Episodes
Robin Clevett looks into what's currently happening with regards to Skills England's plans to reduce apprenticeships to just 8 months in duration. Robin shares his initial reaction and talks to Helen Hewitt, CEO of the British Woodworking Federation. The BWF have formed a coalition with other trade bodies to fight against planned reforms and talks in detail about the journey they've been on with this and why it would be such a bad decision.
Samuel Gough and Nathan McCartney from GM Haus return to share some thoughts about the wider industry and talk more about their working practices. Robin also asks them to take part in some fill in the blank and word association exercises about the trade.
Robin Clevett is joined by Nathan McCartney & Samuel Gough about their Cornwall based business GM Haus, the projects they take on and the success they've experienced over the past four or five years. Samuel and Nathan talk about their upbringing and family legacy in construction as well as learning their craft and going into business together. There's also conversations about subbies, notable projects and the day to day of running GM Haus.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenters about their best and worst all-time jobs and what some of the worst individual days and moments on the tools as well. Guests: John Argyle, Jason Joyce & Sean Matthews.
Robin Clevett looks into how well Carpenters are getting their heads around all the changes to reporting that are coming with 'Making Tax Digital. Robin invites Derek Barrett, a well experienced and organised business owner onto the show so that he can explain his approach. Robin also talks to his Nephew (Josh Richards) who is a younger limited business owner, so that he can ask him about the digital aspects of reporting and sees what he can learn from the current or 'with it' generation, as Robin puts it.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenters, David Byrne & Jay Elliott to find out how business has been for them, after checking in at the start of the year. David and Jay talk about the aspects of the trade they've had success with, what had been challenging and how they'll finish off the year as well as plans for 2026. Robin also talk to Australian Carpenter, Frank Schipano about how his Carpentry tour across europe in 2025 has been, as he reaches the end and plans to return to Australia.
Robin Clevett talks to Carpenter and Woodworking Enthusiast, Richard Wagner about the variety of niches he's taken on and experiened within the trade. Richard talks about theatre set building, high rope course design and the work he's put into a boat.
Robin Clevett invites Adam Foster, who is a plumber by trade, to join him and talk about his amazing water tower conversion, which is still ongoing and was featured on Grand Designs. Adam talks about the Carpentry skills he’s self taught and developed on the project, Robin gets into what he loves about this conversion and more!
Robin Clevett is joined at Festool in Bury St Edmonds by Jade McDonald and her partner Kyle Sutherland to discuss their experiences working together in the trade. Jade talks about how she started getting involved, what learning from Kyle is like, the unique business opportunity their working relationship can become and more!
Robin Clevett is joined at Festool in Bury St Edmonds by Emily Kitchin AKA Chippie Em. Emily talks about her interesting route into the industry that saw her find a passion and career in Carpentry after many different experiences in the building trade. Emily talks about developing skills, her working styles, notable projects and her journey on social media.
Robin Clevett invites Jack Auletta, a top quality builder local to him in Surrey, to join him in the studio and discuss the construction industry as a whole. Robin and Jack discuss rates of pay, approach to managing a business, the positive changes in the industry, what is slowing down building work more than it should and where more support for the trade needs to come from.
Robin Clevett is joined by Steven Hoare (109 Carpentry) to discuss his experiences being employed in the trade for decades, his favourite tools as well as new kit he's planning to try out. Steven also touches on his home renovation, which is reaching it's final stages and talks about experiences at Fix Fest.
Robin Clevett is joined by British Carpenter, Matthew Lane, who is based in Kentucky to discuss his current experiences with timber cost, availability and quality. Matt also talks about how tax works there, Health & safety and some of the projects he's completed since last appearing on the show.
Victoria Pirozzolo, known online as @vpcarpentryandinstallations joins Robin Clevett to share her story and experiences as a first year apprentice. Victoria explains how she got her apprenticeship with Wickes, Learning her skills, the work she's taken on so far and what her plans for the future involve.
Robin Clevett is joined by guests from the world of timber engineering and timber frame construction to discuss why only 10% of England's new build stock has been constructed using timber frame and whether we could and should do more. Guests include: Andrew Waugh from Waugh Thistleton Architects & Ian Garbutt from Cartledge Timber Frame Ltd.
Robin Clevett is joined by guests to talk about some of their worst injuries and accidents suffered while working on the tools. They also talk about witnessing accidents, close calls and times where other people put you in danger. Guests include: Andrew Walker (AW Maker), Brad Hanson (Bald Builders) & Liam McGinley (McGinley's Cabinets & Carpentry)
Robin Clevett is joined in the studio by 8th generation Carpenter & Joiner, Allen Burt. Allen talks about his background in digital technology and how that's influenced his approach in the trade. Allen talks about getting future generations interested and hands on with the craft, his work, tools and more!
Robin Clevett looks into handling conflict. Robin talks to a range of guests from the construction industry about how they handle disagreements, frustrating situations, arguments and full on fist fights. Guests include: John Argyle, Jack Auletta & Dan Tempest.
Robin Clevett talks to three well accomplished Carpenters and gets some of their best new and all-time tips, tricks and advice. Guests include: Allen Burt, Jason Joyce & Gary Banks
Robin Clevett gets an in depth insight into what happens at a car boot sale bust with regards to the re-sale of stolen tools, he asks who the people selling stolen tools are, how they operate, what next in the crusade against this and who should be doing more about it. Robin also explores a viral story where builders confronted thieves as they were stealing tools and what happened next. Guests: Shoaib Awan & Paul Underwood
Scott Taylor from Taylor's Joinery & Plastics joins Robin Clevett to talk about his 19 years of experiences in Gambia, Africa where he's been helping out Schools. Scott talks about how he first got involved, what led to having to build a school from the ground up, the approach to doing so with local labour and being honoured at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Robin Clevett talks to award winning Carpenter, Joshua Lewis about his experiences with the family business and journey as well as winning two awards from On The Tools. Joshua talks about why he wouldn't take on apprentice currently and also touches on his experiences with his younger brother on site.
Robin Clevett sat down at Festool in Bury St Edmonds for a chat with Oli Lee (With Bear Hands UK) about his incredible work in outdoor spaces across the UK. Oli talks about some notable treehouse and cabin builds he's completed, he discusses where his passion for creation came from and how he works with an ever evolving plan on each build
Robin Clevett is joined by two previous guests, who joined him on the show years ago, so that he can find out how their skills have progressed and what their experiences have been like since they first came on the show. Robin talks to Chris Keel and catches up with him five years after having won 'Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2020'. Robin also talks to Terry 'Tel' George, known as Moo's Carpentry on Instagram. Terry interviewed Robin on the show at the end of lockdown and since then has some incredible stories to tell about the celebrities showing interest in his woodwork
Robin Clevett is joined by women from the trade in the UK who are undoubtedly trailblazing their way into a male dominated industry and having tremendous success doing so. Robin talks to Jade McDonald, about her experiences learning skills and why there might be fewer women in Carpentry/Joinery than other trades within construction. Robin chats with Lisa Tisor, who works closely with friend of the show John Argyle. Lisa talks about how she got started, experiences working with John and the enjoyment of working with timber. Finally, Emily Kitchin AKA Chippy Em Building & Carpentry discusses ...
Robin Clevett is joined by fellow Fix Radio presenter and DIY SOS cast member, Chris Frediani to discuss protecting the reputation of tradespeople and whether a proper licensing system brought in by the FMB would work. Robin plays some case studies of the public being ripped off by rogue traders in construction and discusses what went wrong as well as the lessons to be learnt
Robin Clevett answers some frequently asked questions that he gets through his social media, via the show and his YouTube channel
Robin Clevett attends the Craft of Carpentry Exhibition at Japan House in London and witnesses a thousand years of craft and engineering from Japanese society. Robin is joined by fellow Carpenter and right hand man, Ed Harris as they discuss the craft on show and apply their skills and understanding to what the Japanese do with wood. Robin also introduces Carpenter Joshua Lewis and catches up with award winning Australian Carpenter, Frank Schipano, who has been working in Amsterdam since he was last on the show
Robin Clevett is joined by Carpenters to discuss their toughest jobs and experiences on the tools that have really challenged them. Guests include: Oli Lee (With Bear Hands), Allen Burt (8th Generation Carpenter) & Festool influencer, Gary Banks
Robin Clevett visits Champion Timber in Dorking to find out what's going on with the latest costs, availability and trends in the marketplace. Robin has a quote from the same Timber Yard, ten years apart, so that he can compare the price. Terry McDermott also gives Robin a tour of the yard and discusses the range of products on offer