AllTheToolsYouNeed.com

Screwfix has been in touch to let us know about some new deals on hand and power tools that it is currently promoting, including drill and saw bargains. Here are the details (hint: some smashing DIY-themed Christmas presents here):

• Makita complete drill and bit set – was £45.99, now £34.99. A comprehensive 216-piece set that includes standard and long series flat bits and masonry bits, torx, hex and square driver bits, Phillips, Pozi and flat screwdriver bits, tape measure and spirit level.
• Ryobi One+ 18V Twin Pack – save £50. Excellent-value kit containing combi drill and cordless jigsaw. Supplied with 2×1.7Ah batteries and work bag.
• Dewalt 165mm Circular Saw 240V – save £15.Compact, powerful saw with accurate, high-speed cutting performance, aluminium base plate and quick, easy depth and bevel adjustment. Compatible with DeWalt Guide Rail System.
• Sparky 550W Jigsaw – Save £33. Orbital-action jigsaw for the professional tradesman, boasting easy, tool-free, blade-change mechanism, anti-scratch base cover and tough magnesium alloy gear case. Blade and hex wrench included.
• Ryobi 4.8V Screwdriver – save £5. Compact, lightweight and extremely versatile. Pistol grip for comfortable use. 12 torque settings. Supplied with 16 screwdriver bits, 7 drill bits and 7 extension bits.
• Forge Steel 22 Piece Tool Kit and Bag – half price, was £49.99, is now £29.99. Save 50 per cent on this Forge Steel 22-piece tool set which includes chrome vanadium pliers, hex key set and screwdrivers. Supplied in tough canvas tool bag. A great Christmas present for the DIYer in the family…
• Forge Steel Woodworking Set – half price, was £59.99, is now £29.99. 10-piece set including a selection of woodworking tools in a tough open tote bag with heavy-duty stainless steel handle. Includes chrome vanadium wood chisels, rasps, mallet and fine die-cast block plane.
• Stanley 75-piece metric socket set – selling at less than half-price, was £94.99, now £37.49. This 75-piece set includes 1/2in, 3/8in and 1/4in drive metric sockets with a chrome-plated finish. Round head ratchet handle with quick release. Moulded handles resists many industrial solvents.

All these offers are valid until January 2 2008.

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Our latest feature on AllTheToolsYouNeed.com is a look at your legal obligations these days when doing electrical work. In summary: you should almost always get in an electrician.

Ever since January 1 2005 in England people carrying out electrical work in their home have had to follow new regulations to ensure they are not putting themselves or others at risk. The relevant section of the Building Regulations is now known as Part P.

As well as an introduction to the subject we point you in the direction of further sources of information you can consult.

You can find links to all our features in the left-hand sidebar of the site. But, for an easy life (or if you’re reading this via a feed) here it is:

Electrical safety: what you need to know

Looking for a little help? We’ll do our best for you.

With Christmas on the way we’ve put together a guide to buying power tools. Now, this could serve as a briefing for present-buying for the DIY fanatic in your life, a handy hint sheet to print out and leave lying casually round the place, or even a shopping list to get you launched on that New Year project you swore you’d get started on. After all, what better time to take advantage of the sales?

Upshot is, this might not be quite the minefield you fear, as long as you put a bit of thought into it and make sure you don’t just grab at the first thing you come across.

Read AllTheToolsYouNeed.com’s top 10 tips for buying power tools here.

Just a quick note to mention three useful features we have on the site to help you with your DIY work and the consequences of it.

Our factsheets feature is a round-up of the many helpful factsheets offered on the web by DIY merchants - everything from emergency roof repairs to fitting new flooring.

Of course, not everyone is confident about doing the work themselves - even with the help of a factsheet - so we’ve prepared a guide to finding a professional to tackle your job.

And finally, a topic that a lot of people are concerned about - council tax revaluation. What does the work you’re planning mean for the tax band you’re in? Find out more in our exploration of the subject.

Quick links

• DIY factsheets: get a little help from your friends
• When you simply can’t do it yourself
• Council tax revaluation: the facts