade sand paper or with an electric sander. Once you have covered the whole door, repeat the process with a fine-grade paper. If you wrap the paper around a piece of dowel this will help you sand the surface inside the mouldings or you can fold it in half, this works well in corners.  Now your door is ready to be stained, varnished or painted.

Without a doubt the stackable tool box system has proved a big hit with tradesman carrying heavy loads on to work sites. When you're working with this system and a trolley - transporting your power tools anywhere feels effortless. In fact, many trademans are proud to show off their collection of boxes. Plus each box gives added protection to your machines. Stacked away into the right kit box makes them easy to identify and store in your garage or van. NEW to the storage range is the latest innovation from DeWalt and Makita - a cool box! Makita have launched 2 NEW cool boxes available in different sizes. Identical to the Type-3 and Type-4 boxes they can be stacked in exactly the same way as your other tools. For ease of lifting, each box comes with a padded shoulder strap. Having a variety of chilled food and drinks, could be the perfect solution when you are working long hours. The MAK198254-2 is an 11 litre cool box with the capacity to store : 15 x 350ml bottles, 10 x 500ml bottles or 2 x 2 litre bottles - available here. The MAK198253-4 is am 18 litre cool box with the capacity to store : 30 x 350ml bottles, 20 x 500ml or 4 x 2 litre bottles - available here. Coming soon, for DeWalt fans, is the DeWalt DS404 ToughSystem cool box. This has a 25.5 litre capacity. Making it the biggest of the bunch. Not only does it store and chill a variety of drinks, this one also includes a bottle opener, cup holder and dry tray. The ultimate companion for tough days on the job! We will keep you posted when this one arrives!

We've scoured the net for some easy-to-build projects with some excellent DIY hacks, leaving you with change in your pocket. Here's our first fantastic idea to get you started. You can get inspired with more creative ideas on our Pinterest page here. Bird Feeder Find a good sized wooden log. Cut the ends off square with a mitre saw. Using a band saw slice off two discs from each end approx 3/4inch in depth. At both ends of the log mark out a circle as well as choosing a side to draw a v-shape from the centre (for your feeder opening), see pic below. Using the band saw blade cut on the line to hollow it out. With an outdoor waterproof adhesive, carefully line up the discs with any obvious markings on the log and stick it back together. Hold it tight with an adjustable clamp until the glue sets. With the opening facing outwards, at the top of the log drill two pilot holes and screw in two screw eye hooks. Thread a zinc-plated or galvanised chain through the loops to hang up in the garden and watch nature come to you!

Whilst April showers may fill your head with doubt that Spring has really sprung, outside it's evident that the world around us is changing colour. Flowering trees have started to bloom, daffodils grow and those bare bushes are filling up nicely with thick green leaves. You may have even noticed with the combination of rainfall and sunshine your lawn is coming back to life and probably in need of a mow! April is an important month to get ready for the Summer, so we have prepared a list of jobs for you to help your garden flourish in the month's ahead. 1. Repair bare patches in lawns If you are repairing your lawn by re-seeding, we recommend you lightly fork over the soil first and sprinkle some top soil or compost on the area before scattering grass seeds. Make sure you also give the area plenty of water. Tip - Lightly sprinkle more top soil over the seeds to hide these from birds. Alternatively, you can fill the patch with new turf. Once you have cut the turf to size, you will need to lightly fork the soil on the ground and then tamp the new turf down with the back of a rake to ensure all the roots are in contact with the soil as you lay. Finally, remember to water your turf regulary. Tip - Do not walk over newly sown grass until it has reached a height of 5-8cm / 2 inches. 2. Keep weeds under control If you haven't put up any weed barriers in place by now, you may be faced with some unwanted weeds in your garden. Manually removing them with a hoe is an effective and environmentally-friendly method. Simply run a hoe over a bed or between rows to kill most seedlings. You can also use a hand or border fork to dig out as much of the root or bulb.  If your ability to kneel and bend in the garden is becoming more difficult, then there is another solution for removing weeds. Fiskars have recently bought to market an effective and economic 'weed puller'. You can view the video here to see how it works. The weed puller extends to your height so there is no need to bend over and is more than enough to clear up any weeds directly at the root. 3. Give houseplants more water As outdoor temperatures go up, soil indoors tends to dry out more rapidly so keep houseplants topped up regularly. Remember over-watering can kill the roots and collapse the plant, so make sure you let the surface dry a little before giving it more water. Depending on the type of plant, also consider liquid feeds. Most plants should be fed between March and September when actively growing. You can encourage branching by pruning back shoots in young plants when they are in active growth. If you choose to do so, it's important to water and feed the plant to aid recovery. If you're away on holiday and worried about watering your plants, there are also some automatic watering aids available to do the job for you. 4. Lawn maintenance It may sound daft, but mow lawns when necessary. The key is to maintain a constant height throughout the year. Letting it grow freely and then hacking it back, is not the best way to manage the growth as you'll clog up mowers and struggle to keep a soft even consistency across the lawn. If left too long, the grass growth is at different rates (depending how sunlight filters across the garden), therefore you may find yourself going over some areas more than others and the result is a muddier section where you've 'over-mowed'.  Lawn edges also require attention. Edging irons and are ideal for creating a 'gutter' around the lawn, to keep it both neat and tidy, and prevent the grass creaping into borders. Larger lawns will benefit from a grass strimmer to help remove some of the longer grass at the edges. 5. Plant your Summer bulbs April is the perfect time to plant your summer flowering bulbs particularly lilies. Plant these into rich, well-drained soil or pots. If you fancy adding gladioli to your portfolio, we recommend waiting until the end of the month and ensure you place them in a position that will get lots of sunlight throughout the day.  Tip - You need to be on slug and snail patrol this month - try any of these slug control products to keep them at bay!

Need some inspiration to get back in the garden? At My Tool Shed we have hand-picked some amazing gardening tools with big discounts so you can be Summer-ready, in preparation for those warmer evenings and not-forgetting the bbq season! Choosing quality gardening tools from premium brands such as Bahco, Fiskars and Hozelock means you don't buy twice. Investing in tools built to tackle the toughest branches and weed the wildest of gardens, you can turn back-bending chores into a pleasurable experience and get results quickly. Water flower beds and lawns with ease, with longer-length retractable hoses and auto-sprinkler systems. Having the right tools for the job will bring your garden back to life and allow you to enjoy your outdoor space. Many of our seasonal offers this Spring are valid for a limited time so don't put it off! Easter break is the perfect time to clear your garden waste and start with a-fresh. With plenty of products available online for Next Day Delivery, you can muck in and get your hands dirty almost straight away. To see what's on offer this season visit our discounted deals here. For more useful home and garden products, explore a wider selection here.

New to the Flexvolt range and the power tool market is the world’s first cordless paddle mixer, the DCD240 from DeWalt. Like all of the Flexvolt range, this level of unprecedented power is what gives these tools the edge over other cordless power tools. Making it now possible to bring industrial-style, heavy-duty machines to work sites without the need to hunt or reach for an electricity source. Running off a 9ah battery offers a workable run time to mix everything you need throughout the day. The paddle mixer has 5 different speed settings so you can preserve battery life whenever necessary. Comfortable to work with, this equipment has a dual handle for extra grip and control as well as water tight battery housing to keep dust, water and dirt at bay. Our paddle mixer is now in stock in both a kit version and bare unit. The kit is available at an introductory price of £584.99 with a FREE battery offer. This promotion runs for a limited time so make sure you don’t miss out! Shop for yours here.