The Carpentry Show on Fix Radio Podcast

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

Robin Clevett joins Jack Auletta and his team at a rural ongoing building project in the Surrey Hills. Jack gives Robin a guide around the site and talks about his history with the project. Robin and Jack look at the materials used and Robin talks to the guys on-site

During Robin Clevett's recent visit to Festool in Bury St Edmonds, Robin sat down with Head of Construction at Tameside College Dean Donelon, so that Dean could ask Robin his thoughts on how the trade is taught, what he would like apprentices to be taught, insight into his career and advice for those joining the trade

Robin Clevett is joined by Frank Schipano, An Australian Carpenter who has a unique opportunity to shadow Carpenters around Europe and has recently been working with Robin here in the UK. Frank talks about the family business back in Melbourne, the differences and similarities in working here compared to Australia, materials, working with Robin on-site recently and more

Robin Clevett goes to Festool HQ in Bury St Edmonds so that he can sit down and conduct a Q&A session with students from Tameside College. The students ask Robin questions about his career, thoughts on the trade, the tools he uses, social media and more

Robin Clevett is joined by Carpenters so that he can find out how business has been for the first quarter of 2025 and what the next two quarters will be like. Guests include: Jon Randal, Allen Burt & Jay Elliott

Robin Clevett invites guests on to find out what the latest is with regards to challenges with tool theft faced by tradespeople and progress on tackling the issue. Robin talks to Carpenter, Paul Underwood about his recent tool theft experiences and Shoaib Awan, Organiser of the recent tool theft rallies outside Parliament, joins Robin to discuss what he's been up to with the re-sale of stolen tools and the next steps in lobbying the government and police force

Robin Clevett has guests join him to discuss the evolution of hand tools to where we're at in 2025 with power tools. Robin ponders whether it's changed the trade for better, worse and how the relationship with tools has evolved along with the tools themselves over the years... Guests include: Lee Butterworth (Rustic Realities) & Marc Firkins

After talking about getting back to basics, I'm Robin talks about taking risks with your business and the rewards you might reap as a result. Guests include: Jack Auletta & Andrew Walker (AW Maker) 

Robin Clevett talks about accidents and resulting injuries that can be commonplace in the trade. Robin has Micheal Davies from Saw Stop drop in to share some surprising stats and discuss safety. Robin also talks with Carpenter Karlen Offen about some of the more dangerous elements of his work outdoors and Woodworker, Jacob Bell joins to discuss safety and injuries sustained using hand tools and power tools 

Robin Clevett chats with a range of guests from the world of Carpentry about the importance of getting back to basics and not resting on your laurels when running a buiness. Guests include: Dan Brown (invtentor of the U-Scribe Jig) & Award Winning Carpenter, Sean Matthews

Robin Clevett talks about how you can maximise your productivity. Robin invites guests to join him and share their insight into how they've gone about making tweaks and improvements to their working practices. Guests include: John Argyle & Derek Barrett 

Robin Clevett is joined by Carpenters who have had a range of experiences with regards to the online space so that they can share them and talk about the good and bad aspects of social media in the construction industry. Guests include: David Byrne, Gary Banks & John Penny

Robin Clevett looks at the recent scrapping of the T-Level qualification and what it means for those teaching the trade. Dean Donelon, Head of Construction at Tameside College joins the discussion to give his thoughts on why the T-Level wasn't right for teaching the trade and where we go from here

Robin Clevett is joined by Mike Dennis, A Carpenter that worked for years with a team from around the world to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, after it was devestated by a fire in 2019. Mike talks about his amazing journey that led him to working on this once in a lifetime project, talks about the methods, skills, materials, tools and organisation that went into the re-built and much more

Robin Clevett invites two Carpenters to join him and discuss their plans for the coming year and Robin also shares his vision for himself professionally in 2025. Guests include: Jay Elliott from Carpentry By Jay & Adrian Potts

Robin Clevett follows up his recent look into Passivhaus construction with Mike Whitfield & Finley Simpson from MW Construction. Mike has completed over 25 Passivhaus projects and Finley has joined him four years ago, with a scope to take on the business in the near future. They discuss the challenges, the enjoyable aspects of Passivhaus builds, why it might be worth looking into a specialism and what the future holds of Passivhaus builds here in the UK

Robin Clevett goes to Skillbuild 2024 in Milton Keynes to see the best apprentices & students in the UK compete against one another in their trade. Robin guides you through the floor of the competition with all the zones for each trade, He talks to a competitor in the Joinery category, Tibby Singh who is judging once again has a chat with Robin and much more!

Robin Clevett is joined by Tabitha Binding from the Passivhaus Trust to discuss getting into Passivhaus and why it could be a great opportunity for Carpenters and Joiners. Tabitha and Robin talk about the training, the materials, construction methods, sustainability and more

Robin Clevett gives you a guide to taking payments. Robin invites fellow Carpenters to join him and discuss their approach to taking payments and what they've learnt from previous experiences with customers. Robin also shares his own approach and gives plenty of advice for anyone new to this or struggling to deal with customers with regards to getting paid. Guests include: Dan Brown & Gavin Tutton 

Robin Clevett is joined by Karlan Offen from JK Fencing & Construction, a family run business in Maidstone. Robin met Karlan at a builders merchants and was really impressed by his business management and the quality of work he completes in gardens for his customers. Robin talks to Karlan about his experiences running the business and the success and challenges he's had

Robin Clevett invites three guests, who have all set up their businesses in the last few years, to join him and discuss their experiences. Robin is keen to know how different it is setting up in the 2020s compared to how he and many of you set up, all those years ago. There's also some tips and insight for those of you considering doing the same. Guests include: Max Lee from Pitch Perfect, Jay Elliott from Carpentry By Jay & Lee Butterworth from Rustic Realities

Robin Clevett invites three Carpenters to join him so that he can pose the question 'If you had £10k to spend on _____ - what would you buy?'. Robin asks about vans, tools, spending on the business, charitable acts, spending on training and more. Guests include: Jason Joyce, Sam Thomas & Steven Hoare

Robin Clevett is joined by Dean Donelon, Head of Construction at Tameside College so that they can discuss the current route apprentices take through college, how they are taught, accessed and the positives of bringing an apprentice from college onto site with you. Dean also touches on recent comments made around apprenticeships from the Education Minister and appeals to you to consider teaching the trade at some point in your career

How do you start to take on larger and more ambitious projects? How do you get your costs right and avoid taking on too much risk? And what are the rewards for doing so? Robin Clevett is joined by Mike Pawley from the Mayflower Group to discuss financing larger scale projects and show regular, Jack Auletta tells the story of how he went from Electrical Contractor to taking on larger scale building work 

Robin Clevett is joined by three show regulars to discuss workwear and get some tips and insight into how they approach this. Robin asks about branding, seasonal workwear, protective workwear and kitting out those that work with you in appropriate workwear as well. Guests include: John Argyle, Sean Matthews & Jack Auletta

Robin Clevett is joined by Matthew Lane, a British ex-pat Carpenter currently living and working in Kentucky. Matt talks about how he set up there, what the work is like, the cultural differences in how the trades work in America compared to the UK

Well known and accomplished Carpenter, Gary Banks joins Robin Clevett at Festool in Bury St Edmonds for a chat about his career, the tools he uses, his workshop, projects he takes on, technology and the challenges that he's faced as a Carpenter too

Robin Clevett is joined by Adrian Potts for a discussion recorded at Festool in Bury St Edmonds. Adrian is a self described digital carpenter and talks about his use of CAD, CNC Machines, Laser, 3D and digital print technology. Robin and Adrian also talk about how some of this technology will be much more commonly used by tradespeople in the coming years 

Robin Clevett is joined by Quantity Surveyor Tim Philips to discuss how to approach working with QS both on larger scale projects and also at the start of the planning phases. Robin also asks Tim for advice on how Carpenters & Tradespeople can better QS their own projects. Robin is also joined by Connor Price from Price My Project to discuss working with a Quantity Surveyor throughout the building phases and also how contractors and sole traders of all size and description can bring a QS in to assist with their projects

Robin Clevett chats with an Architect (Steve Wilkinson, James Gorst Architects) who oversaw the design and construction of the New Temple Complex Which won a Wood Award for 'Best New Timber Building'. Robin asks about the design phases, how the construction unfolded, how Steve worked with the contractors, carpenters and joiners on all stages of the project and also reflects on working with architects as well

Robin Clevett is joined by three well known and respected members of the trade to give some tips, tricks and advice. There's something for the novices as well as the most experienced and knowledgeable Carpenters and Joiners

Robin Clevett talks to Henry Thompson from Thompson Timberworks about a notable and award winning project he's completed in the garden. Henry talks about getting involved with the design phases for the first time, construction of the project and also touches on work completing playgrounds as well

Robin Clevett is joined by two Carpenters who have changed their businesses to bring garden rooms into the heart of what they do. Robin asks what the oppertunities they've spotted are, how they bring the work in, the nature of the work and Robin also talks about his vast experience in taking on garden rooms first hand. Guests include: David Byrne & Shayde Farmery

Robin Clevett is joined by three Carpenters who do various different aspects of work outside, particularly in the summer. Robin asks them how they've found the summer of 2024 so far in the UK (up to the first week of August) How they approach planning work outside with unpredictable weather and more. Guests: Jack Auletta, Oli Lee, Kevin Page

Robin Clevett is joined by Ollie O'Brian, who is a newly qualified member of the trade and Matthew Rutherford, who won Screwfix's Apprentice of the Year 2024, as a first year apprentice. Robin compares their experiences with his own when he first learnt the trade, finds out what kept them invested in learning their craft, who helped them and what they plan to do next

Robin Clevett is joined by top Carpenter and friend of the show, John Argyle from Enfield Refurbishements and discuses how to treat, manage and bring along those that work alongside you. This applies to anyone from subbies, co-workers, employees and apprentices and also how to spot some red flags when it comes to people not right for your business. Robin also discusses the weather so far this summer...

Robin Clevett talks to Steven Hoare from 109 Carpentry about hanging doors, the challenges that come with it, why Steven does the work and also plays a voice note from a previous guest that has had a nightmare with hanging doors for a difficult customer. Later in the show, Robin gives some tips and insight on how to approach interviewing and bringing someone onto site that might join you as a subcontractor or employee

Robin Clevett is joined by members of the trade, who do different things within it, to discuss how they've been tested by the nature of the trade since they joined. They talk about everything from working with other trades, managing jobs, perfecting skills, health and safety, bringing apprentices along and also provide some insight and encouragement if you're struggling to learn or progress in Carpentry & Joinery

Robin Clevett gives you a guide to vans and vehicles. There's everything from buying or leasing to what to put in your vans, how to secure them, Robin is joined by award winning Carpenter Sean Matthews, who tells a funny story about an early van of his and also gives insight into sign writing. Robin is joined by Todd Glister, fellow Fix Radio presenter, who discusses his van, ULEZ, security and EV

Robin Clevett has the tables turned on him as last week's guest, Jason Joyce, returns and asks Robin about his career in the trade, his experiences as a family man and Carpenter as well as an online and media personality within the trade

Robin Clevett invites Jason Joyce from JC Timber Roof Specialists to discuss his experiences on the tools, the journey he's been on with his business since starting five years ago, some of the work he takes on and also his content on social media

Robin Clevett looks at the approach to workign safely from heigh in the trade and construction. Robin asks Max Lee from Pitch Perfect how he stays safe and Danny Madden, host of the Roofing Show on Fix Radio (Sundays from 11am) talks about close calls he's had, customers getting on the roof and rules he has for those working around him

Robin Clevett invites show regular John Argyle to discuss the different ways he's sustainable and what it means to him in this day to day practices and also talks to Richard Wagner, who runs woodworking classes and is a bit advocate with regards to sustainability in the trade. Robin also talks about how sustainability has long been adopted by the trade and also gives some tips and advice 

Robin Clevett tackles a subject that has everything and nothing to do with being a Carpenter in 2024, depending on whether you've embraced and joined social media or not. Robin first invites David Byrne to join him to explain his three channels he's created and Robin uses David as a great example of how to showcase yourself as a Carpenter on social media. Robin invites Landscaping Show host, John Roberts to join him and share his perspective and learnings on social media. Finally, Robin talks about some of his social media experiences and gives you some advice on what to post, what not to post and what your audience wants to see 

Robin Clevett talks to two top Carpenters about their approach to design, working creating amazing structures in their client's outdoor spaces. Oli Lee talks about how his experience working for Aardman Animations informs his style, design approach and how he protects his original ideas from being stolen. Robin then talks to Simon Bowler about the design process and how the building phase can sometimes create challenges with regards to the original plan

Robin Clevett has invited three members of the trade to join him and assist in giving a bit of a guide to tools in 2024. Robin asks about preferred brands, maintanance, advice, different types of technology new to the market and more

Robin Clevett talks to three guests who focus on different aspects of construction and carpentry and asks them about their approach to work site coordination

Robin Clevett looks at what you can do to minimise strain and injury that comes with the physical nature of the trade and also talks to two Carpenters about how they approach unplanned time off and illness