What Happens When You Come Off the Tools?

Robin Clevett looks into retirement and is joined by fellow tradespeople Danny Madden, Jack Auletta and Gary Banks to discuss their plans for the future, from financial preparation and business succession, to finding a better work-life balance and exploring new ventures beyond the trade.

Robin answers your questions on the tools he couldn’t work without, whether apprentices rely too heavily on power tools, and why traditional hand skills still matter in modern carpentry.He also discusses accuracy, quoting jobs in uncertain times, handling awkward conversations with customers when projects change, and whether rising costs are making skilled trades unaffordable.There’s also debate around expensive van leases, the government’s proposed crackdown on rogue traders, roof-cutting skills in the age of factory trusses, and the best way to move into fitted furniture and cabinetry work.

Robin Clevett looks at the dangers of working in hazardous environments and asks whether tradespeople are sometimes being put in situations where safety is being compromised.Robin reacts to the story of a joiner who was left paralysed after falling through a skylight, as he shares his experience of the accident and the pressures he faced working in an unsafe environment.David Byrne talks about how even decades in, there's many times where you will find yourself put in potentially unsafe situations and why common sense is so valuable as you gain experience in the trade.Sean Matthews joins Robin to discuss the responsibility of managing large teams, maintaining safe working practices and what can happen when safety starts to take a back seat.John Argyle talks about his experiences in the past and what he learnt from others.

Robin Clevett looks at the growing demand for fitted interiors and asks whether carpenters could use their existing skills to move into a new and potentially lucrative area of the industry.Robin is joined by Damian Walters, CEO of the British Institute of Fitted Interior Specialists, to discuss the skills shortage facing the sector, attracting new talent and why carpenters and joiners could be well placed to make the move into furniture fitting.Beth Harrison from Site Works explains the challenges of managing larger fit-out projects, including coordinating trades, suppliers and getting the sequencing of work right.Robin speaks to carpenter Liam McGinley, who has built a successful part of his business around media walls and bespoke furniture, to find out what the demand is like, the challenges involved and where he sees further opportunities.

Robin Clevett looks at neurodiversity in the trade — from the misconceptions surrounding it to the challenges neurodivergent people can face at work.Robin speaks to neurodiversity specialist Susan Fitzell about the strengths neurodivergent workers can bring to the trades, why some people choose not to disclose their diagnosis, and what employers and businesses can do to create more supportive and inclusive workplaces.He also hears first-hand from Carpenters, Ben Haskins and Scott Bubb about their experiences in the trade, their careers, apprenticeships, working life and how neurodiversity has shaped their lives both on and off the tools.

Robin Clevett is joined by TV and radio presenter Sam Pinkham, co-founder of Shack, to hear how he has gone from broadcasting to building a rapidly growing construction business.Shack specialises in the architectural design and sustainable construction of cabins, homes and hotels.Sam talks Robin through the journey of starting the business, scaling up, bringing architectural design in-house and some of the standout projects Shack has delivered.They also discuss the challenges of finding skilled and reliable labour, the construction industry's skills shortage and why Shack has focused on getting more women into senior positions and on site.Sam also shares his experiences working in TV and radio, including presenting Holiday Homes In The Sun and working across some of the UK's biggest radio stations.

Robin Clevett is joined by Liam Burry and Tom O'Reilly from Bristol-based Archwood Carpentry to hear how they got started in the trade, developed their skills and eventually came together to build their own carpentry business.After meeting the pair at the Woodworking Expo in Birmingham, Robin gets an insight into their routes into carpentry, their training experiences, the lessons they’ve learned along the way and what it’s like working together as business partners.They also discuss some of their most challenging and rewarding projects, the work they’re most proud of, the realities of starting a new business and what the future could look like for Archwood Carpentry.A conversation about learning the trade, working together and building a successful carpentry business from the ground up.

Robin Clevett catches up with two previous guests to find out what’s happened since they first appeared on the show.Scott Taylor returns with an update on his long-running work in The Gambia, where he’s spent two decades helping local communities and building schools.When Scott last joined Robin, his latest school project was around 90% complete — so what’s happened since?Robin also catches up with Emily Kitchin, better known online as Chippy Em, to hear about her work on the tools, recent projects, collaborations, challenges and life as a tradesperson creating content online.Plus, Robin shares some updates from his own professional life and what’s coming up for the rest of 2026.

Robin Clevett looks into how tradespeople have integrated AI into their business and working practices so far.Robin talks to Danny Webb, who is an Electrical Contractor that has written books on how to price work and also runs a successful business with his business partner Mike Toulson. Danny talks about using AI for many aspects of his business and how it’s helped him. Sean Matthews, an award winning Carpenter joins Robin to talk about how he’s newly adopted AI in some of his working practices… but has reservations about how much he is willing to trust it and integrate it into business critical tasks.Google UK Chief Exec, Kate Alessi joins the show to share some insight into how the trade community has adopted AI so far and talks about what else is possible as well as a partnership with Screwfix aiming to upskill and train tradespeople.

Robin Clevett has asked three Carpenters & Joiners to join him and talk about what their best attributes are... and also - what is beyond their skills or they simply don't have the patience for.Guests: Richard Wagner, John Argyle & Jay Elliott.